NationBuilder

1. WHQR: North Carolina legislature starts new session in January with emboldened GOP in charge

"’What North Carolina needs to do is pass some legislation that will stop that and will actually save the lives of unborn babies, who are humans and deserve human rights,’ said Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the North Carolina Values Coalition, a conservative and Christian pro-life advocacy organization.

Fitzgerald was decrying a recent report that indicate women who live in more restrictive states are coming to North Carolina for abortions, which allows the procedure up to the 20th week of pregnancy. ‘I believe the right limit is when you can detect a heartbeat,’ Fitzgerald said.

Moore has said he would support a so-called heartbeat bill, banning abortions after about six weeks. And Berger told the Associated Press in August that he would support a ban after the first trimester, or about 12 weeks.“

2. NEWS & OBSERVER: Whether NC enacts new abortion restrictions will depend on moderates in both parties

“One of the state’s leading Republicans said Tuesday he thinks there’s 'a pathway' to pass new legislation dealing with abortion as lawmakers prepare to convene a new legislative session next month.

Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said even as Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has made clear he’ll veto new restrictions on abortion, it remains a top issue he wants to address next year.

'I think there’s a pathway for something to be done,' said Berger."

3. NEWS & OBSERVER: Tillis leaves his ‘political comfort zone’ to take on marriage, guns and more

"Sen. Thom Tillis regrets nothing. On Tuesday, President Joe Biden planned to sign into law a historic bill that federally protects the marriages of same-sex and interracial couples. Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, helped ensure that the bill passed through Congress. His willingness to work with Democrats on bills like the Respect for Marriage Act, a major gun bill signed this year or an immigration proposal that is now in the works, has left some constituents questioning his loyalty."

The question remains: how will the NCGOP respond to Sen. Tillis' betrayal? State Rep. Body is right to raise the question:

"Now, his support for the ‘Respect for Marriage Act’, has created an issue that must be resolved at our next state Republican Party Convention. Basically, Senator Tillis’ action puts our state Republican Party in a predicament. His vocal support of the Respect for Marriage Act along with his vote to move it forward in the Senate, in direct opposition to both the national and state Republican Party platforms, force the issue to the forefront.

DO WE, AT CONVENTION, VOTE TO AFFIRM THE LONGSTANDING PLATFORM’S ASSERTIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE AND SANCTION TILLIS OR VOTE TO CHANGE THE PLATFORM?”

4. FOX NEWS: Cambridge Dictionary changes definition of 'man' and 'woman': '1984 wasn't supposed to be a how-to manual'

"Cambridge Dictionary is being criticized by conservatives on social media for altering the definitions of the words "man" and "woman" to include people who identify as a gender other than their biological sex.

The definition of woman, which previously represented the longstanding view on sex, now states that a woman is 'an adult who lives and identifies as female though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth.'

Similarly, a man is now defined as 'an adult who lives and identifies as male though they may have been said to have a different sex at birth.'"

5. FOX NEWS: Minnesota science teacher claims cell biology lessons are part of 'capitalist indoctrination'

"A Minnesota science teacher in the Saint Paul Public Schools district lambasted cell biology lessons, particularly on mitochondrion, for containing "capitalist" propaganda, Fox News Digital found.

Mandi Jung, a teacher at Highland Park Middle School, said, 'Lately, there's been a lot of conversation about teachers indoctrinating students to their beliefs. And I always find this funny because our children are seeped in capitalist indoctrination from like the second they're born, basically.'"

LORD, you have blessed us with a spiritual liberty that is so wonderful and beyond description, that it can only be understood through experiencing a life-giving relationship with Christ. However, we also recognize that in your grace, you have blessed our country with a political liberty that enables us to openly proclaim the experience of a life lived in the freedom of the Gospel.

LORD, as individuals and as a nation, may we never take the inalienable right of religious freedom for granted. Right now our country has faced a rapid increase in the number of attacks made against this cherished right. We have seen groups across our public arena increase in boldness and frequency their smears against religious liberty. They claim it is bigotry, when we know it is the security of the greatest of all possible loves.

Be with your people and our country as it continues to protect the constitutional right protected by our nation’s Founders. Be with legislators and the Supreme Court, as they determine through their actions the protection of this particular and fundamental freedom.

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)

“Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (1 Peter 2:16)

Amen

1. WHQR: North Carolina legislature starts new session in January with emboldened GOP in charge

2. NEWS & OBSERVER: Whether NC enacts new abortion restrictions will depend on moderates in both parties

3. NEWS & OBSERVER: Tillis leaves his ‘political comfort zone’ to take on marriage, guns and more

4. FOX NEWS: Cambridge Dictionary changes definition of 'man' and 'woman': '1984 wasn't supposed to be a how-to manual'

5. FOX NEWS: Minnesota science teacher claims cell biology lessons are part of 'capitalist indoctrination'

WEEKLY PRAYER: FREEDOM