Quote of the day:

“For this is what it means to be a king: be first in every desperate attack and last in every desperate retreat, and when there’s hunger in the land (as must be now and then in bad years) to wear finer clothes and laugh louder over a scantier meal than any man in your land.”

_{- C.S. Lewis}

Today’s Headlines

State Bills Target Pro-Life Centers

Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs), or "Crisis Pregnancy Centers," are entangled in legal conflicts following new laws in Vermont and Illinois. In Vermont, the law restricts pregnancy centers’ ability to advertise their free services and prevents them from offering services, information, and counseling unless provided by a licensed healthcare provider. Critics argue the law is vague and specifically targets pro-life centers, as it applies only to centers that do not perform or refer for abortions.

In Vermont, three organizations together have filed a lawsuit contesting the law infringes on free speech rights and religious freedom. In Illinois, five pro-life groups have secured an injunction that halts a similar law criminalizing pro-life speech.

Pro-life groups contend the laws unconstitutionally limit pro-life perspectives and prevent pregnancy centers from offering comprehensive support to women. These groups aim to permanently stop the laws to safeguard First Amendment rights to free speech and religious freedom in providing vital assistance to women facing unwanted or crisis pregnancies. Early legal victories (the Illinois injunction) indicate the First Amendment will shield pro-life pregnancy centers' capacity to serve women without fear of fines or consequences for their beliefs.

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The Remnant’s Response:

If it is true that the greatness of a nation can be judged by how it treats its weakest members, then it is well past time that we get to work making America truly great again (James 1:27; Proverbs 12:10). Inevitably, a government failing to safeguard the foremost unalienable right – life, especially that of the innocent – risks compromising its duty to protect the broader liberties of its citizens. This is the case here, where officials in pro-choice states are attempting to violate the Constitution and silence nonprofits whose sole mission is to help mothers and their babies.

PRCs are organizations that support, inform, and provide resources to women in crisis pregnancies. Some services offered include counseling, parenting classes, ultrasound imaging, material assistance such as rent or car payment support, baby clothes, diapers, formula, car seats, adoption information, and much more. Volunteers at these centers are speaking up for the voiceless (Proverbs 31:8-9), loving the least of these (Matthew 25:40), and often taking up the cause of the fatherless (Psalm 68:5).

There are over 3000 PRCs compared to 600 Planned Parenthood locations, so the odds are you are closer to a PRC than a Planned Parenthood. Just check here. Pray with us that the godly work of the 3000 PRCs is as successful in advancing the beauty of abundant life as abortion clinics are in facilitating the culture of death (Isaiah 1:17).

College Board vs. Florida Cont.

Florida's Department of Education refutes the claim that they banned AP Psychology. After a statement by the College Board claimed Florida had "effectively banned AP Psychology in the state" because of its parental rights law related to sexual orientation and gender identity, many Florida school districts "dropped" the course offering. However, the Department of Education contends that Florida schools can teach AP Psychology and accuses the College Board of manipulation.

Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. restated that the course complies with the law and Florida's regulations can be aligned with the teaching segments related to sex and gender. Last year, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, or what critics have dubbed the "Don't Say Gay" law, restricting sexual orientation and gender identity instruction in public schools for minors. It's worth noting that AP Psychology was taken by over 28,000 Florida students last year. 

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The Remnant’s Response:

"Of all the knowledge that we can ever obtain, the knowledge of God and the knowledge of ourselves are the most important." - Jonathan Edwards.

God uniquely granted humanity the capacity to comprehend Him, ourselves, and our world (1 Corinthians 2:12), yet sin has perverted all of our “-ologies” starting with theology and anthropology. In turn, "professing to be wise, we have become fools" (Romans 1:22) in our humanistic "study of the soul" (psychology).

Education is the primary responsibility of the parent (Deuteronomy 11:18-21), not the state. When parents see government-sponsored education leading their children toward error, it is their duty to change the curriculum or remove their child (Psalm 82:4). A 1982 study by the National Commission on Excellence in Education accurately assesses the seriousness of the attack on children by an eroding society. "[T]he Educational Foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a Nation and a people... If an unfriendly power had attempted to impose upon America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war."

In a land where the government is "of the people," we have no one to blame but ourselves if this 'act of war' continues to prosper (Hosea 4:6-9). Placing excessive emphasis on sexual deviance and perversion instead of providing instruction on chastity and God's celebrated view of sex introduces confusion and harm (Proverbs 1:15-16, 32). We must boldly stand in and advocate for the truth of God's good design (Ephesians 5:11-12).

Parents have a God-given responsibility to train their children in the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 22:6), protect innocence, and nurture wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17). Any parent more concerned about the recommendations of "educational elites" over God's revelation will soon find their children in AP trouble (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Trump under Trial Cont.

On Monday, former President Trump (and 18 others) were indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on 41 counts related to the 2020 election loss in Georgia. This is the fourth criminal case Trump is facing and brings the total number of charges brought against him to 91. The GA indictment includes 13 charges specifically against Trump related to his attempts to pressure officials to overturn election results in their state.

This indictment is the latest legal threat to Trump as he runs for president again in 2024. He faces two federal cases related to the January 6th attack, and his handling of classified documents, and two state cases, one in Georgia and one in New York.

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The Remnant’s Response:

In addition to reading our previous comments on Trump's legal problems here and here, we will add a few thoughts regarding yesterday's new charges. It was interesting to observe two stations reported that this indictment was a "prosecutor's dream" and "sealed Trump's demise," while another stated that the "politically motivated charges" all but guarantee Trump being "propelled back into the presidency." Despite what analysts, commentators, and networks represent, their perspective will not ultimately determine Truth (John 17:17). It is distressing to see many people have decided on Trump's guilt or innocence based on their previous opinion of him and/or the party of which they are a part. Wise men do not rush to judgment (Proverbs 18:13), and good men are impartial when executing justice (Leviticus 19:15). There is a reason artists depict lady justice as blind.

One cannot be too careful about where they get their "news" (Proverbs 26:8) or too prudent in deciding what is true about that news (Proverbs 18:17). While it is human to have preconceived notions, it is divine to judge with perfect wisdom (Revelation 16:7). Until that day comes (Acts 17:31) let us be careful in our convictions and sure before we make someone a convict.

Other news you should know

🇪🇨 Third politician assassinated in Ecuador in less than one month.

🐝 No view? No problem. "Listening only" tickets listed at over $200 for Beyonce concert.

🇦🇷 Argentina Presidential Candidate surprises pundits and pollsters in primary election. 

🏈 Blindsided: Michael Oher claims he was never adopted. Netflix is probably licking their chops after this news.

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