That may not make sense in a digital day like ours, so let me put it another way; pick up your phone, yes the one in your pocket, on your belt, in your purse, borrow your child’s phone if you have to.
A bill is underway in the Idaho legislature in the House of Representatives side to abolish abortion. There are always right times and ways to communicate with your duly elected representative. Our hope is not in man to do what only God can do, change the heart of man. My hope is that God’s people in the State of Idaho, and all others who love a civil law and value life to pick up the pen and exercise a right that our national fathers put in place to preserve the republic. This form of government affords her citizens to communicate with the government.
Why sit by as a silent spectator? Not today, church. Not today.
I do have opinions about how we should do this, so receive what I suggest as that; personal experience suggestions. My suggestions are aimed primarily to the fellow followers of Christ, as defined by the Holy Bible only, at Eastside Baptist Church in Twin Falls, Idaho.
These are not religious mandates to coherence anyone to act against their conscience, they are simply suggestions to those who are moved by the Spirit of God in what to do now.
- You need to be a praying person now. To engage in a political process, you may get worked up and potentially bothered by people who disagree with you.
- Be prepared to be a steady, bold, patient advocate for babies in the state of Idaho. Not because you love cute little babies and are moved to tears by images of the trauma they experience when weak adults take their lives, but because you fear God.
- Reverence for anything shy of the Most High is a hope set on a lesser ground, fix your aim upon the Living, Almighty God.
- Love living in personal holiness.
- Inform yourself on the matter.
- Be a reader of primary documents, not a consumer of reported hearsay.
- Know who you’re talking to; the representatives and senators are elected neighbors. They are real people, treat them the way you would want others to treat you.
- Map out a plan.
- Gather phone numbers and addresses. I’ll include ways to gather all of this at the end of this post.
- Write. Re-write. Read. Re-read. Have someone else read what you plan to say and/write. This is no time to be undisciplined with your speech.
- Strive for brevity. Say as much as you can with as few words as you can. Politicians receive hundreds, maybe thousands of emails a day. Make sure to especially remark with a firm desire of how you want the politician to vote.
- There is no reason to threaten them with re-election woes if they don’t vote your way. Simply let them know what you want.
- Don’t be disappointed if you get a form reply that may sound more like a pandering appeasement from someone who didn’t read your letter. Assume the best, assume they did read it and heard you loud and clear. Prepare to act.
- Pray for those reading your letter. Pray for our government. Pray that the heavens will rain down righteousness from above and that salvation will spring forth.
- Finally, prepare to follow a bill from introduction to completion. Plan to travel to Boise if a public hearing is allowed. People in the room with the representatives and senators will visually express what you’ve been saying with words.
My sample letter to Rep. Heather Scott (hscott@house.idaho.gov) and Rep. John Green (jgreen@house.idaho.gov) who are drafting a bill for consideration to Idaho lawmakers to abolish abortion looks like this. (cut and paste email address into individual emails)
Dear Representative Scott,
My name is Paul Thompson, a citizen of the City of Twin Falls, in the county of Twin Falls, in the state of Idaho.
I’m thankful to hear news that you are introducing a bill for consideration to abolish abortion with the “Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act”. I’m writing you today to inform you that I’m thankful to God for your efforts to defend all children in Idaho, especially those in the womb. I am also communicating to my local representatives, requesting them to give support to your bill.
Thank you,
Paul Thompson
(Be sure to include your address here.)
Twin Falls, Idaho, 83301
Here is a sample letter I sent to all of my local representatives and senator. (Locate your representatives/senator HERE)
Dear Representative/Senator (NAME),
My name is (Insert your name), a citizen of the City of Twin Falls, in the county of Twin Falls, in the state of Idaho.
I understand Rep. Heather Scott and Rep. John Green will be introducing a bill in Idaho legislation this year to abolish abortion with the “Idaho Abortion Human Rights Act”. I’m in favor with the introduction of such a bill. I will be following this bill and encouraging others to do the same. Please help us give a voice to all children in Idaho, especially those in the womb.
Thank you,
(Insert your name)
(Be sure to include your address here.)
Twin Falls, Idaho, 83301
Don’t hesitate to encourage others to do a similar letter. It would be appropriate to even actually pick up a pen and hand-write a letter as well. That kind of letter may actually get read (just get your stamps before the price increases soon).
May God bless his Holy name. Thank you for joining me in encouraging legislators to act now.
___________
Edited for spelling and typos on 2/10/19
It didn’t take long to learn after returning from a remote weekend at Camp Perkins in central Idaho that hatred for others was the international headline from the Land of the Free, America. Many articulate articles, columns, interviews, and social media posts find me in agreement with many (Albert Mohler, Russell Moore, local radio, and a conversation with Renee).
