Clearly Caring Christian Life Resources
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Home Edition 2012 Volume 32 / Number 2
Thankful for Life!
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Defending Traditional Marriage Is an Act of Love
10 War Against
Women – Really!
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Adult Stem Cell Treatments Move Ahead, Embryonic Stem Cells Fall Farther Behind
Also... With Great Patience and Careful Instruction
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Christian Life Resources National Convention Saturday, November 3rd Children of God wish to do the right thing but might be prevented from doing so for two reasons: 1) they either are easily tempted to do the wrong thing; or, 2) they don’t not feel adequately equipped to do what they know needs to be done. One big step in the right direction is to attend the annual Christian Life Resources National Convention. It will be held on Saturday, November 3rd, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Slinger, Wisconsin (about 25 minutes north of Milwaukee). The convention will focus on two major objectives: 1) education – equipping people to do the right thing; and, 2) encouragement – enjoying the fellowship of others who also are struggling with what to do next and enjoying fellowship with those already active in the cause of protecting life and sharing life through Christ. This year’s convention theme is based on Ephesians 4:15: “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” Centered on the Lord of Life, we will focus on the truth, communicating it in a way that shows genuine concern for lives and for souls. Sometimes the workshops will simply serve to pass along important information. Sometimes the workshops will focus on technique and ways to share the truth in a manner that protects life, venerates God’s truth, and conveys Christian love. Every workshop is designed to better equip attendees to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.
General Audience Track:
Designed to address a broad spectrum of life and family issues. Through presentations and discussion we can focus on the truths of God’s Word as they apply to the challenging issues of our time.
Plenary Events:
Two key plenary events include the afternoon keynote address, challenging us with the question, “What is Truth?” The day will begin with our convention worship service conducted by Pastor Mark Jeske of the “Time of Grace” Ministry.
Student Track: Revamped and designed for middle school, high school and college students who want to have a good time and also learn what they can do to make a difference. This year will be historic as we are asking the students present to form the first official international CLR Students for Life group. They will elect officers and look ahead to design more activities geared to address the interests and needs of students on life and family issues.
Pregnancy Resource Center Track:
Designed primarily to further educate and train the staff of our 20-plus pregnancy and life resource centers. It is also an excellent introduction for those who think the time has come to open a life and pregnancy resource center.
Plan to attend. The cost is very reasonable, and the experience is priceless! register at www.clrevents.com
Clearly Caring – Home Edition Christian Life Resources
Thankful for Life! 2012
Defending Traditional Marriage Is an Act of Love
4
Pastor Robert Fleischmann
War Against Women – Really!
10
Pastor Robert Fleischmann
News & Views | 16
Volume 32 / Number 2
Hearts in Heaven
7
Mrs. Stacy Hoehl
With Great Patience and Careful Instruction
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Mrs. Heidi Westlund
Adult Stem Cell Treatments Move Ahead, Embryonic Stem Cells Fall Farther Behind
Christian Life Resources’ Official Positions and Thoughts to Ponder on Life and Family Issues
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Q&A | 18
Dr. David Prentice
Pastor Robert Fleischmann
Family Treasures & Gifts Christmas Catalog | 19
Become a Regular Donor
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ite
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Wa The ministry of Christian Life Resources relies on donors to support its y work – and especially those who provide financial resources on a regular giving basis. This ongoing support provides CLR with monetary stabilization so we can concentrate on our life-affirming ministry work. The United Way permits you to participate through their Donor Choice program. United Way will accept your pledge, charge 10-16% for its operational costs and forward the rest to Christian Life Resources. Ask to make a “Donor Choice” designation for your pledge and provide Christian Life Resources’ name and address as the agency you prefer to support – our information is found below.
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
To see previous issues of Clearly Caring go to: www.ClearlyCaring.com Christian Life Resources, Inc., 3070 Helsan Drive, Richfield, WI 53076-9582 Phone: (800) 729-9535 Email: contact@christianliferesources.com Websites: www.ClearlyCaring.com and www.ChristianLifeResources.com
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Defending Traditional Marriage Is an Act of Love by Pastor Robert Fleischmann
[The following is an adaptation of a bulletin insert created by Christian Life Resources for use by congregations everywhere. The insert can be downloaded at: www.christianliferesources.com/images/Marriage%20Bulletin.pdf]
A child, however, who had no important job and could only see things as his eyes showed them to him, went up to the carriage.
sharp and often nasty in their objections to his comments, some Christians even considered Dan Cathy and the Chick-fil-A franchise loveless in holding such a position. Really? Isn’t it time we call out the truth on how naked this movement really is? I offer the following arguments in defense of traditional marriage:
“The Emperor is naked,” he said.
Marriage Is God’s Invention The underlying presupposition of the movement to redefine marriage is that it is an evolved social convention of people who are smarter today than they were in the past. It is a natural outgrowth of an evolutionary mentality that perceives all growth, knowledge and experience as an achievement on a progressively higher level.
From “The Emperor’s New Clothes” by Hans Christian Andersen Daniel Truett Cathy, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the fast food chain, “Chick-fil-A,” caused an uproar because of his stance on traditional marriage. In a radio interview in early summer of 2012 he said, “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.’”
In fact, traditional marriage as an estate of life-long commitment between a man and a woman is not man’s invention to redefine but rather it is God’s invention for all time. God speaks directly and clearly about marriage: Then the man said, “This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
Not only were the predictable liberal pundits and homosexual activists C learly C aring
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Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:23-24)
“‘Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.’” (Leviticus 18:22) Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. (Romans 1:26-27)
“Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6)
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders (1 Corinthians 6:9)
This relationship, later called marriage (Genesis 29:26), was defined by God in the Garden of Eden, and was established as the primary and foundational social relationship between human beings. Subsequently, God prescribed the perpetual nature of this relationship as stemming from the male/female relationship of a mother and father. It was reaffirmed in the New Testament by Jesus Christ as an enduring relationship, unchanged in its heterosexual components. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (Deuteronomy 11:19) Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother, he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. (Proverbs 4:1-5)
The Word of God in both the Old and New Testaments clearly condemns homosexual relationships. Those seeking to justify such same-sex relationships must deny the divine and inerrant nature of these words to continue in their convictions. God clearly rejects the homosexual relationship.
Marriage is the predominant component in the education of children. A man and a woman, as husband and wife, are charged with the training of their children in matters of wisdom and faith. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Timothy 5:8)
And he said to them: “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ But you say that if a man says to his father or mother:
Man and woman, as husband and wife – together with their children – form the network of care and support for each other. The traditional family structure is foundational in God’s design for social stability and the care of others. C learly C aring
(continued on next page)
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‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” (Mark 7:9-13)
In the public square Christians may be compelled by increasing sinfulness to permit relationships otherwise rejected by God (Matthew 19:8). Such accommodations, however, never permit anyone to obscure the truth by redefining that which God has already established.
Christian concern for the protection of In Biblical times some unscrupulous traditional marriage begins with the people would pledge an oath according preeminent concern of the soul of those to Numbers 30:2 with the intent to avoid who sin in this regard. Our goal is always following God’s other commands. In this reference from Mark’s gospel, people neglected Judicial efforts, legislative initiatives and the care of their parents voter referendums of the populace seeking because they claimed to define marriage as anything other their money was pledged to God (Corban). They than the life-long committed relationship favored one responsibility of a man and woman as husband and and ignored the other.
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to be clear (Colossians 4:4), to be patient, and to present the truth in a manner that is instructive (2 Timothy 4:2-5). We are to speak the truth and to always speak it in love (Ephesians 4:15). In the end Christians must call out the nakedness of pro-gay marriage arguments. It is not a question of fairness but of correctness. The Creator defined marriage. Marriage is to provide for the continuance and further blessing of His premier creation, human beings. Messing with it in any way defies its Creator and cheapens our centerpiece human relationship.
Judicial efforts, legislative initiatives and voter referendums of the populace seeking to define marriage as anything other than the life-long committed relationship of a man and woman as husband and wife violate the clear Word of God. It is altering and redefining something already established by God.
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wife violate the clear Word of God.
In like manner, when a same-sex couple seeks to be “married” and uses the oaths of traditional marriage – even conducting the ceremony in a Christian setting – they attempt to use God-prescribed oaths to justify doing contrary to God’s design. Homosexual unions which attempt to redefine marriage focus on the marriage oaths of devotion and commitment while trampling on God’s design for marriage. Sacred mar;riage promises of commitment within the context of a relationship that is condemned does not make the marriage legitimate.
Rev. Robert Fleischmann is the National Director of Christian Life Resources. He speaks throughout North America on the Biblical approach to various life and family issues and counsels people with God’s Word in correct decision-making.
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Hearts in Heaven by Mrs. Stacy Hoehl Consider for a moment the work of a parent’s hands. They wipe away tears. They brush hair. They apply bandages. They hug, squeeze, and comfort. They tickle. They clap to cheer and pat on the back to congratulate. For parents, the hands are an extension of the desire to nurture and care for their children.
for medical bills, funeral costs, memorial arrangements and other related expenses. We host a variety of events designed to inspire, encourage and support those who have experienced child loss. Our annual “Miles of Hope” run/walk event is full of reflection and fellowship. Our “Day of Hope” workshop is an opportunity for women to connect, reflect on loss and the grieving process and celebrate the true hope of heaven through Jesus Christ. In the future, we plan to hold events to help couples communicate and connect through their losses.
One of the most difficult and painful realities parents can face is when their hands are emptied of children they believe should be in their care. And, those empty hands can lead to an empty feeling in the heart. Perhaps you or someone you know has experienced the empty hands of child loss.
Our greatest purpose is to share the message of Christ with those who’ve suffered the empty hands of child loss. Our Savior is the only One who can fill them back up to the point of overflowing! To nurture this relationship with Jesus, we offer an eight-week devotional series that works through the shock, anger, sadness and emptiness of child loss with eyes focused on Christ.
“Hearts in Heaven” was founded in 2010 by moms who experienced various forms of child loss, ranging from recurrent miscarriage to infant loss. In the face of suffering, we realized how few resources exist for those dealing with the grief, spiritual challenges and financial burdens of losing a child. Though our losses left our hands seemingly empty for a time, the Lord filled them with an unexpected purpose.
To find out more about “Hearts in Heaven,” access the devotions, volunteer, or make a tax-deductible donation, please visit our website at www.heartsinheaven.org. Spread the word about “Hearts in Heaven,” so we can reach the empty hands of child loss with the fullness of Christ’s love.
With our hands ready to work, our purpose is threefold: 1) to fill the hands of others facing child loss with the financial resources to bring relief; 2) to hold those hands with emotional support; and, 3) to direct those hands toward the loving embrace of our Savior from sin, Jesus.
Stacy Hoehl and her husband, Nick, live in Waukesha, WI, with their children, Jordan, Vanessa, and Nadia. They are members at Mt. Calvary in Waukesha. Stacy serves as a professor in the Communication Department at Wisconsin Lutheran College and as a co-founder of “Hearts in Heaven.”
To help relieve the financial stress that can unexpectedly arise while a family is coping with loss, we offer financial assistance
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i believe in new beginnings
With Great Patience and Careful Instruction by Mrs. Heidi Westlund
In this day and age, could you get by without a car? Would you be able to gather up all of your possessions and move in less than a day? Do you know how to get someone out of jail? For a vast majority of people, the overwhelming response to C learly C aring
these questions is, “Absolutely not.� In her book, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, Ruby Payne utilizes these questions to help highlight the hidden rules among classes. For the generationally poor, these questions are no brainers. 8
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Now add to the mix a young woman who is pregnant and alone, and you may begin to understand the sense of urgency the applicants to our New Beginnings’ program can feel. For most of them, their relatively short backgrounds also include singleparent homes or foster care, alcohol and/ or drug abuse, physical and/or sexual abuse, and detention center and/or jail time. It is hardly surprising, yet extremely heartwarming, to see the genuine excitement in their eyes and to hear the unmistakable relief in their voices when they find out they have an opportunity to create a “new beginning” – not only for themselves, but for their children as well.
and are far from mundane. The spiritual growth component of the program also entails individual Bible studies and the requirement of attending church on a weekly basis. What could be more important or fulfilling than positively impacting someone’s life eternally? In addition to the focus on spiritual growth, we also work with the residents on personal and family growth. Most of the pregnancies are unplanned, and the residents are ill-equipped on various levels to become single mothers. Our daily morning devotions in addition to teaching God’s Word also help to create a healthy routine and promote social interaction. The residents are required to perform common area household chores twice a week to promote cleanliness, discipline and responsibility. Every Saturday morning, apartment checks are done to make sure the ladies keep up with their own household duties including vacuuming, washing the dishes, doing their laundry and cleaning the bathroom. Every Wednesday evening, group sessions take place which are designed to assist the residents with instrumental life skills including finances, education, childcare, nutrition, healthy relationship building, and the list goes on.
Initially, the fact that these women have a safe, clean, loving place to lay their heads at night at a place they can actually call their own seems to be too much for them to fully comprehend. After weeks and even months of worry about where they are going to sleep on a nightly basis, their anxiety is finally curbed when they enter the doors of New Beginnings. They are provided a fully-furnished, climatecontrolled, one-bedroom apartment – which is nothing short of a miracle for most of the residents. As they gradually settle into their new home and the daily routine of the program, the concepts of spiritual, family, and personal growth are introduced. As with most teaching experiences, both residents and staff members experience a broad range of emotions – from the elation of an “a-ha” moment to the pendulum swing of pure frustration. Thankfully, in our Christian environment we are guided by Paul’s instructions to “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Overall, our mission is to help a single mother with God’s Word to grow spiritually, make God-pleasing decisions, become a responsible citizen in society, and be a competent and loving Christian parent. Given their backgrounds and the circumstances into which they enter our program, there is no doubt that the residents will experience growing pains as they progress. Thankfully, God gives us all the patience, strength and courage to persevere as well as the loving support of our much larger Christian family. I wholeheartedly believe in New Beginnings, and through the generous donations of time, supplies and money it is apparent that many others do too.
We begin each new weekday hearing, discussing and learning God’s Word in our morning group devotions. For some, it is a completely new and foreign experience. For others, it is a somewhat familiar concept, but not something they are in the habit of doing on a regular basis. For a select few, God’s Word and their desire to turn their lives around is what actually brings them to the program in the first place! With such a broad spectrum of Bible-based knowledge and vast array of worldly experiences within our midst, our morning group devotions overflow with teaching opportunities – C learly C aring
Together we are making not only an earthly – but more importantly – an eternal difference in the lives of others! Mrs. Heidi Westlund serves as the Home Manager for New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
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perspective
War Against Women – Really! by Pastor Robert Fleischmann
I recently joined Twitter. It’s a tool that uses the Internet, computers and cell phones to communicate short messages of 140 characters or less. I know – it didn’t sound terribly efficient to me either, but I have learned a lot. I opened my account just before the Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Because my travels often keep me away from the television set, I found I could still instantly track convention attendees’ perspectives as a Twitter “follower.” I signed up for the Twitter feeds to connect with popular newspaper journalists and television reporters. I also registered to receive “tweets” from politicians of both primary political parties. In particular I continue to follow leading abortion-rights advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood, NARAL and the Center for Reproductive Choices. What Twitter allowed me to do is see past what is presented on television or printed in newspapers. Through this real-time information network I have observed that the abortion-rights folks want to create a panic about a supposed “war against women.” It is a catchy phrase that has caught its share of media attention, and it is important to understand why. C learly C aring
War is one of those alarming words. On the one hand it represents mankind at its worst with its death and destruction. On the other hand it represents coordinated efforts to eradicate a problem (i.e., war on poverty, war on injustice, etc.). So what are we to make of this so-called “war on women”? If you read the “tweets” of many abortionadvocacy groups on Twitter, they perceive the war on women as any effort that might restrict unfettered access to all birth control and to abortion on demand. This current catch phrase, which has dominated nearly every speech, legislative effort and editorial, suggests that any woman who does not have an entitled constitutional right to birth control (any kind of birth control) or cannot take the life of her baby through abortion is at war. In reality all of this “war against women” talk is nothing more than a smokescreen hiding the real war that is taking place: the claiming of millions in casualties through abortion. What these radical extremists demand is the right for a woman to kill her own child. It is really a “war of women” against the youngest and most innocent of human beings – unborn babies. In 2008 Camille Paglia, an author and ardent supporter of abortion rights, wrote in her monthly column for Salon.com, “I have always frankly admitted that abortion is murder, the extermination of
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the powerless by the powerful. Liberals for the most part have shrunk from facing the ethical consequences of their embrace of abortion, which results in the annihilation of concrete individuals and not just clumps of insensate tissue.” The irony is that Camille Paglia and others like her still want to give women the right to end the lives of their children. So this is a war, and it is a war of women against the weak. In fact, in many places in the world it is a war of women against women. The three most dangerous words that can be spoken today are: “It’s a girl!” That’s right. With prenatal testing technology, the ability to reasonably identify gender before birth has become a death sentence worldwide for baby girls, killed by “sex-selective abortion” – simply because these newborns are female. At the National Right to Life Convention in June of this year, a sobering presentation was given on the one-child policy in China. U.S. Representative Chris Smith and social scientist Steve Mosher revealed China’s population control policy to limit family size. However, it was the report given by Reggie Littlejohn that stunned the audience. Ms. Littlejohn founded Women’s Rights Without Frontiers to expose and oppose forced abortion, gendercide and sexual slavery in China. In her convention address in June, Littlejohn repeated the United Nations statistic that about 200 million females are “demographically missing” from the world today – women who should have
been born or permitted to grow up but were killed by selective abortion or infanticide. Under its one-child policy, China’s cultural preference strongly favors sons. To avoid financial penalties on families with more than one child, it was documented more than a decade ago that Chinese midwives would drown newborn baby girls. Mothers wishing to bear a boy or those who already had a second child were found to practice sex-selective abortion on their female preborn daughters. Today China’s gender ratio skews decidedly male: 113 males for every 100 females. By the time that population reaches 15 years of age the ratio in China will shift to 115 males for every 100 females. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 55 million extra males without spouses in China. This trend has led to an increase in the sex slave industry. Laura J. Lederer, Vice President of Planning and Policy at Global Centurion and former Senior Advisor on Human Trafficking at the State Department, stated that China’s “One Child Policy is the tsunami driving sexual slavery in Asia.” Females in other countries are being kidnapped and sold into sexual slavery to provide spouses for the growing male population in China. Abortion-rights advocates have become delusional in their obsession with abortion. So much so that they do not realize there is a real war against women – and because of abortion the women are losing.
SPECIAL GIFTS & MEMORIALS IN MEMORY OF John Baumbauch by James & Joyce Dyrud of New Richmond, WI Marlene Gauger by Ken & Sue Gawrisch of Franklin, WI Mrs. Jackie Hering by Pastor Johannes Hering of Florence, WI Walter Poehler by Elsie Schroeder of Round Lake Beach, IL Mildred F. Schulz by Shirley M. Rote of Lake Geneva, WI and by Larry & Joyce Rouce of Burlington, WI
7/25/12 - 10/15/12
Rose Heikes by Dennis & Jan Krueger of Blomkest, MN Lorraine Jahn by Steven & Karen Raabe of Waukesha, WI Carol Fuller by Terry & Beth Lundsten of Watertown, WI David M Favorite by Dorothy Favorite from Appleton, WI Leona Westendorf by Joanne Rosenbaum of Saginaw, MI Larry Schmidt by Edith Thompson of Milwaukee, WI
IN HONOR OF Grayce Elizabeth Brouwers on her birthday September 12, 2001 Her parents by Elsbeth Kietzmann by Gerald & Edna Swantz of Franksville, WI of Beaver Dam, WI C learly C aring
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stem cell rese a rch
Adult Stem Cell Treatments Move Ahead, Embryonic Stem Cells Fall Farther Behind by David A. Prentice, Ph.D.
Still confused by the stem cell debate? Don’t feel alone. Medical professionals and the public alike still have many questions about the different types, or sources, of stem cells as well as their potential and actual effectiveness for clinical treatments. Embryonic stem cells continue to receive the majority of news coverage, yet remain the least likely stem cell to help patients. In fact, even the embryonic stem cell advocates are beginning to admit failure. The California company Geron, first to receive approval to inject embryonic stem cells into a few patients, gave up on their trial and shut down all of their embryonic stem cell research. After a year, none of the patients showed improvements, though they will need to be monitored for many years to come for potential tumor formation. Even celebrity stem cell promoter Michael J. Fox recently admitted that “[embryonic] stem cells” were unlikely to help any patients any time soon. Given that embryonic stem cells are ethically tainted, requiring the destruction of young human life or even creating a new human life via cloning (somatic cell nuclear transfer) specifically for destruction, it’s heartening that many are seeing the many problems associated with this type of stem cell. C learly C aring
The newer technology of iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) has been increasingly in the news lately, as an ethical alternative to embryonic stem cells. The iPS cells are made by adding a few genes to a normal cell such as a skin cell, causing the normal cell to look and act like an embryonic stem cell, yet without any use of embryos, eggs, or cloning technology. Even though iPS cells use an adult cell (not a stem cell) as their starting material, they are definitely not “adult stem cells,” but rather an ethically-derived version of embryonic stem cells. They can be made from any person, starting with almost any normal cell and have been used to model cell growth and development in the lab. They may also serve as disease models in the lab, allowing scientists to investigate how some diseases develop. Recently, Israeli scientists made iPS cells from heart patients, then turned the iPS cells into beating heart cells in the lab, to study heart disease. Adult stem cells remain the only type of stem cell used successfully to treat human patients. They are the one and only gold standard for clinical treatments with stem cells. Adult stem cells have many advantages. They can be isolated from numerous tissues, including bone marrow, muscle, fat, and umbilical cord blood, just to name a few. And isolating the adult stem cells from tissues of a patient or a healthy donor does not require harming or destroying the
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Rare Opportunity to Tour Germany
• 10 day tour starting Sept. 2, 2013 • Tour places of importance to the Reformation and Martin Luther • Visit Berlin, Munich, Rothenburg and other cities • More activities: Rhine River cruise, Neuschwanstein Castle and much, much more For more information, contact tour host retired WELS pastor Eugene Kock who has led over 40 tours, many to Germany, at pastorkock@yahoo.com, or phone 608-318-1079. Arrangements made by Imagine Tours & Travel.
donor, giving adult stem cells a decided ethical advantage over embryonic stem cells. Adult stem cells also have a proven track record for success at saving lives and improving health on a daily basis. Over 50,000 people around the globe are treated each year with adult stem cells. The diseases and conditions successfully treated by adult stem cells, as shown by published scientific evidence, continue to expand, with published success for numerous cancers, spinal cord injury, heart damage, multiple sclerosis, sickle cell anemia, and many others. Here are a few samples of adult stem cell advances in the last year. • Heart Damage: Adult stem cells continue to pile up the evidence for their success at improving the health of damaged hearts. Repair of damaged heart muscle in patients has been documented both for new heart attack damage as well as for patients with chronic heart failure. Doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles used adult stem cells from the hearts of the patients themselves, grown in the lab and then injected back into the patients’ own hearts. They found that the adult stem cells could re-grow damaged heart muscle and reduce scars in the heart tissue. Meanwhile Yale scientists used a young girl’s own bone marrow adult stem cells to grow heart tissue and blood vessels to repair the girl’s congenital heart problem. And doctors from the Texas Heart Institute in Houston presented evidence that adult stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow could repair damaged areas of hearts suffering from severe heart failure, allowing the heart to increase its pumping capacity to deliver oxygenated blood to the body. If you think that using adult stem cells to treat C learly C aring
heart damage is a new fad or unproven in the medical literature, you need to understand that it’s not. Professor Bodo-Eckehard Strauer, MD, of Germany recently published a review of his own and others’ clinical trials, starting with his first adult stem cell transplant for a heart patient back in 2001.
• Muscle Repair: Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have shown that adult stem cells from the muscle of young mice can improve the health and extend the life of aged mice. While this doesn’t mean that the cells are truly the fountain of youth, it highlights the possibility of using adult stem cells for muscle repair, as well as the ability eventually to isolate “rejuvenating factors” from adult stem cells in muscle or other tissues. • New Windpipes: Italian Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, a Visiting Professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, continues to improve on his procedure to grow new windpipes for patients. Dr. Macchiarini has grown new trachea for at least eight patients, using the patient’s own adult stem cells from bone marrow to grow functional windpipes in patients with cancer or other tracheal problems. His most recent advance this year was using a synthetic substrate on which the adult stem cells are seeded, allowing them to grow and take the shape of a normal windpipe. • Grow-Your-Own Transfusion: French scientists showed for the first time that a few adult stem cells from a patient could be used to grow enough red blood cells in the lab for a transfusion. The adult stem cells efficiently produced new cells that survived transfusion back into the patient’s body and functioned normally. If you’d like to see a few more samples of the tremendous success of adult stem cells, see the videos at www.stemcellresearchfacts.org Dr. David A. Prentice is Senior Fellow for Life Sciences at the Family Research Council. He and his wife live in Maryland.
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the iss u es
Christian Life Resources’ Official Positions and Thoughts to Ponder on Life and Family Issues
Abortion Human life exists already at conception. It is a gift from God. He also reserves for himself the authority to take human life. Aborting an unborn child for any reason, other than to preserve a human life, is a practice condemned by the Word of God and therefore is wrong.1
Euthanasia Any practice of euthanasia, the intent of which is to shorten one’s own life or the life of another person, is a practice condemned by the Word of God and therefore is wrong. All people are to protect life and carry the burdens of others. Apart from God’s expressed permission, it is wrong to take human life, even when we do not like the quality of that life.2
Conscientious Objection There is a place for government to respect the religious convictions of people. But if the conscience is only sensitive about oneself and not about others, then we fail miserably… If we who know better do not
speak up – who will? Don’t settle for the easy way out.3
Our Eternal Perspective The ultimate goal for pro-life Christians is more than saving bodies and lives for this life. It also means that we want to preserve lives to enjoy the resurrection and everlasting life.4
Conception Scripture supports “conception” to mean life is created and exists at fertilization.5
Abortion Takes a Human Life, According to Abortion Advocates “‘Abortion stops a beating heart,’ is incontrovertibly true.”6 “I have always frankly admitted that abortion is murder, the extermination of the powerless by the powerful. Liberals for the most part have shrunk from facing the ethical consequences of their embrace of abortion, which results in the annihilation of concrete individuals and not just clumps of insensate tissue.”7
Abstract from 3,200+ word document of Christian Life Resources’ official statement on abortion. Full document can be found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/christian-life-resources-abortion-position-statement-35 2 Abstract from 5,300+ word document of Christian Life Resources’ official statement on euthanasia. Full document can be found at: www.christianliferesources.com/pdf/ps_euthanasia.pdf 3 Excerpt from article, “Is An Objection on Religious Grounds Enough?” by Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/is-an-objection-on-religiousgrounds-enough-1460 4 Excerpt from article, “Pro-Life Forever” by Rev. Mark Braun, Professor of Theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/pro-life-forever-1461 5 Excerpt from Q & A article, “When Does Life Begin?” Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/qa-on-the-beginning-of-life-1464 6 Statement by Naomi Wolf, author, social critic and abortion advocate, excerpted from article, “Rethinking Pro-Choice Rhetoric. Our Bodies, Our Souls.” The New Republic. October 16, 1995 7 Statement by Camille Paglia, author, social critic and abortion advocate, excerpted from article, “Fresh blood for the vampire.” The Salon. September 10, 2008. 1
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“We must end the fiction that an abortion at 26 weeks is no different from one at six weeks… The fetus is more visible than ever before, and the abortion-rights movement needs to accept its existence and its value. It may not have a right to life, and its value may not be equal to that of the pregnant woman, but ending the life of a fetus is not a morally insignificant event.”8
A “New” Kind of Love The kind of love that comes as a “new” command is the unconditional and sacrificial commitment to others without the need or expectation that it will be returned… When we learn to understand this kind of love and practice this kind of commitment, it shapes our approach with the dying, the struggling, the unborn and the needy. We love, care and sacrifice not because it is easy, it is fun or we are rewarded for it. We do this because we know what it means to be the object of this kind of love.9
Stem Cell Debate Unfortunately, the stem cell debate has been characterized as a conflict between science (as though science is always right) and religious “kooks” (as though religious folks are never right).10
Churches Which Favor Sin Every church body that permits or advocates today’s modern slide in life issues (i.e., abortion, homosexuality, assisted suicide, cohabitation, etc.) also rejects the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. In a perverse way that makes sense. Scripture is so clear on these issues you
have no choice but to reject parts of it to do these things.11
Children with Down Syndrome In this so-called “enlightened generation” Sarah Palin did the most “unthinkable thing” – she let her child live.12
Eugenics When it comes to deafness, I agree that it is difficult for a deaf person to get along in a hearing world. But it is also difficult, I have learned, for a hearing person to get along in the deaf world. I consider my sense of hearing valuable, but I do not consider myself more valuable than a deaf person.13
Adoption Even though I like drama, I generally do not tell my personal story too dramatically. So I was stunned when my daughter wrote recently for her Lutheran elementary school teacher: “I am thankful that my Dad’s birth mother did not get an abortion. Then I wouldn’t have been born!”14
Lifestyle of Hope (Comment on 1 Peter 3:15-18) People will not ask a believer for the reason of the hope in his or her life if that hope is not displayed. They also will not ask for the reason for the hope in one’s life if they only do good things comparable to unbelievers. The world should see Christ in us – our sacrifice, our determination, our deep compassion, our strong resolve, our Godlike love. Then people will ask why we do it – why we sacrifice; why we come; why we stick with it; and then we can answer that we are imitating the perfect example of Christ’s love for us.15
Statement by Frances Kissling, who retired in 2007 after serving 25 years as president of Catholics for Choice, an abortion advocacy group, excerpted from article, “Abortion rights are under attack, and pro-choice advocates are caught in a time warp.” The Washington Post. February 18, 2011. 9 Excerpt from article, “What’s So New About Love?” by Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/whats-so-new-about-love-a-look-at-christiancaregiving-and-burden-sharing-1410 10 Excerpt from article, “Too Many Eggs” by syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker, reprinted with permission. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/too-many-eggs-1369 11 Excerpt from article, “My Body, My Choice – Really?” by Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/my-body-my-choice-really-1390 12 Excerpt from article, “The Lives We Touch” by Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources, about special-needs son of former Alaskan governor and Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Palin’s son Trig has the chromosomal condition, Down syndrome. Full article found on page 4 at: www.clearlycaring.com/ pdf/20081112.pdf 13 Excerpt from article, “The Quality in Life” by Pastor Paul Prange, WELS Administrator for Ministerial Education. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/cherish-the-quality-of-life-1325 14 Excerpt from article, “An Adopted Child’s Perspective” by Pastor Paul Prange, WELS Administrator for Ministerial Education. Full article found at: www.christianliferesources.com/article/an-adopted-child-s-perspective-1301 15 Excerpt from conference paper, “Step Up to the Table or Find Yourself on the Menu” delivered by Pastor Robert Fleischmann, National Director of Christian Life Resources. Paper available on request from Christian Life Resources. 8
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HAPPENING NOW!
News & Views
Alaska’s Parental Notice Law Upheld After 15-Year Legal Battle Alaska’s parental notice law has been upheld following a 15-year legal fight by Planned Parenthood to prove the law’s unconstitutionality. The Superior Court for the State of Alaska ruled October 8 that the law, which requires a doctor to notify a parent or guardian of a girl before she has an abortion if she is under 18-years-old, does not violate the state’s constitution. In addition, the court upheld provisions requiring that the parent or guardian provide valid identification and criminally penalizing those who violate the law. The case is expected to be appealed by Planned Parenthood. S OU RC E : 10/9/12 – Americans United for Life News Release
Quebec Government Plans to Introduce Euthanasia Bill Quebec’s newly-elected government announced plans to introduce a bill to legalize euthanasia as early as next spring. The bill is part of the Parti Quebecois’ election platform and is based on recommendations made by an allparty National Assembly committee report earlier this year. According to the Dying with Dignity Commission report, persons wishing for “medical aid in dying” must be adult Quebec residents with a serious and incurable illness who have given their expressed written consent to end their lives. Canada’s criminal code bans euthanasia and assisted suicide. However, an attempt to circumvent federal legislation is in the works whereby crown attorneys would be instructed not to prosecute euthanasia and assisted suicide cases as long as the cases fit within the province’s criteria. S OU RC E : 10/9/12 - Euthanasia Prevention Coalition C learly C aring
Late-Term Abortion Facility Shut Down in Maryland A late-term abortion clinic run by a Floridabased abortionist has been shut down in Maryland. James S. Pendergraft IV was not licensed to practice in the state. Earlier this year, he was caught running the clandestine late-term facility, and state officials have ended its operation. A secret undercover investigation by Operation Rescue revealed Pendergraft would recruit abortion-minded women through the Internet to go to his abortion clinic for his dangerous “intracardiac injection” procedure. Pendergraft would then fly to Maryland where he would have his Maryland associate Harold O. Alexander perform the actual abortion. Intracardiac injection abortion is a procedure that involves injecting the pre-born baby through the woman’s abdomen with lethal medication that stops the baby’s heart. This process presents extreme risks to the life of the mother. S OU RC E : 10/2/12 – LifeSiteNews.com
New Bid to Legalize Assisted Suicide Underway in Scotland Another attempt to legalize assisted suicide in Scotland moved forward after Independent MSP Margo MacDonald received the necessary signatures to support a new bill. It’s expected to be produced in early 2013. MacDonald, who has Parkinson’s disease, has been campaigning for years to allow a patient to seek a doctor’s assistance to end his or her life. A similar bill was defeated in 2010 after MSPs rejected MacDonald’s efforts for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide in Scotland recognizing that such a move would seriously endanger public safety. Instead they endorsed making palliative care widely available and accessible. S OU RC E : 9/20/12 - Daily Record
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New Jersey Legislator Introduces Assisted Suicide Bill
Reported Euthanasia Deaths Rise Again in the Netherlands
New Jersey State Assemblyman John Burzichelli proposed a bill in late September allowing physicians to legally prescribe lethal medication to assist patients in ending their lives. The New Jersey Death With Dignity Act (A3328) calls for patients with a six-month or less life expectancy who seek assisted suicide to verbally request a prescription from doctors to die. If the measure is passed in the state legislature, it would require voter approval to be enacted.
New data reveals the number of 2011 Dutch euthanasia deaths increased by 18% from the previous year: to 3,695. The continuing upward trend shows the number of Dutch deaths has doubled since 2006, according to the report released by the Euthanasia Commission, a Dutch government agency. Between 2006 and 2011, the number of annual deaths by euthanasia has escalated: 1923 (in 2006), 2120 (2007), 2331 (2008), 2636 (2009), 3136 (2010) and 3695 (in 2011). An alarming increase in the number of euthanasia cases involving psychiatric patients was also reported: from 2 in 2010 to 13 last year. Euthanasia now accounts for 2.8% of all Dutch deaths. Pro-life advocates contend the numbers are likely lowball estimates given the under-reporting in the Dutch system.
S OU RC E : 9/27/12 - CitizenLink
German Woman Accused of Killing 5 of Her Babies Following Secret Births A German woman has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in the murders of five of her own children shortly after giving birth in secret. The 28-year-old unnamed mother claimed her husband would likely leave her if she had any more children. Authorities say the mother confessed to the infanticide deaths after she submitted to a DNA test. The woman, who has two living children aged 8 and 10 years, began hiding her pregnancies, killing the infants after giving birth to two at home and three others in the woods. S OU RC E : 9/27/12 - LifeSiteNews.com
British Patients with Down Syndrome Issued ‘DNR’ Without His Consent A British patient was issued a “do not resuscitate” code without his consent by a National Health Service (NHS) hospital last year. The man’s relatives are now suing the facility in Kent, saying the man has been denied potentially life-saving treatment, because he has Down syndrome. A doctor allegedly decided staff should make no attempt to resuscitate the patient if he suffered cardiac or respiratory arrest, on the basis of his disability. According to the family’s legal counsel, the man’s medical notes indicated he was to receive no resuscitation because of his Down syndrome condition, his inability to swallow (the man has a feeding tube in his stomach), he is “bedbound” and has “learning difficulties.” The lawyers say the patient’s DNR was to have remained in force indefinitely. The patient did not discuss the designation with the doctor before the code was issued. The man, referred to as AWA, is still alive and lives in residential care a year later, after his caregivers argued that the DNR order should be removed. S OU RC E : 9/14/12 - Live Action News C learly C aring
S OU RC E : 9/26/12 – BioEdge
Scientists Share Nobel Prize for Ethical Stem Cell Work Two pioneers of stem cell research were awarded the Nobel prize for medicine or physiology for changing adult cells back to their embryonic state. The reprogrammed cells – known as induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells – become specialized to create all the tissues of the body. The research sidesteps the ethical controversy surrounding human embryonic stem cell research, since it does not require the extraction and destruction of human embryos. Sir John Gurdon from the UK and Shinya Yamanaka from Japan received the prize in early October. Researchers view the Nobel committee’s selection of Gurdon’s and Yamanka’s contributions as validation of this type of stem cell science. S OU RC E : 10/9/12 – CitizenLink.com
Stem Cell Trial Set to Treat Eye Disease Researchers at the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, are set to use induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in a trial among patients with macular degeneration, a disease that damages the retina and results in vision loss. The Japanese study will be a first in the use of technology that mimics embryonic cells while it avoids the ethical controversy that accompanies them. Scientists at the Riken Center plan to use the technique using skin cells from patients, turning them into stem cells, cultivating them to become patient-specific retinal cells, and transplanting them in patients’ eyes. S OU RC E : 10/9/12 – Businessweek.com
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q & a there is no culpability for homosexuality. As a point of accuracy, it remains an unproven theory that there is a genetic link for homosexuality. For this discussion, the nature of homosexuality – whether it is a choice or it is a predisposition – is irrelevant. It is the act, not the orientation, that is sinful. In fact, there are a number of theories that other sins may be genetically linked (i.e., alcoholism, kleptomania, perversion, etc.).
Questions & Answers
Scripture does not deal with the biology of presumed genetic links. What Scripture does say, however, is that our nature is sinful. In a sense, one could argue that all of sin is genetically predisposed. Since Adam and Eve’s fall into sin every person’s mind is hostile to God (Genesis 6:5; Romans 3:10; 8:7). From God’s perspective it is a non-issue whether or not sins are genetically predisposed. Sins are sin, and even one of them can endanger the soul forever (James 2:10)!
HOMOSEXUALITY Q: What is God’s view of homosexuality? Hasn’t research shown that homosexuality is a genetic predisposition and that as people cannot choose to be a certain race or gender, so also they cannot choose their sexual predisposition?
Sins of homosexuality do not become “acceptable sins,” even if they are rooted in a genetic predisposition. Sins of homosexuality are also no worse sins than any of the other sins all of us commit. All sins are a violation of God’s Word. A willful practice of any sinning, absent of genuine remorse and repentance, endangers the soul eternally.
A: God’s view on all things can only be derived from His Word. There are no new revelations or inspired prophets of our time to alter what His Word has revealed – even when it is not very politically correct or culturally popular. God’s view is that the practice of homosexuality is sinful and contrary to His will. God’s Word speaks both directly to it and also by inference. Review of the following passages collectively (not in any particular order) demonstrates that point: • Genesis 19:4-8 • Exodus 20:14 • Leviticus 18:22; 20:13 • Deuteronomy 23:17 • Matthew 5:28 • 1 Corinthians 5:1; 6:9-18 • Ephesians 5:3
Because all sin endangers the soul eternally, our primary concern for those wrestling with the any sin, including the sin of homosexuality, is for the soul. We would condemn acts of harshness and bullying against those wrestling with the sin of homosexuality or any sin. Rather, out of concern for the soul and love for the sinner, we seek to correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction (2 Timothy 4:2). It was also for the sin of homosexuality that Christ died. Our actions in this matter should always reflect His love with a commitment to speak the truth clearly and handle the soul carefully.
It appears, however, you believe that because of a genetic predisposition Do you have a question you need answered? Send your questions to: Christian Life Resources 3070 Helsan Drive Richfield, WI 53076 or email info@christianliferesources.com C learly C aring
We care about you and want to answer every question you have in a timely manner. However, due to heavy mail volume, we may be unable to respond quickly, so please be patient. Your question, with an answer from Christian Life Resources, may appear in an upcoming issue of Clearly Caring magazine.
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Christmas Catalog Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers. a
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Noel ColleCTioN orNaMeNTS Size: 2"-3.5" a. angel “May your longest list this Christmas... be the one that counts your blessings” Retail $6.00 Sale $4.39 B. Boy with lamb “It took the heart of a child... to reach the soul of the world” Retail $5.50 Sale $3.99 C. Manger with lamb “Into a simple waiting stable... God sent the Light of the world” Retail $6.50 Sale $4.75 D. Mary and Jesus “What Mary knew by sight... we now know by heart” Retail $5.00 Sale $3.69 e. lamb “God knew they couldn’t afford announcements... so he lent them a star” Retail $5.00 Sale $3.69 e C a D
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veggieTales® Nativity Playset Toy This precious toy set has beloved Veggie characters depicting the Nativity scene. This fun and durable set is sure to become a favorite part of the family traditions in teaching children the story of Christ’s birth! Age 3 and up. Retail $29.99 Sale $22.99
WilloW Tree NaTiviTy SeT a. 6 Pc Mary holding Baby Jesus, Joseph, a shepherd holding a lamb, 2 sheep, and a donkey. Retail $70.00 Sale $52.89 B. Shepherd and Stable animals Retail $64.00 Sale $44.79 C. Metal Star Tabletop Nativity Backdrop Retail $29.00 Sale $20.29 D. Three Wise Men Retail $68.50 Sale $47.99 e. Crèche Retail $98.00 Sale $72.99 F. ox and Goat Retail $28.00 Sale $19.99
order by December 14 to receive Free SHiPPiNG. CaTaloG Sale eNDS DeCeMBer 31
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Ornaments
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CHriSTiaN CHriSTMaS orNaMeNTS Size: 3.5" Retail $7.95 each Sale $5.99 each a. The reason for the Season... B. Witness Christmas C. Christmas Scripture Treasure
Snowman with Cake Happy Birthday Jesus ornament Adorable snowman ornament with Happy Birthday Jesus engraving. Size: 3.5"H. Retail $6.00 Sale $4.39
Angel of Prayer Figurine also available
victorian angel ornament Set This set of Christmas ornaments features three angels made of die cut wood. Each angel has glitter on the wings and clothing. Size: 9"H and 5"W. Retail $12.00 Sale $8.39
Willow Tree angel of Prayer ornament Features a wire-winged angel in a praying pose. Comes gift-boxed with a card with the angel’s name and the sentiment it represents. Size: 3.75"H. Retail $14.00 Sale $10.29
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Dog Bone ornament Set Set of two hand-painted wooden dog bone ornaments with tin hanger accented with red and green beads and green with white polka dotted bow. Size: 1.75"H x 4"W. 5.75"H with wire. Retail $6.50 Sale $4.55
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BaBy’S FirST CHriSTMaS SHoeS orNaMeNT Porcelain baby shoes with the words “Baby’s First Christmas” on the toes and a place on the soles to personalize with name, date, weight and length. Retail $6.95 each Sale $4.87 each a. Blue B. Pink
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Advent & Christmas SHFIPRPEINE G
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of Advent & Christmas items. before Dec. 14 use coupon Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers. code: ccfs
Nativity Magnet Set Cute 8-piece magnetic nativity scene. Kids will love playing with the characters of the nativity to tell about Jesus’ birth. Retail $3.00 Sale $2.00
Nativity advent Calendars Cute paper advent calendars. 24 numbered flaps concealing a biblical scene and verse about the coming of the Messiah. Size: 7.5"W x 10"H. Retail $1.50 each Sale $1.00 each
Nativity Countdown Calendar Heavy card stock Advent calendar with 25 character/animal stickers. Use one for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Background is 20"W x 9"H and is scored to stand alone. Retail $8.00 Sale $5.75
Snowmen Couple Night light Light up the season with this novelty night light. The bulb lights up the fire that warms these two snowmen and their marshmallows. Size: 6.5"H. Retail $12.75 Sale $10.00
CHriSTMaS SPaTulaS Festive spatulas come with a wooden handle with a silicone head. The head has a measurement table printed on the opposite side. Heat resistant up to 500ºF, stain proof, dishwasher safe. Retail $6.99 each Sale $4.89 each a. Snowman B. Gingerbread C. reindeer
Christmas angel Bells Set Beautiful Christmas porcelain hand-painted angel bells in blue, green and red colors. Size: 4.75"H x 2.75"W x 2.25"D. Retail $7.00 Sale $4.89
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Christmas Cards Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of boxed Christmas cards. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
New Dayspring Cards
Jesus Cover: Jesus He came not to a throne, but to a manger. He lived not as a king, but as a servant. He chose not an earthly kingdom, but a cross. He gave not just a little, but everything. Holley Gerth Inside: May the Lord’s Great Love Bless You this Christmas Scripture: Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. Ephesians 5:2 NIV. Box of 18 cards and 19 foil-lined envelopes. Folded card size: 4.5" x 6.5625" Retail $9.99 Sale $6.99
He Came To Pay a Debt Cover: He came to pay a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt we couldn’t pay. Inside: May His love make your Christmas wonderful! Scripture: The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name. Luke 1:49 NIV. Box of 18 cards and 19 foil-lined envelopes. Folded card size: 4.5" x 6.5625" Retail $9.99 Sale $6.99
When They Saw the Star Cover: When they saw the star, they rejoiced with... great joy. Matthew 2:10 Inside: So many reasons to rejoice—the gift of family, friends who bring a smile, and God’s great love for us in a Saviour— Christ the Lord! May Your Christmas Be Filled With God’s Joy! Box of 18 cards and 19 foil-lined envelopes. Folded card size: 4.5" x 6.5625" Retail $6.99 Sale $4.89
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Jesus the Faithful one Cover: Jesus, The Faithful One... Inside: May you experience His faithfulness and love during this Christmas season and the coming year. Scripture: Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luke 2:10 KJV. Box of 18 cards and 19 foil-lined envelopes. Folded card size: 4.5" x 6.5625" Retail Price: $9.99 Sale $6.99
When you Get right Down To it Cover: When you get right down to it… Inside: … the only thing that really matters is Jesus. Christmas Blessings Scripture: Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. John 17:3 NIV. Box of 18 cards and 19 envelopes. Folded card size: 4.5" x 6.5625" Retail $6.99 Sale $4.89
So Glad Jesus Came Cover: Jesus Such a tiny baby for such a great purpose! Inside: So glad Jesus came for you and me! Happy Christmas to You Scripture: Ye shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 KJV. Box of 16 cards and 17 envelopes. Folded card size: 3.375" x 6" B Retail $3.99 Sale $2.79
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Décor
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of Christian décor. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
Candle light Service Canvas Print This beautiful print on canvas features a white country church at night with full moon in the sky and a tree to the side all on a snowy evening. The windows of the church will glow with flickering light. Size: 16"W x 9"H Battery operated. Requires 2 AA batteries (not included). Retail $17.00 Sale $11.89
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“Peace Be Still” Framed artwork Inspirational print with title plaque (“And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be Still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”- Mark 4:39), rich espresso and gold trim frame, and brown matting. Image Size: 18"W x 11"H. Framed Size: 28"W x 28"H. Retail $150.00 Sale $104.99 16 different sayings available at www.FamilyTG.com
“i Prayed for this Child” Framed verse From the Life Verse collection by Julie Chen. This beautiful print of a baby’s feet held by the hands of a loving adult has I Samuel 1:27 quoted on it. “I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him.” Framed to: 14"H x 20"W Retail $47.99 Sale $33.59
Bless all Who enter Prayer Plaque Words of Grace wood plaque features contemporary design and message of faith and inspiration. Size: 8.5” W x 2.75” H x .5” D. Retail $3.95 Sale $2.75
“Footprints” and “Faith Moves Mountains” also available
“Summer Sunrise” and “Rocky Outcrop Black Bear” also available autumn Bridge oval Canvas Enjoy the look and feel of an original painting in a unique and stylish format with this oval canvas print. Framed in 1" oak-finished molding. Features the scripture passage Be Still and Know that I Am God - Psalm 46:16. Made in the USA! Size: 15"H x 19"W. Retail $79.95 Sale $55.99
inspirational Song Clock “My rock” Features a beautiful scene of water and rocks with mountains in the distance. The traditional hymn “Amazing Grace” is played at the top of each hour. Perfect for wall or desk, using the built-in stand. Light sensor deactivates song when room is dark. Retail $14.99 Sale $10.49
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Family
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of family-related items. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
FAMILY Shelf This classy shelf is made from the word FAMILY and is painted glossy black. Perfect for the wall or table top. Wonderful housewarming gift for family pictures or collectables. Size: 24"W x 8.25"H x 4"D. Retail $42.00 Sale $29.39
DAVID BoWMAn FrAMeD PrInTS Framed size: 14.75”W x 17.75”H Retail $99.00 each Sale $69.29 each A. “Security” This piece conveys a sense of complete peace and calm like only the Savior can provide, allowing us to rest assured, without fear or worry, when we put ourselves trustingly in His arms. *“Security” unframed 8”W x 10”H print also available for $9.95. B. “Home” Beautiful artwork conveys the feeling of how the embrace of Jesus will feel - to experience a love unlike anything we’ve ever felt before. At last, we will be reunited. We will finally be Home. C. “Precious” When Jesus takes a precious baby in His arms, He sees beyond that tiny fragile body to the possibilities, the potential, the destiny of that child... both in this life and in the world to come.
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WILLoW Tree FIGurIneS A. “Guardian” This inspiring figure conveys the special bond between a mother and her baby. Size: 6"H. Retail $31.00 Sale $21.69 B. “Quest” This stunning figurine conveys a man’s exploration on his life quest. Size: 4"H. Retail $29.00 Sale $20.29
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FAMILY Framed Letters This set of letters has a warm country style to it. The letters “f.a.m.i.l.y” are all lower case, tan in color and made of wood. Each comes in its own frame also made of wood and painted black. Retail $19.00 Sale $13.29
“Daddy’s Dream” Framed Pencil-Drawing Print Soft pencil artwork of a child nestled in Daddy’s praying hands, by artist Dave McCamon. Choose between maroon, tan or beige matting in a black rubbed frame. Print size: 6.75"W x 4.75"H. Frame size: 12"W x 10"H. Retail $50.00 Sale $34.99 Print size: 18"W x 14"H Frame size: 22"W x 18"H. Retail $96.00 Sale $67.19
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Journals & Calendars SHFIPRPEINE G Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of daily journals and calendars. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
before Dec. 14 use coupon code: ccfs
CHriSTiaN JourNalS Lined pages, book binding, various Scripture references. Christian journaling is a wonderful way to deepen your relationship with Christ. These journals are great for recording prayer requests, capturing inspiring thoughts, and noting meaningful Scripture. Jesus is... Size: 6" x 8.5" 256 pages. Retail $12.99 Sale $9.09
Whatever is lovely... Think about such things Size: 6" x 8.5" 256 pages. Retail $9.99 Sale $6.99
Pink/Brown Checkbook Cover Unique checkbook cover provides a Christian witness in style! Interior slip pocket, three credit card slots, ID window, pen loop, plastic divider for duplicate checks. Size: 6.75"W x 3.75"H. Retail $10.00 Sale $6.99
Blessed & loved - Perpetual Calendar Thoughts and reflections provide daily reminders that God is always watching over you with His loving care. Padded cover, wire coil, 366 dated pages, standup easel. Various Scripture references. Size: 5.25"W x 4.25"H. Retail $9.99 Sale $6.99
a Place to remember... Size: 4.25" x 7.25" 192 pages. Retail $16.99 Sale $11.89
Daily Splashes of Joy - Perpetual Calendar Beautiful daily calendar includes excerpts from the queen of encouragement, Barbara Johnson’s bestselling books. Features: Padded cover, wire coil, 366 dated pages, stand-up easel. Size 5"W x 4"H. Retail $9.99 Sale $6.99
Words to Warm a Mother’s Heart - Perpetual Calendar These handpicked quotes and Scriptures will touch a mother’s heart and let her know she’s truly loved. Features: Padded cover, wire coil, 366 dated pages, stand-up easel. Size 5"W x 4"H. Retail $9.99 Sale $6.99
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Bibles & Books Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of Christian books. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
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My BiBle SToryBooKS Teach your child in a fun way. Some of the bestknown and best-loved Bible stories guide your child through the alphabet and numbers in these delightfully illustrated books. Board book with padded cover. Ages 3-6. Retail $9.99 each Sale $6.99 each a. My aBC Bible Storybook 30 pages. B. My 123 Bible Storybook 28 pages.
little visits at Bedtime by Simon, Mary Manz Written for the sole purpose of helping your child make a smooth transition from a busy day to bedtime. It helps you and your child focus your thoughts and conversations on the blessings of your day and God’s gifts to you. Every element on every page has a very specific purpose and intent. Retail $14.99 Sale $10.99
My First Bible This book is a collection of 114 Bible stories that are especially engaging for young, inquisitive minds. Hardback, 256 pages. Retail $13.99 Sale $9.79
Concordia Self-Study Bible The ideal choice for bringing new vitality to personal or group Bible study, this Bible combines the easy-reading of the NIV84 with Lutheran interpretive notes. Hardcover with jacket Retail $54.99 Sale $38.49
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one Stop Bible atlas This innovative, user-friendly atlas follows Paul’s journeys on a Roman road map complete with links biblical sites to the panorama of Jerusalem today and locates the latest archaeological and historical research findings. This creative Bible atlas will help readers visualize the journeys, events, and locations of the Bible, bringing it to life in an entirely new way. Hardcover. Retail $20.49 Sale $14.34
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BiBle CoverS Size: 6.625" x 9.5" x 2" a. Purse Style This beautiful burgundy Bible cover features a decorative silver cross on the front, purse-style handles, zipped mesh interior pocket, pen loop, and two exterior slip pockets. Retail $24.99 Sale $16.89 B. Names of Jesus This stylish LuxLeather Bible cover features heatdebossed text and a pen loop. Retail $19.99 Sale $13.99
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The written materials sold at Family Treasures & Gifts are written or translated by imperfect human beings. Despite their popularity in the Christian market, these items are written by human authors and potentially contain errors. We encourage buyers to adopt the heart of a Berean (Acts 17:11) and search the Scriptures to compare what is read with the inerrant truth of God’s Word.
Meet The Skeptic Learn insights to share your faith and worldview with anyone! Helps one understand the objections that people raise about the gospel and faith issues. This understanding can help a Christian more aptly relate the truth to someone who may have thought the good news was merely a fable... or simply another theory. Be prepared to face the skeptics and help win them for Christ! Retail $10.99 Sale $7.99
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Quest for the Nail Prints by Don Furr The author uses three different people who have some very different ideas about Jesus and plunges them into some sort of time warp, transporting them back to Palm Sunday where they witness the arrival of Jesus into Jerusalem. 343 pages. Retail $15.99 Sale $11.19
3 book set
Coming Home by Karen Kingsbury A stand-alone novel in Karen Kingsbury’s “The Baxter Family” series, is both a grand introduction and a beautiful finale to the saga of the Baxter family. Through tremendous victory and unprecedented loss, this story of faith and a forever-kind-of-love will stay with you long after the last page. 304 pages. Retail $14.99 Sale $10.99 Visit www.FamilyTG.com for more Kingbury books.
14 more Christmas Arch® books at www.FamilyTG.com a
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The rose Trilogy Boxed Set by Beverly lewis Two Amish sisters divided by one sister’s impulsive marriage to an outsider. Will these Amish sisters find the love and acceptance they long for? Complete 3-book series: The Thorn, The Judgment, and The Mercy. Retail $44.99 Sale $31.49
arCH® BooK SerieS - over 100 TiTleS To CHooSe FroM iNCluDiNG CHriSTMaS STorieS! Retail $2.49 each Sale $1.74 each The Arch® Book series tells popular Bible stories through fun-to-read rhymes and bright illustrations. This well-loved series captures the attention of children, telling scripturallysound stories that are enjoyable and easy to remember. Paperback / 16 Pages. Reading Level: Grade 3. Interest Level: Ages 5-9. a. Three Presents for Baby Jesus This book retells the story of the visit of the Wise Men (Matthew 2:1-12). B. The Christmas Message This book retells the story of the angels part in the Christmas story (Luke 1:26-56; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 2:1-20). C. My Christmas Prayer Book This book is a retelling of the Christmas story based on Luke 2:1-20. Included are six prayers and a space for the children to write their own prayer.
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Music & Movies Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of Christian music and movies. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
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“Harp Praises” CD by Elaine Stindt Beautiful harp and instrumental music includes 14 breathtaking Christian hymns like Were You There/ What A Friend We Have in Jesus; Amazing Grace and Joyful, Joyful. Retail $18.00 Sale $12.99
Veggie Tales “Jonah” DVD In typical, hilarious Veggie style, this retelling of a familiar story teaches the deeper lesson: that one of the best gifts you can give or receive is a second chance. 83 minutes. Rated G. Retail $9.99 Sale $8.50 ®
“October Baby” DVD “You saw me before I was born.” Psalm 139:16 (NLT) After her parents reveal she was adopted - following a failed abortion attempt - Hannah embarks on an incredible journey with Jason, her oldest friend. As Hannah searches to learn about her hidden past and find hope for her unknown future, she discovers that every life is beautiful! Retail $17.99 Sale $13.99
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KOINÉ CDS Inspirational music from Christian contemporary group, Koiné. Retail $17.99 each Sale $13.99 each A. “Gesangbuch” Vol II B. “Church Bells” Vol III C. “The Vine” Vol IV
“Courageous - Honor Begins at Home” DVD Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes and their partners are confident and focused. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, fears, faith, and fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God... and to their children? Rated PG-13. 129 minutes. Retail $24.99 Sale $17.49
“Luther” DVD Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) stars as Martin Luther, the brilliant man of God whose defiant actions changed the world, in this epic film that traces Luther’s extraordinary and exhilarating quest for the people’s liberation. 124 minutes. Closed-captioned. Rated PG-13. Retail $16.99 Sale $13.99
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Apparel
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of Christian apparel. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
before Dec. 14 use coupon code: ccfs
CHRISTIAN SHIRTS - womEN’S Made of 100% preshrunk cotton. Sizes: M,L,XL,2X Retail $18.99 each Sale $13.29 each A. “Dance, Sing, Praise - Psalm 104” Stylish t-shirt proclaims, “Dance! Sing! Praise! Live! Love! Give all the glory to God! As long as I live, I will sing and praise you, the LORD God. - Psalm 104:33” B. “If God has a Fridge - magnet” Dark pink t-shirt features “word magnets” spelling out the message “if God has a fridge your picture is on it” with a sticky note that says “You are precious in my eyes... and I love you. - God”
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CHRISTIAN SHIRTS - mEN’S Made of 100% preshrunk cotton. Sizes: L,XL,2X Retail $18.99 each Sale $13.29 each C. “weapons of our warfare” Black t-shirt shows your faith with a fun spin off the popular game! “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but might through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2 Corinthians 10:4” D. “Armed & Dangerous” This army green shirt has dog tags printed right on itself with the words, “Armed and dangerous - ready for spiritual warfare! The weapons owe fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4”
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CHRISTIAN SPINNER RINGS A. God’s Princess Ring Stainless steel. Sizes: 6-9 Retail $13.00 Sale $9.09 B. Live For Him Ring & C. Tribal Cross Ring Stainless steel. Sizes: 8-12 Retail $13.00 each Sale $9.09 each A
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STRETCH BANGLES Elastic bracelets adorned with graphics and rhinestones in a color-coordinated 3 pack. Retail $6.99 each Sale $4.89 each A. “Princess” B. “Lives in my Heart” C. “He Loves me (Green)”
SuRvIvoR BRACELETS Rugged bracelets made with a metal dog tag and over three meters of real paracord. Features the wording, “THE LORD IS MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS AND MY DELIVERER. PSALM 18:2” Strong reminder of your faith in The Rock. Retail $12.99 each Sale $9.09 each A. “olive” B. “Camo”
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Children
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of items for children. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
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Slow Moe Joe Plush Turtle Bops back and forth while singing his favorite song “In the Summertime.” He sits 10" high, wears a red baseball cap, and holds a bat and ball. Includes AA Batteries. Retail $18.00 Sale $12.59
PLUSH TOYS Hand-crafted by skilled artisans with the highest attention to detail. A. Monty the Monkey Sits 7.5" high and has velcro on his hands for hanging around. Retail $9.50 Sale $6.65 B. Leonardo the Lion Precious plush lion sits 8" high. Retail $8.99 Sale $6.29
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BABY BLANKETS Snuggle blanket ready to be loved by someone special. Satin-edged dot textured soft blanket expands to 25" x 18" when unfolded. Retail $14.00 each Sale $9.79 each A. Tickled Pink B. Blue Beary
Fisher Price© Little People Nativity Set Children will love retelling the story of Jesus’ birth through play with their very own nativity set. 18 pieces of fun. Requires 3 AA batteries (not included) for the star to light & Away in a Manger to play. Retail $46.00 Sale $35.00
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Toys & Games
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for a full selection of Christian toys and games. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
FREE SHIPPING before Dec. 14 use coupon code: ccfs
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Baby Noah’s Ark Bath Squirters Soft polyvinyl four-piece Noah’s Ark Squirter Set makes for perfect fun in the tub. Retail $8.99 Sale $6.59
TALES OF GLORY FIGURINES Children can make Bible stories come to life with these interactive play sets, featuring everything you need to help your child learn about these fascinating Tales of Glory. For ages 3+. Retail $7.99 each Sale $5.89 each A. Birth of Baby Jesus B. Jonah and the Big Fish
My Faithful Friends - Toy Puppies Three adorable Faithful Friends: Joy, Charity, and Courage! This playset packs three highly-detailed puppies, each featuring powerful content from the Scriptures! Retail $10.00 Sale $7.00
Bible ABC Matching Game This traditional memory game uses a fun Bible alphabet to develop a young child’s concentration and memory skills. There are 60 tiles, or 30 pairs, and each tile is 2” x 2” in size - just right for small fingers. For ages 3+. Retail $14.99 Sale $10.99
Bible Baseball Board Game Batter up! This trivia board game tests Bible knowledge with over 600 questions. For ages 6+. Retail $19.99 Sale $14.99
Bibleopoly One of the most popular Christian games of all time! In BIBLEOPOLY, you can’t win by destroying your opponents. You will only win by assisting the fellow players. Cooperation is what allows you to gain the things necessary to build your church and be a winner. For ages 8+. Retail $24.95 Sale $18.29
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Gift Ideas
Visit www.FamilyTG.com for over 2,000 different items. Every purchase supports New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers.
Let Us Adore Him and Gift versions also available merry christmas cake Plate/chip and Dip Platter Hand-painted raised ceramic Merry Christmas stocking design cake plate/flips over for a chip + dip platter. Handwash only/FDA approved. 4"H x 12"Diameter. Cake platter: 10.5"Diameter. Dip: 3"H x 4.5"Opening. Retail $50.00 Sale $34.99
5-Piece Sports ornament Set Hand-painted ceramic assortment of sports ornaments including basketball, golf ball, soccer ball, football and baseball. Round ornaments: 4"H x 3.5"W. Football: 3"H x 4.5"W. Retail $21.99 Sale $15.39
Red/White/Green Potholder Gift Set with Scripture Cute, quilted cotton twill pot holder with a matching 50-sheet magnetic list pad and an awesome silicone spatula! Scripture reads: Taste and see that the LORD is good! PSALM 34.8. Retail $11.99 Sale $5.95 *Aqua Chocolate Potholder Gift Set with Scripture also available.
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chRiStmaS aPRonS Retail $18.00 each Sale $12.59 each a. christmas Party apron Red fabric apron with white polka dots with red and white stripes at top, bordered by green with white polka dot ribbon and embroidered holly with red jewel buds. Size: 31"W x 27”W. B. Reindeer apron child Size Solid green cotton apron with red B nosed reindeer coming out of the pocket. Pocket and top are accented with white rick rack. Size: 21.5"H x 18"W.
Grandmothers cutting Board Beautiful cutting board with sentiment: Blessed are those who SNUGGLE and HUG, SPOIL and PAMPER, BOAST and BRAG... for they shall be called Grandmothers! Crafted of tempered glass and is heat safe up to 248°F. Size: 15.625"W x 11.75"H Retail $15.00 Sale $10.49 “Recipe for an amazing chef” cutting Board Textured glass cutting board in warm green and browns with vintage motif. Heat safe up to 392°F Size: 15.25"W x 11.75"H; displays: Recipe for an Amazing Chef, Take skill to follow recipes, blended with the wish to please. Add taste bud sensitivity, combined with creativity. Mix care and prayer into the brew... Yield: One Amazing Chef- that’s you! Retail $15.00 Sale $10.49
Family cutting Board Unique cutting board with words of Family on it is crafted of tempered glass and is heat safe up to 392°F. Size: 15.625"W x 11.75"H. Retail $15.00 Sale $10.49
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FREE SHIPPING before Dec. 14 use coupon code: ccfs
RECORDABLE STORYBOOKS Read to loved ones... even if you can’t be there. Little ones can hear your voice in these treasured keepsakes. Requires three AAA batteries (included). Board book. Size: 8.5"W x 10"H x 1"D. Retail $29.95 each Sale $20.96 each A. God’s Christmas Promise B. Bedtime Prayers and Promises C. God’s Gift of Family D. I Love You Head to Toe E. My Rainy Day Imagining Book F. The Tale of Three Trees
Choose from 4 styles! Digital Music Box Beautiful box features a frame to place your own personal photo inside. Choose the music yourself! Size: 8"W x 6"H x 2.5"D. Photo 6.5"W x 4.5"H. Retail $23.00 each Sale $16.10 each Available in the following styles: Metallic Silver Wavy, Woodgrain Silver Inlay, Amber Traditional Frame and Woodgrain Traditional. (Choice of 6 songs: I Can Only Imagine, How Great Thou Art, All of Creation, Above All, On Eagle’s Wings, In Christ Alone. Sold separately.)
“Faithful Servant” Portfolio Handsome faux leather portfolio features the title “Faithful Servant” and along the bottom displays the Bible passage: “The Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 15:10. Includes 8.5"W x 11"H notepad. Size: 9.75"W x 12.5"H. Retail $35.00 Sale $24.49
Football, Soccer and Baseball versions also available
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Basketball Themed Photo Frame Copper/bronze frame with two cut-outs. One for your personal photo and one with a passage. Verse: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Philippians 4:13. Size: 12"W x 6"H. Retail $35.00 Sale $21.99
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cHRIstmas musIc “Heavenly christmas” cD by Jackie evancho This is Jackie Evancho’s first full-length holiday album. Jackie picks up where her first holiday record, the charttopping EP O Holy Night, left off. Features ten songs including a collection of heart-warming standards like White Christmas, traditional tunes like O Come All Ye Faithful and perennial favorites like The First Noel. Retail $13.99 Sale $10.29 “silent night” cD by Henry Wiens Beautiful solo piano selections include these ten Christmas favorites: What Child is This?/Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne; Of the Father’s Love Begotten; While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks; Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming; Infant Holy; In the Bleak Midwinter; O Come, O Come Immanuel; Silent Night, Holy Night; He Is Born/I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve; I Heard the Bells. Retail $16.00 Sale $12.49
4 Ways to Shop
1. Online at www.FamilyTG.com 2. Phone at 1-800-478-2719 Weekdays 9:00AM-4:30PM CST 3. Send in order form below 4. In our retail store located at 3070 Helsan Drive, Richfield, WI 53076
fRee sHIppIng on eveRy oRDeR placeD befoRe DecembeR 14 catalog sale enDs DecembeR 31 • lImIteD QuantItIes avaIlable
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Charlie can even step on our own toes once in awhile – but when it comes to the protection of unborn children he stands squarely on the side of life. The evening will conclude with one of America’s favorite a cappella groups, Tonic Sol-fa. We have enjoyed this musical talent at past conventions, and they return to entertain us having been featured guests on such shows as Prairie Home Companion and The Today Show as well as many state fair venues throughout the Midwest. We have also been gathering many excellent items to be offered during a silent auction the proceeds of which will benefit the work of New Beginnings.
Since the Christian Life Resources organization began, it has tackled some of the toughest moral challenges of our society. The intent of Christian Life Resources’ ministry is to back its educational efforts with action. Twenty years ago we began efforts to help a woman live with a decision not to abort her child. From those early discussions, New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers was born. It was to be a place where a single mother could live a maximum of one year after her baby’s birth – by literally offering a mother and her baby a new beginning on life. We would teach her to care for her child, to serve as the spiritual head of her home, and to demonstrate through Christian love and training to rightly prioritize her life.
The banquet will be held at Rubicon Ranch, 1270 Highway 60, Rubicon, Wisconsin (about 10 minutes west of our convention site). The cost for the evening will be $50/ person or $80/couple which includes the meal and entertainment. If you want to skip the meal and attend only the Sykes’ presentation and entertainment, the cost will be $35/person. If you cannot attend, you can still make a generous donation to help in making this event a success. Visit www.CLREvents.com for more information.
DONATE If you can donate items of value for the silent auction or you know someone who would be minded to do so, please email us at info@christianliferesources.com or call us at 1-800-729-9535. Thank you for believing in New Beginnings!
It is hard to believe that nearly 20 years ago we welcomed our first resident at New Beginnings. It is also hard to believe we never held a fund-raising banquet and auction specifically for this ministry! On Saturday evening, November 3rd, we want to bring you closer to this incredible ministry. We will hold our first fund-raising banquet for the New Beginnings ministry. As the kick-off event of our “I Believe in New Beginnings” campaign, the dinner will feature an address by Heidi Westlund, our New Beginnings Home Manager, and Mya, one of our mothers living at New Beginnings. Milwaukee radio talk show personality Charlie Sykes has consented to serve as our featured speaker. Known for his candid comments on a myriad of topics, C learly C aring
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OUR MISSION The mission of Christian Life
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Clearly Caring – Home Edition
3070 Helsan Drive Richfield, WI 53076-9582
Christian Life Resources
Clearly Caring
Resources (CLR) is to use life and family issues as bridges to convey the love of God and to share the message of salvation through Christ.
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. - Romans 1:18
Visit CLR’s redesigned Website! www.ChristianLifeResources.com just got a facelift! Visit the site today for the latest news on life and family issues. Stay current with events and announcements from Christian Life Resources.
www.ChristianLifeResources.com
The official publication of Christian Life Resources, Inc. Publisher: Christian Life Resources, Inc. 3070 Helsan Drive Richfield, WI 53076-9582 (800) 729-9535 email: contact@christianliferesources.com websites: www.ClearlyCaring.com www.ChristianLifeResources.com ISSN:1549-2508 Copyright © 2012 Christian Life Resources. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted as restricted, permission is granted to reprint articles from Clearly Caring – Home Edition with credit line indicating source, issue, and author if indicated. To place paid advertising in Clearly Caring – Home Edition please contact the Editor or visit our website at www.ClearlyCaring.com/?advertise.php for rate information.
Directors–Christian Life Resources: Rev. Aaron Mueller (Chairman) Pastor, Tucson, AZ Rev. David Hein (Vice Chairman/Spiritual Advisor) Pastor, Slinger, WI Mr. Keith Kriewall (Secretary) Software Developer, Federal Way, WA Mr. Scott Menke (Treasurer) Controller, Racine, WI Mr. Matt Corrigan Sales Representative, Mission Viejo, CA Mr. James Froelker Retired, Gerald, MO Rev. Joel Gerlach Retired, Wauwatosa, WI Mr. Ronald Przybyla Retired, West Bend, WI New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers, a separate legal entity affiliated with CLR, supports single mothers in a residential setting who have decided to carry their babies to term while teaching them how to include Jesus in their lives. The Christians Concerned for Life Foundation is a separate legal entity affiliated with CLR, established to sponsor special life and family affirming projects that reflect Biblical principles in protecting human life and ministering to souls.
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Christian Life Resources and New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers are church-related organizations within the fellowship of the Wisconsin and Evangelical Lutheran Synods and are supported entirely by individual donations and grants and do not receive direct support from the budgets of either church body. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used in permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.