A reminder for us of why we do this ministry. . .

Jessie’s birth mother was homeless and pregnant when she came to MWC. She chose adoption for her son, and we recently got the following note from his adoptive family.


Jesse – 10 years old – conquered his fear and was the first candle lighter of Advent this year. At his autism assessment last week they asked him what his three main wishes are. He said:

1. That we would be able to adopt this new baby.
2. That there would be more Christians in this world.
3. I have no idea what else – no idea at all.

He totally threw them for a loop, as the 'right' answers were toys, games, and other things that he wanted to own. He scored low on their scale but shot off the top of mine.

Thank you, God, for trusting us with this wonderful son!

update: Health Care Bill

The U.S. Senate just defeated the Nelson-Hatch amendment which would have blocked the government from paying for abortions in the health care reform bill.

Despite the fact that most Americans do NOT want our government to pay for abortions with their money, the Senate caved in to pressure from Planned Parenthood and abortion industry lobbyists.

The Senate health care reform bill -- which is on the verge of being passed into law -- would result in a massive government-funded bailout of the abortion industry and the largest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade!

To respond swiftly to this crisis, the 70+ pro-life and pro-family organizations that make up the Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition are joining together tomorrow night, December 15, on a huge nationwide webcast -- and your attendance is crucial.

Here are the details:
* WHAT: Stop the Abortion Mandate Urgent Webcast
* DATE: Tuesday, December 15
* TIME: 9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific

Register now at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast

During the live webcast, you'll hear the latest breaking news from a panel of nationally respected leaders gathered together in Washington, D.C.

Expert presenters include:
* MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
* TONY PERKINS, Family Research Council
* KRISTAN HAWKINS, Students for Life of America
* CHARMAINE YOEST, Americans United for Life
* DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee
* KRISTEN DAY, Democrats for Life
* WENDY WRIGHT, Concerned Women for America
* DAVID BEREIT, 40 Days for Life

During the live event, you will discover:
* the latest updates straight from our nation's capital,
* the shocking implications of the bill that the abortion industry is trying to ram through the United States Senate right now,
* why respected leaders, national organizations, and pro-life people are joining together in record numbers to block this attempted power-grab,
* how you can make a difference at this crucial moment,
... and much more!

Register for the important webcast now: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/webcast

P.S.- Even if you can't participate in the live webcast, go ahead and register because the entire event will be recorded. Our system will automatically allocate your spot to someone else, and as soon as your recording is ready (probably shortly after the end of the webcast) you'll be notified by e-mail.

WORLD Magazine's 2009 Daniel of the Year

WORLD's 12th annual Daniel of the Year does not save lives abroad, as Britain's Caroline Cox and Sudan's Michael Yerko do. Nor does he regularly save lives of the unborn, as Florida's Wanda Cohn does through her pregnancy center work. No, Stephen C. Meyer, director of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, fights to show that those lives have eternal value because they are the work of a Creator and not the product of chance.

This fall Meyer came out with a full account of what science has learned in recent decades: Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (Harper One, 2009) shows that the cell is incredibly complex and the code that directs its functions wonderfully designed. His argument undercuts macroevolution, the theory that one kind of animal over time evolves into a very different kind. Meyer thus garners media scorn for raining on this year's huge celebration of the birth of Charles Darwin 200 years ago and the publication of On the Origin of Species 150 years ago.

Read the rest of the article here.

PRAY HARD and CONTACT YOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With the bare minimum needed, Senate Democrats voted on Saturday night to begin the official debate and amendment process for a health care reform bill that allows for massive abortion funding. The measure sponsored by Senate leader Harry Reid could fund hundreds of thousands of abortions. The vote split entirely on party lines with 60 Democrats voting to break the Republican filibuster supported by 39 party members in the Senate.

Several Democrats who may ultimately vote against the bill supported cloture to end debate on the Motion to Proceed.

They included Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, the only Democrats in the Senate who call themselves pro-life and pro-abortion Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, who joins then in wanting a Stupak-like amendment to ban the abortion funding.

Democrats in swing states, like Arkansas' Blanche Lincoln and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and independent Sen. Joe Lieberman -- each of whom could ultimately vote against the bill -- also supported cloture and the Motion to Proceed on debate. They said they hope to see the bill amended to correct some of their concerns.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said the best opportunity to change the bill is to defeat it.

"The best opportunity to change the bill would be at the beginning," he said. "Denying the majority leader the vote he needs to start the bill would have empowered any Democratic senator who is truly interested in making a change, whether the change was on abortion [or other issues] ... The time of maximum leverage would have been prior to tonight's vote."

The abortion funding comes in both the public option as well as through the affordability credits.

Americans United for Life Action president Charmaine Yoest talked with LifeNews.com about the vote.

“Senator Reid’s bill provides for an unprecedented expansion of federally-funded abortion," she said. "The majority of Americans who oppose federal funding of abortion will not stand for policies that force them into paying for abortions under the guise of health care reform.”

She said the bill contains five major threats to pro-life principles.

Read the rest of the story here.

Abortion funding IS in new bill

If you've been following the health care debate over the past few weeks, you know that government funding of abortion has taken center stage.

And the battle is just beginning!

Last week, the House of Representatives passed their version of the health care bill and -- thanks to your hard work -- at the eleventh hour, Members voted to include the Stupak-Pitts Amendment which blocked the abortion mandate and maintained the status quo by ensuring that government funds will not be used to pay for abortions or abortion coverage.

The second wave of this fight began last night in the U.S. Senate when Majority Leader Harry Reid released his 2,074 page version of the Senate health care reform bill -- at an estimated price of $890 BILLION.

This bill does NOT include the Stupak-Pitts language and instead does the exact opposite of Stupak-Pitts.

While Stupak-Pitts would have ensured that elective abortion was kept out of the public plan, the Senate language explicitly authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Kathleen Sebelius, raging abortion advocate from Kansas) to include abortion in the public option.

While Stupak-Pitts would prohibit government subsidies from contributing to insurance policies that include elective abortion, the Senate language permits government subsidies for plans that pay for abortion.

Even MSNBC reported this morning that the Senate bill "would allow the new government insurance plan to cover abortions and would let companies that receive federal funds offer insurance plans that include abortion coverage."

Bottom-line: the proposed Senate health care reform bill DOES include government funding of abortion -- as long as the President's appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services wants it.

Experts believe that the vote on "Cloture" -- which would cut off debate and force the bill to the Senate floor -- will happen this week, probably on Saturday.

This is THE VOTE, as 60 votes can invoke "Cloture" on the health care reform bill. If that passes, only a simple majority will be needed to ram through the entire health care bill -- even if it still includes government-funded abortion.

Contact your two U.S. Senators TODAY and tell them:
"Unless any health care bill includes the Stupak- Pitts language -- at a BARE MINIMUM -- a vote for Cloture is a vote for government funded abortion!"

Act now:
http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

Don't be fooled! Led by Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion chain (that stands to rake in billions of dollars from the current health care proposals) abortion proponents have been mobilizing to ensure that the Stupak-Pitts Amendment will not make it into the Senate health care bill.

Don't take our word for it. See for yourself:
http://www.plannedparenthood.org

They are distorting the facts, saying that the Stupak-Pitts Amendment deviates from the "status quo." Nothing could be further from the truth -- and they know it. The status quo since 1973 is that the government does not pay for abortions due to the Hyde Amendment.

This position is supported by a strong majority of Americans. CNN released a poll yesterday confirming that "six in ten Americans favor a ban on the use of federal funds for abortion."

But the House health care bill -- before the Stupak-Pitts Amendment was added -- bypassed the Hyde Amendment and, as media sources confirmed, would have directly funded abortion with government dollars.

The Stupak-Pitts Amendment maintains the status quo position supported by the majority of Americans.

To clear up any confusion, a side-by-side comparison of the Hyde Amendment and the Stupak-Pitts Amendment has been created so you can see for yourself that Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry are being blatantly dishonest:
http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

Now it's time to act!
Contact your two U.S. Senators TODAY and tell them:
"Unless any health care bill includes the Stupak- Pitts language -- at a BARE MINIMUM -- a vote for Cloture is a vote for government-funded abortion!"

For Life,

Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition
http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

A Newborn's Conversation with God

Thanks to MWC board member Jennifer Moreau for sending the following. She's right when she says that it is precious and goes to the heart of MWC!

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to Earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"
God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"
God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"
God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking her life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."
God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard, and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, 'Mom'."

Give to the Max Day is tomorrow!

Help our organization expand our Amazing Grace Maternity Home Fund on Tuesday, November 17, and have your gift matched!

Support Metro Women's Center on Give to the Max Day, Tuesday, November 17 when half a million dollars will be on the table for 24 hours (or until $500,000 has been given away) to nonprofits through www.giveMN.org. The giving begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp!

GiveMN.org is the new online resource that helps Minnesotans discover, support and engage with charities like Metro Women's Center. Please visit Metro Women's Center at GiveMN.org. Click DONATE to show your support.

More About November 17 ... day intended to inspire unprecedented levels of charitable giving in the state of Minnesota!

Give to the Max Day will feature ...
... zero transaction costs. Transaction costs for gifts made on Give to the Max Day at GiveMN will be covered, so 100 percent of gifts will go straight to nonprofits.
... the perfect match. Every donation made on Give to the Max Day at GiveMN will receive a portion of a $500,000 match*.
... a little friendly competition. Grants will be awarded to the three nonprofits that have the largest number of individuals who make donations during Give to the Max Day at GiveMN.

Maximize your contribution!
Maximize your impact!
Maximize the power of online giving!

Give to the Max Day begins at 8 a.m. on November 17 and ends at 8 a.m. on November 18. To be eligible for Give to the Max Day incentives, all donations must be made to Minnesota nonprofits through GiveMN.

*The exact amount matched per dollar donated will be determined after Give to the Max Day concludes, and the $500,000 in matching funds will be divided by the total donation amount raised over the 24-hour period.

Thanks so much for helping us help women!

Obama Will Remove Abortion Funding Ban From Health Care Bill, Advisor Says

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com)

-- Top Obama advisor David Axelrod on Sunday confirmed what pro-life advocates already suspected would happen. He said President Barack Obama will work with congressional Democrats to remove the abortion funding ban the House approved in its version of the government-run health care bill.

Axelrod says that, because the Stupak amendment allegedly goes beyond the status quo under the Hyde amendment (which bans abortion funding under Medicaid), Obama will make sure the amendment is yanked during the conference committee. That's the part of the legislative process that will occur if and when the Senate approves its own health care bill, which will likely start debate with abortion funding.

"The president has said repeatedly, and he said in his speech to Congress, that he doesn't believe that this bill should change the status quo as it relates to the issue of abortion," Axelrod said today on CNN's State of the Union program. "This shouldn't be a debate about abortion. And he's going to work with Senate and the House to try and ensure that at the end of the day, the status quo is not changed," he added. "I believe that there are discussions ongoing to how to adjust it accordingly."

Axelrod said that an agreement with ruling Democrats in Congress to remove the ban on taxpayer funding of abortions "can and will be worked through before it reaches his desk."

Full story at LifeNews.com

This Obscene Silence

This Obscene Silence
by Jeff Ostrander

Eerie, isn’t it?
This sense of well-being?
This sleepy, dreamy ocean of regularity
that gently laps against our consciousness;
cautioning against extremes, reciting the need for security,
reminding of little jobs to be done around the house;
all in a voice so smooth and steady and faint
that we hear no voice at all.

This tender wooing toward self-absorption
does not deny the reality of bigger principles;
ideas that brave men might swallow death to defend.
No, the quiet voice commends such ideas as marvelous,
acknowledges their defenders to be saints and heroes.
“Amazing people,” it croons, “People of destiny.”
“Worthy of admiration, not the normal sort like us.”

And so our hunger for justice is lost.
Not demolished, but disarmed.
Not attacked, but abstracted beyond use.
Like a highly-polished sword,
glimmering in the museum
while the unprotected city
is slaughtered outside.

“Jesus loves the little children.”
Of course. And here they are,
being dismembered all over town.
Too bad, really. Someone should do something.
Seems like the saints and heroes
would have shown up by now.

It is quiet in the city, quiet in the churches.
We have built a peace that dying children do not disturb.
Funny, isn’t it, how life goes on?

“Deliver those who are drawn toward death,
And hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.
If you say, “Surely we did not know this,”
Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it?
He who keeps your soul, does He not know it?
And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?”
Proverbs 24:11-12

“Defend the poor and fatherless;
Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Deliver the poor and needy;
Free them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:3-4

House Approves Stupak-Pitts Amendment

All of your letters and calls paid off!

The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Stupak-Pitts Amendment to H.R. 3962, by a vote of 240 to 194, with 64 Democratic members voting in favor of the amendment to ban federal funding of abortion in the health care bill.

This is a great victory for the pro-life movement and for all SBA List members who so diligently contacted their Representatives leading up to the vote. With the adoption of the Stupak-Pitts Amendment, the House of Representatives made a principled and sound decision to continue our nation’s long-standing policy of protecting taxpayers’ consciences in the area of abortion funding.

In the coming weeks, we will remain vigilant and shift our efforts to the Senate to ensure that these same pro-life protections are included in the Senate bill. We fully expect that pro-abortion leaders will still try to find ways to sneak abortion funding into health care.

For now, though, let's celebrate this great victory for unborn children and women. Thank you for all of your efforts in defense of LIFE. Together we can save countless unborn lives.

Follow up from Stop the Abortion Mandate Coalition

"Abortion may imperil health bill" screamed the Washington Post headline this morning -- following last night's massive "Stop the Abortion Mandate" webcast that brought over 11,000 pro-lifers together with only 13 hours' notice. If you missed the live event, the entire audio recording has now been posted online at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

During the recording of the live event, you'll hear from nationally respected leaders including:

* REP. CHRIS SMITH, U.S. House of Representatives
* MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List
* CHARMAINE YOEST, Americans United for Life
* KRISTAN HAWKINS, Students for Life of America
* DAVID BEREIT, 40 Days for Life
* WENDY WRIGHT, Concerned Women for America
* DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee
* KRISTEN DAY, Democrats for Life
* DEIRDRE MCQUADE, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
* DR. DAVID STEVENS, Christian Medical & Dental Associations

During the recording, you will:

* Hear the LATEST UPDATES straight from our nation's capital...
* Learn exactly how abortion IS mandated in the proposed health care reform bills...
* ...And discover what YOU can do about it!

Listen now at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

Don't stop calling your elected officials! Don't stop e-mailing your representatives! The time is NOW to tell Congress:
"Remove all abortion funding and mandates from health care reform!"
Abortion is NOT health care, and our government should NOT fund it.

In addition to listening to the webcast recording, please also watch and forward this 2-minute video of many of the pro-life leaders you heard from last night talking about how crucial this battle is for the pro-life movement:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RD7hJhwy5g

As you heard last night, if the health care bill passes in its current form, it will be the largest expansion of abortion on demand since Roe v. Wade.

THIS week is CRUCIAL!

If you haven't called your Member of Congress this week, do it now. If you haven't e-mailed your member of Congress this week, do it now.

ACTION ITEMS:

1.) Listen to the Stop the Abortion Mandate webcast recording at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

2.) Contact your Representative and two Senators and tell them to remove all abortion funding and mandates from health care reform. Contact your Members here: http://tinyurl.com/yg6jot5

3.) Spread the word about the abortion mandate in health care reform by asking friends, family members, co-workers, and fellow believes to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RD7hJhwy5g

4.) Pray for our elected officials. Pray that our nation -- founded on the inalienable right to life -- does not allow its government to fund the destruction of human life at its most vulnerable stage.

WORLDMag.com: Grassroots Pro-Lifers

ABORTION: A new report examines the role pregnancy centers have played in women’s lives over the last 40 years | by Emily Belz

Door of Hope, Astoria, Ore. (AP/Photo by Rick Bowmer)

WASHINGTON—In the wake of concentrated campaigns against crisis pregnancy centers—which detractors have termed “fake clinics”—a new report details the healthcare service they provide for women.

The Family Research Council, Care Net, Heartbeat International, LIFE International, and The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates commissioned the study over two years ago, one of the first of its kind. It examines the role that 2,300 “pregnancy resource centers” (PRCs) across the country have had since the first center opened in California in 1968. The report describes community-based, faith-based organizations that provide not just medical services but also counseling for 1.9 million women in unintended pregnancies annually.

Read the rest of the story here.

Anti-abortion activist shot in front of Owosso High School

OWOSSO, Michigan -- State police at the Corunna post have confirmed a well-known anti-abortion activist was shot multiple times and killed this morning in front of Owosso High School.

Read the rest of the story here and here.

Stunning New Video

Thanks to YOU, the pro-life movement is making great progress in turning up the pressure on President Obama, abortion industry lobbyists, and their allies in Congress who are trying to hijack the health care reform debate to mandate taxpayer funding of abortion coverage ...

... But your help is needed TODAY to keep the momentum moving forward until the abortion mandate is stopped in its tracks!

The largest pro-life coalition against the abortion mandate in health care, www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com just released a stunning new video showcasing many respected pro-life leaders voicing their concerns about President Obama's health care bill.

To see the size and scope of the unified stance against the abortion mandate in Obama's health care reform plans, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RD7hJhwy5g

We need to send a clear message to President Obama and abortion advocates in Congress that abortion is NOT health care and that Americans do NOT want to pay for taxpayer funded abortions -- or be forced into health plans with mandatory abortion coverage.

Planned Parenthood and the rest of the abortion industry stand to make BILLIONS of dollars if these health care reform proposals pass in their current form -- and they are trying everything possible to make sure abortion is included in health care.

Don't be fooled! Just because President Obama is now saying that they might drop the public option in health care reform, keep in mind that abortion will STILL be covered --unless we all continue to stand up for the unborn and clearly tell our elected officials to keep abortion completely out of health care.

**ACTION ITEMS**

To help Stop the Abortion Mandate, here's what you need to do RIGHT NOW:

1.) Send this video to everyone you know and post it on any web sites or blogs you can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RD7hJhwy5g

2.) Find out where your Representative and Senators are holding town hall meetings by going to: http://stoptheabortionmandate.com/take-action/townhall

3.) Attend those town hall meetings and respectfully and ask your elected officials if they will oppose any health care bill that mandates taxpayer-funded abortion and forces Americans into health plans that mandate abortion coverage.

4.) Download the Stop the Abortion Mandate August Action Tool Kit to get all the talking points, rebuttal statements, and tips you need: http://www.stoptheabortionmandate.com/actionkit.pdf

5.) Contact your Representative and Senators and request a personal meeting before September 4 to tell them to keep abortion OUT of health care.

For more information and more action items, visit: StopTheAbortionMandate.com

We have a real shot at stopping this abortion mandate if we act swiftly. Will you join us?
--StopTheAbortionMandate.com Coalition

Stop the Abortion Mandate

from our friends at Stop the Abortion Mandate:

36,187 pro-life Americans united in an unprecedented fashion for the "Stop the Abortion Mandate" webcast event -- and the timing could not have been better.

News is breaking in Washington that the House of Representatives WILL be voting before August recess on the health care reform bill that would:
* Result in the biggest expansion of abortion since the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision...
* Force YOU to pay for abortions through your tax dollars -- something 71% of Americans oppose...
* Implement a cornerstone of FOCA -- the Freedom of Choice Act -- that would lead to a massive, taxpayer-subsidized abortion industry bailout...
* Force you and virtually all Americans into health plans with mandatory abortion coverage (health care reform legislation must explicitly exclude abortion in writing or else abortion automatically becomes a minimum required benefit.)

It is very important that you -- and record numbers of people -- do 2 things RIGHT NOW:
1. E-MAIL your Representative and 2 Senators and tell them in no uncertain terms: "Keep abortion out of health care! Any health care reform bill must include language that explicitly excludes abortion." It's easy to do -- just go to: http://www.stoptheabortionmandate.com/email
2. CALL the Washington office and the local office of your Representative and 2 Senators to say: "Keep abortion out of health care. I urge you to oppose any health care bill unless abortion is explicitly excluded." Get tips and look up your elected officials at: http://www.stoptheabortionmandate.com/call

If each of us does these two things today -- and encourages others to do these things -- we can make a powerful impact at a crucial moment.

After you've sent your e-mails and made your calls, be sure to listen to the entire recorded replay of the webcast at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com

You can listen online even if you have a dial-up Internet connection or you can download the MP3 file to listen on your iPod or computer or burn CDs to share with others.

The powerful presentations from 19 respected and nationally-known leaders will fill you with hope!

For more facts, talking points, and action items, get the Stop the Abortion Mandate "Action Guide" at: http://www.StopTheAbortionMandate.com/action.pdf
Share that document with everyone you can.

Let's press on together to ensure that abortion is kept out of health care!

On the Road

On Saturday, Steve and I traveled "up-north" to visit two supporting churches--Boy River Log Chapel and Pine River Baptist Church. What wonderful folks in both churches! Please pray for these small churches. They have big desire to minister the Word of God to their communities and face many challenges. We thank the Lord for their commitment to LIFE!

In Boy River we had the opportunity to "put a line" in the water, as Pastor Gonczy put it, to see if anything would bite. I tested out my courage and learned to ride a four-wheeler. It was a blast and even with the bugs and wood ticks, it was worth it! As you can see from the attached photos, we were not very successful, but we enjoyed the scenery and the great fellowship!

“Counterfeit Pro-Lifer” Murders George Tiller, Late Term Abortionist

The murder of Dr. George Tiller, a late-term abortionist in Wichita on Sunday was a crime against life. If it was undertaken for the sake of the sanctity of human life, the perpetrator is a misguided, “counterfeit” pro-lifer. This person’s impulsive, irresponsible actions have placed pro-life gains, painstakingly achieved over the past 20 years, at great risk. The advocates of choice now have fresh fodder for a public relations campaign that says, "See, pro-lifers are fanatics and terrorists."

If it was a counterfeit pro-lifer who did the killing, he acted outside the biblical mandate of "Thou shalt not kill," by disregarding the sacredness of Dr. Tiller's life. Before the Lord, the perpetrator will someday stand in condemnation for the same Scriptural violation he was attempting to stop the doctor from committing. Can you say “Hypocrisy”?

First, this counterfeit pro-lifer eliminated any possibility of Dr. Tiller repenting of his involvement in the abortion industry. Many former abortionists and clinic workers have repented and become strong advocates for the unborn because they know the reality of abortion, up close and personal. Sadly, Dr. Tiller's legacy will now be as a martyr for choice rather than as an advocate for life.

God will eventually bring an end to the practice of abortion in our culture. Until that happens, real pro-life advocates must continue to work for changes in the laws regulating abortion and to offer positive life-affirming support and encouragement to those considering abortion. We must use this occasion to recommit ourselves to working within the law – God’s and man’s – and patiently waiting for God to effect changes according to His timetable.

Therefore, secondly, the person who terminated Dr. Tiller's life took on a responsibility that was not his to take -- that of being judge and executioner of another human being. Ironically, by taking on this role, the killer did exactly what real pro-lifers try and encourage men and women facing unplanned pregnancies not to do--to terminate another’s life because the person is inconvenient. The killer must not have read that memo. In fact, he rejected the widely accepted wisdom of pro-life leaders who uniformly reject the use of violence and placed himself outside the mainstream pro-life movement.

Thirdly, the murder of the doctor removed a husband, father, and grandfather from his family. Their grief must be overwhelming. I don't know what position Dr. Tiller's family took about abortion; that doesn’t matter. What matters is that they are now a grieving family, and that grief was inflicted on them by a “counterfeit pro-lifer” whose actions are reprehensible and shameful. He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Bible teaches us to, as much as is possible, live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18). Our actions as pro-life representatives should speak the truth about abortion, with kindness and compassion, to all who will hear. Let’s leave the final judgment of others where it belongs: at the throne of God.

Colleen Tronson
Director, Metro Women’s Center
6418 Bass Lake Road
Crystal, MN 55428
763-377-3955


Read another pro-life response here.

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty has signed a life-saving bill, SF 2083. This bill prohibits state funds toward human cloning that would have destoyed the sanctity of life in Minnesota.

We at Americans United for Life Action encourage all Minnesotans to thank Governor Pawlenty for standing up for life and human dignity.

We have set up a quick and easy way for you to do this on our website. A sample letter is ready to go if you don't want to write anything yourself. Just click on the following link to thank Governor Pawlenty:

Thank the Governor now!

MWC Reads . . .

PCC List, a service of Baptists for Life to pregnancy care centers.
There is tons of great stuff here!

Exchanging good for evil

Did you ever wonder why . . .

. . . men don’t have a say about protecting a “pregnancy” from an abortion, but they can be forced by law to pay child support for the same “pregnancy” if it is brought to term?

. . . a woman doesn’t have to consult a man about the decision to abort a “pregnancy”, but in some states she must notify him if she wants to make an adoption plan for the same “pregnancy”?

. . . if a pregnant woman tries to kill herself but only succeeds in ending the “pregnancy”, she may be charged with homicide?

. . . be hit by a car while walking to an abortion clinic to terminate her “pregnancy” and the pregnant woman and the “pregnancy” are both fatalities, the driver may be charged with double vehicular homicide?

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!”
Isaiah 5:20-21 (NKJV)

HealthPartners’ Clinic Campaign

40 Days for Life Twin Cities focused on HealthPartners’ Regions Hospital. The truth of HealthPartners and abortion now needs to be shared in front its clinics in the Metro area.

Why? Most HealthPartners’ members do not get their health care at Regions Hospital. They are unaware that HealthPartners’ Regions Hospital has a dedicated abortion facility within Regions Hospital, which HealthPartners owns and operates, and their medical premiums are supporting an HMO that kills children up to 20 weeks!

Bringing this truth to neighborhood clinics will help to convince more HealthPartners’ members to write Mary Brainerd, HealthPartners’ CEO, and the board of directors to demand that HealthPartners get out of the abortion business completely. By proclaiming the truth we can recruit more prayer warriors to pray for the end of abortion at Regions Hospital. By proclaiming the truth we can encourage pro-life employees of HealthPartners to stand up for life in their workplace and let them know they are not alone!

This effort will be a prayerful and peaceful presentation of the truth at neighborhood HealthPartners’ clinics. You will not have to sidewalk counsel. You only have to stand on a public sidewalk or right of way and pray, hold a sign, and give out informational literature.

Please review the schedule below and decide at which clinic you will join us. Contact us if you plan to participate, and watch your email for updates about transportation, how to get signs/brochures, and where to stand. Thank you for your participation, working together with other caring believers, “Stopping Abortion One Life at a Time”.

In Him,
Brian Walker, Program Director
Pro-Life Action Ministries
651-771-1500 brian.walker@plam.org

Clinic Schedule Follows:

All times & dates listed below are for Tuesday, AM or PM only.

Woodbury Clinic
8450 Seasons P’wy
Woodbury, MN 55125
10:00 AM May 19

Woodbury Eye Clinic
8325 Seasons P’way
Woodbury, MN 55125
10:00 AM May 26

White Bear Lake
1430 Hwy 96 East
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
10:00 AM & 5:00 PM June 2

West Clinic
5100 Gamble Drive Ste 100
Saint Louis Park, MN 55416
10:00 AM June 9

Saint Paul Clinic
205 South Wabasha St.
Saint Paul, MN 55107
10:00 AM June 16

North Suburban Family Physicians
2831 N. Snelling Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55113
10:00 AM June 23

Riverside Clinic
2220 Riverside Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
10:00 AM June 30

Midway Clinic
451 North Dunlap St.
Saint Paul, MN 55104
10:00 AM July 1

Maplewood Clinic
2165 White Bear Ave. N
Maplewood, MN 55109
10:00 AM July 7

Arden Woods Eye Clinic
4105 Lexington Ave N Ste 250
Arden Hills, MN 55112
10:00 AM July 14

Health Center for Women
2635 University Ave Ste 160
Saint Paul, MN 55114
10:00 AM July 21

Coon Rapids Clinic
11475 Robinson Drive NW
Coon Rapids, MN 55433
5:30 PM July 28

Como Clinic
2500 Como Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55108
11:00 AM August 4

Center for International Health
451 N. Dunlap St
Saint Paul, MN 55104
10:00 AM August 11

Brooklyn Center Clinic
6845 Lee Ave N.
Brooklyn Center, MN 55429
10:00 AM August 18

Bloomington Clinic
8600 Nicollet Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55420
11:00 AM August 25

Regions Hospital
640 Jackson St
Saint Paul, MN 55101
6:15 PM September 1

Adult and Seniors Health Specialty Clinic
401 Phalen Blvd
Saint Paul, MN 55130
10:00 AM and 4:30 PM September 8

Parkway Clinic
3366 Oakdale Ave N, Ste 200
Robbinsdale, MN 55422
11:00 AM September 15

Day Before Mother's Day – Time to Mourn, Time to Heal

Uptown Fellowship procession organizers say they are hoping for upward of 300 vehicles to join in a symbolic funeral procession through the Uptown community, Saturday, May 9, the day before Mother’s Day, to mourn the victims of abortion in Minnesota.

Anyone who is concerned about the lives lost to abortion is invited to participate.

"Billed as a 'Procession of Healing', the event is intended to focus on grieving the loss of life from abortion. It is a place to find mercy, through forgiveness, for the decision that has brought regret, and to begin a process of healing and restoration," said Brian Hammond, local pastor from Uptown Fellowship, one of several local churches and organizations expected to participate.

“Our aim is to separate ourselves from the politics that has brought so much controversy,” Hammond said. "This is not a political message, or to prove a point," added Hammond. "It is what it is. It is a funeral; a time to remember, grieve, and bring closure to a precious life."

Hammond added that “anyone impacted by abortion is invited to come grieve and seek closure during the procession scheduled for 10 am, Saturday, May 9. The procession is also intended to recognize the average of 15,000 abortions in Minnesota each year, as estimated by the Minnesota Department of Health."

"Steve Fatow, pastor of Trinity Chapel, Knoxville, Tennessee, had the original vision for the first Procession of Healing held last year in Knoxville," said Hammond. "This year the procession will take place once again in Knoxville and in five other locations, including Minneapolis."

"Fatow shared his vision last October in Minneapolis," said Anita Jenssen, Communications Director for Procession of Healing, Minneapolis. "His message grabbed my heart and I knew I had to get involved."

"Living through the sorrow of abortion is something I know first hand," said Jenssen, "and a choice I now regret. Though I knew I could accept God's forgiveness, the grieving and healing was painful and slow. Because of my shame, I walked through it alone," Jenssen said.

"This procession is an opportunity for everyone involved with abortion to know that God still loves you and your child," said Jenssen, "and to realize that help and hope are within reach."

"We want everyone to know, God loves you and wants to heal you from the choice you now regret. He will forgive you. He is always willing and desires to reach out and heal you," echoed Hammond.

Uptown Fellowship is working with local area churches and organizations to get the word out. Uptown has created a web site that offers counseling options and abortion alternatives.

State Chaplain Dan Hall, provider of chaplain support to legislators and staff at the Minnesota Capitol, told Hammond, "This procession is vitally important for the healing of so many who have been hurt through abortion. This needs to be an annual event." Hall, himself a father of eight, has offered to help raise awareness of the event.

The procession will be led by a hearse, donated by Premier Coach Sales and chauffeured by owner Paul Holmberg.

The procession itself will not include signs or banners of any sort, Hammond explained. Each vehicle will be simply marked with a black flag with a white cross.

Sue Keenan, Spokesperson for Procession of Healing, Minneapolis, noted that a local funeral chapel has offered to coordinate vehicles prior to the procession.

"Come be a part of the procession," said Hammond. "Join us in the parking lot of Lake Calhoun Executive Center at 3033 Excelsior Boulevard. You will receive a flag to mount on your car. At 10 am, cars will line up, followed by a brief memorial service at 10:30 am, with the procession beginning at 11 am."

"This is a time of heaviness and mourning," Keenan said, "but also a time to begin healing."

Former Client Needs Blood for Leukemia Treatment

A former client of ours, Rhonda Spears-White, has asked me to pass along an opportunity to participate in a blood drive on her behalf.
If you can, please consider going to give blood.

The event will be held at Elim Church:
685 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis.
Please use the main entrance. Signs will be posted.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
From 2-7 pm in the main dining room

The contact person is Ann Bremer. An appointment is desired, but walk-ins are allowed.
Ann's number is 952-939-0350, or email her at bremerann@hotmail.com.

I appreciate your help in this, and God bless you.

Baby Saved By Stranger

Step out in faith; the life you save is someone's grandchild!
Story used with permission.

A couple of years ago I received a frantic call from a man who had just found out that his 17-year-old daughter had gone to court to seek judicial bypass to get an abortion. A stranger had contacted him to let him and his family know what was going on. He was in a panic as to what to do and contacted us for help. We began to pray, and thankfully, he and his wife were able to intervene on behalf of their minor daughter and encourage her not to go forward with the abortion. The baby is now over 2 years of age and is a delight to the family. The daughter has been able to remove herself from the abusive relationship with the baby's dad and is in college and doing well. Praise the Lord that a stranger spoke up!

Judicial Bypass ignores parents' rights to protect their minor children -- In Minnesota for minors to get body piercing or tattoos, minors must have one of their parents or a legal guardian (with legal paperwork proving he or she is the legal guardian) present with them, or a notarized letter of permission from the parent(s), a photocopy of the parent's I.D., and a photo I.D. of their own to prove who they are. But all you need to get an abortion as a minor in Minnesota is a judge's order. The parents are never told about it!

Find out about Judicial Bypass in Minnesota:
Hodgson_v._Minnesota
The Impact of Parent Notification Laws

New Drama about Abortion -- worth checking out!

My friend, Jeremy Stanbary, has a production company called Epiphany Studios. He is a talented actor and has created a drama called "The Vitae (Life) Monologues" from interviews he has done with men and women who have been affected emotionally, spiritually, and physically by abortion. While Jeremy is Catholic in background, this drama does not promote Catholicism. It exposes the aftermath of abortion and points people to Christ.

Jeremy interviewed me and others and has woven our stories together into a powerful piece that I would recommend you view. This is not a political or religious drama; it explores the rationalizations and justifications we had/have for choosing abortion; it exposes the lie that choosing abortion "helps" men and women; it blows the lid off the cover-up that after abortion, things will be "normal" again.

Through the use of the real stories of those of us who have been left drowning in abortion's wake, the truth about the reality of "choice" is laid bare. After this truth is exposed, the truth about the forgiveness of God for sinners and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ to heal and restore those who are suffering becomes the ultimate focus of the piece.

The drama is available to be used in many settings. It is 80 minutes long, with a shorter version available for schools. This production is not for the faint of heart. While not graphic in imagery, the stories told are powerful and gripping, yet not "sensationalized". Jeremy has handled the material with care and sensitivity. I encourage you to check out the promo. Maybe you could use this as a pro-life outreach in your community to expose abortion for what it is: a lie from the pit of Hell, used to attack the image-bearers of God.

Thanks, Jeremy, for investing in this project!

View the promo: www.youtube.com/EpiphanyStudio

If you're interested in having one of Epiphany's professional, inspirational, and educational plays performed at your church, school, college, conference, youth event, or fundraising event, please click here to visit their website and view/download booking information.

Epiphany Studio Productions
2527 University Ave. NE #2
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55418
Tel. (651) 336-3302
www.EpiphanyStudio.com

Post-Abortion Recovery Classes Starting Third Week of June

Call 612-746-5663 and talk to Therese or go to www.conquerorspostabortion.org.

Link to prayer calendars for PCC's around the country!

Please pray for the welfare of PCC staff and volunteers. Pray for the spiritual support of local churches, for unity of purpose and partnership in ministry. The May and June calendars are posted on the web – follow this link: http://www.bfl.org/AboutUs/PrayerCalendar.aspx

A Day in the Life of a Pregnancy Care Center

from Sue Ellen Doenier:

A day in the life of a Pregnancy Care Center can be an emotional and spiritual roller-coaster. Each day carries potential for great joy and great loss. Every encounter with a new client brings a unique challenge. There are clients who come once and are never seen again and others who return often for multiple pregnancies; some who listen, accept help, and make life-affirming changes and others who use the system to get what they want. Clients come for pregnancy tests, post-abortion counseling, material help, parenting classes, encouragement, and answers.

It’s hoped that each client will be met with compassion, truthful information, and an opportunity to hear about forgiveness and a new life in Jesus Christ. When this truth hits home, there is cause for celebration and deep satisfaction in being part of God’s ministry.

But often words meant to instill comfort, hope, and insight are met with defiance or apathy. Many clients act according to their own “wisdom” – which can easily lead a volunteer counselor down a path of disappointment and discouragement. When abortions are carried out, the volunteer counselor may be the first or only one grieving loss of life, and volunteers can become prey to false guilt, asking themselves, “What if…”

Even with its challenges, volunteering at the Center is a good way to gain perspective. It offers a different outlook on life and another reason to be thankful. It presents an opportunity to forge a relationship with someone for whom Christ died. It hones listening skills and strengthens a believer’s ability to share the gospel. In the course of a day, a volunteer is involved in situations where his or her strengths and flaws surface. How will he or she handle the temptation to judge someone who has made ungodly choices? It’s a good way to get to know yourself.

So who are PCC workers? Are they extraordinary people? Spiritual giants? No, they are just sinners, saved by grace, wanting to share the love of Christ, realizing they have been saved to serve, believing that they “can do all things through Christ.” They are people who have their own set of circumstances to deal with, but believe that God is at work through it all to build His kingdom.

Remembering Jelani Brinson

On April 17 Jelani Brinson went missing; on April 25 his body was discovered in a pond at a golf course. As of yet, the cause of death is not known. Jelani was a client of Metro Women's Center, but he was also a friend of my son, Lewis. They graduated from Fourth Baptist Christian School together and played soccer together. Jelani and his girlfriend, Dena, have a 9 month old daughter, Zion, and were working on their relationship and raising their daughter together, yet living apart.

Arrangements: A wake will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Peter Claver Church, 375 Oxford St. N., in St. Paul, followed by a funeral at noon Friday.

I have been thinking a lot about Jelani this week, as I am sure many people have. I was thinking about his quick smile and his inquisitive mind as he tried to "dig" deep to figure out this whole "God" thing. He was not content with a simple answer to a question about spiritual things. He made me think about "why" I believe what I believe.

I remember he and Dena coming to my office one day after Zion's birth. Both Dena and Jelani had big smiles of pride as they watched their daughter. They did let me hold Zion, but it was not long before Jelani said, "Ok, give her back." In this ministry it is refreshing to find young men who delight in their children. So many of my clients go through their pregnancies without any support from the father of the child. While the relationship was not perfect, both Dena and Jelani were trying to figure out what the next part of their lives would look like as they raised Zion.

I have been struggling to understand the removal from the life of someone who clearly was seeking to do right by his child and to understand what the purpose of his life should be. Maybe there is no answer for this, other than the fact that God allows what He allows for His purposes.

from To Glorify God by Dr. Nell Collins:

When we don't understand the "why" we can remember that:
His way is perfect: Psalm 18:30a, Romans 4:20, Luke 10:21b.
We can trust Him: Proverbs 3:5-6.
He has full authority in our lives: 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
Peace and quietness will come as we depend upon Him: Isaiah 26:3-4.

Here are my random thoughts as to what might come out of this situation:
Maybe Jelani's death will cause others to stop what they are doing that is displeasing to the Lord and turn to Him in repentance.
Maybe there are family members who need to understand God in a more personal way who will be changed by his death.
Maybe there are strangers who will be touched by this story who will make changes in their broken human relationships and renew or begin a relationship with God.
Maybe there will be fathers, young and old, who are not connected with their children, who will take another look at what is important and reconnect with them.
Maybe his death will cause us all to slow down and help each other.

Someone said once, "Grief can not be DRY-CLEANED away; it must be WASHED away with tears." We are grieving; God knows and cares.

I was thinking that everything that happens to us either conforms us or deforms us. We each have to decide which it will be. The Word says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that, good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

I pray that Jelani's death will have an impact, I know it has caused me to ponder many things. God uses everything in our lives to accomplish His purposes (Romans 8:28-29); He gives, withholds, or removes things for His purposes.

Here are some more thoughts from To Glorify God by Dr. Nell Collins regarding a Biblical approach to loss and grief:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 says:
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."

What this means to us:
GOD assures us what will happen in the future.
We sorrow, but not without hope.
View the unseen rather than the seen.
Focus on the eternal instead of the temporal.
We should have a secure eye on the resurrection.
God's has a plan for those who have been redeemed.

This is an interesting, thought-provoking piece by my friend Jim:

THE BUZZARD:
If you put a buzzard in a pen 6 feet by 8 feet that is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason: a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
THE BAT:
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
THE BUMBLEBEE:
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
PEOPLE:
In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route, and the solution to any problem! Just look up.

Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, but Faith looks up!

"In Times Like These, We Need a Saviour"

This week has been interesting. It feels as though every phone call and client contact has been one of great intensity. It is often that way, as every call can be about life and death at a pregnancy center. This week the calls have seemed especially desperate. I am so thankful to be able to rely on the WORD of God as I seek to help people in crisis. I have been meditating on the hymn sited below in order to help me stay focused this week; maybe it will be an encouragement to you also. I have often told my clients that we need to be "super-glued" to the Rock that is Jesus! I found this great story about holding on to hope. HOPE you enjoy it. too!

The Anchor

In times like these, we need a Savior.
In times like these, we need an anchor.
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds, and grips the Solid Rock

The rock is Jesus, yes He’s the One.
This rock is Jesus, the only One.
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds, and grips the Solid Rock

(“In Times Like These” by Ruth Caye Jones)

One of the most fascinating men who ever lived was a sea captain named James Cook. I have always been interested in reading about him, because I have traveled to many of the places where he explored the world of the late 1700s in a creaky sailing vessel, Resolution, with a sister-ship named Discovery.

I live here in Alaska on a bluff across the bay of Cook Inlet, which goes into Prince William Sound, named by Cook for the English king's third son. Our largest city, Anchorage, lies at its entrance. Captain Cook's two ships anchored here for repairs after a near-disastrous leak had sprung in the Resolution, but on his charts it was called "Cape Hold-with-Hope". They had left England to find the elusive passage from the Pacific to the Atlantic, but it was never found, and afterwards they would head out into the Alaska peninsula, which in turn fractures into the Aleutian chain.

Finding a suitable anchorage always concerns sailors. Along the coast of Cape Horn, in 1578, Sir Francis Drake's chaplain wrote:

"The winds were such as if the bowels of the earth had set all at liberty, or as if all the clouds under heaven had been called together to lay their force upon that one place. The seas...were rolled up from the depths, even from the base of the rocks, as if they had been a scroll of parchment...The impossibility of anchoring or spreading any sail, the most made seas, the lee shores, the dangerous rocks, the contrary and most intolerable winds...all offered us such small likelihood of escaping destruction, that if the special providence of God himself had not supported us, we could never have endured this woeful state..."

Ruth Jones's "In Times Like These" speaks of such situations where all that can be done by man's efforts is exhausted, and were it not for the LORD, we could not make it through our trials to lower our anchor into the safe "Cape Hold-with-Hope".

Surely, all of us are familiar with such moments where terror could overwhelm our minds when all about us we see the waves roaring and rising above our heads. Cook had once been shocked to discover worms had eaten away at his ship, and another time that coral had ripped the hull and ice coated the rigging as they navigated through the icebergs of Antarctica. It was never easy, nor was it ever certain they would return back to England safely. How many times their journals reflect their trust in the Lord.

A word from the Word: “One Lord”

This is an encouraging thought from my friend Jim White:

Verse for the day: Psalm 2.2 “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed.”

The title of Messiah considers the Lord Jesus as the final or greatest of all prophets, the final Priest and the final King. In Psalm 2.2 both God and His Messiah are distinguished. The Apostle John spends considerable time developing the theme of Jesus as God uses the N.T. word “Messias” which is no less than the ANOINTED one.

The whole body of O.T. prophetic Scripture concerning Jehovah’s Coming One (Messiah) who would come to redeem man is involved in these Scriptures. The Messiah, the Christ, is fallen man’s one and only hope. It is to Him that “God gave the Holy Spirit without measure” (John 3.34). In Him was “all the Godhead fully and bodily (Colossians 2.9).

The writer of Hebrews describes our Glorious Lord in the opening verses of the epistle:

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” Hebrews 1.1-3

“If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator;
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist;
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist;
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer;
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.”
Author unknown

JESUS IS THE ANOINTED ONE!

Baby Born!

Yippee! Another baby was born last night! I will never tire of witnessing the miracle of birth--to see a baby emerge from a place of safety, and to realize that this person was created by God from egg and sperm that are invisible to the human eye but when combined form a visible human being! Seeing a birth always helps me refocus on MWC's mission of "Saving babies in Minnesota, one woman at a time."

Let the Record Show:

from Pro-LifeNews.com:

The following is a compilation of bill signings, speeches, appointments and other actions that President Barack Obama has engaged in that have promoted abortion before and during his presidency. While President Obama has promised to reduce abortions, and some of his supporters believe that will happen, this long list proves that his only agenda is promoting more abortions. While President Obama has appointed numerous other abortion advocates to key positions, we only include the appointments that pertain to policies on abortion.

You can find this complete listing online at LifeNews.com.

Post-Election / Pre-Inauguration

• November 5, 2008 - President Obama selects pro-abortion Rep. Rahm Emanuel as his White House Chief of Staff. Emanuel has a 0% pro-life voting record according to National Right to Life.


• November 19, 2008 - President Obama picks pro-abortion former Sen. Tom Daschle as his Health and Human Services Secretary. Daschle has a long pro-abortion voting record according to National Right to Life.


• November 20, 2008 - President Obama chooses former NARAL legal director Dawn Johnsen to serve as a member of his Department of Justice Review Team. Later, he finalizes her appointment as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Legal Counsel in the Obama administration.


• November 24, 2008 - President Obama appoints Ellen Moran, the former director of the pro-abortion group Emily's List as his White House communications director. Emily's List only supported candidates who favored taxpayer funded abortions and opposed a partial-birth abortion ban.


• November 24, 2008 - President Obama puts former Emily's List board member Melody Barnes in place as his director of the Domestic Policy Council.


• November 30, 2008 - President Obama names pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State. Clinton has an unblemished pro-abortion voting record and has supported making unlimited abortions an international right.


• December 10, 2008 - President Obama selects pro-abortion former Clinton administration official Jeanne Lambrew to become the deputy director of the White House Office of Health Reform. Planned Parenthood is "excited" about the selection.


• December 10, 2008 - Obama transition team publishes memo from dozens of pro-abortion groups listing their laundry list of pro-abortions actions they want him to take.

Pro-Abortion Presidential Record - 2009

• January 5, 2009 - President Obama picks pro-abortion Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as the chairman of the Democratic Party.


• January 6, 2009 - President Obama chooses Thomas Perrelli, the lawyer who represented Terri Schiavo’s husband Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife, as the third highest attorney in the Justice Department.


• January 22, 2009 - Releases statement restating support for Roe v. Wade decision that allowed virtually unlimited abortions and has resulted in at least 50 million abortions since 1973.


• January 23, 2009 - Forces taxpayers to fund pro-abortion groups that either promote or perform abortions in other nations. Decison to overturn Mexico City Policy sends part of $457 million to pro-abortion organizations.


• January 26, 2009 - President Obama's nominee for Deputy Secretary of State, James B. Steinberg, tells members of the Senate that taxpayers should be forced to fund abortions. Nominee erroneously says limits on abortion funding are unconstitutional.


• January 29, 2009 - President Obama nominates pro-abortion David Ogden as Deputy Attorney General.


• February 12, 2009 - President Obama nominates pro-abortion Elena Kagan to serve as Solicitor General.


• February 27, 2009 - Starts the process of overturning pro-life conscience protections President Bush put in place to make sure medical staff and centers are not forced to do abortions.


• February 28, 2009 - President Obama nominates pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius to become Secretary of Health and Human Services.


• March 5, 2009 - The Obama administration shuts out pro-life groups from attending a White House-sponsored health care summit. Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business, make the invitation list as do other pro-abortion groups.


• March 9, 2009 - President Barack Obama signs an executive order forcing taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research.


• March 10, 2009 - President Obama announces the creation of a new foreign policy position to focus on women's issues. He names Melanne Verveer, an abortion advocate, to occupy the post.


• March 10, 2009 - Reverses an executive order to press for more research into ways of obtaining embryonic stem cells without harming human life. The order President Obama scrapped would have promoted new forms of stem cell research.


• March 11, 2009 - President Obama signs an executive order establishing a new agency within his administration known as the White House Council on Women and Girls. President Obama's director of public liaison at the White House, Tina Tchen, an abortion advocate, becomes director of it.


• March 11, 2009 - Obama administration promotes an unlimited right to abortion at a United Nations meeting.


• March 11, 2009 - Obama administration officials deny negative effects of abortion at United Nation's meeting.


• March 17, 2009 - President Barack Obama makes his first judicial appointment and names pro-abortion federal Judge David Hamilton to serve on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.


• March 26, 2009 - Announces $50 million for the UNFPA, the UN population agency that has been criticized for promoting abortion and working closely with Chinese population control officials who use forced abortions and involuntary sterilizations.

The Provider Conscience Clause

The following letter came from a supporter in response to the recent actions of our President regarding the removal of the conscience clause for health care workers. We at Metro Women's Center whole-heartedly object to this unloving, inhumane action! Puppies and kittens are given more love and respect than babies! Seeds are cherished as future plants and trees! Why aren't our children so cherished?

Dear Mr. President Barack Obama:

I really do not understand your heart position in the matter of abortion, let alone the "ruling" you desire to force loving and caring doctors to commit such an un-oathful following through of what they are sworn in as doctors to accomplish - Save the lives of and restore the well-being of people, the human race!

I strongly object and raise my hand and the hand of a precious little one that I killed many years ago! I still cry outside, but tremble inside of just what that precious and innocent baby could have been, the love he/she would have received and given even though conceived in sin! I am guilty of murder, but thank God, I know my Lord and Savior has forgiven me as I have been washed with Jesus' blood, but never completely able to forgive myself. Now I have two beautiful daughters - one biological and one adopted! Thank God that my adopted daughter's mom had the audacity to carry on and complete her mission as one chosen to deliver a healthy girl, or our quiver would be semi-empty.

Please protect our rights! Please stand up for the true majority that have continued in the ethics of our America! We all came from somewhere else, some many and some few years ago. We all have rights--yes, we can allow those rights to be given to the unspeakable unborn baby, too! It is right now - in your hands! Please don't be like Pilate and wash your hands of the guilt of what you are attempting by not deeply thinking it through.

One thing hurts to think about, and that is the perception of a seed in a farmer's eyes - that cherished seed is already a fruitbearing, full-blooming plant in the eyes of the planter! Just as mentioned in the book Travelers' Gift by Andy Andrews, our American land was already in the eyes of Christopher Columbus long before anyone else could even try to see it!

What is in your sights for our country? Take away the cherished tenderness of a tiny babe, and what truly is left? You are correct--diminished care for elderly (and we will all get there some day) is a problem, and the uncaring need to reach out and help others. But how can we help others if we can't even stand up and take care of our own who are without a voice! Who is most important? Who?

I pray your soul is searched deeply and you find a quiet prayer closet to speak to your Lord and Maker on this matter, not just bow down to the loud and whiny to make a break with our country's loving and giving heritage. My 7-year-old prays every morning over breakfast for you to love the babies and let Jesus shine through you as you do your best as our President! Please, make her proud.

With deepest respect,

A proud citizen of the United States of America who desires to help this country continue in G.R.A.C.E. and power!

A Joy and Sorrow Week

This week has been a mixed bag. We lost two babies to abortion this week. Even though we tried to encourage, offer tangible support, share biblical truth and prayed for the hearts of these mothers to turn towards their children, the deeds were done. We hope to stay in contact with the dear women and offer them help if they have problems in the future. Pray for our staff--we grieve these losses and are concerned for the futures of the moms.

A precious client that we have worked with during her recent pregnancy gave birth to twins in mid-March. We knew that one of the babies was most likely not going to survive. This woman carried both babies to term, and when they were born, she loved them both. On Sunday, April 5th, one of the babies died. We grieve with this mom, and she has given me permission to share her story with you and to ask you to pray for her. She is a single mother with two other children to care for. Even in the face of a lot of challenges, she carried her babies to term and allowed the Lord to determine the fate of her children. She exhibited the unselfishness and being others-oriented (and she is not even a Christian) that we see in
Philippians 2:3-4:

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Thankfully, it is Easter Sunday this week, and we will be celebrating our RISEN SAVIOR! Sorrow on Friday, but joy comes on Sunday! Thank God for the hope provided us by our resurrected LORD!

Happy Easter to you all!



Colleen

“Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done."--WHAT?!

- from PCC List

Episcopal Divinity School names abortion extremist as dean

EDS is “pleased to announce the appointment of Katherine Hancock Ragsdale as the school’s sixth president and dean.”

This is a woman who sermonized in August 2008: “Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. I want to thank all of you who protect this blessing – who do this work every day: the health care providers, doctors, nurses, technicians, receptionists, who put your lives on the line to care for others (you are heroes — in my eyes, you are saints); the escorts and the activists; the lobbyists and the clinic defenders; all of you. You’re engaged in holy work.”

from our good friend Jim White

A word from the Word: “Seasons of Temptation”
Scripture: Luke 4.1-15

Verse for the day: Luke 4.13 “And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.“
Galatians 6.1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness;”

Temptation is a common experience, and our batting average for resisting it is not always impressive. Our experiences are a lot like the seat belts on cars a few years ago. If we did not fasten them, that infernal buzzer kept annoying us. We knew that the seat belts were not made to hurt us or unnecessarily restrict us. They were there to keep us safe, and the buzzer was our friend. But instead of doing what we knew was probably best for us, we would stick the belts behind us, fasten them and thus shut off the buzzer that was reminding us to do the safe thing.

Christians know deep down inside what is right. We even know that the right thing is the best thing for us. And God coaches us from the inside with His "buzzer," the Holy Spirit, to help us resist temptation. But we often choose to ignore the buzzer and look for a way to shut it off. We ignore God's signal and follow our own, even though experience shows us that things get messed up when we do not listen to Him. We need to understand a little more about how Satan uses temptation and how we can win the battle. An understanding of the kinds of strategies Satan uses to defeat us can help us overcome temptation.

There are several principles about temptation for us to think about:
1. Satan is always looking to tempt us to sin, to discouragement, or to loss of our testimony.
2. Satan ALWAYS lies to us.
3. When Satan tempts, God ALWAYS limits him and provides our escape.
4. We (mature believers) have a responsibility to encourage and restore slipping believers.

God has warned (as our experience has warned us) that Satan in the “Master Deceiver” and he has a whole pouch of tools at his disposal, but we have the promise of God found in I John 4.4 that God within us is “greater than he that is in the world”.

TEMPTATION COMES BOTH EXTERNALLY AND INTERNALLY
BUT NOT ETERNALLY!

Hillary Clinton Gets Margaret Sanger Award

Excerpts from acceptance speech - chilling!

Comment: Mrs. Clinton could not be more in the pocket of the pro-abortion folks if she tried! What happened to making abortion rare? We have had 35 years of birth control information being distributed to women and girls all over the world, yet the abortion rate continues to climb and new methods of destroying the pre-born are popping up every year. There can be no doubt that the agenda of the "powers that be" is to try to make women believe that they can only achieve economic and social success if they do so with the "right" to abortion as their greatest defense. God help us! When did we become afraid of children?

Get to Know Your Pregnancy Resource Center

Come One - Come All

In a Pro-Choice World, Life is a Choice: Respect Diversity!

Metro Women's Center would like to invite you to a
"Get-to-Know-your-PRC" (Pregnancy Resource Center) Morning Coffee
on Monday, April 13th from 9-12 am.
Whether you are for us or against us or don't know anything about us, we welcome you to come and have a tour, a muffin, and a cup of coffee or tea.

For directions to our center, go to our website at www.metrowomenscenter.org
Questions? Call 763-533-8642

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Proverbs 15:1

Prayer Request: Montana Plane Crash

Please pray for this family:

Lisa Stiefken, executive director of The Pregnancy Resource Center in San Bernardino, CA, wrote yesterday to alert Baptists for Life to an abortion connection with the Montana plane crash victims. Two of the women killed were daughters of Bud Feldkamp; their husbands were his sons-in-law; five of the children were his grandchildren. Who is Bud Feldkamp? He’s a dentist who bought out Edward Allred’s abortion chain – Family Planning Associates, the largest private abortion provider in Southern California. (Allred developed the saline abortion method.)

Lisa says that some “pro-life” folks are talking about this terrible tragedy as though the doctor deserved this to happen: “While on the surface this may appear to be so, we who know God know He is not performance-based, and that Jesus died for the vilest of sinners. Otherwise I would not be sitting here in this office writing this email. We ask people to pray that the remaining family will see God in their pain, and will open their hearts to Him. I can’t imagine losing two of my kids and five grandkids in one fell swoop. This kind of pain is incomprehensible.” Please join Lisa in holding this family up before the Lord.

Lisa also says, “We had one abortionist who worked for that clinic for 33 years just resign this past December. He struck up a friendship with my husband who has been a fulltime sidewalk counselor for nearly 10 years. So, God is on the move and then we see this happen. I can’t help but think it is all related.”

Read more here (this story notes that the cemetery where the plane crashed has a memorial for the unborn, and that Bud and his wife visited the crash site); more on the families here.

Looking for Stories

I am looking for stories from port-abortive men and women, family members, siblings, friends, former abortion providers, nurses, anyone who can speak to the effect abortion has had on their lives or the lives of their loves ones.

A group of us are thinking about compiling a book that will be called Table Talk: Lessons Learned After Abortion. If you would be willing to let us use your story, please include your name and contact information so that we can me in touch with you or simply let us know if we can use your story but do not want us to contact you about it. Please send your stories to colleentronson@earthlink.net if you would like to participate.

Please limit the length of your story to 500 words. We would like to know the following:

1. Circumstances of the abortion:
What was the situation that brought about the abortion (whether yours or a loved one or a friend)? If you are a former abortion provider or nurse, what brought you into the abortion business?

2. Effects of the abortion:
How did your involvement with abortion affect you emotionally, physically, spiritually, relationally or in other ways?

3. Healing from the abortion:
What, if anything, have you done to get healing emotionally, physically, spiritually, relationally from the experience?

4. Learning from the abortion:
What would you tell others who might be considering an abortion or who might be struggling with a past abortion?
Things I wish I had known before my involvement with abortion
Things I learned because of my involvement with abortion
Things that helped me emotionally, physically, spiritually, and relationally after my involvement with abortion

Abortion Negatively Affects Mental Health

As the UN’s annual Commission on the Status of Women wore on for the second week, a panel examined the links between mental health and reproductive issues. The panel featured presentations by mental health experts who concluded abortion has a significantly deleterious effect on female and male psyches. In addition to medical findings, testimonies were provided from women who had undergone abortive procedures and later regretted it.

Read the rest of the story here and here.

Teens Taking Cow Drugs for Abortions?

So far, the professionals in animal and human health and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction are treating the reports of girls inducing their own abortions with prostaglandins - drugs commonly used by cow breeders to regulate animals' heat cycles - as rumors, because no cases have been officially confirmed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

But Anna Anderson, the executive director of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Green County in Monroe, maintains that she has identified at least 10 girls ages 14 to 18 in a three-county area who admitted to taking some form of cow abortifacient in the past year. Anderson said the girls told her they took it because they found it to be a cheap and easy way to end their pregnancies without their parents finding out.

Read the rest of the story here and here.

Comment: This is so frightening--to think that young women are so desperate to end a pregnancy that they would risk their physical health by taking cow abortifacients (or even have access to these drugs)in order to avoid a pregnancy. Please pray for all women who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy that they would not resort to these dangerous practices but would instead seek out help at pregnancy resource centers in their communities. We know that "fear" often drives choices and can lead people to make hasty and even dangerous decisions without thinking through the consequences.

Very Descriptive Verses!

I was going through a study on selfishness with our staff, and we came upon these verses in Proverbs 23:6-8:

6 Do not eat the bread of a miser,
Nor desire his delicacies;
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
"Eat and drink!” he says to you,
But his heart is not with you.
8 The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up,
And waste your pleasant words.

Our study was focusing on selfishness and on us being more concerned with or motivated by what we can get from God and others than with what we can give to them. I started thinking about these verses, and it struck me that our temptation to sexual sin starts in our hearts with thinking about wanting to be satisfied physically rather than allowing God to meet our needs.

It also led me to think about the question, "What is real love?" It is putting the other person first and not wanting to harm him/her in any way--physically, emotionally or spiritually. I have often told my clients that when they engage in sexual activity outside of marriage they don't really "love" the other person the way God intends them to, but are usually in "lust" with the other person (focused on self).

I was also thinking that any of us can be drawn into sexual sin not only by our own hearts but also by the sweet words of another person ("'eat and drink', he says to you"). The person doing the tempting is not thinking about how the outcome of the actions will affect the one being tempted, only how he/she can get the object of the quest to comply. Then when the conquest ("the morsel you have eaten") has been devoured (sexual involvement outside of marriage), the result will be "vomit" (remorse, unplanned pregnancy, abortion, heartbreak, STIs, etc.)! The parties involved use encouragement to sin and sweet words to entice, and then, when the deed is done, what is left over is destruction and heartbreak!

Wow! This passage so totally describes the outcome of sexual sin that we see here at the Center and so aptly shows the results of selfishness and lust!