Florida

It is a federal felony to traffic human body parts! This week a shocking video from an undercover investigation shows Dr. Deborah Nucatola describing how selling the body parts of aborted children is part of the Planned Parenthood business plan! View disturbing video here.

Penny Nance, Concerned Women for America CEO and President, responded:

“Thirty to one hundred dollars; that’s the price Planned Parenthood appears to be profiting per dead baby. The recent video of Planned Parenthood’s senior director of Medical Services is just the latest in a laundry list of scandals, including aiding and abetting sex traffickers, giving sexual bondage instructions to children, cheating the government, sex-selection abortions, blatant racism, and the failure to report the molestation and rape of minors.

“There appears to be no depths to which this organization won’t stoop for money. When will the federal government wake up and follow the lead of the ten courageous governors who have cut funding to Planned Parenthood?

It’s time for Congress to say ‘Enough!’ If Planned Parenthood provides any worthy services, then they should have no problem raising funds like the thousands of other charities around this nation. Wake up America!”

Silence is not an option! Take action and pray on behalf of unborn babies!

Take Action: Contact Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) at 202-224-3041 and Sen Bill Nelson (D-Florida) at 202-224-5274). Also contact your U.S. Representative. If time allows, contact all of them. Go here for list of names and contact information. Ask for a congressional investigation and an immediate defunding of Planned Parenthood.

Pray: 2 Timothy says, “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We are reminded that it isn’t easy. 2 Corinthians 4:6-9 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” We should not fear man. Man cannot take our soul. We need to take heart during these times. Have courage. Put on the full armor of God and speak boldly as we speak. And having done all stand.

Dear Heavenly Father, the God of all creation, forgive us our trespasses. We will no longer be silent. Boldly we speak the truth in love, knowing that Jesus is the victory. Break the hearts of our leaders for what breaks Yours. Destroy the walls of deception and shine the light on the evilness of abortion. As we serve You our Risen Savior, we call on the surpassing power that is from You, not us.

Silence is not an option.

Much has happened within a short amount of time regarding the abortion bill, HB 633, requiring a 24-hour waiting period. As you may recall, CWA of Florida supported this bill which passed both chambers and was recently signed into law by Gov. Scott on June 10.

To recap:

1. The day after the Governor signed HB 633, the American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU) filed a constitutional challenge suing the State and asked for an injunction. Judge Charles Francis signed the injunction.
2. The Attorney General, Pam Bondi, appealed the ruling on June 30. It was automatically stayed.
3. The ACLU immediately filed suit to have the stay lifted, thus preventing the law from going into effect.
4. Before Judge Francis could make a decision, all of his civil suits were moved to Judge Charles Dodson.
5. Judge Dodson lifted the stay on July 2, thus reinstating the injunction, which puts the law on hold.
6. AG, Pam Bondi, is expected to appeal this decision.

As you can see a lot of back and forth has happened within a short amount of time on this one new law.

Pray: As the lawsuit moves forward, fervently pray that the court would rule in favor of the State allowing this new law to stand.

Act: Check the state website for information as this issue continues to develop. In the meantime, please pass this along to family and friends who are interested and will pray.

Each year our state legislators meet in the capitol for 60 days to hammer out the state budget. In the course of those days as many as 1,000 to 2,000 bills are filed. While CWA of Florida monitored the session, tracked bills, attended committee meetings, and met with legislators, there were only two bills in particular that became our focus, HB 7013 and HB 633.

1. Adoption, HB 7013: This bill removed Florida’s long standing law prohibiting homosexuals from adopting. It leaves Florida’s faith-based adoption agencies, that require a married mother and father for adoption, at risk of being legally attacked and potentially shut down. Agencies have already been shut down on these grounds in Massachusetts, Illinois, California and Washington, D.C.

CWA of Florida opposed HB 7013.

HB 7013 was signed into law on April 14.

The Governor acknowledged the threat created by signing this law and called for the Legislature to “‘take further action to make clear that we will support private faith-based operators in the child welfare system and ensure that their religious convictions continue to be protected.” We hope to see conscience protection a top priority for passage in the 2016 Legislative Session. The House of Representatives passed just such a protection, but the Senate let this protection bill die in committee in the waning days of the session.

Pray that a conscience protection bill will be sponsored and that the legislators will send the Governor a conscience protection bill to sign in next year’s session.

2. 24-Hour Waiting Period Before Abortion, HB 633: This law requires a 24-hour reflection period before a woman obtains an abortion.

CWA of Florida supported HB 633.

Gov. Rick Scott signed HB 633 into law on June 10.

We are grateful to Rep. Jennifer Sullivan (R – District 31) and Sen. Anitere Flores (R – District 37) for their hard work on this bill. They were passionate and tireless in their efforts.

Currently the ACLU is challenging this new law. They have sought a temporary injunction. Pray that Chief Circuit Judge Charles Francis would issue a ruling allowing the law to stand. If he issues an injunction, pray that the appeal would be won.

OF INTEREST:

1. Sign Up For CWA of Florida Prayer and Action Alerts. The Florida 2016 Legislative Session will begin in January. If you want to be alerted with updates during the session in order to pray and take action, e-mail State Director Terri Johannessen. Your prayers and phone calls are greatly needed.
2. Your Vote Counts. The Florida primary is March 15 next year. Our state is important as we have 99 delegates. We charge you not only to stay informed, but also to be in prayer now and continually regarding to which candidates you will give your vote. The good news is that there are many good candidates running. While we know that it is God who gives us our leaders, we also know the He does not stuff the ballot box.
3. Partner With Us. CWA of Florida is strictly a voluntary work. Any and all prayers and contributions are very much appreciated.
4. Join the Team! Are you ready to make a difference in your community and state on the issues that are important to you? Take a moment to read through Opportunities for Leadership and then contact State Director Terri Johannessen to join the team. She can be reached at director@florida.cwfa.org or 407-697-5929.

Greeting CWA of Florida friends!

I cannot believe January is already gone. 2014 went by like a whirlwind, and 2015 has already begun to do the same.

Last year CWA of Florida ladies and gentlemen spent nearly 200 hours a week calling from June to November concerning the election. We consumed much coffee and many donuts and burgers. It was worth the time, and increase in weight gain, as we made an impact on the voter turnout. A special thank you to each one of you who participated. YOU made a difference!

CWA was contacted by Dr. Littell and Minister Jim Book of Kissimmee to help in the efforts to try and stop Planned Parenthood from opening an abortion center directly across from the hospital. One can view the abortion center from the windows on the maternity floor. We joined in the peaceful demonstration and had a wonderful turnout. The city council meeting was over flowing into the courtyard. CWA testified along with many others. Many days we lined the streets with people praying and singing. The center was put on hold. I am sorry to say that one judge decided to overturn the majority opinion, and the center opened. But CWA of Florida took a stand, and that is what is important.

We are running the Encourage-A-Legislator program this year and would love for you to participate. We assign you a legislator to pray for and supply you with postcards. You simply pray once a day and write a short note and/or prayer once a month to your legislator or government official. If you would like to participate, e-mail me with your name, address and how many legislators you would like to encourage. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NKJV)

We will be attending the Pro-Family events March 16 – 17 in Tallahassee. There will be a briefing on the March 16 at 7:00 p.m. and pro-life breakfast on March 17. We plan to visit as many representatives and senators as time allows. If you are interested in joining us, please call me at 407-697-5929.

We are looking for women, men and young people to start a local Prayer/Action Chapter. I will be happy to meet with you and help you start your group. Many chapters have started with only three or four attending. We are not looking for numbers only a willing person to say, “We need to pray and put feet to our prayers.”

There are many issues that God may be putting on your heart; CWA is here to help you. I hope you will support CWA of Florida with prayers, contributions and involvement.

God bless you as you continue serving HIM.

Terri Johannessen
State Director
CWA of Florida
director@florida.cwfa.org
1863 Lake Spier Drive
Winter Park, Florida 32789
(407) 697-5929

Consider donating to the ministry of CWA of Florida online or send us a check to the address above. Make the check out to CWA of Florida.

Do you feel like you only hear bad news anymore? Well not today! I have great news!

Your Attorney General, Pam Bondi, took a very public stance in defense of marriage this week with an amazing statement you can read here AND her office filed a legal brief defending Florida voter’s decision in 2008 to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife.

Way to go Pam!

Now here’s your chance to do something: would you please take a minute out of your day to show Attorney General Pam Bondi that you stand with her? Part of responsible citizenship is encouraging the good and letting our elected officials know we are watching and WILL reward them with our support when they faithfully defend the values we hold dear. So give her a call, show her some love on Facebook, or tweet her a big thank you on Twitter.

You can contact Bondi’s office here:
Switchboard: 850-414-3300

You can reach Bondi’s Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/pambondi

You can reach Bondi’s Twitter page here:
https://twitter.com/AGPamBondi

Reminder: The Florida Marriage Protection Amendment was passed by 62 percent of the voters in 2008 when about five million Florida voters voted to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife.

I spoke with CWA of Florida State Director Terri Johannessen this morning who spoke of Pam’s continued great work for the state of Florida on some of our most important issues, including sex trafficking, the sanctity of life, and marriage. Terri said: “We want to send a message to Attorney General Pam Bondi that CWA of Florida agrees with her statement and stance on marriage. CWA of Florida encourages her, prays for her daily, and has her back. CWA of Florida is 20,000+ strong – men and women – who have the same beliefs our Attorney General does and will do all we can to protect the sanctity of marriage in the great state of Florida.”

Act now to encourage good behavior by our elected officials!

Thank you!

Penny Nance
Chief Executive Officer and President
Concerned Women for America

A must read by Research Fellow for the Beverly LaHaye Institute Brenda Zurita.