It's time to walk for life. Supporting our local pregnancy center is important to me and I'd like to invite you to help. I will be walking on May 30th to benefit Caring Families Pregnancy Center here in Connecticut. Caring Families provides FREE pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, medical care, parenting classes, baby items, and support to moms, dads and babies. They don't receive any federal or state funding. So they exist and do what they do solely on the donations of people like you and me. That's why I commit to gather sponsors and walk each year. Because they do amazing work in the lives of people in crisis every day. I am the walk captain for my local church. And we gather with other churches and groups to make a difference. If you would like to participate, we need: People to pray for Caring Families and for the walk event on May 30th. You can register to walk if you live locally. You can sponsor me for the walk by donating online or contacting me to find out how to send a check. I have set a personal goal to raise $1500. Will you help? They depend on the money raised to provide all that they do. No donation is too small!!
Help me to make a difference in the lives of men and women who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy.
I am teaching at the New England Christian Writer's Retreat and so I have asked Emily Wickham to share her heart with us this week. This topic is one that causes my heart to beat too--leading me to be involved in our local crisis pregnancy center, Women's Center of Northeast Connecticut. I believe the Lord weeps over these little ones...I know I do.
"Will we stand for life wherever God places us?" ~ Emily Wickham
"...
blood is on their hands ... when they had slaughtered their children for their
idols...” Ezekiel 23:37, 39
Wooden
stakes laced with plastic orange netting decorated the beach. Early morning
caretakers diligently visited these areas where sea turtle eggs awaited
hatching. An exciting time, the arrival of these creatures clearly classified
as an eagerly anticipated event.
" ...
It is illegal to harm ... sea turtle eggs...”
I stared at
the sign. Processing the stern warning that included potential prosecution, I
contemplated this law of protection for sea turtles. Inescapably I thought of
this irony: it's illegal to harm a sea turtle egg ... but perfectly legal to
destroy human life within a mother's womb. Oh, how this must break God's heart.
God
eternally exists as Creator of life. Before mankind, He designed exquisite
angelic beings. In the garden, He formed man from dust and fashioned woman from
man's side. Almighty God excels in intricate detail and skillful construction
obviously delights Him. Originating in His immense mind, all things
living--including sea turtles to humans--express His creative genius. Yet we
have irreverently, rebelliously, selfishly interfered.
Oh, how
abortion must break God's heart. Watching these little ones, whom He's uniquely
shaped into His image, heartlessly destroyed invokes intense grief. Surely He
weeps. Just as death's foul odor pervaded Lazarus' tomb, death's stench
presides over these graveyards in the womb. A travesty of epic proportions,
abortion annihilates whom God wants--a child--because for various reasons, a
human heart deems that child unwanted.
Aborted
children: wanted by God ... unwanted by mankind.
We as the
church remain accountable for our response to this disease of legalized death.
It's not about a woman's right to choose--the living God, the Creator Himself
already has chosen to initiate life.Will we idly stand by and look the other way? Or will we stand in the
gap--even on the sidewalk--lovingly reaching out to women and their unborn
children? Will we stand for life wherever God places us?
Dear family
in Christ, God has graciously given us the " ... ministry of reconciliation,
namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting
their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were
entreating through us..." (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
It's hard.
I've only participated in sidewalk ministry once. But I'm planning to return.
Not as a goody two-shoes Christian, but as a sinner saved by God's incredible
grace. Though my presence there is unwanted by the world, I go because it’s
wanted by God.
God doesn't
call every Christian to stand for life in the same way. Enormously creative,
He's gifted each of us to impart His truth distinctly. How is He leading you?
Emily
Wickham, founder of Proclaiming Him to Women Ministries, maintains a passion
for teaching God’s Word. Her PHtW blog, Mothers Like Me blog, Sophie Woman’s
Magazine column, and Daily Dose of Encouragement devotions allow her to reach
many with God’s truth. As a published author, conference organizer, and
speaker, she appreciates every opportunity to encourage and equip women by
exalting Christ. Emily welcomes contact and connection via Facebook at
www.facebook.com/emilywickham.author
Most
importantly, Emily cherishes her relationship with God and treasures her family
as gifts from His hand. Residing in western NC with her husband and their
children, she considers each day a blessing. A note from Jeanne: If you or someone you know have experienced an abortion--please know that there is forgiveness in Christ. Often, we keep this secret buried but when we bring it to the Light of Christ, He can bring healing. There is hope in the cross. There is counsel available so that you can be freed from unresolved feelings that arise after this experience. Contact your local Christian crisis pregnancy center for post abortion help. You are loved and prayed for....
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