Matt Olmstead

Director at @rbpress | book publisher | magazine editor | student of theology, music, and the Christian life | husband and father

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@larryrogier I saw an NT Wright video recently in which he asserts this same thing with “90% certainty.” I had Yogi Berra in my head as I was listening: “86% of statistics are made up on the spot.” Lol

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@MattSmethurst @JonathanLeeman @9Marks He’s been so kind to me when I’ve reached out to him. Grateful to know him!

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

This such a heartbreaking post.

[Jesse Ridgway @McJuggerNuggets]

This week, my wife and I made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy due to Trisomy 21.

The choice was not made lightly. We really appreciate all of the personal stories that you guys shared with us, especially the unconditional support we received from fans with no matter what we decided.

I know some of you may be very disappointed to hear this news. We are devastated. This has been extremely traumatic for both of us, especially Ashley.

She underwent the procedure earlier this week and is on the mend. Thankfully, everything went smoothly, but emotionally we are drained.

Trisomy 21, also known as Down Syndrome, is caused by an extra chromosome. It is caused by an error in cell division, like a glitch. The odds of a baby having it is 1 in 1000.

When I first confronted this news, I was shocked but optimistic. If they’re a little slow intellectually, then we’ll make it work. I signed on to be a parent, come what may…but I just didn’t fully understand what Down Syndrome entailed.

Once we made it public, it became clear that MOST people don’t know what Down Syndrome entails (and no, it’s not the same as Autism):

50% of babies with DS have heart defects. 75% will have hearing challenges. Over 50% will have vision problems. Impaired immune function, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, delayed physical development, poor muscle tone, structural issues with face, decreased lifespan, etc…Sadly, the list is long, feel free to look it up…Down Syndome isn’t a “blessing”, it is objectively shitty from a health perspective.

I didn’t realize just how rough it is for the child, let alone the family…more often than not, they would be fully dependent on others for the rest of their life.

The miscarriage risk is also close to 50%, which made matters worse…they may never see the light of day and it puts Ashley further at risk.

We spoke with doctors, friends, family and genetic counselors and learned that up to 90% of women terminate their pregnancy after learning the baby has Trisomy 21.

This was WAY higher than I expected, I thought it would be lower given that I hear so many say they kept or would keep the baby. I believe that’s because most terminations happen privately, it feels shameful. A lot of judgment being cast.

You never think you’d be in this type of situation until it happens to you and then things change.

To all of my fans who have weighed in on this topic who have Autism, Down Syndrome or any other conditions…we appreciate you. You matter a lot and we’re glad you’re here. I commend you and your families for having the strength and courage to push forward.

As for us, we made a difficult decision that we believe in the long-run will be beneficial for our family. Thankfully, we had a choice.

It will take a little time to move on, but we are excited to try again in the future and hopefully have a better outcome.

Love you guys & thank you for understanding. ❤️

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@mchooyah Yessir, but thanks be to God that what I got is better than what I deserve!

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🔥 CLARENCE THOMAS IS THE ABSOLUTE GOAT!

"I'd rather die than withdraw. If they're gonna kill me, they're gonna kill me."

Q: So you'd still like to serve on the Supreme Court?

THOMAS: "I'd rather die than withdraw from the process. Not for the purpose of serving on the Supreme Court, but for the purpose of not being driven out of this process."

"I will not be scared. I don't like bullies. I've never run from bullies. I never cry uncle, and I'm not gonna cry uncle today whether I want to be on the Supreme Court or not."'

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

h/t @DanScavino

[Andy Naselli @AndyNaselli]

How exactly does abortion work?

4 short explainer videos:

1. 1st Trimester Medical Abortion: Abortion Pills
https://t.co/kk54gP5uHt

2. 1st Trimester Surgical Abortion: Aspiration (Suction) D & C
https://t.co/ecI6NJpgqD

3. 2nd Trimester Surgical Abortion: Dilation and Evacuation (D & E)
https://t.co/3ZcBrgWVus

4. 3rd Trimester Induction Abortion: Injection and Stillbirth
https://t.co/zOpzcDULPc

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🚨 HOLY CRAP. A DEVASTATING line of questioning from Rep. Brandon Gill totally exposes abortionists for who they are

GILL: What's your favorite type of abortion?

LIB: I don't have one

GILL: Suction abortion. This is when the cervix is dilated, and a strong suction, 29 times the power of a household vacuum cleaner, tears the baby's body apart and sucks it through the hose into a container.

"Do you prefer THAT METHOD?"

LIB: I stand by my former testimony.

GILL: That sounds kind of gross, doesn't it? Sounds pretty gruesome. Do you agree? This one is called dilation and curettage. After dilation of the cervix, a sharp looped knife is inserted into the uterus. You prefer that method?

LIB, PANICS: What I believe we are here to talk about today is the FACE Act! We are not here to talk about the legality of abortion.

GILL: You're a pro-abortion advocate. I'm asking if you prefer the dilation and curettage method. You don't you don't want to talk about abortion itself. Why is that?

"Forceps are inserted into the uterus, grabbing and twisting the baby's body to dismember him or her. If the head is too large, it must be crushed in order to remove it. Do you prefer that method?"

LIB: "I would prefer to talk about the reason the hearing was called and the basis of my expert testimony."

GILL: "The baby's skin is burned off. The baby ingests the solution and dies of salt poisoning, dehydration, and hemorrhaging of the brain. Do you prefer that method?"

"It's uncomfortable to hear this, isn't it? It is."

"How about this one? It's called the saline injection. It's when a 20% salt solution is injected through the mother's abdomen into the baby's amniotic fluid."

LIB: I would prefer to talk about the subject of the hearing.

GILL: This is the subject of the hearing. This is about protests outside of abortion clinics. I'm asking you about abortion.

LIB: I stand by my prior testimony.

GILL: I wouldn't want to talk about this either if I were you because it is barbaric and evil.

🫳🏻🎤

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@pastorjgkell You got it, brother. Go with the Hebrew, “shi-t’eem”. ;)

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

Singing is the expected response of a redeemed people.

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

Masters week starts tomorrow.

[The Masters @TheMasters]

Goodnight from Augusta National. Tomorrow, Masters week begins. #themasters

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@Cindylou348 @EWErickson Ditto. Music was fantastic!

[Steven Bartlett @StevenBartlett]

What if everyone is actually destined for hell?

When Christian Apologist Wesley Huff joined me on The Diary Of A CEO, he explained a central idea in Christianity that many people misunderstand.

According to scripture, the standard for being “good” isn’t simply being better than other people. The standard is God himself.

Which means, by definition, no human being meets it.

That’s what Christianity calls the bad news. Humanity can’t save itself through good actions or intentions.

Here's him breaking it down

[Andrew T. Walker @AndrewTWalker]

If Christianity rests on the conviction that truth exists and that society ought, as far as possible, to reflect that truth, then Christians should direct their political participation toward shaping a social order more consistent with God’s creational design.

[Andrew T. Walker @AndrewTWalker]

Progressive Christianity is not Christianity. Any movement or thirty-something "seminarian" that denies the core doctrines of the Christian faith has, by definition, departed from Christianity itself. And anyone—even certain New York Times columnists—who aids and abets such heresies by insisting that such a malformed Christianity still counts as Christianity is not offering serious commentary on the Christian faith.

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@brannonmc Whoa… new phase. Good luck 👍

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

On some microwaves, the sounds can be silenced by holding down the 2 button for a few seconds. IYKYK

[Brown Eyed Girl @Browneyes5152]

Opening the microwave door one second early because you don't need all that hooting and hollering.

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@AndrewTWalker This is a solid take.

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@brannonmc An amazing depiction of an amazing story.

[Matt Olmstead @MattOlm]

@dagenmcdowell lol. This is funny. Sorry you’re not feeling well!