Saturday, January 22, 2005
"He snatched me from spiritual darkness"
The most powerful part of the program was the testimonies of four, post-abortive women, Dee Dee Alanzo, Rhonda Arias, Malartha Bossier, and Mayalea Banks.
The trials these women have faced, made more sinister by abortion, are heart rending. Harrowing tales of molestation, manipulation, silver-tongued deceit, profiteering violation, and its dark aftermath made men weep.
As Ms. Alanzo gave her testimony with measured calm that belied her painful story, I noticed an uncomfortable drop in temperature as a long promised cold front arrived. In spite of this, she spoke unflaggingly, symbolically standing strong against the chilling story: Exploited by a man 26 years her senior, cajoled into abortion, thrown away after the fact, and left to deal with years of pain and despair. A parental consent law could help prevent situations like this.
Ms. Arias, by contrast, spoke with the penetrating zeal of a revivalist preacher. With sharp enunciation, staccato cadence, and verbal percussion, her words reverberate powerfully through the crowd. You can almost feel the force of her words bouncing around your chest cavity.
Boldly proclaiming Jesus "snatched me from spiritual darkness!", she may be the Martin Luther King of the pro-life movement.
Indeed, few have the credibility she does on the issue. A survivor of 4 abortions and 2 suicide attempts, Ms. Arias understands better than most the true consequences of believing Big Abortion's sly propaganda.
Upholding the redemptive power and healing that Christ brings through His Word, Ms. Arias now leads a ministry to incarcerated women. Stating another obscure fact about abortion, Ms. Arias noted that the female prison population has radically grown since 1973 and that between 60% and 80% of women prisoners have had abortions. Cynics may say other, environmental causes drove both the crime and abortion, but how likely is it crime would have followed a live birth?
After hearing these four, brave women testify to the soul-destroying effects of abortion, how can anyone say abortion is good for women?
The most powerful part of the program was the testimonies of four, post-abortive women, Dee Dee Alanzo, Rhonda Arias, Malartha Bossier, and Mayalea Banks.
The trials these women have faced, made more sinister by abortion, are heart rending. Harrowing tales of molestation, manipulation, silver-tongued deceit, profiteering violation, and its dark aftermath made men weep.
As Ms. Alanzo gave her testimony with measured calm that belied her painful story, I noticed an uncomfortable drop in temperature as a long promised cold front arrived. In spite of this, she spoke unflaggingly, symbolically standing strong against the chilling story: Exploited by a man 26 years her senior, cajoled into abortion, thrown away after the fact, and left to deal with years of pain and despair. A parental consent law could help prevent situations like this.
Ms. Arias, by contrast, spoke with the penetrating zeal of a revivalist preacher. With sharp enunciation, staccato cadence, and verbal percussion, her words reverberate powerfully through the crowd. You can almost feel the force of her words bouncing around your chest cavity.
Boldly proclaiming Jesus "snatched me from spiritual darkness!", she may be the Martin Luther King of the pro-life movement.
Indeed, few have the credibility she does on the issue. A survivor of 4 abortions and 2 suicide attempts, Ms. Arias understands better than most the true consequences of believing Big Abortion's sly propaganda.
Upholding the redemptive power and healing that Christ brings through His Word, Ms. Arias now leads a ministry to incarcerated women. Stating another obscure fact about abortion, Ms. Arias noted that the female prison population has radically grown since 1973 and that between 60% and 80% of women prisoners have had abortions. Cynics may say other, environmental causes drove both the crime and abortion, but how likely is it crime would have followed a live birth?
After hearing these four, brave women testify to the soul-destroying effects of abortion, how can anyone say abortion is good for women?
"Go to the gates of hell and pray"
Inaction is not an option. Over and over, speakers raised the need for action, for both practical effect and biblical obedience.
Chris Danze is well acquainted with action. Leader of the innovative "Texas Contractors and Suppliers for Life", Mr. Danze has slowed the construction of a major, Planned Parenthood facility in South Austin. As Mr. Danze said in his calm, uncomplicated, earnest style, we will be held accountable for what we do and don't do.
Of course, actively supporting the forthcoming parental notification bill is a necessary thing to do. But there are many other areas that need attention.
Dr. John Pisciotta of Pro-Life Waco exposed the disturbing trend of abortion providers cozying up to legitimate organizations to build a false image of legitimacy. The Pro-Life Waco website chronicles how organizations that should serve good causes, like the Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Race for the Cure, play footsie with Big Abortion. Be wise to these schemes and find teachers to help you discern them.
Pastors Sonny Foraker and Ronnie Holmes emphasized the need for such teaching. Pastor Holmes highlighted the scriptural directives to intercede for vulnerable young women:
And when God's people pray and act, good things happen.
Judy Vatterot of Life Advocates of Houston noted that the pro-life gains are increasing and the abortion industry is receding. From a peak of 2000 abortion facilities, there are now only 743 in the US. By contrast there are over 3000 crisis pregnancy centers.
Perhaps this is because, as Pastor David Newsome said, abortion will not stand because God opposes it. Says Pastor Newsome, "The mountain of abortion will be moved."
Inaction is not an option. Over and over, speakers raised the need for action, for both practical effect and biblical obedience.
Chris Danze is well acquainted with action. Leader of the innovative "Texas Contractors and Suppliers for Life", Mr. Danze has slowed the construction of a major, Planned Parenthood facility in South Austin. As Mr. Danze said in his calm, uncomplicated, earnest style, we will be held accountable for what we do and don't do.
Of course, actively supporting the forthcoming parental notification bill is a necessary thing to do. But there are many other areas that need attention.
Dr. John Pisciotta of Pro-Life Waco exposed the disturbing trend of abortion providers cozying up to legitimate organizations to build a false image of legitimacy. The Pro-Life Waco website chronicles how organizations that should serve good causes, like the Girl Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and the Race for the Cure, play footsie with Big Abortion. Be wise to these schemes and find teachers to help you discern them.
Pastors Sonny Foraker and Ronnie Holmes emphasized the need for such teaching. Pastor Holmes highlighted the scriptural directives to intercede for vulnerable young women:
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." Proverbs 24:11And for unborn children:
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8Pastor Foraker then, pointed the way to accomplish these things. Saying he started by "going to the gates of hell and pray", he has developed a resource manual specifically for professional pastors to help them get their flocks engaged with in contentious, public issues. Pastors must take lead against abortion!
And when God's people pray and act, good things happen.
Judy Vatterot of Life Advocates of Houston noted that the pro-life gains are increasing and the abortion industry is receding. From a peak of 2000 abortion facilities, there are now only 743 in the US. By contrast there are over 3000 crisis pregnancy centers.
Perhaps this is because, as Pastor David Newsome said, abortion will not stand because God opposes it. Says Pastor Newsome, "The mountain of abortion will be moved."
The March will be Blogged!
I will be at the Texas Walk and Rally for Life this afternoon, taking in the regalia, sights and sounds of one of the largest pro-life events in Texas. Afterwards, I will promptly blog and photoblog (assuming I can figure out how to post pictures) the event.
While I am always excited about the Walk for Life, this year's event may have some new, unpredictable twists:
I will be at the Texas Walk and Rally for Life this afternoon, taking in the regalia, sights and sounds of one of the largest pro-life events in Texas. Afterwards, I will promptly blog and photoblog (assuming I can figure out how to post pictures) the event.
While I am always excited about the Walk for Life, this year's event may have some new, unpredictable twists:
- Governor Perry: This is the first time I recall the Guv speaking at this event. No doubt, he wants to burnish his pro-life bona fides prior to what promises to be a bruising 2006 Republican primary. Pay close attention to what he has to say.
- Left over hate-Bush animus? In the past, I've seen a smattering of protestors. But will "Bush Hate", the maddening psychosis seen in some who oppose President Bush, seek its fulfillment at a large, public, pro-life gathering such as this?
Stay tuned....
About Texas Tommy and Voice in the Wilderness
"Voice in the Wilderness" is published by Travis Fell, who is a
- Christian
- BBQ aficionado
- College football fan
- Dance evangelist
- Political entrepreneur
- Researcher
- Social and media critic
- Worldview analyst and advocate
- Writer
I often go by the online sobriquet of "TexasTommy".
"Voice in the Wilderness" is meant to help fill a void in Austin and Central Texas: Provide news and commentary from a conservative point of view and magnify stories of God's power in action.
This blog believes in:
- The conservative view of government and politics: limited government, individual freedom and responsibility, free market principles, traditional values. I hold that these values are derived from the biblical worldview.
- God: That He is real, is interested in the affairs of mankind and individuals, His Word is true and is applicable today, and we should not be afraid to engage Him and His precepts in public discourse and policy
- Engaging people who may be from other faiths but share many of my values
- Pursuing the truth on items of interest to readers in Central Texas with integrity, fairness, intellectual rigor, good humor, and high purpose
Employment:
I currently work as an independent business consultant and freelance writer. I am also a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the US Navy Reserve. Past jobs include:
- Gravitant, a software startup
- The Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives for the Honorable Carl Isett and the Honorable Arlene Wohlgemuth
- IBM
- Cap Gemini, a computer services consulting company
Education:
I graduated from Iowa State University in 1993 with a BS in English, with an emphasis in Rhetoric and Professional Communication.
I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000 with an MBA in Information Management and Entrepreneurship.
- Platform Committee, 2004 SD 25 Republican Convention
- Delegate, 2004 State Republican Convention
- Member of the "Mighty Texas Strike Force" November 2004; campaigned for President Bush in the key battleground state of Iowa, which is also my home state.
