On April 5, a federal district court judge, Edward Korman, overruled an important decision made by the secretary of health and human services, Kathleen Sebelius, ordering that Plan B One-Step (often referred to as the “morning-after pill”) be made available over the counter for anyone 15 years of age or older.

Just this past week, on Wednesday, June 5, a federal appeals court took the following steps, according to Larry Neumeister and Lauran Neergaard in a USA Today article: “The brief order issued by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan permitted two-pill versions of emergency contraception to immediately be sold without restrictions, but the court refused to allow unrestricted sales of Plan B One-Step until it decides the merits of the government’s appeal.”

Sebelius had overruled an FDA decision to make the morning-after pill available to girls as young as 15. This meant that Plan B would continue to require a prescription for girls 16 and younger and that girls 17 and older would need to show proof of age to the pharmacist to purchase it. The nation was shocked when Korman ignored the oversight of the secretary of health and human services.

High school girls should not be able to use powerful morning-after drugs without conferring with their parents, guardians or doctors. This kind of purchase is not the constitutional right or moral privilege of a minor. Despite the increasingly younger ages at which our children are becoming sexually aware and then sexually active, the government should not usurp the parents’ role or authority for many important reasons.

First, over-the-counter access to “emergency contraception” is a pimp’s dream. This is a danger to females of all ages. Secondly, this kind of law may assist child sex trafficking in our country by helping to keep involuntary “sex slaves” on the street. Believe it or not, this is a huge problem in the Washington, D.C., area in which I live. Illicit sex has long been known as the favorite intoxicant of the power-mad D.C. crowd, but the sex slave business reaches the heartland as well. Last summer, the FBI arrested 104 pimps in 57 cities, all of whom were forcing girls between the ages of 13 and 17 into prostitution.

It seems that business interests in the drug’s release are currently being considered before the welfare of the patients. The Korman ruling was surprising to many health care providers because hormonal birth control methods like this one present special risks for women with other health issues, such as diabetes, liver problems and smoking. It is also generally understood that sexually active women need to be under the regular care of an obstetrician-gynecologist to ensure that their reproductive systems remain healthy and to give them regular screenings for sexually transmitted diseases.

Proponents of the judge’s ruling claim that the over-the-counter availability of Plan B would not disrupt the doctor-patient relationship. The measure, they claim, is only to allow responsible women to purchase Plan B on the weekends or holidays. The judge dismissed concerns for minors, saying, “This case is not about the potential misuse of Plan B by 11-year-olds. … The number of 11-year-olds using these drugs is likely to be miniscule.”

Contrary to the judge’s concepts, even President Obama, in support of Sebelius, noted the possibility of misuse by children and the side effects of the drug. A Kaiser Permanente study backs up the president’s conclusions. It demonstrated that at least 8 percent of girls under 17 could be expected to use Plan B incorrectly. Misuse of this drug can result in an ectopic pregnancy, a dangerous condition which can cause hemorrhage or death. Common side effects of Plan B, when used correctly, include abnormal bleeding, nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache and dizziness. Any of these physical effects would concern a caring parent.

President Obama added questions about the judgment of the youngest users of this drug. He said simply, “The reason Kathleen … could not be confident that a 10-year-old or an 11-year-old going to a drugstore should not be able—alongside bubble gum or batteries—to buy a medication that potentially, if not used properly, could have an adverse effect.”

Most parents quickly assert that Judge Korman’s decision is wrong. Abuse of this kind of drug in our era is inevitable. Consider this: The FDA decided recently not to approve any generic versions of the prescription painkiller OxyContin because they could be crushed into powder and snorted or injected, as the name-brand version was for many years. (OxyContin’s manufacturers have been forced to develop a different kind of tablet in order to prevent abuse.)

How can we understand the dangers of OxyContin and miss the problems with the morning-after pill? Ruling that the FDA should have no responsibility to restrict the sale of a drug that would endanger children—by empowering rapists, pedophiles, pimps and sex traffickers to cover up their crimes—seems like a travesty of justice. The judge is out of touch with the culture. In fact, he needs a refresher course in common sense!

Harry R. Jackson Jr. is senior pastor of 3,000-member Hope Christian Church in the nation’s capital. Jackson, who earned an MBA from Harvard, is a best-selling author and popular conference speaker. He leads the High-Impact Leadership Coalition.

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When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, we were like those who dream. —Psalm 126:1

The Christian life experienced to its fullest is also a dream come true. Most believers are living far beneath their privileges. Jesus promised, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Are you living with an abundance of power, resources and joy? The supernatural power of God is our heritage. The fruit of the Spirit is our promise. Having led hundreds of people to freedom in Christ, I can say honestly that for many of them, life becomes new, fresh and exhilarating. One young lady was suffering from anorexia nervosa—self-destructive starvation.

Although she had seen some counselors, her problem was not physical but spiritual. After extended counseling, she rejected the enemy and his deception. The truth set her free. She is now active for Christ and especially enjoys singing in the choir.

People who have been set free from the enemy’s strongholds invariably experience an amazing awakening to the spiritual life. Suddenly their eyes are open to all that they have in Christ.

In the early 1950s, before cruises became the vogue, a poor man booked a passage from London to the United States in order to see his family. On board, he stuck to himself and never entered the dining room.

Toward the end of the journey, passengers asked him why he did not eat in the dining room. “Oh, I could afford only a ticket for the trip. But I brought along cheese and crackers to sustain me,” he assured them.

“Sir, the food is included in the price of the ticket!” his fellow passenger said. It is possible to live the Christian life this way. We must realize that our commitment to Christ has brought us all that we need for this life and the life to come.

For more than 30 years, Ron Phillips has been the pastor of Abba’s House (formerly Central Baptist Church) in Hixson, Tenn. As a lifelong Southern Baptist, a dramatic encounter with the Holy Spirit in 1989 changed his life and ministry to one that grasps who we really are in Christ and the gifts and fullness that are available to us through a Spirit-filled life. His television program, Abba’s House With Pastor Ron Phillips, blends solid biblical exposition with a simplicity anyone can understand. In addition, for 14 years, Phillips hosted the daily 15-minute radio program CenterPoint across the nation via radio and throughout the world via the Internet. He has now authored more than 20 books, including Awakened by the Spirit, Our Invisible Allies, Everyone’s Guide to Demons and Spiritual Warfare, The Foundations on the Holy Spirit series and his latest release from Charisma House, A God-Sized Future.

For the original article, visit .

I am not trying to make every believer a prophet. And yet all of us can prophesy. There are different levels of prophecy. An understanding of the different levels of prophecy will eliminate any confusion.

“On the simplest level, a prophet is one who speaks words from God that build people up: He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.” —1 Corinthians 14:3

This is the simplest scriptural definition of prophecy. Prophetic words edify; they bring edification. To edify means to build up. God desires to “build up” His people through prophecy.

The word edify is related to the word edifice, which is another word for “a building.” The church is God’s building. His building (His edifice) is built up through prophecy.

How do prophetic words build up the church? By bringing exhortation and comfort to the individual people who make up the church.

Exhortation is the Greek word paraklesis, which means “solace, entreaty, consolation, admonition or comfort.” This word is related to the word parakletos, or Comforter, a name for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit uses prophecy to comfort believers and to exhort them to holiness, love, worship, praise, prayer, evangelism, humility and giving.

Comfort is the Greek noun paramuthia, which means “consolation.” This is a different type of comfort, and it is especially important for believers who are suffering or struggling in their faith.

It is important to note that this simple definition of prophecy contains no reference to prediction. This is where many people have erred, believing that prophecy is another word for predicting the future. While it is quite possible for prophets to offer prediction when they prophesy, it is not required by definition.

Basic prophetic words adhere to the parameters of “edification, exhortation and comfort.”

John Eckhardt is overseer of Crusaders Ministries in Chicago. Gifted with a strong apostolic call, he has ministered across the U.S. and in more than 80 other countries. He produces a weekly TV program, Perfecting the Saints, and is the author of more than 20 books, including Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power and the popular Prayers That … series (Prayers That Rout Demons, Prayers That Break Curses, Prayers That Bring Healing, Prayers That Release Heaven). For more, visit his ministry at . This article was excerpted from his book God Still Speaks. 

Notice some biblical evidence for this phenomenon. In Genesis 2:21, God caused a “deep sleep” to fall on Adam so He could remove a rib in order to fashion woman. He then closed Adam’s side. He performed all of this surgery while Adam slept. He not only removed the rib, but He also healed Adam’s body after the surgery. Many have wondered if perhaps Adam had a scar on his side as a reminder that Eve was a gift to him. (We know that the Second Adam had His side ripped open and still bears the scar showing His love to us.) Adam felt God’s touch on his life in his physical body.

What God did then, He can do now. During a “falling out” time God can perform surgery and healing for people in a spiritual, emotional, mental, or physical way.

In Genesis 15:12, God put Abram into a deep sleep. God then prophesied or spoke the future over Abram’s resting spirit.

He told Abram that his descendants would be slaves in Egypt for four hundred years. After that period of bondage, He said Abram’s descendants would be delivered and would march out of Egypt with great wealth. Not only did God prophesy the future, but He also promised that Abram would live to a great old age and would be buried with his fathers. Abram listened in his trance and heard the voice of God.

In Numbers 24, God used a mercenary false prophet, a mere magician and sorcerer, to speak the word of God. Balaam had made a deal with Balak, the king of Moab. For big bucks, Balaam agreed to curse the children of Israel publicly. Verses 4 and 16 state of Balaam: “[He] sees the vision of the Almighty, [he] falls down, with eyes wide open.”

Each time Balaam tried to curse the people of God, he fell down with his eyes wide open, seeing a vision from Almighty God. Instead of curses, blessings for the nation of Israel came rushing out of his mouth! That happened not once but three times. Angrily, King Balak shouted that the deal was off. Balaam would get no money from him! The fourth time Balaam opened his mouth, he prophesied in verse 17: “A Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.”

In a trance, the unbelieving follower of witchcraft saw a vision of God and prophesied the word of God. How amazing to consider that through a trance, God used Balaam’s mouth for His glory!

Even today, God can and does turn unbelieving occult followers into preachers of His gospel. Several months ago, a teenager stood in our service and gave testimony to Christ’s intervention in her life. She and her friends had become deeply involved in Wicca, or supposed “white” magic. She had soon become dissatisfied with it and began to experiment with more blatant occult practices. She found herself gripped by something she could no longer control, and drug and alcohol abuse added to her problems.

The tormented young lady was put in contact with our deliverance counseling ministry. She was gloriously saved and set free and now gives her testimony to warn others of the dangers of playing around with the lure of power that Satan uses to entangle souls.

The prophet Ezekiel had several experiences in which God visited him in a trance. In Ezekiel 1:28, he described the first of them and recorded his response: “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face.”

Ezekiel 2:2 reveals that the prophet saw a vision and heard a voice when he fell on his face. The voice commissioned him to a ministry to a rebellious people, and the voice told Ezekiel not to be afraid. While Ezekiel was in a trance, God called him to a new work—a new ministry.

Ezekiel described another supernatural experience: The glory of the Lord stood there, like the glory which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face. —Ezekiel 3:23

During a trance experience, Daniel heard the voice of an angel speaking about the end of time. Daniel 8:27 states that when the trance was over, Daniel fainted and was sick for several days.

Falling Out in the New Testament
The New Testament also records many biblical accounts that support this strange and unusual phenomenon labeled “falling out.” The first reference is Matthew 17:1–6, which is an account of the Transfiguration. On the mountain, God showed three disciples what the significance of the Law and Prophets was and that Jesus was greater and the fulfillment of both. When the disciples heard that, they fell to the ground with faces down. They were terrified and totally overwhelmed by both the words of the revelation and the way it was delivered. Jesus touched them and reassured them gently.

The account in Matthew 28:4 tells us that the soldiers who were guarding Jesus’s tomb were literally paralyzed with fear when the angel appeared sitting on the stone that was rolled away. The guards were so afraid of the angel that they “shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.” Their fear (reverence) in the presence of the angel made them fall as though they were slain. Notice that in the presence of God’s power, both believers and unbelievers seem to be unable to stand.

The book of John tells the account of unbelievers falling in the presence of something holy. In this account Judas and the Roman soldiers had come to arrest Jesus. Jesus identified Himself, saying, “I am He” or “I AM.” The power in His words caused the soldiers to move away from Jesus, and then they suddenly fell to the ground (John 18:1–6).

In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul recorded two separate visitations from God. The first encounter took place as he was on the road to Damascus with papers to arrest more Christians. Paul (or Saul, as he was known before his salvation) was responsible for the deaths of many believers. In Acts 9:3, a blinding light from heaven appeared and seized Saul. He heard a voice from heaven and fell to the ground blinded. His fellow travelers also heard the voice but saw nothing except Saul’s response and blindness: “Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’ And he said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting’” (Acts 9:4–5).

Here again we see clear evidence of falling out as a natural response to a divine revelation. Paul arose from that experience blinded for several days. Although his physical sight was temporarily gone, his spiritual eyes could see clearly. In a trance, he received confrontation and correction from Jesus. Paul recounted this experience before the Jews in Jerusalem in Acts 22 and again before King Agrippa in Acts 26.

Another encounter experienced by Paul is recorded in Acts 22:17–18: “Now it happened, when I [Paul] returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance and saw Him [Jesus] saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’”

Paul definitely heard the voice of Jesus while he was in a trance. We do not know whether or not he had fallen to the ground, but he was out of consciousness and totally absorbed or engaged in communion with Christ. The purpose of the trance was to give Paul deliverance from his enemies. The experience happened to him in church. God needed to give Paul specific instructions, for more than forty Jewish leaders had sworn an oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. God supernaturally revealed that He had other plans for Paul!

Acts 10:10–17 records yet another apostle’s experience. Peter had gone out onto a housetop to pray while his hosts were preparing dinner. There he “fell into a trance.” In the vision, Peter saw a sheet let down from heaven with all kinds of animals on it. The voice in the vision said, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” Peter responded by saying, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” The voice rebuked Peter, saying that what God had cleansed, he should never call common.

The exchange happened three times. God used the vision to call Peter to minister to a man named Cornelius in Caesarea. God was making Peter ready for a new ministry to the Gentiles. Peter heeded the vision that called him to a new task.

The whole book of Revelation is a vision of God’s glory to the beloved apostle John. Revelation 1:1 gives this introduction to the book: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” Verse 10 gives further details when John says, “was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet.” But Revelation 1:17 gives us a compelling piece of information: “And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last’” (emphasis added).

John in his vision saw many things and heard the voice of Jesus. He was a witness to the Word of God and a witness to the testimony of Jesus. He saw, heard, and obeyed the heavenly vision.

Notes From History
Here again are the great revivalists from history who observed instances of resting in the Lord. Jonathan Edwards, the main instrument and theologian of the Great Awakening in America (1725–1760), said in his Account of the Revival of Religion in North Hampton in 1740–42: . . . many in their religious affections being raised far beyond what they had ever had before: and there were some instances of persons lying in a sort of trance, remaining perhaps for a whole twenty-four hours motionless, and with their senses locked up; but in the meantime under strong imaginations, as though they went to heaven, and had there a vision of glorious and delightful objects.

Charles Finney (1792–1875) was one of the most powerful revivalists since the Reformation. At a country place named Sodom, in the state of New York, Finney gave one address in which he described the condition of Sodom before God destroyed it:

I had not spoken to them in this strain of direct application, I should think, more than a quarter of an hour, when all at once an awful solemnity seemed to settle down upon them; the congregation began to fall from their seats in every direction, and cried for mercy. If I had had a sword in each hand, I could not have cut them off their seats as fast as they fell. Indeed nearly the whole congregation were either on their knees or prostrate, I should think, in less than two minutes from this first shock that fell upon them. Every one prayed for himself, who was able to speak at all.

What does God do when you fall out in a trance? God does exactly what He wants to do. His ways are not our ways, but we know that He does all things well! In every case, Jesus accomplishes a deeper work in the believer. He may perform surgery; heal your body; prophesy; give a promise; speak a strange word out of your mouth; send an angel; give instruction, correction, or deliverance; or call you to a new ministry. Whatever He does is communication from the Spirit of God to the spirit of man—Spirit-to-spirit contact. This bypasses your mind, will, emotions, thoughts, carnal desires, limitations, and demonic
strongholds.

I like to think of falling out as a time-out with the Lord. If you are a parent, you may be familiar with that term. Little children are often placed in a time-out corner or chair in order to think about what they have done or failed to do. They are isolated from a group to calm their busy little bodies.

In the same way, we may need a time-out from our busyness. Our heavenly coach may choose to take us out of the game temporarily. He may pull us aside to say a word of praise for a job well done. Our heavenly coach may need to say, “Come away and rest awhile!” He may have a new play or assignment for us, or He may change the game plan altogether. The Father may sense that we are hurt and need time for healing. Whatever the reason for a time-out with our heavenly coach, we must listen to Him and trust Him, for it will always be for our own good.

Let’s ask the question, What is the glory of the Lord? In answer, we look at Moses’
request on the mountain of God. Moses asked: Please, show me Your glory. —Exodus 33:18

The Hebrew word for “glory” used by Moses in this instance was kabowd. It is defined by Strong’s Bible Dictionary as “the weight of something, but only figuratively in a good sense.” Its definition also speaks of splendor, abundance, and honor. Moses was asking, “Show me Yourself in all Your splendor.” Look
carefully at God’s response: Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim
the name of the Lord before you.” —Exodus 33:19

Moses requested all His glory, and God referred to it as “all My goodness . . . ” The
Hebrew word for “goodness” is tuwb. It means, “good in the widest sense.” In other words, nothing is withheld.

Then God says, “I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you.” Before an earthly king enters the throne room, his name is always announced by proclamation. Then he enters in his splendor. The king’s greatness is revealed, and in his court there is no mistake as to who is king. If this monarch were on the street of one of the cities of his nation dressed in ordinary clothes, without any attendants, he might be passed by without those around him realizing his actual identity. So in essence, this is exactly what God did for Moses. He is saying, “I will proclaim My own name and pass by you in all My splendor.”

We see then that the glory of the Lord is everything that makes God, God. All His characteristics,
authority, power, wisdom—literally the immeasurable weight and magnitude of God—are contained within God’s glory. Nothing is hidden or held back!

John Bevere is a popular speaker at conferences and churches and the author of the best-sellers The Bait of Satan and The Fear of the Lord. He is host of The Messenger TV show and directs Messenger International ministry. This article was excerpted from his popular book Fear of the Lord.

Have you ever seen anything like this time you and I are living in?

The prophet Joel asked the very same question…

“ The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. 2 Hear this, you elders,
And give ear, all you inhabitants of the land! Has anything like this happened in your days, Or even in the days of your fathers?3 Tell your children about it,
Let your children tell their children ,And their children another generation.”. ( Joel 1:1-2 NKJV)

It sounds like something being spoken today doesn’t it?

Joel was specifically referring to a multi-phase invasion of locusts that were laying destruction and waste to the land. While we are not facing that exact same situation, we are witnessing an incredible amount of extraordinary situations and events taking place in a relative short period of time.

Consider this…There have been the tornadoes in Texas and Oklahoma. The explosion in West,TX; A terrorist attack at the Boston Marathon; Ongoing shake ups in Washington DC and more. Very real in my own recent memory is Superstorm/Hurricane Sandy that my family and I personally went through as we lived on the Jersey Shore.

Without a doubt, this is a period in history that in my opinion is unlike any other.

Some rush to declare “judgment from God.”  I am slow to use those words because some serious questions arise when the situations are more closely examined.

Take for instance the declarations of judgment made by some upon New Orleans following the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Katrina.(our ministry was heavily involved in ministry to the Gulf area in the aftermath) I found it interesting that the area that could possibly be likened to Sodom and Gomorrah (The French Quarter) was missed almost entirely by the hurricane. If then it truly was judgment then God had bad aim and missed his target as the French Quarter went virtually unharmed.

By no means do I suggest that our country is pristine and guiltless in the sight of Heaven. I would definitely suggest viewing these and other events as a wake up call to God’s people who are a part of the sleeping giant aka The Church or Body of Christ.

Yes, I might call this season a” wake up call.” It’s like an alarm clock which is ringing loudly for us to get out of bed. It is time to pray, turn away from our own distractions and sin, re-prioritize our lives and ministries to be more focused upon the Father’s business as opposed to our own semi – spiritual and self serving agendas.

During these times of disaster, I have been proud to be a Christ follower because of the tremendous amount of help that comes through Christians, ministries and churches. I urge our friends to do as we have done and find a credible organization (there are many we could recommend) and give to help those affected by these tragic events. But, when these needs are finally met let’s not let it stop with great disasters.

Here is a question.

Would it be possible to incorporate this same heart of compassion, serving and gospel witness into our daily personal and church life? Jesus’ life serves as a model when He “did good and healed all who were oppressed of the devil?”(Acts 10:38) This probably took place on a daily basis as a part of  His everyday life and ministry.

Why don’t we follow the words of NIKE…”Just Do It.”

As we do, the lives of our friends and  neighbors as well as those God brings across our path can be touch and changed by the love of Jesus Christ!

The apostle Paul said: Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the
things by which one may edify another. — Romans 14:19

This shows us how to approach a person we have offended. If we go with an attitude of frustration we will not promote peace. We will only make it difficult for the one who is hurt. We are to maintain an attitude of pursuing peace through humility at the expense of our pride.

It is the only way to see true reconciliation.

On certain occasions I have approached people I have hurt or who were angry with me, and they have lashed out at me. I have been told I was selfish, inconsiderate, proud, rude, harsh and more.
My natural response has been to say, “No, I’m not. You just don’t understand me!” But when I defend myself, it only fuels their fire of offense. This is not pursuing peace. Standing up for ourselves and “our rights” will never bring true peace.

Instead I have learned to listen and keep my mouth shut until they have said what they need to say. If I don’t agree, I let them know I respect what they have said and will search my attitude and intentions.

Then I tell them I am sorry I have hurt them.

Other times they are accurate in their assessment of me. I admit, “You are right. I ask your forgiveness.”

Once again it simply means humbling ourselves to promote reconciliation. Perhaps this was why Jesus said in the next verses: Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. —Matthew 5:25–26

Pride defends. Humility agrees and says, “You are right. I have acted this way. Please forgive me.” But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. —James 3:17, emphasis added

Godly wisdom is willing to yield. It is not stiff -necked or stubborn when it comes to personal conflicts. A person submitted to godly wisdom is not afraid to yield or defer to the other person’s viewpoint as long as it does not violate truth.

Charles Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities (1859) depicted the plight of French peasants’ civil conflict with its aristocracy in the years leading up to the French Revolution. Despite their linguistic differences, Dickens showed many parallels with the social atmosphere of London and Paris during that time period.

In contrast to Dickens’ work, my commentary today explores the dramatic difference in the value of human life (versus the value of animal life) in privileged versus impoverished communities in one city: Philadelphia. I am concerned that Philadelphians seem more committed to protecting the lives of animals than they seem to be committed to saving the innocent lives of unborn children and their young mothers. Let me explain.

Last month, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was forced to cancel a planned book tour because of credible threats on his life. According to his publisher, “protests escalated into threats of violence.” Threats were made to harm Vick, the employees of bookstores and other venues planning to host the athlete as he promoted his new book, Finally Free. Everyone concerned decided it was safer to keep the athlete out of the public eye for the offseason. The anger against Vick stems, no doubt, from his role in the death of between six and eight dogs in a dog-fighting and gambling operation he owned. Vick pled guilty to felony charges in 2007 and has since been released from prison.

In contrast, two years ago another Philadelphia man was indicted for the murder of seven human babies and one adult woman. Kermit Gosnell ran a late-term abortion facility in Philadelphia and had been sued at least 15 times for malpractice before the FBI discovered the squalid conditions in his clinic during a prescription-drug raid in February 2010. Yet the same media that excoriated Vick has been eerily silent on the murder of poor mothers and the murder of fetuses.

When Vick’s crimes came to light, there was understandable outrage from all corners. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell denounced Vick’s actions, calling them “cruel and reprehensible.” Animal rights organizations like PETA predictably not only condemned him, but also staged protests until sponsors like Nike and Reebok cut all ties with the quarterback.

For years, the same media outlets have not deemed Gosnell’s crimes worthy of much coverage. While details of Vick’s operation dominated television news for weeks on end, major network news shows have been completely silent on the inner-city late-term abortion facility as of this writing. But are Gosnell’s crimes really less newsworthy?

According to testimony in the trial, the unlicensed medical school graduate beheaded nearly 100 living infants who were outside the womb and breathing on their own. Body parts of aborted babies were reportedly stuffed in cabinets and jars, and blood stained the furniture and carpet in the clinic.

Vick has repeatedly apologized for his actions in writing and in person. As part of his plea bargain, he was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison and three years’ probation. While in prison, he was frequently visited and counseled by former NFL coach Tony Dungy. Vick has volunteered for the Humane Society, has testified before Congress in favor of stricter regulations against dog fighting and has made numerous public appearances before at-risk youth, with whom he is an in-demand speaker. In contrast, Gosnell has yet to express any remorse for his actions.

History reminds us that America is capable of forgiving public figures whose sins are discovered. President Bill Clinton, who had an affair with an intern and lied about it, and director Roman Polanski, who drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl, are just two examples of persons who have been released from the fickle court of public opinion. Yet an apologetic Vick cannot go on a book tour without fearing for his life.

I do not blame the media entirely for the state of supreme moral confusion in America. The voices of institutions like the church have been compromised by recent corruption scandals. But the editorial decisions of key media outlets concerning “newsworthy crimes” have contributed to the problem. For example, many Americans may never get a chance to make a judgment about Gosnell’s actions because they haven’t even heard of him.

Harry R. Jackson Jr. is senior pastor of 3,000-member Hope Christian Church in the nation’s capital. Jackson, who earned an MBA from Harvard, is a best-selling author and popular conference speaker. He leads the High-Impact Leadership Coalition.

My Son, Jesus, went about doing good and healing all those oppressed of the devil. Through His name I have given you the power to rebuke and cast out any spirit that would oppress you. Through that power you shall strip all power from any oppressing spirits. I will be your refuge from the oppressor and will deliver you from the wicked who surround you. I have established you in righteousness, and I will keep you far from oppression. I will not allow the enemy to take your inheritance from you through oppression. My child, you are My temple, My dwelling place, and I will encamp at My temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun My people, for now I am keeping watch.

Acts 10:38; Isaiah 54:14; Zechariah 9:8

Prayer Declaration

Lord, You are my refuge from the oppressor. Deliver me from the wicked that would oppress me and from my deadly enemies that would surround me. I rebuke and cast out all spirits of oppression, sorrow and anything attempting to bring me low in the name of Jesus. I am established in righteousness, and I am far from oppression.

From Daily Declarations for Spiritual Warfare by John Eckhardt

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