Earlier today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court removed Wisconsin’s pre-Roe safeguards for the unborn in Kaul v. Urmanski. Wisconsin Statute § 940.04 protected the unborn from the moment of conception through natural birth. Now, unborn persons can be killed throughout the first five months of pregnancy in the Badger State. Wisconsin Family Council President Dan Degner contends that today’s decision will negatively impact Wisconsin’s future: “Thousands of Wisconsin children will be denied the right to live each year.”

Merry Christmas! We're officially in December. Despite the cold, Christmas is one of my (Dave Skahen's) favorite times. While the culture around us may enjoy Christmas for the lights, family, sledding, food, or giving gifts, that isn't why I love Christmas.

From an early age, my parents taught me (Dave Skahen) to thank God in every situation. Through seasons of life filled with disappointment, rejection, job loss, and financial struggles, we have tried hard to be grateful even in tough times. However, if I’m being honest, I can’t say I’m ALWAYS the best example.

In August, Dan Degner and I (Dave Skahen) traveled to Iowa for a work-related trip. On our way, we visited the Field of Dreams movie site. I won’t lie; it was a huge bucket list item, and I felt like an eight-year-old kid again. If you haven’t been there, I would recommend it.

We suspect that you, like most of the country, are happy that the election is finally over. We also suspect that, for many, it felt like the political scene was a distraction from ministry. But allow us to make a couple of observations about that.

As you are probably aware, many things in life are outside of our control. This is no surprise. We cannot control many things, especially what other people will do or say. We cannot control the future either. However, we trust in the one true God who knows and sustains all things by His mighty hand. Nothing happens outside of His will (Psalm 115:3), whether He causes it or allows it.

Like any good sports coach, the coach gives a pre-game speech to encourage the players before the game starts. All the work and preparation leading up to the game is done. Now it’s time to go start the game/match. However, before that happens, the coach has one final chance to inspire the team. Though the speech may be short, it can make a profound impression before the game.

Exactly three years ago today, I (Dave Lingle) was at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee experiencing the aftermath of open-heart surgery performed the day before. It was an “interesting” experience that I am happy to have in the rear-view mirror! But one of the great blessings, in addition to the needed repair of my mitral valve, was the number of people who told me they were praying for me. I was profoundly grateful.

Are you thankful for elections? No doubt every election brings certain pressures that you would probably rather not face. Do you avoid the topic completely? That doesn’t seem advisable, so how much do you say, and what do you say? Just like an elected official who cannot make everyone happy, you may find yourself at election time in a similar situation with your church family. Some will think you say too much. Some will think you say too little. Some may not like what you say.

Until 9th grade, I (Dave Skahen) had zero interest in English class. I struggled with the different concepts growing up. Then all of a sudden, in 9th grade it became my favorite class. What changed? The teacher. The teacher made all the difference. To this day, I remember the “homophone song” my teacher created to help us learn it better.

I (Dave Skahen) am not a handyman. When a household problem arises, it is often the last thing I want to solve. However, over the years, I’ve found that having the proper tool can make all the difference in the world with house projects. Often times, “How To’s” on YouTube can be incredibly useful.

Have you reflected recently on why Jesus came into the world? When standing before Pilate, He declared, “For this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth,” (Jn. 18:37).

We do not view Wisconsin Family Council as merely a para-church organization. We view ourselves as a pro-church organization. We believe in the local church. Our staff members belong to and serve in their local church. Our mission is strengthening, preserving and promoting marriage, family, sanctity of life and religious liberty. These issues are both biblical and foundational relative to local church ministry.

Fear of missing out (or as the young people say -- FOMO) can be summarized as “the fear that if you miss a party or event, you will miss out on something great.” Have you ever experienced that? I know I have felt that way. Whether it’s tickets to a sports game, a social gathering with friends, or a chance to get a free meal, I’ve experienced it in some way.

If you’re a football enthusiast, you already know what time it is. Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year around our office. Between NFL, college, and high school football, we always have something to talk about. It comes with new hopes, new possibilities, and the excitement of cheering on your favorite team.

During my (Dave Skahen) childhood years, my brothers and I would be very competitive with each other. Whether it was baseball, basketball, football, or a game we made up that day, we played to win. Each of us was skilled in different sports, but my younger brother benefitted the most from two older siblings. He would make bigger strides quicker because he consistently played with older and tougher athletes. Proverbs 27:17 comes to mind when I reflect on this, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (ESV).” However, this is not only true when playing against tougher competitors in athletics; it’s a principle that applies to all of life, especially as it relates to our walk with Christ.

I (Dave Skahen) have 20/20 vision. Actually, I have 20/16 vision in my left eye. I’ve never needed glasses, but that could change as I get older. I’m grateful to the Lord to be able to see things in short or long distances without the help of prescription glasses. However, we all need more than 20/20 vision to navigate life and the world around us. Everyone sees the world a certain way: It’s what’s known as a worldview.

Today is our Wisconsin State Fall Partisan Primary. Do you ever get tired of voting? We hope not! What a blessing it is to have the right—and we would say, responsibility—to vote as citizens. As believers, this world is not our home. But it IS our home for now, and we are responsible to be good stewards of our privileges and opportunities. (Jeremiah 29:4-7 comes to mind.)

On October 6, 1993, at the height of his career, Michael Jordan shocked the world by announcing his retirement from the NBA. The Chicago Bulls had won their first “3-peat,” but Jordan was worn out. With the murder of his father 3 months earlier, Jordan said that he lost motivation to play, and that “Physically, I was getting exhausted. Mentally, I was way past exhausted.” In other words, his skills had not diminished, his level of dominance hadn’t changed, but he was burnt out.