WHAT’S ON WHAT’S UP TODAY:

“Brain Death” Lacks Medical, Moral, and Legal Foundations

When is someone dead?

Does diagnosing brain death involve high-tech equipment?

Does the definition for “brain death” need an upgrade?

A moral and humane society should show compassion to its most vulnerable members.

Biblical-Literacy with Mark Lanier: additional Lesser-Known Women in the Bible.

Pastor Jarrett Stephens: from the Pulpit of Champion Forest: Can I Know for Sure I’m Saved?

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Host Terry Lowry interviews influential and knowledgeable guests on relevant topics for today.

“BRAIN DEATH” LACKS MEDICAL, MORAL, AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Part 1 of 3

When is someone dead? Under the Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA), death is defined to occur in one of two ways: an individual who has sustained either irreversible cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions or irreversible cessation of all functions of the entire brain, including the brain stem.

Today, Dr. Heidi Klessig explains what this means for people who are organ donors and what everyone should know about the changes to the definition of “death” by the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Heidi Klessig, MD is a retired anesthesiologist and pain management specialist who writes and speaks about the ethics of organ harvesting and transplantation.

Click here to read Dr. Heidi Klessig’s article on this very important topic.

Questions/Issues Discussed:

What happened when Dr. Klessig was preparing a brain-dead patient for organ donation? What did the anesthesiologist say about the procedure? Did this comment catch her off-guard, causing her to question the life-saving practice?

Does diagnosing brain death involve high-tech equipment? Dr. Klessig describes the process from start to finish.

PART 2 OF 3 - “BRAIN DEATH” LACKS MEDICAL, MORAL, AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Does the definition for “brain death” need an upgrade? Dr. Klessig discusses the history of the definition, the “dead doner rule”, and the original thoughts on “irreversible comas”.

Dr. Heidi Klessig is very passionate about this serious issue. Why does she call it “euthanasia”?

PART 3 OF 3 - “BRAIN DEATH” LACKS MEDICAL, MORAL, AND LEGAL FOUNDATIONS

Discussed by Dr. Heidi Klessig
with Respect for Human Life (www.respectforhumanlife.com/)

Questions/Issues Discussed:

Are many people unaware of what organ donation really entails? Click here for more information about removing your name from the organ donation registry and to receive a wallet-sized card to carry informing medical personnel of your desire to not be a donor.

What was the intent behind the original definition of “brain death” by the American Academy of Neurology? Did the new definition allow doctors to skirt the “dead donor rule”? Dr. Klessig calls the new definition a “diagnosis in search of a justification”.

When did the mindset change about the definition of “brain death”?

A moral and humane society should show compassion to its most vulnerable members. Is this why Respect for Human Life fights so hard to spread the truth about organ donation?

Click here to order a copy of one of the many books by Dr. Heidi Klessig and others from Respect for Human Life.

JOB’S DAUGHTERS

Discussed by Mark Lanier
with Biblical Literacy (www.Biblical-Literacy.com)

Day 5

Mark Lanier continues in the lesson series “Lesser-Known Women of the Bible” with a look at the faith and trust that Job had in God through massive sorrow and loss, which ultimately led him to have seven sons and three beautiful daughters.

To view Mark Lanier’s video for this lesson, click here.

If you have a prayer request, need Scripture encouragement, or would like a copy of Mark’s lessons each week, email wantmore@biblical-literacy.org

QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

RESTORATION: Job’s Daughters

Who were Job’s daughters? What do their names mean? Were they all extremely beautiful?

Why did Job give inheritance, including property and wealth, to his daughters? Was this counter-cultural for the time? Mark reminds us that we can love those who don’t have the same convictions that we have, but we don’t have to succumb to their way of life.


POINTS FOR HOME:

Be patient until the end. (James 5:7,11)

God’s restoration exceeds our expectations. (Job 40:10)

Suffering can transform us. (Job 42:15)


For more information about Mark Lanier’s Biblical Literacy class, click here.

CAN I KNOW FOR SURE I’M SAVED?

Discussed by Pastor Jarrett Stephens
with Champion Forest Baptist Church (www.ChampionForest.org)

Day 5

The new year is the perfect time to hit reset and refocus on what matters most. In this series, Pastor Jarrett Stephens and others will tackle six must-answer questions about faith, salvation, prayer, and purpose that every Christian needs to consider.

Evangelist D.L. Moody: “I have never met anyone anywhere who was of any good to the cause of Christ who did not have the assurance of their salvation.”

Did you know that God wants you to know that you are saved? How can we know for sure, though, that we are saved? This week, Pastor Jarrett answers those questions!

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon here.

Find Pastor Jarrett Stephens’ sermon notes here.

If you have questions about a sermon, please contact Champion Forest at questions@cfbc.org


QUESTIONS / ISSUES DISCUSSED:

Do you know if you are saved – for sure? (1 John 5:13; James 1:19)

Does salvation really change us? (Matthew 7:22:23) Pastor Jarrett reminds us that God’s saving grace is not based on works.

Does church attendance save us? Does being a good person save us? Does belief save us? (James 2:19)

Excerpts from the book “First Great Awakening” by Theologian John Howard Smith (paraphrased by Pastor Jarrett). NOTE: For the complete list of questions to ponder, click the above link in the overview and fast-forward to the 1-hour and 7-minute mark.

Do you have an increasing love for Jesus Christ?

Do you have an increasing desire and hunger for the word of God and prayer? (1 John 2:3)

Are you aware and becoming more sensitive to needs around you? NOTE: Refresh your memory of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. Have you openly confessed Christ and followed through in obedience in baptism?


If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, text the word JESUS to 77069 and a pastor or counselor from CFBC will call you back.

For more details about Champion Forest Baptist Church, click here.

PRAYER

Discussed by Terry Lowry
with Host of the What's UP Radio Program

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for your guidance, protection, and provision.

Forgive me when I disregard your precepts and ignore your guardrails.

Father God, reorder my heart and mind to desire to know you more.

Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things found in your Word.

May I not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of my mind.

Lord God, give me the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of your son, Jesus Christ, focusing my eyes on the goodness and righteousness of Jesus.

May all I do and say advance the Gospel.

Humbly praying in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ,

Amen