Micah Clark at American Family Association of Indiana informs us in his weekly newsletter.
Some Gifts Should Be Returned to Customer Service
A few Republican County Chairs were surprised recently when they received an endorsement from Country First in support of Secretary of State Holli Sullivan. The office of Secretary of State is up for nomination among delegates to each party convention this summer. The party’s nominees are then on the ballot in the November General Election.
Country First is an organization created to “end toxic tribalism” and to “elect reasonable people of goodwill, so that neither party is held hostage by its extremes.” This sounds intriguing. The problem, however, is that Country First is headed by Illinois Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger a member of the January 6th Commission and one of the most obnoxious anti-Trump leaders in the GOP. Representative Kinzinger, himself, might be considered toxic and a hostage of extremism.
Good News for Hoosiers
Indiana is currently at the lowest point for Covid-19 hospitalizations since the first two weeks after the pandemic began, two years ago. Among 6.8 million Hoosiers, there were only 360 total Covid hospitalizations last Tuesday, down 90%, compared to 3,500 hospitalizations at the peak of the pandemic.
Reaching the Next Generation
I am going to mention more about this in future emails where space allows. However, an event at Southport Presbyterian Church on the south side of Indianapolis has caught my attention because it addresses a concern that I hear often from AFA-IN supporters.
Southport is hosting the Next Generations Summit featuring Dr. Robert Petterson, President of the Legacy Imperative on May 20, 21. This is an event designed to help grandparents reach their grandchildren with the gospel and the Christian worldview.
I have not heard of this pastor or the Legacy Imperative, but their statement points are noteworthy.
1. We’ve inherited a legacy of faith from those before us, but are losing the next generations, the natives of “Digital Land.” One of the largest unreached people groups in the world, 152 million Millennials and Gen Z’s don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
2. These young people will determine the course of history for our nation and world for the next 50 years. Perhaps forever. The future is in our hands, and it is imperative that we pass on our spiritual legacy to the next generations – while there is still time.
3. The Legacy Imperative’s mission to ensure enduring values is stated this way: Legacy Imperative mobilizes and equips grandparents and other followers of Christ with the tools to pass our biblical faith on to the next generations.
You can learn more about attending this unique event, and see a few short video clips here.
Medical Marijuana Comes with Heavy Baggage
A new study from researchers with Massachusetts General Hospital finds that one in five users of medical marijuana is very likely to become addicted to the drug.
Addiction to “medicine” (the medicine side of smoking marijuana is dubious) is not unusual, but when the medicine is addictive and does not benefit the patient, serious questions about its use should be raised.
The new study finds that medical marijuana failed to improve symptoms of pain, anxiety, depression, and it doubles the risk of developing addictive symptoms.
“There have been many claims about the benefits of medical marijuana for treating pain, insomnia, anxiety, and depression, without sound scientific evidence to support them,” said Jodi Gilman, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
“In this first study of patients randomized to obtain medical marijuana cards, we learned there can be negative consequences to using cannabis for medical purposes. People with pain, anxiety, or depression symptoms failed to report any improvements, though those with insomnia experienced improved sleep,” Gilman added.
There has been some evidence showing that marijuana’s ingredients can ease nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy and help with symptoms of multiple sclerosis. However, those with symptoms of anxiety or depression, two of the most common conditions for which smoking marijuana is sought, were the most likely in this study to develop addiction issues.
The study notes: “”Medical” cannabis has surged in popularity as 36 states and the District of Columbia have commercialized its use (as of December 2021) for a myriad of health conditions through medical marijuana cards. These cards require the written approval of a licensed physician who, under the current system, is typically not the patient’s primary care provider but a “cannabis doctor” who may provide authorization to patients with only a cursory examination, no recommendations for alternative treatments, and no follow-up. Indeed, the medical marijuana industry functions outside regulatory standards that apply to most fields of medicine.”
DEtransitioning Movement Emerges
You probably did not hear about this because it’s not the kind of story the mainstream media wants to report. March 12 was the first national Detrans Awareness Day. The event is an effort to go against the cultural narrative by telling stories of those who embraced the transgender lifestyle then returned to their true biological self.
Dr. Jennifer Bauwens, a trauma therapist, supports bringing awareness to this. In a blog post for the Family Research Council, she explains:
“These individuals have been repeatedly silenced and ignored, particularly by the medical and psychological professions. Before altering their bodies, many who have struggled with gender dysphoria reported that their peers, as well as their transgender advocacy, medical, and psychological groups, rallied around them and encouraged them to hormonally and surgically change their bodies to appear more like the opposite sex. Over time, many have come to regret their physiological alterations…”
If you want to hear a moving story of how easily a young person was led into this, you may want to watch this interview:
You Can Contact Them
Next month Indiana Senators Braun & Young will vote on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. You can contact them with your view of how they should vote here:
Senator Mike Braun – 202-224-4814
Senator Todd Young – 202-224-5623
In Their Own Words:
“We believe that Jesus did not come to make bad people good. He came to bring life to dead people. Until our grandchildren are spiritually alive, we will not see change in our social, cultural, or political landscape.” – Dr. Robert Petterson – Legacy Imperative
Grandparents Matter, Odd Endorsement & More – American Family Association of Indiana
