Another large Christian family is on the air

Gil and Kelly Bates from Lake City, Tennessee have not been strangers to the public eye. With 19 children, surely any family this large would be noticed. Add in a longstanding friendship with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and you have a TV show waiting to happen. This article from ABC news seems to do well at showing the true nature of this exceptional Christian family, their desire to please God and glorify Him more than to make money or be famous, and the gratitude to the Lord for the blessing of children.

The new show will premiere tomorrow night, Tuesday March 13, 2012 on TLC. There will follow eight 30 minute episodes this summer chronicling the life and ministry of the Bates family. With strong Christian family values and an example of raising godly children, I look forward to learning more about this family. With the recent premiere of such filthy shows that blaspheme Christ and show only the hypocritical side of religion such as GCB on ABC, it is good to see this family also getting an opportunity to share their lives and faith with Americans.

I was especially happy that the family seems to have avoided much of the perversion of our culture, which was noted in this interview excerpt:

"Their kids are home schooled by Kelly with a big dose of Bible study. They dress modestly (long shirts, no pants for the girls. No shorts for the boys). They aren’t allowed to watch regular TV. Their idea of a good show is a 1950′s character study like “Roy Rogers”.

I asked Lawson, the square-jawed, clean cut second son if he’d ever heard of Snooki — the crass, hard-partying star of “Jersey Shore”? and he looked at me and said sincerely, “is that a dog’?”

“How about Kim Kardashian, ever heard of her?” I asked. “Uh,” you could see him racking his brain and then replied trying to be nice, “uh, No.”

Welcome to the show, Bates family. We hope to see you use your influence for God's glory. We have no doubt that is what your plan is also. Read the whole article here

Why is this offensive?

Since the death of Jubilee Shalom Duggar at 20 weeks gestation, the internet has been buzzing about how the family would handle the death, how the kids were doing, and whether or not Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar should stop having children. I have some strong opinions on a lot of this, but an article I recently read shed light on something that I had previously missed in the whole scenario. Last week, at the memorial service for the baby who died, there was a post mortem picture of Michelle holding the baby's perfectly developed hand. People freaked out, called for intervention, and spread hateful remarks all over the internet in what is truly a very private issue for most people, but because of celebrity status the Duggar family has been raked over the coals. Here is a quote that woke me up to what was going on:

"Of the hundreds of comments I read, nobody suggested that this was not a full-fledged child. The cause of contention was the issue of whether they had respected their daughter’s dignity, not whether she had dignity in the first place. Her worthiness of respect was taken for granted"

The author of this article feels that the tide has turned, and that people are now thinking of a 20 week gestational baby as a baby rather than a clump of cells. Sadly, I believe that people often keep the mental disconnect intact. That is, when someone wants to have an abortion, it is still a fetus, but when they can sensationalize a family's grieving process and exploit it for money, they call it a baby. Maybe I am too skeptical, but I do hope that people are waking up to the fact that from conception, a human baby is there.

Remembering Joshua: Duggar kids miss their sister

In this post, we share a story link concerning the Duggar family and how they are coping with the loss of a sibling. We also share some of our story of loss, grieving, and hope that our experiences will give you understanding of how to help others going through great loss.

Remembering Joshua: Duggar kids miss their sister: In the heartbreaking aftermath of the loss of Jubilee Shalom Duggar, it seems the hardest hit among the family is Jill. At 20 years old, st...

Remembering Joshua: Photo of Duggars’ Stillborn Baby Released

Remembering Joshua: Photo of Duggars’ Stillborn Baby Released: The Duggar family released pictures of their baby recently. While I have no desire to sensationalize the death of their child, it does cause...

Duggars loss of baby update

This update from the Duggar family on the loss of their baby girl, who was given the name Jubilee Shalom Duggar:

"On behalf of the whole Duggar Family we would like to thank everyone for their prayers, emails and outpouring of love," they wrote . "We discovered during a routine 19-week ultrasound that our 20th child, who was due in April 2012, passed away recently.

"As our whole family is grieving, we also know that God promises to work all things for good in our lives. We rest in knowing, that even though our child has departed this life that we will one day see each other again in heaven."

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/duggar_family_thanks_fans_outpouring_of/280039#ixzz1gYNzb1uh

Sad news from the Duggar family

Our hearts go out to the Duggar family tonight, as they recently found out that Michelle had miscarried the baby in the second trimester. Here is the announcement from the family:

"Earlier today at a routine doctor's appointment, Michelle and I received the sad news that we lost the baby. Michelle is resting comfortably at home with the support of the entire family. We are grateful for all the thoughts and prayers, but ask for privacy during this difficult time." -- Jim Bob Duggar 

So often, at the death of a child, especially in a large Christian family, people make summary judgement and say hateful things. Sara and I understand all too well the pain they are already feeling, and even that of the persecution of hate filled people who say they should stop. Some proclaim the judgement of God, yet it is God who gives children, the fruit of the womb is a reward from God. With all this in mind, we wanted to share a book that helped us along the way. Sara was given this book by another mom who lost a child.

"In Faithfulness, He afflicted me" is a book by Lynette Kraft, available at CBD. Purchase using this link to support our ministry. Below is a video introduction for the book. If you have endured the heartache of losing a child, no matter whether it is in the early or late stages of pregnancy, at birth, or at any time in their life, I believe this book will be a comfort to you. We have learned to trust the Lord in all things, as He never fails. His love is beyond human comprehension, and has been expressed to mankind through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ who paid the debt for our sin on Calvary's cross. May you find peace and comfort in the Creator, the Author of life, today.