Bonnie Pritchett/Southern Baptist Texan

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (BP) -- A federal judge's decision striking down a Texas marriage law could be a sign of the loss of religious liberties for all Americans, according to some legal and religious experts supportive of traditional marriage.

GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) -- The positive pregnancy test sent Brittany's life into a tailspin. She had plans -- college, career and, potentially, the Miss Pennsylvania pageant.

GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) -- "OnlineForLife: Center TX02 is speaking with someone considering abortion. Will you pray?"

AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- A Texas law regulating abortions may take effect as drafted, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled on Thursday (Oct. 31), stating that challenges to the law's constitutionality likely would fail. The ruling likely will force the closure of 12 or 13 Texas abortion clinics, according to abortion provider Planned Parenthood.

SAN ANTONIO (BP) -- Attorneys for a senior enlisted airman at Lackland Air Force Base say a military investigation that closed on Wednesday (Oct. 9) made false assertions, leaving questions about the veracity of the investigation.

BRYAN, Texas (BP) -- Christians throughout the Brazos Valley in Texas credit the power of prayer and God's grace for the closure of the Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Bryan, believing it could be a breakthrough moment in the fight against abortion. The clinic cited "budget cuts and persistent attacks on women's health" when it shut its doors in early August. Some of the Christians confessed they never believed the clinic at 4112 29th St. would close. Still others were certain it would happen -- in God's time. For 15 years the coalition of Christians prayed for and counseled countless women -- and saved and lost the lives of unborn babies. Yet while they mourned the loss of 6,400 babies at the Bryan Health Center-Family Planning, they praised God for the birth of an international movement, 40 Days for Life, which they consider the final nail in the coffin for this facility and others across the nation. "God used you, and abortion is now ended in the Brazos Valley," Shawn Carney, campaign director for 40 Days for Life, said at a celebration Sept. 7 across the street from the former clinic. Bobby Reynoso, director of Coalition for Life in Bryan-College Station, said local pro-life leaders are praying that it will be the "tipping point for the pro-life cause in helping end abortion across the nation." The coalition is exploring ways to replicate the success in other cities. Speakers at the celebration included former abortion clinic employees, pastors and priests, prayer volunteers, crisis pregnancy center volunteers, health care ministry volunteers and the mayor of Bryan. Jason Bienski said as mayor he usually is glad to see new business startups. "Today we celebrate the closing of a business. Planned Parenthood was never welcome in Bryan-College Station," he said. Speakers recounted stories of spiritual interventions and the renewing of their faith in a seemingly endless fight. Karen Hall, director of Central Texas Orphan Missions Alliance and a member of Central Baptist Church in Bryan-College Station, said the driveway to her offices sometimes was mistaken for the driveway to the neighboring abortion clinic. Once inside the CTOMA facility, some women, thinking they were at Planned Parenthood, said they had arrived for their ultrasounds. CTOMA has a state-of-the-art ultrasound machine as part of its pro-life ministry. While the women completed forms, an ultrasound nurse was hurriedly making her way to the clinic. "There was joy in heaven every time a woman missed that Planned Parenthood drive and came into our office," Hall said. David Bereit, 40 Days for Life national director, told the crowd, "I believed the end of abortion would begin in this community. ...

SAN ANTONIO (BP) -- Due to a perceived slight against homosexuality, Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk is in a fight for his career. The point of contention reportedly is not about anything Monk said, but what he refused to say.

AUSTIN, Texas (BP) —- The spiritual and ideological chasm in the Texas abortion debate was evident at the close of a pro-life rally July 8 that drew an estimated 2,000 pro-lifers and, by one media account, about 1,000 pro-choice activists.

AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- The Texas Senate gave final approval of omnibus pro-life legislation just before midnight Friday, July 12, passing the measure 19-11, mostly along party lines. Two days earlier the Texas House approved the hotly contested bill which now goes to the desk of Gov. Rick Perry who has pledged to sign it. Texas becomes the latest state to enact strict abortion regulations despite efforts by abortion rights activists to shut down or slow the legislative process. Their large and loud demonstrations at the Texas Capitol in recent weeks punctuated the debate but their efforts were countered by an influx of pro-life supporters days before the final vote. "I am proud of our lawmakers and citizens who tirelessly defended our smallest and most vulnerable," Perry said in a prepared statement

AUSTIN, Texas (BP) -- The eyes of America were on Texas on Monday night (July 8) as an estimated 2,000 pro-lifers rallied in support of bills moving through the legislature to stop most abortions beyond 20 weeks' gestation as well as increase standards of care and require abortion doctors to have privileges at hospitals within 30 miles of their practices.