Killing Babies Trampling the First Amendment

Silencing the Unborn and Trampling the First Amendment

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Original Title: Trampling the First Amendment and Killing Babies

As a “people person,” I thrive on connecting with others and fostering open dialogues, even with those who hold opposing views. The perfect opportunity allowed me to engage in such a conversation when a protest against the recent Roe V. Wade Supreme Court decision from June 2022 crossed my newsfeed. With prayer as my guide, I decided to attend the protest, armed with a sign that echoed my beliefs rooted in biblical teachings about expectant mothers.

While I hold my views dear, I also respect those with contrasting opinions, understanding that none of us can turn falsehood into truth or the other way around. My poster's essence was clear-cut: the Bible mentions a pregnant woman as either "with child" or "great with child" twenty-five times, indicating that the so-called fetus is, in fact, a CHILD. I intended my sign to represent the voiceless—the unborn child—and to listen to the opposing side without interfering with their proceedings.

Upon arrival, I found a crowd of over 100 participants. My trifold sign remained concealed until I unfolded its flaps. I sat and attentively listened to each speaker, particularly intrigued by the story of a woman from Mississippi. She shared her experience driving underage girls across state lines to Mobile, Alabama, to access abortion services due to her state's restrictions. As a political candidate vying for a congressional seat, her confession shook me to the core, especially as she seemed to wear it as a badge of honor.

The crowd swelled to several hundred as we marched from the park to Brooks Bridge, circling a few blocks before returning to the park. I trailed at the end of the procession, my sign now fully displayed. As we completed our route and returned to the park, my presence attracted the attention of both print and television reporters. My sign, bearing the message "Choose Life NOT Death," represented my take on being pro-choice—a departure from the mainstream narrative.

No sooner had I turned away from the camera after interviewing me than a woman approached me to share her story, emphasizing her point by jabbing her finger in my face. The crowd behind me, now aware of my contrasting stance, also stood between me and my truck. As I attempted to walk through the crowd, they encircled me, chanting, shouting, and swearing. Undeterred, I raised my sign, rotating so they could read it. I was there to share my message and was determined to make it known.

Their circle tightened around me until one of the organizers, wielding a bullhorn, intervened and tried to redirect the group back to the tree where the march had begun. Seeing that many were recording me, I also decided to document them. As their chant changed from “my body my choice” to "separate church and state," I continued to hold up my sign. Forcing my way through the crowd seemed dangerous and potentially hostile, so I resolved to wait them out.

Suddenly, a raincloud overhead broke, scattering the protestors as they sought shelter or ran to their vehicles. With the crowd dispersed, I folded my sign and walked unhindered to my truck, feeling like I had just experienced a divine intervention.

MY TAKEAWAY: While we may not always agree on contentious issues, respect for others is a cornerstone of our great nation. When I expressed this sentiment to the congressional candidate, she dismissed the possibility of dialogue due to our differing views. Yet, despite disagreeing with every other sign I saw, I was more than willing to listen and engage in conversation.

MY COMMITMENT: I vow to improve my ability to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). Although I have long-held beliefs about the preborn, I will always strive to listen when others express their viewpoints. 

Here is the Youtube link and video attached. https://youtu.be/zkjghgRtDGk

A Pastor's Ponderings: (August 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist

  A Pastor's Ponderings: Reaching the Unreachable Approaching the Unapproachable

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper

August 2022--Article 23 (2022-08-023)

Societal changes seem to be taking place at the speed of light. With these changing times, more churches must adapt their approach or risk becoming irrelevant. Christians must consider ways to think outside the box. Every believer and pastor must evangelize outside their comfort zones. One of the biggest problems with the 21st Century pastorate concerns the Christian view of how a pastor interacts with the masses. We must expect sinners to talk and act like sinners!

Every believer (especially pastors) must figure out how to reach the unreachable; and approach the unapproachable. Relationships must be built in loving compassion before calamity hits! Believers must use every opportunity to build these relationships, knowing that most of them involve the less-thankful tasks of planting and watering. Pastor Jim Vail wrote such a story of relationship building.

Pastor Vail wrote: “Rock was a big-time biker who had developed cancer. I went to visit and befriend him. He was friendly and welcoming but would say cringe-worthy things! After a few visits, it seemed apparent that talking about Christ was not something he welcomed. Determined to befriend him, I visited him almost weekly, enduring his often foul language and ideas of life and death.

His declining health became evident by his weight loss and his turning yellow from liver failure. One day I said, “Rock, I know you don’t want to hear about Jesus Christ, but soon you may no longer be alert and oriented. If you change your mind about Him, you will need to know and understand how to be forgiven by God of all your sins and how to know that you have eternal life! If I promise not to pressure you into anything, can I give you the knowledge of how to become right with the Lord?” He agreed.

I sat next to him with my Bible and asked him to read and explain selected passages about sin, God’s justice, and Hell. He explained them fairly well. Suddenly, in shock, he gasped: “I’m in trouble! I’m going to Hell!” I then had him read about the deity of Jesus Christ, His sacrificial death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead, and promises of eternal life to those who repent of their sins by trusting in Jesus Christ.

Suddenly, he burst into tears as he exclaimed that he had never heard or understood this before! “I want Jesus Christ for me…NOW! Can I ask Him to forgive me right now? I want Him to be MY Saviour!”  As I held his hand, he poured his heart out to the Lord, sobbing the whole time. Afterwards, he had me promise to conduct his funeral and tell this good news to all attending.

The following day, his wife phoned my office. “Rock is a new man! He is cheerful, sweet, and loving…and all he wants to do is talk about Jesus and pray together! Thank you!” I went to see Rock almost every day and grew to love him as a dear brother. His mind never lost its alertness. We would study, pray, and cry together tears of joy. A few weeks later, Rock called his family to his bedside and said, “Let’s pray together!”

They each prayed, and then Rock prayed. Then he smiled, closed his eyes and went to be with his beloved Saviour. A few days later, I kept my promise to my dear friend and told a packed crowd what Jesus Christ had done for Rock and what He could do for them!

Will you ask God if He wants you to explore new avenues of reaching the unreachable by approaching the unapproachable?

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Okaloosa County Welcomes Governor DeSantis Again (July 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist

Okaloosa County Welcomes Governor DeSantis Again

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper

July 2022--Article 23 (2022-07-023)

The Governor has visited Okaloosa County four times officially this calendar year. In February, the Governor visited Niceville at Northwest Florida State College to announce a bill allocating $10 million for workforce charter schools. In April, the Governor stopped in Destin to proclaim the extended Snapper fishing season.

In May, the Governor stopped in Crestview to announce the $3.2 million Shoal River Ranch extension. In June, the Governor stopped in Ft. Walton Beach to sign six military-related bills into law. The bills either expand educational opportunities for active-duty military members and veterans or help them advance into career fields.

The military and veterans appreciate the Governor for supporting these bills and signing them into law. These bills are life-changing as men and women depart the armed forces to enter the next phase of their lives, and I know this first-hand.

I enlisted in the Air Force when I was 17 years old and used the GI Bill to help offset the costs of attending college. I gave my country six years, and America rewarded me with an education. Because Pennsylvania was a pro-military state, they helped me earn my college degree at Penn State University, finishing without going into debt. That was forty years ago, and Florida is doing even more!

The Governor signed: 1) House Bill 45—provides tuition assistance for disabled veterans to eliminate education costs.

2) Senate Bill 430—ensures a smooth school transition for children of military families.

3) Senate Bill 514—employers at state agencies can substitute military experience for post-secondary educational requirements.

4) Senate Bill 896—provides untraditional pathways to educator certification to service members allowing military service to count towards a teacher's certificate.

5) Senate Bill 562—requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to expedite license applications of active-duty military spouses.

6) Senate Bill 438—updates Florida’s definition of Uniformed Service to include the United States Space Force and updates military base names.

The Governor’s news release stated, “Florida is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and I am proud to continue that commitment to our military members and their families by signing these pieces of legislation. Providing military families with the resources they need to receive a high-quality education and find good jobs is the best way that we as a state can show our appreciation for the sacrifices that they make.”

Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard Major General James O. Eifert joined Governor DeSantis, along with Florida Department of Education Senior Chancellor Henry Mack, and Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs retired Major General James S. “Hammer” Hartsell.

MajGen James Hartsell commenced by saying, “It is truly an honor to be here with the Commander-in-Chief of the state of Florida this morning. As a 37-year Marine, I know about leadership, and I am truly honored to serve this leader.” He pointed out that Governor DeSantis is the only currently serving veteran Governor to have deployed overseas in combat. “Our Governor’s leadership has made us the most veteran-friendly state in the nation. …Today’s bills that he will be signing will be reinforcing our state's success.” He continued by pointing out that our Governor has made Florida the most sought-after state by veterans.

The Governor seems to have his pulse on the desires and wishes of his constituents. This truth showed as the crowd was enthusiastic and supportive of the legislation coming out of Tallahassee. I was blessed to witness the crowd show support for a strong leader loved for doing the right thing.

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A Pastor's Ponderings: (July 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist

   A Pastor's Ponderings: Revisiting July 4th 1776

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper

July 2022--Article 22 (2022-07-022)

Like many other Floridians, I love the great state of Florida, surpassed only by my love for our country. America has a long and distinguished history that patriotic Americans revisit every Independence Day, celebrating with family, friends, feasts, and fireworks. We must examine our past to understand the biblical justification for America's independence.

Motivated by shocking ideologies, the acceptance of historical revisionism is on the rise at an alarming rate. We need to educate and reeducate the populace to ensure that we keep our freedoms. Patriots must explore creative ways to help others rediscover the foundational truths of America. I choose the most untapped resource for finding the answers—God’s word.

The Bible best explains the justification of America's independence from its tyrannical king. Yet, some teachers use the Bible to teach that rebelling against a government is never justified by its subjects. According to them, the government’s subjects are to "be subject" and never "resist the power."

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God…” (Romans 13:1-2a).

Were the founding fathers rebelling against God when they sought to rebel against the injustices of the king of England? Some teach that citizens of a country are to subject themselves to all institutions of government. They are to subject themselves regardless of their leaders' usurpation of authority and violation of God-given rights. Yet, as the passage continues, God's word provides the context and the clarity.  

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good” (Romans 13:3-4).

The passage's context says that God-ordained governments and rulers are against evil and supporters of good. Every God-ordained government is the "minister of God." For what purpose? FOR GOOD! So, when any government ceases to fulfill these parameters, the constituents are not required to be subject to these higher powers. Notice that these "ministers of God" not only praise good works but also use the force of law to punish evil.

“But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Romans 13:4b).

In the passage, the Bible twice defines God-ordained governments as the "minister of God"! As such, these ministers of God reward good and punish evil. With these truths in mind, the context of subjecting oneself to the government becomes crystal clear. Constituents are not required to subject themselves to governments that fall outside the parameters of a God-given government. Therefore, the thirteen colonies ceased to be under obligation to subject themselves to King George III in 1776.

What happens when governments do just the opposite: punish good and reward evil? Their subjects are under no obligation to subject themselves to such unjust usurpations. What happens when a government ceases to be the "minister of God"? It ceases to be God-ordained and frees its subjects from obligation. In 1776, these were the historical realities on this continent. This is the justification for America's rebellion in 1776! Learn it; teach it; proclaim it!

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A Pastor's Ponderings: (June 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist

  A Pastor's Ponderings: The Fundamentals of Fathers, Fathering and Fatherhood

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper

June 2022--Article 21 (2022-06-021)

Father’s Day ALERT: June 19th. Mother’s Day, in its formative years, garnered much more enthusiasm and support than the establishment of Father’s Day. Understandably so! In the early 1900s, fathers felt the celebration was questionable because fathers were generally footing the bill for their sentimental holiday. Florists certainly had no reason to support a day for fathers.

Many Americans wanted to respect mothers and fathers on the same day, calling it “Parent’s Day.” The Great Depression and World War II derailed those efforts, so mothers and fathers have separate days of recognition. Like most holidays, commercialization took over, with retailers now netting over $15 billion a year—capitalism at its best!

Society needs fathers to assume their God-given roles enthusiastically. When a man becomes a father, responsibilities exponentially multiply. Here are some fundamentals for good fathering:

1. Function as a man—society (especially Hollywood) has been increasingly undermining manhood and manliness. Act manly without any misogynist tendencies;

2. Be a man honored to carry that Y chromosome that conspicuously differentiates between the sexes;

3. Take responsibility as a man; “I was wrong” and “I am sorry” are two precious phrases children should hear from their fathers;

4. Think like a man (the Bible says it is a sin to act effeminate—1 Corinthians 6:9);

5. Work like a man (no reflection on how women work; some women outperform men with drive, dedication and grit). Working like a man means never shying away from breaking a sweat or getting your hands dirty.

6. Lead by example; it is never wise to teach your children “do as I say, and not as I do.” Hypocrisy destroys credibility, and integrity forms an unbreakable bond. Children need to know that their fathers are trustworthy.

Fathers should teach their sons simple things like opening a door for a woman. This act has nothing to do with being a male chauvinist. My parents taught me that this courtesy reflects honor and respect for the opposite sex, whom we should highly esteem.

Societal influences (and Hollywood characterizations) seem poised to undermine fatherhood. Yet, one who is not a good man can never be a good father. Thank God we have good men, yet we can always use a few more!

Happy Father’s Day to every dad! An additional thank you to all the outstanding fatherly examples. Let’s extend the wishes from all dads to include: granddads, great granddads, step-dads, adoptive dads, foster dads, dads-to-be, dads in heaven and all the males in our lives who care for us and unconditionally love us. Dads are priceless, and we should always love them dearly. (Remember, mothers, no exclusion intended—you had your day last month).

We were just blessed to have my father visit for a week. The day after he flew back to Pennsylvania, he fell and broke his hip. One day later, he had a partial hip replacement and was transferred to rehab. Be sure to appreciate the time you spend with your father; time has a way of sneaking up on us. Happy Father’s Day!

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Celebrating the Greatest Generation: 80 Raiders 80 Years Later (June 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist

Celebrating the Greatest Generation: 80 Raiders 80 Years Later 

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper

June 2022--Article 21 (2022-06-021)

On April 18, 2022, Okaloosa County was privileged to host history in the making. Almost 2,000 of us were blessed to say, "I was there to witness this historic event." This date marked the 80th Anniversary of the World War II Doolittle Raiders bombing of Tokyo. Eighty men launched the first retaliatory strike against Japan's unprovoked attack upon America eighty years ago.

Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle (later a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army Air Forces and the U.S. Air Force Reserve) led the raid on Tokyo. The USS Hornet launched sixteen B-25B Mitchell medium-range bombers, each carrying a crew of five men. They bombed Tokyo on April 18, 1942.

The raid was the first on Japanese soil, four months after their attack on December 7, 1941, when three hundred Japanese aircraft destroyed the Navy's Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor. The Doolittle Raid on the Japanese capital boosted American morale and exposed Japan's vulnerability from the air. Although the damage to Tokyo was minimal, many historians credit the raid as the critical factor in the Japanese defeat at the Battle of Midway—often cited as the turning point in the Pacific.

Since April 1947, a ceremonial "roll call" has honored the eighty Doolittle Raiders. Ted Cocoran with the Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Devin Stephenson of Northwest Florida State College (Home of the Raiders) hosted the "Final Doolittle Raiders Goblet" ceremony. It marked the passing of Doolittle Raider, Col. (ret.) Richard E. "Dick" Cole. This event also celebrated the Air Force's 75th Anniversary by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Ted Corcoran's heart seems to skip a beat at the mention of the Doolittle Raiders. Talking with him is like conversing with a Doolittle historian and cheerleader. One of Ted's many insights: "My awakening to the significance of the Raiders started in 2006. Since then, I have come to love the Raiders as a group and individually on a personal level. I am proud that the Chamber was able to bring the Raiders to this area in 2008, 2013, and finally in 2022. It is important to me to educate the community concerning their history by bringing the knowledge of the Raiders to the forefront. I am thrilled to have played my part in getting them to be relevant again in this area after being overlooked for far too long."

Okaloosa County and the Raiders. The Doolittle Raiders trained at Eglin field in 1942. Although the Army/Air Force had just formed in 1941, AFSOC considers the Doolittle raid the first special operations mission. The Raiders held their 15th reunion here in 1957, and they returned in 1968 for their 26th reunion. They then vanished off our radars until Ed Horton (crew 10) moved to Ft. Walton Beach. In the late 1990s, the local newspaper mentioned that Ed's wife had passed away, thus preventing him from attending future reunions.

Wes Fields, a gunner at Hurlbert Field and an auxiliary sheriff's deputy, read the newspaper article. He volunteered to transport Ed to future reunions. The Raiders honored Wes by making him director of Raider security. In 2006, Wes introduced Ed Horton to Ted Corcoran, who soon realized the significance of that encounter. Ted watched his relationship with the Raiders bud and blossom after attending the 2007 and 2008 Raider reunions.

In 2008, only eight of the 80 raiders remained, so the Chamber created a special event called "The Homecoming" on May 29-31, 2008. The Homecoming became the reintroduction and re-engagement of the Raiders with the Okaloosa County community. In 2013, Ft. Walton Beach would host the final reunion, and the five remaining Raiders attended.

The Goblets. For the annual reunion on April 18, 1959, the city of Tucson created 80 silver Goblets. The goblets bore the Raider names printed upright and upside down. At each reunion, the living Raiders toasted their fallen brethren. After a Raider passed, his goblet was inverted. A final toast with the last three Raiders took place in November 2013.

Two years later, Congress bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal upon the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders "for outstanding heroism, valor, skill, and service to the United States in conducting their bombings of Tokyo." The last living Raider, Colonel (ret.) Dick Cole died on April 9, 2019, at 103 years old! He was co-pilot of the lead plane with Colonel Doolittle. Covid delayed the Final Goblet Ceremony for several years, with the Ft. Walton Beach Chamber chosen to host the Final Goblet Ceremony.

The Ceremony. The featured attendees at the Final Goblet Ceremony included the family of Col. Dick Cole along with the other Doolittle Raider families. The historic ceremony was honored by the presence of the Air Force's top brass: Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall III; Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.; Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command; and Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of AETC. Secretary Kendall said of the Doolittle Raiders, "Like many of the greatest generation, they saw it as their duty and accepted it without any regret."

In recognition of the Air Force's 75th Anniversary, sixteen local active-duty and distinguished veterans were honored to represent the legacy of each Doolittle crew and the contributions of fellow Airmen to the rich history of the United States Air Force.  

Lt. Col. (ret.) Rich Cole, son of Col. Richard E. "Dick" Cole, performed the ritual of turning over his father's goblet—the final goblet to be inverted. He shared the family's statement, "The Cole family is deeply honored and appreciative of the Okaloosa County Community hosting the Goblet Ceremony for our Dad .... We are thankful to celebrate this moment in the city where it all began." The National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio permanently displays the Goblets.

Later that evening, thousands of onlookers witnessed the historic beach flyover celebrating this momentous occasion. The aerial review took place over Okaloosa Island, featuring 30 vintage and current U.S. Air Force aircraft like the following: a B-25 Mitchell bomber, a B-52 Stratofortress, an F-22 Raptor, an F-35 Lightning Stealth Fighter, a C-130 Hercules Transport, a CV-22 Osprey, a B1 Lancer Bomber, 2 F-15s and two Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. Lt. Col. Cole piloted the lead plane.

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A Pastor's Ponderings: (May 2022) Dr. Doug Stauffer, Journalist

 A Pastor's Ponderings: A Tribute to My Mom and Moms Everywhere

By Pastor Doug Stauffer

Faith Independent Baptist Church

Journalist for Bay Life Newspaper

May 2022--Article 19 (2022-05-019)

I lost my mom last Mother's Day (2021) to complications following surgery. The loss was painful, but I don't believe that future Mother's Days should become a day of sadness and mourning. Quite the opposite! I prefer to consider Mother's Day as a special tribute, remembrance, and recognition. My mom was a beloved mother of four and a treasured grandmother, great grandmother, wife, and friend.

She was born in Erding, Germany, just outside of Munich, two years before the onset of WWII. She loved to read, and the library was her home away from home. She directly impacted me with that same passion, greatly influencing my life and career. For 20 years, she and my dad were snowbird RVers.

Two months before her death, my mom and dad celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Thankfully, my dad will spend this Mother's Day with us here in Niceville. One of the many personalized sympathy cards expressed the commonly held sentiments about my mom.

"God saw she was getting tired, and a cure was not to be,
so he put his arms around her and whispered, 'Come with me.'
With tearful eyes, I watched her suffer and saw her fade away.
Although I loved her dearly, I could not make her stay.
A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands to rest,
God broke my heart to prove that He only takes the best."

Truly, heart-rending words to read again! Like so many others in our communities, my mom was a military spouse, and I would be remiss not to remind everyone of their sacrifices during deployments. In 1967, my father was stationed at Andrews Air Force Base and volunteered to go to Vietnam with the 7^th Air Force—1967/1968.

My 29-year-old mom was left with three pre-teen type-A boys, a new puppy and giving birth to my sister. While my dad was there, the Vietcong attacked every major city and base during the TET Offensive. I am proud of his Bronze Star, but my mom should have received the Parental Distinguished Service Medal for conspicuous gallantry. We must NEVER forget the tremendous sacrifices of those who do not wear the stars, the bars and the stripes but keep the home fires burning.

To close on a lighter note: here are seven truths my mom taught us:

1. HOW TO PRAY: After spilling grape juice on the carpet, she instructed, "You better pray the stain will come out."

2. PLAN AHEAD: "Make sure you wear clean underwear because you could be in an accident."

3. LIFE'S PARADOXES: "Keep laughing, and I'll give you something to cry about."

4. HOW TO PERSEVERE: "You'll sit there 'til all that spinach is finished."

5. SPOTTING SEVERE WEATHER PATTERNS: "It looks like a tornado swept through your room."

6. THE CIRCLE OF LIFE: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

7. EMPATHY: "There are millions of less fortunate children who don't have it as good as you do!"

Pick up the phone or visit your mom this Mother's Day. Tell her that you love her because you are not guaranteed unlimited opportunities. The Bible exhorts every generation, "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old" (Proverbs 23:22). Happy Mother's Day. 

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