Population Explosion Followed by Population Implosion

A question we frequently hear is, "Why should we add one more person to an already over-crowded planet?"  The conventional wisdom is that so many new babies are being born that population is threatening to explode beyond control. The conventional wisdom is wrong. What demographers worry more about now is the population implosion that is occurring because of two decades worth of efforts to discourage new births. One of those demographers, Phillip Longman, detailed this problem in an editorial for the USA Today this week:

The U.N. projects that world population could begin declining as early 2040. Those worried about global warming and other environmental threats might view this prospect as an unmitigated good. But lost in most discussions of the subject is the rapid population aging that accompanies declining birthrates.

Under what the U.N. considers the most likely scenario, more than half of all remaining growth comes from a 1.2 billion increase in the number of old people, while the worldwide supply of children will begin falling within 15 years. With fewer workers to support each elder, the world economy might have to run just that much faster, and consume that much more resources, or else living standards will fall.

In the USA, where nearly one-fifth of Baby Boomers never had children, the hardship of vanishing retirement savings will be compounded by the strains on both formal and informal care-giving networks caused by the spread of childlessness. A pet will keep you company in old age, but it is unlikely to be of use in helping you navigate the health care system or in keeping predatory reverse mortgage brokers at bay.

We had the privilege of interviewing Longman about this population reversal for The Boundless Show podcast last year. Longman describes himself as a non-religious progressive who worries that the people who share his views are going to lose the issues of the next generation if they don't get serious about having kids who can be ambassadors of their beliefs in the future.

Longman's warning offers fresh confirmation for the observation our government professor made when we were in graduate school--having babies matters.

Advice from a Mom with Rocks in Her Dryer

In part six of our advice series with real parents (as opposed to their stunt doubles or well-paid nannies), we talk with Shannon Lowe, mom of three boys and one girl, wife to her kids' amazing dad and blogger extraordinaire.

What emotional or practical hurdles did you or your husband have to overcome in order start your family?

Our first pregnancy, which was a bit of a surprise, ended in a miscarriage at ten weeks. The magnitude of our grief over that little lost person took us both by surprise, and it made us realize how ready we were to grow our family.  Any hesitations we had seemed very small in comparison.

Where did you go for advice; what were your sources of encouragement for getting started?

I read a lot of parenting books in those early years. But I'll tell you, honestly, that I think the best source of encouragement is finding other parents a season or two ahead of you in life. When I was the mother of babies, I watched and learned from mothers of preschoolers. Now that my oldest is almost 12, I'm paying VERY close attention to my friends with teenagers!  We've been so blessed to have friends who are parenting their kids with grace, humor and good sense, and those friendships have been invaluable.

Did you have any unusual cravings during pregnancy?

In my first trimester with my fourth child, it was BLTs--the thicker and greasier, the better. Which is strange, because I could barely bring myself to LOOK at a saltine cracker without losing my lunch. But a BLT loaded with mayonnaise? I could eat eight of them.

What surprised you most about becoming a mom?

It's been a very pleasant surprise to see how much fun it is watching the sibling dynamics develop in our family. It's a wild ride, filled with plenty of sweet moments (and the occasional body-slam).

What's the most annoying children's show that parenthood has brought into your life?

Yo Gabba Gabba. And yet I cannot turn away.

How has having children affected your marriage?

You hear often about how having kids brings such strain into a marriage. It can, surely--it has in ours, at times. But it also brings us closer together, giving us a greater sense of purpose as a couple. And it's harder to imagine a sweeter joy than watching your soulmate as a parent. I remember, one cold December day, when my middle son's pet rat died. My husband went outside in the icy, pelting rain to dig a little grave in the backyard flower bed. I watched (from the warmth of the kitchen!) as he stood out there, shivering, his arm draped over my grieving son's shoulders, conducting a little rat funeral. The thought flickered through my head that I couldn't imagine that I could ever love my husband more than I did at that moment.

How has having children affected your relationship with God?

I feel like it's given me the tiniest glimpse into the way He loves me. I look at my children and I see them as they really are--beautiful but flawed, and I totally and completely love them. Not because they're perfect, not because they're doing something nice for me, not for any reason except that they're mine. And that's enough.

What have you learned through the highs and lows of starting a family?

I'm learning again, every day, that the most ordinary moments are usually the sweetest ones. And I'm learning that laughter knits a family together in a really powerful way.

When do you find time to blog as a mom?

Well, my kids are a little older, which makes it easier. I try to do it when their in school or after they're in bed. Honestly, it can be a difficult thing to find a healthy balance when you're a blogger, and you have to be very watchful that it doesn't nudge its way too far into your family life.

What advice would you give a couple considering starting a family?

There likely won't be a moment when you feel perfectly prepared--emotionally or financially. Use wisdom and common sense as you prepare, but know that ultimately, becoming a parent is a giant leap of faith. Like all great leaps, it is scary and exhilarating--and it's COMPLETELY worth it.

-----------------------

Shannon Lowe blogs at Rocks In My Dryer and The Parenting Post. She's a freelance writer, a grammar geek, and a starter (but never a finisher) of craft projects. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband of 14 years and their four kids (ages 11, 10, 7 and 4).

"Big Mama" Says God's Plan for Babies is Best

"Big Mama" got her popular blog name from her daughter who was praised so much for being a "big girl" that she thought calling her mom "big mama" was the nicest thing she could say. Today, Big Mama is a big-time blogger, attracting hundreds of thousands of readers. We thought you'd enjoy reading about her experience starting a family.  

What emotional or practical hurdles did you and your husband have to overcome to start your family?

We were married for five years before we decided to start a family. I think we both were a little afraid of how becoming parents would change the dynamics of our marriage. We both felt strongly about having some years to ourselves as just a couple before committing to raising a child.

There was also the financial factor, but it’s true what people say, if you wait until you feel like you can afford a child, it may never happen. Eventually, we just took the plunge and God has been faithful. It’s the best thing we’ve ever done.

Where did you go for advice; what were your sources of encouragement for getting started?

We had several older couples that have always been voices of reason and encouragement in our lives. It also helped that we waited so long to start our family because many of our close friends had already started their families and their advice was invaluable.

Did you have any unusual cravings during pregnancy?

I absolutely had to start each day with a tall glass of chocolate milk, which is definitely unusual for me. There was also a night that I stopped at the grocery store and came home with a box of a dozen donuts. I won’t tell you how many I ate all by myself, but I’ll tell you that Perry ate two of them and the box was empty. You do the math.

What surprised you most about becoming a mom?

I had no idea how much I could love another human being. From the moment I saw her, I knew that God could give me no greater gift than my daughter.

I was also surprised by how hard it can be to be a mom. I’d watched so many of my friends become mothers and thought I was totally prepared, but I wasn’t. Nothing can prepare you for how much it changes your life.

What is the most annoying toy and/or children's show that parenthood has brought into your life?

Without a doubt, the show “Caillou.” I don’t need TV to teach my child how to whine.

As for toys, I’m pretty sure that Polly Pockets are of the devil. All those tiny little shoes. My vacuum cleaner will never be the same.

How has having children affected your marriage?

I think watching my husband become a father and seeing how much he loves Caroline just makes me love him that much more. I’m able to see a whole other side of him that I didn’t know existed.

How has having children affected your relationship with God?

When I think about how much I love my daughter and how I would do anything in the world for her, it blows my mind to think that God loves me more than that. It’s given me a whole new appreciation and understanding of the concept of God as our father.

He truly does want to give us every good gift and I can’t fathom how much it hurts Him to watch us hurt.

When do you find time to blog as a mom?

I don’t want to spend my days chained to the computer and get so busy blogging that I neglect real life. I am guilty of it at times, but I’ve gotten much better about it. These days I either blog while Caroline is at school or late at night after everyone is asleep. I’m a night owl, so it works for me.

What advice would you give a couple considering starting a family?

Really seek God on His timing and plan for your family. Sometimes I think we get a vision of how everything should look and what we think we want and we get fixated on that instead of what He has for us. I always thought I’d have more than one child, but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. Trust God for what is best for your marriage and your family.

Having a baby can be hard on a marriage, especially in the beginning, so you need to make sure that you and your husband are ready for that step. Ultimately, the best gift you can give your child is a healthy marriage focused on Christ.

-----------------------

Big Mama's real name is Melanie and she was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from Texas A&M University in 1994 and moved to San Antonio, where she began a short-lived career in financial sales. Over the next several years she tried to figure out what she wanted to do with her life. Along the way she met her husband Perry and they spent 10 years leading Campus Life Ministries in their community. They have been married since August of 1997 and true to form for native Texans, still live in Texas. Their daughter, Caroline, was born in August of 2003. Melanie writes daily at thebigmamablog.com. She also contributes regularly to the LifeWay Allaccess blog.

Highs and Lows: an Interview with Todd and Angie Smith

It wasn't until this January that I even knew "Mom Blogs" existed (sounds impossible, I know). Thankfully, my friend Celesta opened my eyes to the fun, witty, winsome and wise Angie Smith, author of Bring the Rain. Within weeks of discovering and devouring her blog, Steve and I had the opportunity to interview Angie, and her husband Todd (of Selah fame), for The Boundless Show. Recently we got to interview them again—this time to get more details about how they started their family. 

What emotional or practical hurdles did you or Todd have to overcome in order to start your family?

Truth? We didn't plan to get pregnant, and I lost our first baby at about 7-8 weeks. Then, we didn't plan to get pregnant and I found out we were having twins. Now that is what I call A SURPRISE. We lived in this tiny apartment and Todd was touring all the time, so we just had to look at each other one night and say, "OK, Lord. This is it … remind us You're in it!!!!" He did, and we survived it (despite almost losing the twins in the pregnancy). We started out going 200 MPH, so we didn't really have a chance to address the emotional and practical hurdles. That would have been nice, actually. :)

Did either of you have any unusual cravings during pregnancy?

I craved chocolate and dairy stuff, but I was in the hospital for 10 weeks of my first pregnancy, so I had to settle for unidentifiable meat. The smell of the hospital food tray opening still haunts me … eeww. With Kate, I ate everything that wasn't moving. I have pictures to prove it.

What surprised you most about becoming a mom for the first time?

I wasn't nervous about it, just fascinated by the fact that a love so great could just fall on us. It also surprised me that I was really laid back, because I am pretty Type A. I think that's why God gave me twins! He wanted to make sure I was leaning HARD into Him and not into my own little plans of what life should look like.

What's the most annoying toy that parenthood has brought into your life? I think I was born in the wrong century. I like wooden toys and simple. Amish made furniture. I like plain, handmade dolls and giant cozy quilts with old-fashioned books. That's what I always pictured. But then I bought the irritating alphabet caterpillar so I could bathe. And then the Baby Einstein videos so I could put on clothes and (on a really good day) MAKEUP! You do what you have to, sometimes. I can handle a little annoying music to start to feel human again.

Confession? I did recently take the batteries out of Kate's pink guitar and tell her it was an "imagination-sounds" guitar. She pranced around the house for about a half hour, totally satisfied. Yes, I was born in the wrong century, but I wouldn't want to go back without the assistance of Dora and Boots.

How has having children affected your marriage?

People dream that having children will fix a difficult relationship. NOT A GOOD IDEA. Todd and I were in a great place when the twins came along, but you are sleep-deprived, spit-up-covered, volatile, and hungry as a horse. Self-esteem takes a back seat to survival. There's a lot of stuff they don't tell you about the whole process, which is probably good.

It's a lot of work, no question. And you will cry, laugh, and worship more than you ever have in your life.

But it is ALL worth it.

How has having children affected your relationship with God?

I see Him as a Father in a different way. Things I would have thought of as "bothering" Him (I know, that's silly), I now think of my children coming to me about and I feel so grateful they would. I have learned to rely on Him as not just the God who can form planets and make storms rage, but also the tender Lover of my soul Who cries along with me when I have nothing left at the end of the day. He is a Daddy in the sweetest way, and I revel in trusting Him this way, and depending on Him for all of my needs daily.

What have you learned through the highs and lows of starting a family?

The highs are as high as they can be, and the lows are like nothing you have ever felt. I have conceived five babies on this earth, and only held four. Of those four, I only got to keep three. When you start a family, essentially you are giving God permission to reign over the part of your life that is the hardest to relinquish control of. When we do, we find that He celebrates and mourns with us in ways we never experienced before.

He has never left me, I know that. But it would be a lie to say I never felt like He did. It doesn't look like it does on TV, and it doesn't look like your perfect neighbor's life either. I had to get to a point where I said, "Lord, You give and take away, and I worship You in whatever you choose." That doesn't mean I don't question, shout, cry, or have regrets. It means I know where to bring it all, and I do. Whether it is the loss of a child you kissed as they took her into the night, or even just a frustrating day with your toddler, you cannot do it on your own. You weren't meant to. Lay it at His feet and invite Him into the deepest as well as the most mundane. He makes Himself at home in the crevices of your life you may think He wouldn't even care about. He does care, and He wants you to seek Him daily—whether it's in the highs or the lows.

When do you find time to blog?

I have the kind of husband who does laundry, cooks, cleans, and everything else. When he isn't on tour, he is full-time dad, and I get to sneak off and write a little. We have a system that works because of his schedule, but if there is ever a conflict, I defer to him. He is the head of the house, and I am (happy to be) the mommy. He encouraged me to go to Calcutta for two weeks this spring as a Compassion blogger, and he will stay with our three girls by himself. He isn't the slightest bit intimidated by the prospect, because he is as involved as I am in every aspect of their lives. I am so grateful to have the privilege of being his wife.

I probably should have written this last night before we became engaged in some "intense fellowship" that was based on my acting like a spoiled brat (just a reality check for readers who are sketching out an image of me in their heads).

What advice would you give a couple considering starting their family? Seek the Lord.

Laugh when you feel like giving up.

Cry when you need to cry.

Talk about it. All of it.

Enjoy it, because it's gone as fast as it comes.

If you are a woman (and this can be hard to hear and hard to practice!), remember that your husband is still your highest priority beneath God. Love him the way you are called to biblically, and your children will sense the love of the Lord in your home from the moment they are born. It is so easy to put our husbands on the back burner, and it really can affect your marriage (speaking from experience, here).

Never forget that you have been given a gift from God that is lent to you in full assurance that this was part of His divine plan. He chose you. Now you choose Him over and over (and then over again), and you'll be in good shape.

----------------------- Angie and Todd Smith have four daughters. Ellie and Abby are identical twins (6), and Sarah Kate is 3. Their fourth daughter, Audrey Caroline, was diagnosed early in Angie's pregnancy as "non-compatible" with life, and several doctors urged them to terminate the pregnancy. They wanted to leave room for God to perform a miracle, and Angie chronicled her pregnancy (beginning the week of the diagnosis), and still continues to write on her blog Bring the Rain.

The Smiths did receive a miracle, but it wasn't what they had hoped for. They were given 2&1/2 hours on this earth with sweet Audrey, and were able to introduce her to her family and friends before she went to the Lord. She only weighed a bit over 3 pounds, but she had weight in this world, and Angie hopes it will continue to inspire families faced with such difficult decisions, both through the blog and an upcoming book (summer, 2010 by Broadman & Holman publishing).

Angie is humbled to be a part of a story that has touched countless people, and grateful for the little girl that taught her what it was like to fall into the arms of Jesus and find Him right where He promised He would be.

The difference vision makes when it comes to babies

The Benefits of Having Babies Early: An Interview with Kevin DeYoung

Have you noticed how many reasons there are to not start your family? Everything from scary headlines and falling home values to career and travel plans that conspire against the little voice that says maybe this is the the time to have a baby. Is that voice your possible child speaking? If you need some reasons to get started, this is the place. Following is the second in our series of interviews with people we look to as family-formation mentors. This week, pastor and author Kevin DeYoung talks about having kids early. It's soul-shaping, exhausting, and fun.

What surprised you most about becoming a parent?

We were surprised by how tired we got and the time involved. With three kids now (and a fourth on the way) we think, "why did we feel so exhausted with one child?" But there is nothing as dramatic as the transition from zero to one.

Overnight your schedule is no longer your own. We couldn't go on walks whenever we wanted. We couldn't leave the house without thinking it through. Of course, we were also surprised at how immediately you love this new member of the family and how gladly you center your life on him or her for those first few months.

How has having children affected your marriage?

We were only married nine months before Trisha got pregnant, and only 18 months before having children. So it's hard to remember what it was like without children. We have no regrets whatsoever with having children sooner rather than later. There are plenty of frustrating days, but the joy our kids bring more than makes up for them. Of course, having children means less time for just the two of us.  It means that our relationship focuses a lot on taking care of the kids. It means that my wife often feels like a mother before she feels like a wife. But having kids also means we have a house full of laughter.  It means we get to share this massive discipleship project together. It means, on some days, that we need each other for survival.

How has having children affected your relationship with God?

On the negative side, it's harder to set aside ample time for prayer and meditation. Our kids have also been God's means of showing us our impatience and anger. On the positive side, I (Kevin) have learned a lot about the Fatherhood of God in experiencing what it's like to be a father. Trisha has learned about humility and the constant need to die to yourself. We also have been motivated to pray, realizing that we cannot control their lives, nor ensure their physical or spiritual safety. Having children is about giving yourself away every day. What have you learned through the highs and lows of starting a family?

The craziness and frustration of parenting is a struggle, but after the kids are in bed for a half hour, the angst subsides and you wonder why you were so worked up. The highs are manifold: watching the kids play together, wrestling on the floor, teaching them to read, hearing them pray, singing with them.

Did either of you have any unusual cravings during pregnancy?

Trisha gets a hankering for red meat. I (Kevin) really enjoy this aspect of her pregnancy! She suddenly is interested in burgers, hot dogs and other protein-rich man-food. She also has had cravings for sweet tea and chocolate chip cookies (but that may just be part of life).

What’s the most annoying toy or children’s show or video that parenthood has brought into your life?

Bob the Builder is really lame, as are many of the PBS cartoons. But for the most part we only get the kids toys and videos that we also like (now that's some good parenting!). Trisha would like to add that we have no personal animosity toward Bob, Scoop, Muck, or Dizzy. The stories are just pretty uninteresting.

When do you find time to read, blog, and write as a parent?

As a pastor I get to read for my job. The church has given me a four week study leave each year, so that affords wonderful time for reading and writing. I also read once the kids are in bed or when I'm traveling. The bathroom works too. I love to read, so I'm usually reading during even the smallest breaks during the day. Trisha has found it harder to read, but she manages once in awhile before bed.  Trisha and I hardly watch any TV, so when the kids are in bed and the house is clean (which is late at night sometimes) we are either talking or reading together (or I'm at a meeting).

What advice would you give a couple considering starting a family?

While we recognize that every situation is different, in general we are big proponents of starting your family early. Trisha has said, "You may regret the things you lose in the process, but you never regret the children you have." We would say to most couples: don't wait. The transition will get harder as the habits of being without kids get more ingrained. Plus you never know what your health will be or how long the woman will be able to have children (if the couple is able to conceive). Children are a blessing. They sanctify you and can make your marriage stronger every bit as much as, or more than, living five years on your own can do.

----------------------- Kevin DeYoung is the husband of Trisha and Dad of Ian, Jacob and Elizabeth. A graduate of Hope College and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, he co-authored Why We're Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be and Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc. Kevin is the senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Mich., across the street from Michigan State University.

Men Should Consider Biological Clock as Well

In Start Your Family, I (Steve) talk about the strong urge Candice felt to have a baby and how I got her to "hit snooze on her biological clock." It's those potent emotions about having children, as well as a broad range of headlines about fertility and the timing of babies, that make us so aware of a woman's biological clock. Increasingly, however, news reports are explaining that men also have a biological clock to keep in mind.

"It wasn't all that long ago that any suggestion that a man had a 'biological clock' like a woman, and should father children sooner rather than later, would have been given short scientific shrift," says a new article by U.S. News and World Report. "Not anymore. Today, a growing body of evidence suggests that as men get older, fertility can and does decline, while the chances of fathering a child with serious birth defects and medical problems increase."

The article sources Dr. Harry Fisch, author of the book The Male Biological Clock with the finding that after age 30, testosterone levels decline about 1 percent per year. Fisch doesn't come out and recommend an ideal age for men to start a family, but where men have a choice in the matter, Fisch suggests "the sooner, the better."

Olasky, Early Discuss Start Your Family

This was a big week for book news.

• We answered the interview questions that will go live later today on CitizenLink's Friday Five,
• Listened as Mark Early talked about Start Your Family on the Point Radio, and
• Read Susan Olasky's review in World Magazine (February 28, Vol. 24, No. 4), and
• Wrapped up the contest with MckMama.

On Monday we'll be kicking off a special series with couples we look up to as mentors. You'll recognize some of them. Others will be new. Some still have babies, and others, grand babies. It's our hope that through these discussions, you'll be encouraged that regardless of the times we live in, starting your family is still a worthwhile endeavor -- maybe the best thing you can do.

Want to know what the buzz is all about? Get your copy of Start Your Family today.

Consumer Mindset Drives Desire for Designer Babies

Couples often have certain hopes and dreams for what kind of baby they'll have--hopes about the gender, hair color, personality and so forth but now a clinic is trying to cash in on those desires. "A Los Angeles clinic says it will soon help couples select both gender and physical traits in a baby when they undergo a form a fertility treatment, " says an article in today's Wall Street Journal. The headline of the article reminds us just how much this mindset towards babies has grown out of a consumeristic culture. It's titled, "A Baby, Please. Blond, Freckles--Hold the Colic: Laboratory Techniques That Screen for Diseases in Embryos Are Now Being Offered to Create Designer Children."

Any couple that has found themselves intrigued by the opportunity to create a designer baby should at least stop and watch the 1997 movie Gattaca.  Here's a description from Wikipedia:

The movie draws on concerns over reproductive technologies which facilitate eugenics, and the possible consequences of such technological developments for society. It also explores the idea of destiny and the ways in which it can and does govern lives. Characters in Gattaca continually battle both with society and with themselves to find their place in the world and who they are destined to be according to their genes.

Probably the better read is Psalm 139 where we're reminded that every life is already "designer"--because of the care given by an intelligent designer:

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made

The Spiritual Part of Babymaking

In telling about his harrowing journey to Ethiopia to adopt four children, Motte Brown talks about the challenges (that's putting it mildly) that he, and his wife Beth, encountered along the way. The details brought tears to my eyes as I imagined what it must have been like to endure everything from lost luggage, to formula and diaper shortages, to the near death of one of their nine-month-old twins. But as bad as all those visible hardships were, what really struck me about the 3-part-post was the trauma of the invisible:

With the benefit of hindsight, I now know I was too cavalier about the "Are you ready?" question. I expected it to be painful. But not so much that we would question the very decision we made to adopt. That is where we were. And that is exactly where I believe Satan planned for us to be. John Piper has a sermon on the power God allows Satan in this world.

The fact that Satan has such power in the world should give a kind of seriousness to our lives which unbelievers don't have. It ought not to make us paranoid or fearful, but sober and earnest in our prayers and persistently conscious of needing God's power. When the enemy is supernatural, so must the weapons be.

The enemy was undoubtedly not happy about a loving Christian family saving the lives of four children, both physically, and by God's grace, spiritually. They saved them through adoption. But aren't Christian couples who conceive and bear children and then, according to Ephesians 6, bring them up in the training of the Lord doing the same thing? When believers conceive new life and plan to become parents for God's glory, they are no less in need of spiritual protection than the Browns were in Ethiopia.

Whether you're thinking about starting your family, already pregnant with your first baby, or like us, in the midst of raising your kids already born, it's important to follow Paul's urging, later in that same chapter in Ephesians, to:

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

A Conversation with Todd and Angie Smith

Last Friday I had the pleasure of interviewing Todd and Angie Smith (of Selah and Bring the Rain fame). They were at Focus on the Family for the monthly chapel service and agreed to give 30 minutes to the Boundless Show.

When we went into the studio, I was praying I'd be able to make it through the conversation without crying. Theirs is a story of great loss, as well as miraculous intervention--it's near impossible to read and hear about it without tearing up. We had a candid conversation about their fourth daughter Audrey Caroline, who died just two-and-a-half hours after she was born.

Thankfully, in addition to being a fantastic storyteller, Angie's hilarious. So we laughed a lot, too. And Todd sang for us live. It's an engaging, entertaining and encouraging show, especially for anyone dealing with the disappointments and setbacks of trying to start or grow their family.

Angie's blog is wildly popular, striking a chord with women all over the world. Through the telling of their story, they've been able to minister to countless thousands. After hearing them, I think you'll understand why. You can listen here.

Wall Street Journal: Babies are Human Capital

The editorial page of the Wall Street Journal made an eloquent connection between Nancy Pelosi's contraception policy and the population bust in Europe and Asia:

Ms. Pelosi's remarks ignore the importance of human capital, which is the ultimate resource. Fewer babies would move the U.S. in the demographic direction of Europe and Asia. On the Continent, birth rates already are effectively zero, and economists are predicting labor shortages in the years ahead. In Japan, where the population is aging very fast, workers are now encouraged to go home early and procreate. Japan is projected to lose 21% of its population by 2050.

The age and growth rate of a nation help determine its economic prosperity. A smaller workforce can result in less overall economic output. Without enough younger workers to replace retirees, health and pension costs can become debilitating. And when domestic markets shrink, so does capital investment. Whatever one's views on taxpayer subsidies for contraception, as economic stimulus the idea is loopy.

Japan Encourages Workers to Have Babies as Economic Stimulus

While Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi encourages fewer babies to stimulate the American economy, Japan is doing the opposite. According to a CNN report today, Japanese workers are actually being encouraged to go home and multiply:

Japan is in the midst of an unprecedented recession, so corporations are being asked to work toward fixing another major problem: the country's low birthrate.

At 1.34, the birthrate is well below the 2.0 needed to maintain Japan's population, according to the country's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Keidanren, Japan's largest business group, with 1,300 major international corporations as members, has issued a plea to its members to let workers go home early to spend time with their families and help Japan with its pressing social problem.

I find Japan's approach to be an odd intersection between government and the bedroom, but it's the kind of thing that's happening in other countries such as Singapore, Italy, Romania, Russia and numerous other places in Europe and Asia. The great irony is that many of these nations are left to make awkward governmental pleas for fertility as a reversal to decades of promoting the same anti-baby policies that Pelosi is advocating in the United States.  It's almost as if Pelosi wants one of the last industrial nations with a relatively healthy fertility rate to "catch up" with the rest of the world.

Pelosi Blames Babies for Economic Woes

A mother of five, grandmother of six believes she's found the cure to what ails our sluggish economy: more contraception. In her defense of adding birth control funding to the economic "stimulus" plan, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said on This Week with George Stephanopoulos,

Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.

Yes, there's a lot of bad news about babies being born outside of marriage. And yes, those out-of-wedlock births do cause a strain on state budgets. But Pelosi's proposed solution to that problem is straight from the Planned Parenthood playbook. And it's no solution at all.

In a 2005 column in The Washington Post, Economist Robert J. Samuelson explained why the opposite is true:

It’s hard to be a great power if your population is shriveling. Europe as we know it is going out of business. … Western Europe’s population grows dramatically grayer, projects the U.S. Census Bureau. Now about one-sixth of the population is 65 and older. By 2030, that could be one-fourth and by 2050, almost one-third.

According to information from the Demographic Winter documentary,

By the mid-point of this century, 16% of the world’s population will be over 65. By 2040, there will be 400 million elderly Chinese.

If present low birthrates persist, the European Union estimates there will be a continent-wide shortfall of 20 million workers by 2030.

Who will operate the factories and farms in the Europe of the future? Who will develop the natural resources? Where will Russia find the soldiers to guard the frontiers of the largest nation on Earth?

Who will care for a graying population? A burgeoning elderly population combined with a shrinking work force will lead to a train-wreck for state pension systems.

This only skims the surface of the way demographic decline will change the face of civilization. Even the environment will be adversely impacted. With severely strained public budgets, developed nations will no longer be willing to shoulder the costs of industrial clean-up or a reduction of CO2 emissions.

Pelosi's "solution" to our economic "crisis" will have the opposite effect. But even that's not the worst of it. In her striving to bolster our contraceptive culture, she's willing to deny millions of women the very choice that has brought her the most joy. She is the same woman who once proclaimed, "Nothing in my life will ever, ever compare to being a mom."

We've seen this before. Hostility toward babies born in less than ideal circumstances. It's the mindset of Pharaoh. The mindset of Herod. And to what end? If Pelosi's plan succeeds, who won't be born?

Encouraging the Blessing of Children

Listen to Russell Moore interview Steve on the Albert Mohler show about the challenges and opposition to having babies. It's not an ideal time or culture for starting a family. But then it never has been. Listen  here. 

Do Christians view children and families as a blessing from the Lord? Or have we, like the culture around us, bought into the idea that children are just another ‘lifestyle option’ for married couples? On today’s program, guest host Russell Moore welcomes Steve Watters to the program. Steve and Candice Watters are the authors of Start Your Family: Inspiration for Having Babies.