This week we're profiling the surrogate pregnancy of Hagar, found in Genesis 16, using the reflections from former PPL Executive Director Marie Bowen's book, Pregnant with Promise.  As her months of pregnancy move along, Hagar learns that God is a God who sees both her and her unborn child; that God will be her provision; and God who is her promised future.

Resources in this Episode include:

Pregnant with Promise by Marie Bowen 

Khan Academy, Meet the Placenta! (12 min. video)

Animation Reel on Instagram of Heart bypass surgery

NASA umbilical technology for astronauts and deep sea divers

Scripture references used in this Episode include:

Genesis 12-15; 13:14-18; 16:1-16            Jeremiah 29:11         Acts 17:28

Romans 8:34                   I Timothy 2:5                 2 Peter 1:3 

John 14:16; 15:10; 16:13           Acts 10:38         2 Corinthians 3:18

John 15:4-9                      

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

The profiles for the next 13 weeks will be excerpted from Pregnant With Promise: A study of the character of God who cherishes human life as shown through the stories of women in the Bible, by former PPL Executive Director, Marie Bowen.  This is our first character profile of pregnant women in scripture - of course, Eve, the mother of all living.  

Pregnant With Promise

Scripture References in this Episode include:

Genesis 1-4, esp. 2:17-24; I Chron. 12:18; Psalm 54:4; 118:7; John 14:26 (God & the Holy Spirit as "Helper,"using the same Hebrew word that refers to Eve; it does not refer to subordination, but to oneness.)

Gen. 3:1-20; 4:1-2     Ephesians 5:21-32               Romans 5:5-18

Numbers 12:6            Job 33:14-18 

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

Especially in churches, women will often take their abortion secret to the grave, because there are too few opportunities for confession and healing offered. But there are many brave women who have stepped up inside their churches and shared the stories of their abortions, partly as cautionary tales, but more importantly, as testimonies of God's healing and deliverance through their experience.  Such women are a gift to the church, and living examples of God's redemptive power.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Forgiven and Set Free abortion recovery bible study and workbook for women

Healing the Father's Heart abortion recovery bible study and workbook for men

Light and Life Ministry, First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC

Piedmont Women's Center, Greenville, SC

SC Citizens for Life

Life Training Institute

NPR audio plays the sounds of abortion on the air

Scripture references in this episode include:

2 Timothy 1:7                Psalm 139                       Matthew 5:14

Psalm 3:5-6; 34:4; 55:22        Isaiah 40:31        Jeremiah 29:11

Deuteronomy 3:22      Matthew 6:28-29           Philippians 4:19

Psalm 145:16                Psalm 23                         Psalm 91

Romans 8:38-39        John 1:3                            Matthew 10:29

Revelation 1:17            Colossians 1:17               Isaiah 40:31

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

When it comes to wrestling with the difficult medical questions surrounding abortion in cases where the life and health of the mother are threatened, what is the correct moral, medical and compassionate way to approach these conversations?  Former PPL board member, Dr. Martha Leatherman, examines each potential difficulty and outlines the abortion alternatives and treatments that apply to each.

This links to an article originally published in First Things magazine about high-risk pregnancy management: Medicalizing Abortion Decisions

A link to a site with many sources for information on Successful Ectopic Pregnancy

Stand to Reason article: Are Prolifers Being Inconsistent if They Save the Mother's Life rather than the Baby's?

See also Baby Chris blog for Developmental Week 19 (Episode 18) "The Tree in the Middle of the Garden"

Scripture references in this episode include:

Matthew 20:23        John 9:6                Mark 23-25 

Isaiah 35:5                Mark 10:52           Luke 7:18-22

Matthew 13:15-16     2 Corinthians 4:3-4      Hosea 4:6

Matthew 15:14          I Corinthians 2:14    Ezekiel 34:11, 16

Matthew 18:12          Romansa 1:20        I John 3:1-2

John 8:11-12

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

A favorite tactic of pro-abortion activists is to claim that, "the Bible doesn't say anything about abortion" - this is not the flex they think it is.  Another avenue of attack is to claim that in Numbers 5:11-31 God prescribes abortion as the penalty for adultery.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Stick with us today as we work to refute these two assertions using proper exegesis.

Scripture References in this episode include:

Leviticus 17:13-14             Genesis 9:6              Psalm 72:14

Exodus 20:13                    Genesis 3:7, 21        Genesis 22:8

Leviticus 17:6-11               Exodus 29:21            Exodus 12:23

Genesis 15                        Jeremiah 31:31-34   Luke 22:19-20

I Corinthians 11:24-25     I Peter 3:18                I John 2:2

Isaiah 59:2                        Hebrews 9:15          Ephesians 2:14-16

John 3:16                          Romans 6:23           Romans 10:13

Revelation 22:17              2 Corinthians 9:15  Numbers 5:11-31

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

By week 24 of development in the womb, there is a greatly reduced risk of miscarriage - but the risk is not zero.  Families who suffer these pregnancy losses are too often left to grieve unsupported by family, friends and church.   This week's guest author on the topic of miscarriage, is Sue Cyre, past board member of the Institute for Religion and Democracy and past director of Presbyterians for Faith, Family and Ministry.  She is the author of a book titled, From Genesis to Revelation God Takes a Bride: the divine marriage of which human marriage is an image, and also served as an editor of Theology Matters.

Ministry When There is a Miscarriage

Scripture references in this episode include:

Matthew 6:25       I Kings 17:17-24         2 Kings 4:18-37

Acts 20:7-12           Luke 8:49-56           Mark 10:14-16

Joshua 1:9

Amelia Sonja Taylor, born at 21 weeks

Miracle Baby Sabie, born at 23 weeks (less than 9 ounces!)

Nash Keen, born at 21 weeks (10 ounces)

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

In last week's episode we talked about how attacks on Biblical sexuality are one-and-done for the Enemy, and this week's offering builds on that theme with an article by long-time PPL board President Rev. John Sheldon, on Purifying the Bride of Christ.

Scriptures included in this episode include:

Rev. 21:1-11                Matthew 16:8             Ephesians 5:1-33

Ezekiel 16:33-37      Ezekiel 16:53; 63       Revelation 11:11

Genesis 2:7              Luke 1:5-25                 Psalm 139:13-16

Genesis 18:10;  25:23     Psalm 22:10        Jeremiah 29:11

Ephesians 1:4-11; 2:10     2 Timothy 1:9     John 20:22

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

Sex is the church's sweet spot for its destruction and the corruption of the world.  It's one-and-done for the Enemy, no matter which avenue Satan advances to attack: promiscuity, divorce, pornography, sexual fetishes, same-sex-attraction, gender dysphoria and abortion.  All the other sins are just "coping mechanisms."

Scripture references used in this Episode include: 

Genesis 5:2             Jeremiah 13:26          Ezekiel 23:1-49

Nahum 3:5             Hosea 1:2 ff                 Revelation 19

Isaiah 27:5                Genesis 25-27           Genesis 32:22-32

Exodus 30:10        Leviticus 16:16-18        Ecclesiastes 6:9

Genesis 22:8          Isaiah 41:10                 Isaiah 41:13

The Grasp that Brings Peace, Sermon by the Rev. Andrew Maclaren

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

When a human child I the womb can be ascribed - or denied - humanity and personhood because of the personal desires of any other human being, or the capricious opinions of legislators and secular ethicists - then no lives matter and all human beings are put at risk.

Scripture references in this episode include:

Exodus 20          Deuteronomy 5            James 4:1-2

2 Corinthians 5:16-17    Revelation 7:9   Genesis 1:26-27; 5:1-2

Acts 17:26           Isaiah 43:1                    John 3:16

I Cor. 6:20          Ephesians 1:7               I Peter 1:18-19

Romans 12:5       I Cor. 12:12-27             Deuteronomy 10:17

Job 34:19            Acts 10:34                   Romans 2:11

Galatians 3:28    Mark 12:31                  Ephesians 6:12-14

I Samuel 16:7      Genesis 1:1                 Psalm 19:1-2

Ezekiel 1:28         Rev. 4:3                      Genesis 4:1

Exodus 35:35     2 Chron. 2:14              Ephesians 2:10

Exodus 25-27, 30     I Kings 6               Revelation 21

I Cor. 3:16            Philippians 1:6           2 Corinthians 5:17

Gilbert Stuart's Unfinished Portrait of George Washington

Where to watch Poldark Season 1, Episode 7

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org

Reproductive technologies are advancing at a rate that exceeds our ability to assess them morally and ethically.  Today's episode shares information from 2001 and 2025 on the rapid advancement from cloning to three-person IVF.

Scriptural references in this week's episode include:

Genesis 1:28, 27; 2:6, 2:8         Exodus 20:13            Psalm 4:8

Genesis 2:21-22                         Luke 9:32                  Genesis 33:14-18

Proverbs 6:6-9; 10:5; 19:15, 24:33-34                        Matthew 26:40

Isaiah 60:1                                  Romans 13:11-14      I Thessalonians 5:5-6

Revelation 3:2-3                        John 11:11-14             Mark 5:39

I Thessalonians 4:14                 Psalm 127:2              Job 11:19

Proverbs 3:24                            Psalm 121:3-4

The Scientific and Scriptural Case Against Human Cloning 

UK Reports Births of "3-Parent Babies" Through IVF

https://www.ppl.org/baby-chris

Abortion is never medically necessary

Abortion Pill Reversal https://abortionpillreversal.com 24/7 Helpline at 877.558.0333 Email: [email protected] or Chat at the weblink above

Post abortion recovery for both women and men at https://www.rachelsvineyard.org

Life Training Institute https://www.prolifetraining.com

Charlotte Lozier Institute https://lozierinstitute.org

Guttmacher Institute https://guttmacher.org

Compelled by the gospel, PPL equips Presbyterians to champion human life at every stage. PPL.org