I would like to respond to this blog post by Kinsey Thurlow.
My dear friend Pastor Max Day of Brainerd once said, "A conviction without action is just a personal preference, but does nothing to change anything." I don't know if it is original to him or not, but it has been a constant reminder to me to let my "walk match my squawk" in regards to the life issues.
Even if Roe is overturned, the decisions about abortion laws will be returned to each individual state. While abortion may someday lose its nation-wide sanction, it will always be an ugly part of our society and culture. And one that demands a response from those of us who care about the lives of women experiencing challenging pregnancy situations.
Notice that I did NOT say "those of us who care about the lives of the unborn." We must remember that if we don't CARE about the woman - not the mother, but the woman - carrying that pregnancy, we don't get an opportunity to rescue the life of the unborn baby that is the pregnancy.
Those who love to portray life-preserving people as "fetus lovers" or "misogynists" (haters of women) must never be proven right by our failure to care for the woman.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Streams of Serenity
by Heather Berndt
Psalm 23
The Lord is MY shepherd;
*What an honor!*
I shall not want.
*He takes care of all my wants and needs.*
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
*I will only grow healthy with green grass.*
He leads me beside still waters.
*Still waters because sheep are afraid of water with any movement.*
He restores my soul.
*He gives me the grace I need for each thing I face in my life.*
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
*He knows my future.*
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
*My Father promised to always protect me.*
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
*The rod was designed to destroy any threat to the sheep.
The staff had a hook that could carefully lift the sheep out of danger.*
You've prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
*You are always watching to make sure I can safely eat.*
You anoint my head with oil,
*Oil was once used for wounds to help them heal.*
My cup runs over.
*I cannot help but be overjoyed with Who is Sovereign!*
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
*He will continue to bless me in the good times and bad.*
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
*The job He asked me to do is complete, and I am heaven bound.*
Psalm 23
The Lord is MY shepherd;
*What an honor!*
I shall not want.
*He takes care of all my wants and needs.*
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
*I will only grow healthy with green grass.*
He leads me beside still waters.
*Still waters because sheep are afraid of water with any movement.*
He restores my soul.
*He gives me the grace I need for each thing I face in my life.*
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
*He knows my future.*
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me.
*My Father promised to always protect me.*
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
*The rod was designed to destroy any threat to the sheep.
The staff had a hook that could carefully lift the sheep out of danger.*
You've prepared a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
*You are always watching to make sure I can safely eat.*
You anoint my head with oil,
*Oil was once used for wounds to help them heal.*
My cup runs over.
*I cannot help but be overjoyed with Who is Sovereign!*
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life,
*He will continue to bless me in the good times and bad.*
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
*The job He asked me to do is complete, and I am heaven bound.*
Monday, June 6, 2011
Welcome, Oliver Ross Moreau!
We're rejoicing with our board vice-president, Jennifer Moreau, on the arrival of her son Oliver Ross.
Oliver was born Friday (his due date!) at 8:50pm.
He weighed in at 8lb 5oz and is 20" long.
You might remember our post about his big sister.
Fulfilled
From my friend Heather:
Are you having a day of accomplishment? Or is it a day of persistent tugging on your spirit, finding yourself being pulled in many directions?
Philippians 4:11
"...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content...I have learned the secret..."
No matter the circumstances, I am learning I need to be content by being completely fulfilled in my God whom I breathe in all day. Knowing that while I am listening to His gentle voice, He only has the best of intentions for my life. I am discovering that God allows daily living to grow us into His image--Holy.
Fulfillment is defined as satisfaction, contentment, even success. We need to remember to thank God for giving us a life to live, and to exercise gratitude that He chose us to accomplish a job that only we can do.
As you go through your days, remain loyal to our God no matter what you are facing. Be the one that is satisfied and content. Be the one that God knows He can count on any time, anywhere. What a awe-inspiring honor to feel the breathe of God as He speaks to you on your daily walk with Him.
Are you having a day of accomplishment? Or is it a day of persistent tugging on your spirit, finding yourself being pulled in many directions?
Philippians 4:11
"...for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content...I have learned the secret..."
No matter the circumstances, I am learning I need to be content by being completely fulfilled in my God whom I breathe in all day. Knowing that while I am listening to His gentle voice, He only has the best of intentions for my life. I am discovering that God allows daily living to grow us into His image--Holy.
Fulfillment is defined as satisfaction, contentment, even success. We need to remember to thank God for giving us a life to live, and to exercise gratitude that He chose us to accomplish a job that only we can do.
As you go through your days, remain loyal to our God no matter what you are facing. Be the one that is satisfied and content. Be the one that God knows He can count on any time, anywhere. What a awe-inspiring honor to feel the breathe of God as He speaks to you on your daily walk with Him.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Joy!
“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Proverbs 17:22
I am so grateful for the joy of the Lord. I spend time digging in the dirt this week, planting the plants I got at the Amazing Grace Walk. I was so happy getting dirty, even though it was a little chilly and the forecast was not all that great.
Planting makes me optimistic. In theory, you stick something in the ground, and it rewards you with foliage or produce after a time of waiting and waiting . . . I have been blessed to watch the Amazing Grace fund grow; but even more than that, I have been able to watch our team of volunteers and board members grow in their walk with the Lord during their time at MWC. Watching our clients blossom has been pretty exciting, too! Thanks, everyone, for being a Garden of Blessings to MWC!
We had the Amazing Grace Walk last Saturday, and it feels like it was a month ago already! The turnout for the walk was good, and the weather was tremendous. People were coming back from the walk in the woods with actual sweat on their brows! The Sauerkraut String Band did not have to wear gloves this year, and blankets were not needed! So far it appears that over $8,000 was raised for the Amazing Grace Home via the walk. Thank you everyone who participated!
You can still give at www.firstgiving.com/metrowomenscenter if you would like to do so. Nearly $600 was raised through the sale of plants and garden items. Thanks to the Calcamuggio family, Beth Stoll, and Phil Holmquist for your generosity with these items. Pictures of the walk are posted at www.facebook.com/metrowomenscenter on our fan page.
I am so grateful for the joy of the Lord. I spend time digging in the dirt this week, planting the plants I got at the Amazing Grace Walk. I was so happy getting dirty, even though it was a little chilly and the forecast was not all that great.
Planting makes me optimistic. In theory, you stick something in the ground, and it rewards you with foliage or produce after a time of waiting and waiting . . . I have been blessed to watch the Amazing Grace fund grow; but even more than that, I have been able to watch our team of volunteers and board members grow in their walk with the Lord during their time at MWC. Watching our clients blossom has been pretty exciting, too! Thanks, everyone, for being a Garden of Blessings to MWC!
We had the Amazing Grace Walk last Saturday, and it feels like it was a month ago already! The turnout for the walk was good, and the weather was tremendous. People were coming back from the walk in the woods with actual sweat on their brows! The Sauerkraut String Band did not have to wear gloves this year, and blankets were not needed! So far it appears that over $8,000 was raised for the Amazing Grace Home via the walk. Thank you everyone who participated!
You can still give at www.firstgiving.com/metrowomenscenter if you would like to do so. Nearly $600 was raised through the sale of plants and garden items. Thanks to the Calcamuggio family, Beth Stoll, and Phil Holmquist for your generosity with these items. Pictures of the walk are posted at www.facebook.com/metrowomenscenter on our fan page.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Keep praying
. . . for abortion clinics to close and for post-abortive men and women who are suffering
Let's keep praying for the new Planned Parenthood facility that is being built in St. Paul to be closed, even before it opens in December. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the babies who we have not been able to rescue over the course of this ministry. Those babies have been aborted at clinics such as the one being built in St. Paul. But as Mother's Day and Father's Day approach, I am also reminded of individuals who are facing either of these special days without their children, due to abortion.
Thousands of individuals suffer silently due to a past abortion. Many sit in the pews next to you in churches across our nation. Some post-abortive individuals justify their "choice" and become very involved in supporting the abortion rights of women. Others try to "self-medicate" the guilt away through chemical use, self-harm, or by having lots of babies to "atone" for the child they aborted. Sadly, a number of men and women have chosen to end their lives by suicide due to their overwhelming guilt. For many, when abortion is chosen, it eats away at their peace of mind causing questions such as: Just how I could have done it? What kind of a person am I if I chose to kill my own child? And, what can I do now to escape the reality of my choice? As a post-abortive woman I have wrestled with each of those questions and even for a time became rabidly "pro-choice". I didn't realize that choosing abortion would haunt me for years and that even my best attempts to continue to rationalize and justify my "choice" would be futile.
I pray that those who are suffering due to a past abortion will come to know, as I have, that there is forgiveness and restoration in the Lord. Psalm 86:5 tells us, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Jesus gave His life for us so we might be forgiven. Even if someone had an abortion as a Christian I John 1:9 encourages us that, "If you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness."
My heart aches for those who are suffering. I want them to discover that they don't have to suffer anymore. The Lord's forgiveness is a free gift (Romans 5:18) and is available anyone who asks with a sincere and contrite heart. Ps. 34:18 promises that "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." Our hope is to turn individuals from abortion before the act but we also want to minister to them with hope and help after the choice has been made.
Let's keep praying for the new Planned Parenthood facility that is being built in St. Paul to be closed, even before it opens in December. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the babies who we have not been able to rescue over the course of this ministry. Those babies have been aborted at clinics such as the one being built in St. Paul. But as Mother's Day and Father's Day approach, I am also reminded of individuals who are facing either of these special days without their children, due to abortion.
Thousands of individuals suffer silently due to a past abortion. Many sit in the pews next to you in churches across our nation. Some post-abortive individuals justify their "choice" and become very involved in supporting the abortion rights of women. Others try to "self-medicate" the guilt away through chemical use, self-harm, or by having lots of babies to "atone" for the child they aborted. Sadly, a number of men and women have chosen to end their lives by suicide due to their overwhelming guilt. For many, when abortion is chosen, it eats away at their peace of mind causing questions such as: Just how I could have done it? What kind of a person am I if I chose to kill my own child? And, what can I do now to escape the reality of my choice? As a post-abortive woman I have wrestled with each of those questions and even for a time became rabidly "pro-choice". I didn't realize that choosing abortion would haunt me for years and that even my best attempts to continue to rationalize and justify my "choice" would be futile.
I pray that those who are suffering due to a past abortion will come to know, as I have, that there is forgiveness and restoration in the Lord. Psalm 86:5 tells us, "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Jesus gave His life for us so we might be forgiven. Even if someone had an abortion as a Christian I John 1:9 encourages us that, "If you confess your sin, God is faithful and just to forgive your sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness."
My heart aches for those who are suffering. I want them to discover that they don't have to suffer anymore. The Lord's forgiveness is a free gift (Romans 5:18) and is available anyone who asks with a sincere and contrite heart. Ps. 34:18 promises that "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." Our hope is to turn individuals from abortion before the act but we also want to minister to them with hope and help after the choice has been made.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Blankets and Bottles and Blessings – Oh, MY!
Thank you to Grace Baptist Church in Waseca for your gift of $171.00 for the Amazing Grace Home through your ongoing "Baby Bottle" campaign! We appreciate you!
Thank you to the "Bright Lights" girls and Normandale Baptist Church leaders for making these great polar fleece blankets for our babies. Thanks for sharing and giving for life. You are all blessings to us!
Thanks to the Ambassador Baptist Church Sparkies and leader Jon Ekblad for contributing to our Amazing Grace Home fund - over $65.00 in change was given!
Thanks for encouraging us and loving on our moms and babies!
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