When Salt and Light Meet Fear and Selfishness

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (NKJV)

Reflecting on the past year of ministry is causing me to think about two things: the incredible self-centeredness of human beings and the incredible generosity of human beings. One group refuses to sacrifice 9 months of their lives so another human being can live, and the other asks what more can I sacrifice so that a human being can live?

I remember being part of the first group when I had three abortions in my late teens and early twenties. I remember the fear that drove me to the self-protective choice of abortion. I remember coming to the realization with my 4th pregnancy that there was someone else involved in my crisis -- my unborn child -- who I had failed to consider. I remember being touched by the human beings in the second group, those who said, "We can help you, you can live with us, we will provide for you, we will sacrifice our comfort and convenience for the sake of you and your baby."

I understand the fears and concerns of women in difficult pregnancy situations, but I have seen, first-hand, how the sacrifice of the second group can impact the self-centerness of the first (me included). When we as Christians act as "salt and light" in our communities, beautiful things happen -- things like life and friendship and faith and hope.

It is possible; I have lived it.

October is Pastor Appreciation Month!

I appreciate pastors who speak the truth about life from the pulpit and who encourage people to be actively pro-life as a Christian responsibility to care for those in need. Thanks to the pastors of MWC's 27 supporting churches who are leading by example! Thanks to these pastors and others who stand for those who cannot stand for themselves!

Ambassador Baptist Church, Pastor Bruce Henry, Shoreview, MN
Berean Baptist Church, Pastor Cary Flinck, Brooklyn Park, MN
Bible Baptist Church, Pastor Thomas Yauch, Farmington, MN
Boy River Log Chapel, Pastor Dennis Gonczy, Boy River, MN
Calvary Baptist Church, Pastor Randy Charlton, Chatfield, MN
Chisago Lakes Baptist Church, Pastor Kraig Keck, Chisago City, MN
Coon Rapids Baptist Church, Coon Rapids, MN
Cornerstone Baptist Church, Pastor David Rogers, Willmar, MN
Faith Baptist Church, Pastor Julian L. Suarez, Saint Paul, MN
Fellowship Baptist Church, Pastor Keith Hedges, Brooklyn Center, MN
First Baptist Church, Pastor Steve Brower, Saint Francis, MN
First Baptist Church, Pastor Gene Witte, Waterville, MN
Fourth Baptist Church, Pastor Matt Morrell, Plymouth, MN
Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Shadrak Vork, Stillwater, MN
Grace Baptist Church, Pastor Clarke Poorman, Waseca, MN
Liberty Baptist Church, Pastor Don Odens, Eden Prairie, MN
Lighthouse Baptist Church, Pastor Loren Bjokne, Cottage Grove, MN
Normandale Baptist Church, Pastor Chuck Raichert, Bloomington, MN
Oakdale First Baptist Church, Pastor V. Richard Jensen, Saint Paul, MN
Oakwood Church, Pastor David Sheppard, Saint Paul, MN
Parkers Lake Baptist Church, Pastor Craig Muri, Plymouth, MN
Pine River Baptist Church, Pastor St. Michael, Pine River, MN
Southview Baptist Church, Pastor Jeremy Stephens, Richfield, MN
Sunrise Bible Church, Pastor David Stertz, North Branch, MN
Victory Baptist Church, Pastor Wayne Maupin, Osseo, MN
West River Road Baptist Church, Pastor Floyd Lunde, Brooklyn Park, MN
Woodcrest Baptist Church, Pastor Mark Poorman, Fridley, MN

MWC's 21st Annual Ministry Celebration

MWC's 21st Annual Ministry Celebration is Thursday, November 3rd!

Register online at www.metrowomenscenter.org for our annual dessert buffet, silent auction, and ministry update by clicking on '21st Annual Celebration' on our home page.

Hope to see you there!

September Newsletter

Check out MWC's September newsletter: http://www.scribd.com/doc/66061840/Newsletter-Sept-2011

Teens are a Blessing for LIFE!

Thanks to the Liberty Baptist Church youth group for preparing 1,400 invitations for mailing for our annual event on November 3rd. Invites are in the mail thanks to your great service. Thanks to Pastor Seth and Crystal Grotzke for organizing this event. You are a blessing for life!

September 11 - One Time Human Tragedy; Abortion - Ongoing Human Tragedy

September 11, 2001 happened one time, and it was and is a great human tragedy. For the past many years, at least 10,000 human beings--per year!--have died in abortion mills in Minesota alone.

While we hope and pray that 9-11 never happens again, we remember that abortion is a reoccuring, ongoing human tragedy that can be ended each time one "born person" (the woman) thinks about the other "unborn person" (the fetus, young one) and chooses life over death.

It is right and just to remember the human victims of 9-11. We must never forget. It is right and just to remember the human victims of abortion. We must never forget. All human life is sacred.

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." Dueteronomy 30:19

Blooming Good Summer!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

I have been enjoying gardening this summer by planting a “heritage” flower garden that is bringing me lots of joy! My mom always has tiger lilies, my two aunts had bleeding hearts and gladiolas, and my mother-in-law grew wonderful bearded irises. The budding flowers and brilliant colors make me smile and give me something new to discover each morning when I leave the house for the Center. There are so many plants now that the weeds are being overpowered, which makes me even happier!


It’s the same in our lives and in the lives of MWC clients, isn’t it? The more we plant God’s Word in the soil of our hearts, the less room there is for the weeds of anger, bitterness, confusion, and other “weeds” that choke out joy and contentment. Often women come to the Center full of these emotional weeds that need to be pulled out and radically amputated. Just as in our lives, it can take time for them to put on the “fruit” of a changed heart. While this week was much calmer than last, it was not quite as smooth as I would like. It did, however, give me opportunities to re-examine the “fruits” of my spirit and to do some weeding of my own! I don’t know about you, but I keep finding weeds where I would like to find beautiful blossoms! Thank goodness God is not finished with me or our clients yet!