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Friday, December 08, 2017


Friends,

Welcome to part two of my review of The Family Honor Plate.
To see a video of me opening ours, showing all of the pieces that are part of the lovely package you or those you send this to will receive, please visit my blog page -What I Learned From The Word Today on Facebook.  
I've tried countless times to upload the video here, but am having one of those computer days weeks. You know the ones...if it CAN go wrong, it will...pray for me friends, I might be bald soon. I'm that close to pulling my hair out! 
 
Now, back to the happy review...I love this product so much, and I especially cherish the founder's heart for the WHY behind this amazing plate.

I can’t stress enough what a quality gift this would be for anyone you love. 🎁 

The plate itself is a THICK ceramic. It is sure to last for generations. What a sweet treasure for any family to pass down through their generations.❤

Little children would have so much fun painting this, and like the teapot that my sweet daughter and I painted together years ago, as referenced in this video, the paintings of your little one onto this plate will become a source of sweet memories for all of you as they grow up. 🎨

When I look at our little teapot today, I don’t see the childish painting marks Brennan made, but am instantly transported back to the day I sat next to my sweet little girl, watching her beam as we worked on the teapot together.

I’m ashamed to tell you this, but I still remember how much I wrestled with the cost that the resort was charging for the experience. I came so close to telling her we couldn’t afford to do that activity.

Then I looked into her little six year old eyes as they exuded excitement over the prospect of painting pottery with her Mommy, and decided to get over the cost and enjoy the experience with her. 💝

That was one of the smartest decisions I ever made as a mommy. We both still cherish that little teapot, but even more so the time we spent together.

YOU and your family can have an even richer experience, at a fraction of the cost, by working together to design your own Family Honor Plate. 💕💕

Now that mine are teens, it can sometimes be hard to come up with special memory making activities to do together. I can’t wait to paint this with them on Christmas Eve!

I love the heart of the founder.
Read her purpose for creating The Family Honor Plate:

Step #1 MOM AND DAD - BE THE EXAMPLE. BE THE ROLE-MODEL:
The virtues are listed in the center of the plate for mom and dad to use as their anchor, their moral compass to guide them in how they need to show up for and to their children.  This is how our children learn what character (Christ's Character) is, what it looks like, what it feels like. Our children are watching us and learning from us. 

Step #2 BE ON THE LOOKOUT:
Look for the good choices and attitude your kids/spouse are making and showing throughout the day. Track it back to the virtues and character it shows.

Step #3 CELEBRATE THEIR CHARACTER:
Turn dinnertime into a celebration when you catch someone making good choices and showing good character and present their meal on the FAMILY HONOR PLATE.  This is when you:
·      Talk about the choices they made and the virtues and character that it showed (Be specific).
·      Talk about how they made everyone involved feel and the impact they had on people and how that is POWERFUL and BEAUTIFUL.

I encourage you with all of my heart...go to honorplate.com and get some of these for your friends and family members for Christmas!

They. Are. Precious!!

There’s even a 20% discount for multiple orders placed at the same time, so you can accomplish much of you Christmas shopping in one stop at honorplate.com . 🙌🏼😃🙌🏼

#honorplate
#flyby

Such a FUN Gift For People of All Ages!

Friends,

Merry Christmas! 
Happy Hanukkah!

Are you looking for some unique ways to make lasting memories with your family during this most wonderful time of the year?

In this post and my next I’m going to share with you two exciting gifts that my family was recently given which we have absolutely loved!

These would make such wonderful presents for your loved ones this Christmas!



The  Let’s Talk! Table Thyme Discussion Cards have been a huge hit with my kids and me over many a homeschool lunch day! We have discovered some deep dreams that each of us hold; we’ve laughed together until we've wiped away tears; and we’ve had even more complex questions arise from our nudged discussions thanks to these interesting and unique cards.

When we recently had friends come for Thanksgiving, I listened with glee as six kids aged 10-17 sat around the dining room table using Let’s Talk! as a game, giggling their heads off as they listened - yes, you caught that right, they LISTENED to one another’s answers!




No “smart” phones invaded their tender time of deepening relationships with those they hold most dear.


The video in my next post will give you more information about the flagship special gift that the founder of The Family Honor Plate has designed. 

See the website at 
honorplate.com for a wonderful place to choose some gifts that are sure to be cherished in your family for generations.

One last thing I loved about these gifts...they come packaged beautifully!

Just opening the box was a source of excitement as we peeled back the pretty yellow tissue paper to discover what was inside! So this is the perfect gift to send to family or friends for Christmas. The wrapping has been done for you!

There is a current special running for 20% off when you choose to include multiple gifts in your online cart. :) 

Merry Christmas! I hope you and those you love make as many happy memories with these darling gifts as we are. 


#honorplate
#flyby

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

The Afters - Live On Forever (A CD Review and Opportunity to Win!)




Live On Forever, the most recent CD by The Afters, has met with an overwhelmingly warm reception in our home!

Read that above statement this way... 
My kids LOVE this CD, and I'm just close enough to the edge of cool that I'm enjoying it too. ;)

The vocals and even some of the beats and melodies remind me of music that I loved when I was in high school and college, yet from bands whose lyrics didn't edify my heart like The Afters do. 
(Those were the days before I was a Jesus follower.)

As I type this, I'm listening to Battles, one of my favorite songs on the CD. Perhaps one of my favorite songs EVER!

The incredibly sound doctrine of the lyrics of this song are reminding me that: 
  • Jesus goes before me
  • He fights my battles for me
  • He surrounds me on every side 
  • His love is my armor
Ah, what amazing truths for the Believer to cling to in times of unconscionable trials!

As someone who has recently come through some of the most painful and trying years of my life, when indeed it felt at times that enemy armies really did surround me and were constantly on the march (another nod to the lyrics of this song), I am wishing I'd had this CD to listen to and let my spirit soak in during those brutal days! 

The song Battles is a beautiful reminder of Exodus 14:14 - 
"The LORD will fight for you, while you keep silent."

Hands down, this is my favorite song on the CD!

You can see the music video for Battles here.

A close second is Wake Up My Heart
How true is the lyric "I want to love all the things that You love" ?! 
Amen, and amen, and amen again!

The Lord knows exactly what we need, and when we need it. 

This CD arrived very close to the day that our beloved friend and pastor went to be with Jesus. The grief feels at times like it will swallow us up, yet listening to the truths from several of the songs on this CD has been the most tender gift from God, as it is helping us process the pain.

Interestingly, it was out of several heartbreaking situations that brought about their own deep grief, that The Afters were inspired to write the songs for this album. 

God's timing never ceases to amaze me!

I really am enjoying the music and the heart of Live On Forever, and would LOVE nothing more than to share it with YOU!

One of my blog readers is going to win a FREE copy of the CD, which will be mailed directly to you from the publisher.

So please, comment below and I'll enter your name into the giveaway.

Also, read below to find out five or more ways that you can be entered into the drawing.

To buy a copy for yourself, here are some places you can find the CD...


Get connected with The Afters at their website by clicking here.
You can also find them on Twitter and Facebook under their name.

I hope you enjoy their music as much as we do. 
My kids are LOVING it! 
Not only do the lyrics hold Biblical truth, but the songs have a beat that you can dance to! :)

Disclaimer: I haven't read every single lyric, but those I have, I agree with completely!

What are you waiting for?! 

Here are the many ways you can be included in the random giveaway drawing:

* Comment below
* Leave a Comment on Facebook - on either my personal page, or on my Facebook blog page, which you'll find here: 
What I Learned From The Word Today, or both! :)
* Leave a comment on this post on my Twitter account, or re-tweet this post
*Share this post on any social media platform (but please be sure to let me know in the comments below or on this post on Facebook where else you shared so I am certain to give you credit for your extra shares)

Do any or all of the above, and be included once for each of the  listed ways to win in the random giveaway that will award a copy of Live On Forever to one blog reader.

You have at least SIX potential ways to earn an entry to win. 

Best wishes that YOU are the winner because I think you'll LOVE this CD!



"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC's CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification."






Monday, June 06, 2016

Phil Wickham's CHILDREN OF GOD - a review

I'm so excited to have been chosen as a reviewer for Phil Wickham's new CD, Children of God!


What's been interesting to me about Phil's work on this CD is how it spans the generations in our home.

I personally love the way he presents the Doxology as the first song on the CD. It's delivered in a  new and interesting way,  yet is still quite reverent.

My kids were ecstatic when I turned the radio on in the car and they heard Phil's voice, because they've come to love his work. They listen to Christian radio while taking care of our animals several times a day and had heard a few of his songs on their favorite station, and had already discovered how much they love his music. 😃

My husband was listening to Children of God yesterday while he waited in the car for me to come out of an appointment, and he said that he found it to be very relaxing.

So it's funny to me that my kids are ready to get up and dance when they listen to this CD; my husband is relaxed; and I am drawn by the Doxology into a heart of reverent worship.

I have to say, this is an impressive feat to have accomplished all on one CD!

Children of God by Phil Wickham...I think you'll find it one you'll want to add to your playlist.


Buy Links:

* I received this CD for free in exchange for my honest review. *


Wednesday, April 08, 2015

GUEST BLOGGER: My Daughter's Review of The Good Book Movie

What a treat it is to welcome my sweet daughter as a guest blogger today!

This is her review of The Good Book movie.



The Good Book is a very touching movie. Wanting to be a filmmaker myself, it showed me new ideas and new ways of how to produce a film.

I love how they incorporated the Bible and how they kept the sole focus on God.

For a silent film, The Good Book says a whole lot!

I love how they showed the different struggles that people can go through. 

My rating for The Good Book movie is a FIVE STAR! 

Spoiler Alert***

My favorite story line is when Ruth helps Sarah (the homeless woman) to find a job. In the Bible it says that when we help the weary and homeless, we will be helping Jesus. 

(Matthew 25:31-40)

What I learned overall is that everyone has bad days and everyone goes through hard times. If it is burning your house down, or losing your baby; being homeless, or being a martyr for Jesus Christ, God will always be with you no matter what.
 

Sunday, April 05, 2015

THE GOOD BOOK - A Movie Review and Giveaway

HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!!

I have a very special gift for one of you.


It's a copy of the recently released evangelical Christian film,
The Good Book.

This film has received a 5 Dove rating from The Dove Foundation, but not only that...click goodbookmovie.com to see the other countless awards it has won.

What makes The Good Book such a unique and powerful movie is that it's a silent evangelical film. 


Yes, you read that correctly. It's a silent film. 

I've labored in my mind over how to share with you the incredible impact that this tender movie had on my heart, and on the hearts of my children, without giving away the entire story.


In a word, this beautiful story highlights the truth of this Scripture:


So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; 
It will not return to Me empty, 
Without accomplishing what I desire, 
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
and this one: 


For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
all without one word being uttered!


From the time that my son was a young boy, he has loved giving Bibles to people. I'm sure some of that originated from our family tradition of handing Bibles out on Halloween, but it was when he discovered the countless Gideon Bibles sitting on the shelves of a  Goodwill store that the Lord planted a seed of ministry in his young heart.

At the time, our church was directly across the street from a Goodwill (full of amazing designer clothes), so we'd often stop in after church. :)

Caedmon would make a run for the shelves with the Bibles, and the gracious managers allowed him to take as many as his little hands could hold.

He'd lovingly choose the ones in the best condition, and then would have one with him at all times to hand out to people he met.
He'd give them to homeless people.
He handed one to a Muslim man in Lowe's one time.
He made sure all of the neighborhood kids had one.

It's been quite sweet to watch over the years as our son has recycled discarded Bibles.

Yet, when he watched The Good Book, the Lord used it to ignite afresh that spark of evangelism in him. 

In the movie, a Bible is passed from one person to another, and each time the person giving it puts their name in the Bible.

Caedmon is back to handing out recycled Gideon Bibles, but now he's also putting his name in them. 

After seeing the film he said, 
"Mom, if someone is given a Bible with the name of the person who gave it to them written in it, they'll be less likely to throw it away!"

While my little family may never know the difference that God's Word may make in the lives of the many people to whom Caedmon gives a Bible, in The Good Book movie we have the great privilege of watching the stories unfold of how the Word of God literally transforms the lives of those who receive it!


Here's a trailer for the movie:





I so encourage you to get a copy of this movie for your next family movie night! It will no doubt be the inspiration for many rich conversations about the power of the Gospel, and the role we as Believers have in sharing it with others, out of obedience to the Lord Jesus.

You can buy a copy at one of these two places online: 

Christian Book Distributors
Christian Cinema

and I think you can also find it at Lifeway Stores.

But, you may also be able to win the copy I have so graciously been given by the director. :)

Here's all you need to do. You'll have extra entries for any of the below actions that you take. 

1. Comment on this blog post.
2. Comment on Facebook where you saw the link to this blog post.
3. Re-tweet this blog post on Twitter.
4. Share this blog post on Facebook.
5. Bring a pan of gluten-free, sugar free brownies to me.  
That's a joke. Don't do that. I'll think you're a stalker!


After you watch the film, be sure to watch the interviews. 

There's one with an older man who tells the story of smuggling Bibles into former Communist countries, and his passionate love for God's Word and for people made me think of the countless faithful saints throughout the years who have sacrificed their very lives so that others could have God's Word in their hands.

I want to live with that kind of focus and passion!

One last exciting thing to share is this...

The writer and director, Sharon Wilharm and her husband are at work on Faith Flix Films' next silent movie, Providence...and our family is SO EXCITED because all four of us get to make our film acting debuts as background actors in this beautiful movie! 

I can't WAIT!

Here's a synopsis of their upcoming movie:

Providence - A love story forty years in the making.

Rachel and Mitchell both grow up in the small town of Providence, Tennessee. Their paths keep crossing and at one point it looks like they'll finally get together. But the opportunity slips away and they go their separate ways. It takes a tragedy many years later before they're reunited. This time will they let the moment pass or will they take a step of faith and trust God to work a miracle in their lives?

You can see the cast by clicking here

OK, so get busy commenting, tweeting, and sharing for your chance to win a copy of The Good Book! 

I'll do a random drawing for the winner on Wednesday, April 8th.

Again, Happy Resurrection Day!

With much love,
Jes





Friday, February 06, 2015

ROADMAP GENESIS - A Movie Review and Giveaway

Here are the many ways you can be entered to win your very own copy of Roadmap Genesis:

1. Comment below.
2. Share this post on Facebook.
3. Tweet this post, including @JesicaWomack @RoadmapGenesis and #RGChallenge
4. Pin this post. 

I will choose a winner by random on February 12th. 

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I'm excited to have been invited to review this documentary, and have been asked to give my unbiased opinion of it.


It's tough to know where to start, to be honest.

I LOVE documentaries, especially ones that interview random people on the street as Nolan Lebovitz does in Roadmap Genesis. In the film, he asks people, "I say Genesis, you say..."

The myriad of answers to this simple question truly gives us a glimpse of where our society is with regard to the authority and inerrancy of God's Word.

It made me ask myself what my response would be, for Genesis holds so much. 

Would I have started with creation? The flood? Original sin? 

I'd like to think I would have answered, "Elohim," God in three persons from the very first chapter of Scripture!

I won't spoil it for you, but I will say that the responses of the people interviewed reminded me afresh that we who love and believe the Bible to be inspired by God...literally God breathed, 
(2 Timothy 3:16-17), and the very person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 4:12; John 1:1; Revelation  19:13), cannot afford to sit idly by, content with heads full of knowledge of the Scripture.

We MUST be driven by hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love to reach out to those who don't know the Lord. It's with a heart and life surrendered to Christ Jesus on a daily basis that we will be able to help others learn how to study and understand not only the applicable truths of Genesis, but of the whole counsel of God's Word.

One of the things I loved about this film is the fact that God used the birth of Mr. Lebovitz's first child to make him evaluate how he was numbering his days upon this earth. He turned from making violent Hollywood films, to focusing on creating content that he would be proud to share with his family.

In the film he interviews Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis, along with Governor Mike Huckabee and countless others. 

Some of the "experts" who speak on the book of Genesis are incredibly off base, while others offer a fresh perspective, worthy of consideration.

I especially enjoyed hearing from Alan Dershowitz, Professor of Law, Harvard Law school. He explained his opinion of the issues found in Genesis being the very foundation for the establishment of the Law in the book of Exodus.

I'm still chewing on that comment...I LOVE it when people make me delve deeper in my thinking on a topic with which I feel familiar!

This documentary has a few graphic (very short) clips at the very beginning...a contrast between the movies Mr. Lebovitz used to make and the ones he now does. I wanted to make you aware of that, should you consider watching this with your children.

There is also one clip of art that shows a naked man (think Renaissance painting).

In addition, there is quite a focus on doing good. 
While we know that God's desire for us is to do this very thing, only that which is done by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us will ever change the hearts of men.
We can't do enough good to earn the unmerited favor of God. 
If we could, then Christ Jesus died in vain.

We must remember...not I, but Christ. 

As one who enjoys documentaries, I found this film incredibly interesting because I appreciated hearing all of the different perspectives on Genesis, even the ones that I believe are pretty off, as it challenged me anew to share the TRUTH of God's Word with others. 

People need to know the truth, and my experience is that they come to know the truth of the Word for themselves when we teach them how to study the Bible inductively.




Here's the official promo for the movie:

Roadmap Genesis is a film documentary that makes the case that the Book of Genesis is a roadmap containing guideposts on how to live a productive, fruitful, and fulfilling life that will help our society lift itself out of its current decline and return it to prosperity, promise, and accomplishment.

When Filmmaker Nolan Lebovitz found himself at a crossroads in his life, he knew he had to choose between continuing to make the Hollywood suspense thrillers that were his livelihood and trying to make the world a better place for his new young family. After much struggle, he found his answer in the Book of Genesis.

He decided to combine his love of the Book of Genesis with his passion for film making and set out to travel the United States, interviewing clergy and public figures in order to build an undeniable argument about the continued importance of the Book of Genesis as guiding force in our Judeo-Christian country.

Roadmap Genesis invites Americans of all faiths to engage in a dialogue about the relevance of the Bible in the modern age. 

Through interviews ranging from Gov. Mike Huckabee of Fox News Channel to Rabbi David Wolpe, from Alan Dershowitz to the Archbishop of Chicago Cardinal Francis George, from Erick Stakelbeck of the Christian Broadcasting Network to Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, and many, many more, Nolan explores the rules that God has set forth to help us maintain a successful and working society.

:::::::::::::::::::::

S O C I A L • C O R N E R 

Check out & share the TRAILER 

Official WEBPAGE

Official FACEBOOK

Official TWITTER



Please join us in the Roadmap Genesis Challenge to spread the message of Genesis!

Pick your favorite verse of Genesis and create a video of you reading it from your own personal Bible. Then tag as many of your friends as you'd like and challenge them to read their favorite verse as well. In this way, we can both share the Book of Genesis with all of our friends, and stand up and be counted as people of faith. 

Don’t forget to tag the Roadmap Genesis Facebook Page and add the link www.RoadmapGenesis.com on your post.

Our hope is for the challenge to spread wide enough that we can assemble a video of the entire book of Genesis one verse and one person at a time.

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Here are the many ways you can be entered to win your very own copy of Roadmap Genesis:

1. Comment below.
2. Share this post on Facebook.
3. Tweet this post, including @JesicaWomack @RoadmapGenesis and #RGChallenge
4. Pin this post. 

I will choose a winner by random on February 12th. 


Much love to you today,
Jes



"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. 

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”







Tuesday, November 04, 2014

What It Was Like To Have An Abortion

*UPDATE at the end of this post. Written 11/5/14*

I had planned to write this days ago, in the hope that it might help someone decide how to vote on Amendment 1 in the state of Tennessee.

My prayer today will be that this isn't too little, too late.

I've shared my story many times with women one on one, and I've always shared it when I've led a women's retreat or a Bible study by weaving it into why it's SO important to know how to study the Bible for ourselves.

Today is the day to share it here.

I will be closing comments for this post.

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I grew up under a Biblical false teacher who taught from the pulpit that abortion was a woman's right to choose because a baby wasn't a human being until it took its first breath of life on its own. He taught that the moment they took their first breath was when "spirit life" was breathed into them.

What a lie!

Let's see what God says about when life begins:


“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, 
And before you were born I consecrated you; 

Psalm 139:13-16

For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, 
for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.


In order for you to understand how indoctrinated I was with this lie, let me explain further.
From the time I was 7 years old, I had to listen to a tape of this false teacher nightly, take notes, and turn them into my mom. I trust that her heart intention was good. She had just been deeply deceived because she didn't know how to study the Word for herself either, so she fell prey to this man's lies.

My mother lost my sister before I was born. Jennifer was stillborn at 9 months, and I can remember asking my mother from the time I was a very little girl if I would meet Jennifer in Heaven. 

The answer was always, "No baby, she never had spirit life breathed into her. She was ashes to ashes and dust to dust."

Yet, every October my sweet mother grieved the loss of my sister. I could see it on her face. Sometimes we'd talk about it when I was older, but I had nothing to give her. 
No words to encourage her that she would indeed see her baby girl one day.

There are parts of my life story that I could write here that might give you some compassion for the choice that I made to have an abortion, but to share those could shut down any hope for the future that I hold for some I love. 

So, if you choose to judge me for something I did when I was lost, that will be between you and the Lord. Good luck with that if you go that route.

I lived a life of immorality prior to coming to know Jesus in June of 1999. Gross immorality.

In 1993 I dated a man 19 years my senior because I was so desperately looking for a father figure. Three months into the relationship I announced to my family and friends that I was breaking up with him because he was too controlling.

The next day, I found out I was pregnant and within the week we were engaged. Insane. Absolutely insane!

I carried the baby three and 1/2 months, and was in a car accident. A few days later, I started to bleed and when I went to the doctor it was confirmed that the baby didn't make it. What was explained to me is fuzzy all these years later, but I think that the baby had stopped developing prior to the wreck. (That matters to the story as follows.)

Of course, they didn't call it a baby. They called it a fetus.

But I remember how kind that doctor was. He was old enough to be my father and I remember him lovingly and gently trying to give me counsel with regard to the path I was on with my life.

If only I had listened!

I was pretty devastated when a few days later, I miscarried the baby in the privacy of my apartment. I remember reaching into the toilet and picking up what I had passed and thinking that it just looked like a clump of clay. 

I didn't see a body. I just saw a gray clump. 

In that moment, I decided deep in my heart that what the false teacher had taught all of those years must have been truth. 

I had always been one to say, "I could never have an abortion, but I believe it's a woman's right to choose."

That moment in time changed my mind. 

Six months later, after breaking up with the father figure and going about my life of business woman by day and free-living woman by night, I was pregnant again. By someone else.

For many, many years I had purchased birth control through Planned Parenthood. I started that in college because Planned Parenthood provided birth control on a sliding scale fee. In essence, it was pretty close to free.

Once I had a successful career, I even wrote checks to support Planned Parenthood because they had been so "good" to me when I was broke.

So yes, I had birth control. It seems it just didn't always make its way to my mouth.

I simply cannot put into words for you how out of control and insane my life was at this time. I was a spiritual and emotional wreck, but no one would have known it unless they were looking at me through Spiritual eyes.

When I found out I was pregnant the second time, I called the guy to tell him just because I thought it was the right thing to do to let him know that I wanted to have an abortion. I felt he had a choice in the matter, I guess.

It was at that time that he disclosed to me that he already had a child. She was 7 years old, and he hadn't seen her since she was a baby. 

That spoke volumes to me. 

At the time, I was 24 years old with a budding career. I desperately wanted to be married with children, but I didn't want to be a single mom who worked while her child was in day care all day long. I also didn't want to be judged by anyone.

So I chose to abort my baby.

It breaks my heart to tell you this, but I even had a very precious family whom I love to this day who sat me down and offered to adopt my baby if I chose to carry it.

Oh my gosh, I can barely write that without totally losing it!

The day came for the abortion. I took a Friday off of work, and scheduled it for that day so I'd have the weekend to recover.

Much of the day is a blur to me. I remember being in the waiting room, with the precious woman who offered to adopt my baby and with the guy who was paying for the abortion.

I was then called back to have an ultrasound. 

The tech asked me how far along I thought I was and I said, "About six weeks."

"Oh, you're probably going to have to go home and let it grow for another six weeks before we can do this," she said while rubbing my belly with her wand..her screen turned so only she could see it.

I distinctly remember saying, "Oh, please! You have to get it today. I'm not emotionally attached yet, but I know what it is to be 12 weeks along, and I will be if I have to wait that long."

She continued with the ultrasound and then said, "OK. I see the heartbeat. We can get it today."

Let me write that again..

"OK. I see the heartbeat. We can get it today."

I never saw the heartbeat. 
I never saw the sonogram picture. 
I was never even asked if I wanted to see it.

There was no counseling given to me. 
No one asked me if I had considered the long term ramifications of the "choice" I was about to make.

NO ONE TOLD ME THAT A BABY IS A BABY FROM THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION!

I am a mother to living children today, and I can tell you this...when I first saw their heartbeats on the sonogram monitor, I wept both times. 

WHY?

BECAUSE I SAW THEIR LITTLE LIVES INSIDE OF ME!

The next thing I remember is being on the operating table with several people in the room. 
I remember the doctor was very crass and hard. I don't remember kind nurses, or anyone nurturing in the least.

The sound of the suction that was used to vacuum my baby from my womb sounded like the loudest shop vac you can imagine. 

After the shop vac came lots and lots of scraping.

I remember hearing, "I'm pretty sure I got it all. She's gonna be sore. Check her well for bleeding."

Then I was sent to recovery, which was a big room full of beds lined side by side. It was like the pictures we see of old hospital wards.

I was in SO MUCH pain, and kept asking for something for it. 

Nobody helped me.

I just laid there writhing and moaning out until the "doctor" came out and said,
 "Shut her up! She's going to scare the others in the waiting room!"

Then I was given more for the pain.

I spent that weekend with my dear friend. She lovingly cared for my every need, as I bled and bled and bled.

By Monday, I was back at work as if nothing had happened.



Now, I'd like to share with you the rest of the story...

On June 11, 1999 I was radically saved by Jesus. It was 13 days into my marriage with my beloved husband of 15 years.

We suffered countless miscarriages. By 2005, after our two living children had been born, my reproductive system seemed only to be able to produce miscarriages and intense pain.

So with tears in my eyes as they rolled me down to surgery, I had a hysterectomy.

BUT...I made the doctor who performed it PROMISE me that she'd take a picture of my womb and show it to me after the surgery.

She asked why and I explained about the abortion and she wanted to give me a counseling session on forgiving myself.

I stopped her and said, 
"I KNOW that I am forgiven by Jesus. He has made that abundantly clear, both through His Word and through His Spirit. I just HAVE to know if my choice impacted my ability to have the big family that I always dreamed of having."

A day or two after having the surgery, she walked into my hospital room as I was reading my Bible. I'd never seen someone actually physically bristle at the sight of God's Word, but she did. 

She then produced the photographs of my womb. I wasn't trained to know what I was seeing, but it sure looked horrific.

So I asked her, "What does that tell you?"

She said very simply, "You were butchered. I'm amazed that you have any children at all."


Did you catch that?

"YOU WERE BUTCHERED."
"YOU WERE BUTCHERED."
"YOU WERE BUTCHERED!!!!!!"

Let me be very clear here.

I am not blaming anyone for the choices I made. They were sinful choices made by a lost young woman full of sin, and full of self.

However, I do want you to know something if you're considering having an abortion... the industry did NOT CARE ONE BIT about my health. 
They didn't care about my future. 
They weren't trying to help me long term.

If they had been, they wouldn't have butchered my womb.

It's that simple.



A few years after the abortion, I remember walking into a church and it was Sanctity of Life Sunday. I'd never heard anything about it, but everywhere I looked men were wearing little baby feet pins on their lapels.

When the pastor started teaching against abortion, I literally had to be held in my seat by the person I was with because I was so close to coming out of it and screaming, "KEEP YOUR POLITICS TO YOURSELF! I'M HERE TO HEAR A SERMON ON THE BIBLE!!"

I was SO deceived.

I was SO lost.

I SO needed Jesus Christ to take away that evil, hard heart and give me the new heart that He promises to those who enter into the New Covenant through Him!

A few months after I became a Christian and God gave me my new heart, I was pregnant with our son and I remember asking the Lord to please tell me whether or not what I had done by having an abortion was sin. 

He tenderly but clearly whispered to my heart, "It was murder."

I love that the Lord knows us each so well, and He knew that I needed Him to answer me that clearly. He didn't condemn me, because His Word is true!
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

I've never again questioned whether or not I committed murder. I know I did. 
I also know that I'm forgiven in Christ.

JESUS took my condemnation! 
Jesus paid the price for EVERY SINGLE SIN I've ever committed, or will.

If I didn't know that with every ounce of my being, there is no way I could publicly share this story, but I do so with my husband's permission and with much prayer from many precious sisters in Christ who have been lifting me up, knowing I was going to write this.

If you live in Tennessee, as you go to the polls today, please...VOTE "YES" on Amendment 1.


Women who seek abortions should have protections put in place for them both emotionally and physically...protections we don't have for them today.

Remember what my doctor said to me in 2005?


"YOU WERE BUTCHERED."

Please, let's help protect other young, lost women from having any part of their future ruined.
Let's do all we can to help them choose life.

Won't you please pray with me, if you're a Believer in Christ Jesus?

"Oh Father God,

Thank you for your forgiveness which you grant to us when we believe that Jesus is your Son and confess with our mouths that you raised Him from the dead. Thank you for the gift of repentance that you grant to us, hand in hand with the gift of faith.

LORD, Amendment 1 doesn't stand a chance of winning without Your Divine hand making it happen, and the truth is LORD that we as a nation have so sinned against You that You don't owe us a victory in this.

So I come before You Lord, and I confess as Nehemiah did the sins of our nation, the sins of our fathers, and my own sin.

We PRAISE You LORD, that you don't need numbers to accomplish Your goals. You proved that beautifully when You reduced Gideon's army from 22,000 to 300 men and then gave them victory over their enemies without them even having to lift a sword!

We plead with You, LORD, to move on behalf of the remnant of Your beloved who delight in You.

We plead with You on behalf of the women who don't yet know you, but who know of the abortion mills, and of Planned Parenthood and look to them as a refuge as I did.

Lord, please use this post to save lives. 

Please use it to speak reality into the minds of Tennessee voters today, and into the hearts of women who are considering abortion both today and in the years to come.

In the Name of Jesus Christ I ask,
By the power of Your Holy Spirit who indwells me, 
And to Your Majesty and Glory, Father.

Amen."


I hope you'll come back to my blog and read part two of this story. I'd like to tell you of the amazing hope that Jesus gave me with regard to my baby that I aborted. 

But that's a story for another day.

You have my full permission to share this post on Facebook, Twitter, however you are led if your motive is to help save another woman and her baby.

Much love to you,
Jes





UPDATE: PRAISE GOD from Whom ALL blessings flow! 
Amendment 1 passed in Tennessee!!

It truly is a miracle given to us by Almighty God that it did. 
Planned Parenthood was funneling money into our state from all over the country. The list of donors for "No on 1" had countless Planned Parenthoods on it.

We who were for "Yes on 1" were outspent dramatically.
We were also outnumbered.

PRAISE GOD...it truly WAS  a GIDEON story! Did you read that link above? If not, here it is again. You NEED to read it! 

Gideon's Story

The "No on 1" campaign commercials were full of lies. Yet when you reason through that tactic by using Scripture, it only makes sense. 

Jesus says this of Satan, the thief...
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

Do you see that? Satan's goal is to KILL! 
Jesus came to give LIFE!

Scripture also says this of Satan: 

“You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. 
Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Do you see THAT?!

Satan: 
The father of lies.
A murderer from the beginning.
There is NO truth in him.
He is a LIAR.

So, it's no surprise that those working against the protection of LIFE would lie in their ads. For every woman who chooses LIFE for her baby, they lose money. 

TODAY IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE!!

Let's pray! 

"Oh God Almighty,

How we PRAISE YOU! How we THANK YOU!

You are so, so amazing LORD! 

With eyes pouring tears, we thank you for the victory that YOU gave us yesterday.

It was by Your hand, Your mercy, and Your sovereignty working through countless precious of your saints who have fasted, prayed, and toiled in Your Name for over 14 years that this victory was secured.

We pray now, in the Name of Jesus, that the number of murdered children in our state will be reduced drastically. We ask that You would even drive the abortion mills out of our state, and out of our country.

Thank you Lord that you still redeem Rahabs today. Rahab's story & Here

You still bring beauty from ashes. Scripture

And You still rule from the heavens! 
The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, 
And His sovereignty rules over all.

We love you with all of our hearts.

Thank you.

In the Name of Jesus,
By the power of Your Holy Spirit, 
and to Your Majesty we pray,

Amen."

Love to you today reader,
Jes