The Truth About Abortion, Crisis Pregnancy

Dear Friends and young mother who has found my blog,

This post is from a precious friend of mine, who I love dearly. She has opened her heart up to share with you honestly about abortion, having made this decision herself. If you're considering having an abortion, I hope and pray that you'll read her words here first.

Ask for an ultrasound.

Talk to someone who has had an abortion before you choose to have one.

Call an adoption service, and just talk with them about how adoption works...many adoptions are OPEN ADOPTIONS now...meaning that the birth mother gets to be a part of the lives of both her child and the adoptive family.

 

Here are the words of my friend, Janan. I pray that they minister to your heart... (I love you, Nanner!)

"So I check out your blog today and here you are talking about abortion! Can you believe ABORTION has been on my mind since last Friday night, ever since I heard a program on the radio talking about it. This program was talking about having an ultrasound first - that in some places as many as 2/3 of the people having an ultrasound will change their mind about aborting after they "see" that indeed they are carrying a living child! 

I had an abortion when I was 18 years old (I'm 55 now). I was so blind back then - I had to be because I would have never aborted a live human being. I did not know then what I know today. I was unmarried and stunned to find out I was pregnant. What to do?? My older sister said to abort - she was adamant about it. I was 18 and obviously not very bright - I really didn't think of the baby as alive. Sadly, my boyfriend and family supported that decision. If someone had another opinion, they didn't speak up. Where was my ultrasound? Why didn't someone tell me to have an ultrasound before I made such a life-altering decision?

For years I had doubts and regrets about what I did, but I pushed those feelings down very deep. Years later, I got married (to another man) and had two beautiful sons and today I have two beautiful grandchildren. I think this has been what has made my heart so sick with wonder of what could have been with the baby I aborted. How could I have not given my baby a chance to live? I always thought I was a loving, giving person - but I never gave my own flesh and blood a chance to live. 

You are right Jes. God does forgive. But you first have to repent and then ask for that forgiveness. 26 years after my abortion, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. He has allowed me to "see" my sin for what it was. I know with every beat of my heart that I have been forgiven. And God has blessed me with beautiful children and grandchildren, even after what I have done. He is a GREAT God, and my hope is this - if there is ANYONE who finds this blog and reads it, I want them to know that there are people all over who care - Jes has given you a clinic to contact where you can begin getting help immediately. Call the number or go there - please seek help! 

Most importantly, I personally want you to know that there is a GOD WHO LOVES YOU! He cares about your unborn child most definitely, but please know that HE CARES ABOUT YOU TOO! I know for a FACT that if you call out to Him and ask Him to help you, HE WILL WALK THROUGH THIS WITH YOU! You don't know what to do - but God does!

Consider the words of Psalm 139:13-16...

 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depts of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body!"

My heartfelt prayer for you is that you will understand and believe that there is hope - and help - out there for you! Be smart! Allow someone to help you! Please don't live a life of regret, always wondering about what might have been, always knowing you took a life. Life is God-given. Regardless of the circumstances, God gives LIFE! 

Love, 
Janan "

Abortion in Phoenix - How Do I Get An Abortion? Should I Get An Abortion?

I just read a wonderful blog post from a man in another state who is hoping to adopt a child soon. He wrote a review of a ministry in Phoenix that works with women who are pregnant, and considering their options and want to make informed decisions.

This ministry is called "With Child Ministry" and their aim is to preserve the life of children from the time of conception.  

You can read this father's blog post here, and you can link to With Child Ministry here. 

If you live in the Phoenix area, and are considering having an abortion, PLEASE at least call this ministry first!

Goodness gracious, if you live ANYWHERE and are considering having an abortion or are asking yourself "Should I get an abortion?", then please take just a few minutes and call, write or visit this ministry.

You can't imagine the heartache that you'll deal with, should you decide to abort your baby. 

Help can be harder to ask for after the fact...please, just call and talk with the people at the ministry before you decide to abort...don't wait until it's too late.

Abortion is unforgiving. God isn't, but the consequences of abortion are. 

An abortion clinic, or "family planning" clinic isn't likely going to take the time to be honest with you about the consequences of a decision to abort your baby.

Let's be honest...abortion costs $500+. Why are they going to try to talk you out of having an abortion, when that is going to take money out of their pockets?

Abortion is a MONEY MAKER for the abortionist.

You'll live with your decision forever.

Don't you owe it to yourself to at least make one phone call to talk with someone who has your best interest at heart? 

Please... call "With Child Ministry"...they want to help you and your baby.

I'll be praying for those of you who find this blog post.

God loves you, and He can turn the ashes of an unwanted pregnancy into beauty if you'll let Him.

You really will be in my prayers.

Here is the contact information for With Child Ministry:

We are located at:

3121 E Greenway Rd, suite 303 
Phoenix, AZ 85032

Call Us at:

602-788-5434

Email Us at:

info@withchildphx.org 

Kay Arthur's Blog

Hey Blog Fans...

Just wanted to let you know that Kay has officially entered the Blogosphere.  

Comments are disabled, though. You'll just have to read and "digest" on your own...I know, that's tough for many of us in the blog world. ;)

Her blog address is KayArthur.blogspot.com 

As always, she is transparent and open and shares both God's Word and what He is doing in her heart and life.

What a blessing to have her example of what it means to be honest and real with people!

We love you, Kay!

Anna and "Simon"

I want to share a story with you. I hope it will touch your heart as it did mine....

Last night I was checking my e-mail around 9pm. We had just put our kids to bed, and Shane was busy doing something..although I don't recall just what it was.

I was making great headway in clearing out my e-mail in-box....

Note from American Airlines...delete.

Your statement is ready to view from (my bank)...delete.

Vision Forum is having another 70% off sale...delete.

Your SW Gas bill is here...(whoopie!)....archive.

But then, I saw an e-mail from my dear friend, Anna. Anna and I have been friends since we were 8 years old. She is precious to me. She saw me through all of my years of rebellion and idiocy, and still loves me. (That's a GOOD friend!)

The subject line was simple..."nerves".

Except, I had a feeling in my heart that it wasn't going to be as simple as it might look....

you see, Anna has been feeling really strange lately...muscle weakness, tingling, numbness. 

Her PCP doctor basically told her she had a virus and should go home and get over it. 

(Don't get me started on this! If there's one thing I've learned from the summer of illness I've had, it's that as the patient we must press on until we get answers.)

Well, just as I was opening Anna's e-mail, and right after having put my kids down for bedtime, I hear this horrid banging noise outside.

It didn't take but a few seconds to recognize the noise...it was the kids next door again, with their blaring "music". 

If you'll allow me, I'm going to digress here for a few minutes...we live next door to 3 young men...I think one of them is a teenager, but I'm pretty sure that the other two are in their early 20s. There is a constant stream of cars in and out of there, and most often the cars are speeding through our neighborhood. We deal with broken glass strewn all over the street, with no one willing to take responsibility for it; loud noise at all hours of the night; trash all over the street, which we spend hours at a time picking up; and language that would make a sailor blush...which is often times being yelled at loud decibels while my children are playing out front.

Here's the kicker, though...these young men have been so responsive any time that we've asked them to quell the language or turn the music down. 

Granted, we don't always appreciate having to ask at crazy hours of the night, but when we do, they respond graciously.

They've also been quite thoughtful on more than one occasion and have helped us with moving heavy items. They don't hesitate..they just jump right in and help.

I've made them cookies, and taken them baked items, and always say "hello" and take a few minutes to talk with them. 

However, my flesh doesn't always want to be nice when their actions are inconveniencing my family!

Last night was one of those moments...I was just about to read the e-mail from my sweet friend, hoping to find out what has been plaguing her, and JUST AT THAT MOMENT comes the banging, irritating, moronic music from next door!

 I might mention here that before I became a Christian, "Salt & Peppa" was my favorite group...so I once favored moronic music, too! Can you say, "compassion and understanding?".

I tried to ignore the noise and just read Anna's note.

There it was..."i am so tired. had spinal tap today. must wait 5-10 days for result.          3 lesions seen on my brain mri so doc does think ms. must have spinal tap result b4 meds i'll call soon

love anna "

Instantly the tears came...this is my dearest friend from childhood. I was the maid of honor in her wedding. She was mine..twice. In that moment, a flood of memories came pouring through me...pictures of all the sweet times we'd had together over the past 31 years. 

And then, the fear...fear of the unknown. Fear of what she must be feeling. Fear of the future. 

And then, the desperate longing...the longing to hear her voice, although I knew she didn't feel like talking. The longing to hold her in my arms and cry our eyes out together. The longing to find things to make us laugh through the tears. The longing just to be with her.

And, in a rush...the deep desire to call my Mom, who knows and loves Anna so dearly...and tell her, and ask her to pray...knowing that she'd fill e-mail in boxes all over the world with prayer requests for Anna. Yet, my Mom is not in my life today...this is something that I haven't shared here publicly, as I haven't wanted to dishonor her in any way. 

It just is what it is for now, and I'm not going into it any deeper than that...I'll just tell you, I miss her so much. 

I miss her during every holiday. I miss her when my kids do something funny that I want to call and tell her about. I miss her from Thanksgiving through Mother's Day...each month a new reminder of her absence. 

And, I miss her terribly right now...when I want to call and tell her about my precious friend. 

I want to talk to her as only a mother and daughter can talk to one another. I want to hear her tell me that God is in control. In a word, I want my Mom.

I'm digressing again, I know.

Back to the noise...it seemed to be growing...louder and LOUDER and LOUDER. 

Reminded me of the Tell-tale heart in Poe's story, it did!

I sat at my computer, dealing with this flood of emotions, and wanting that noise to CEASE so that I could process in solitude, with the peace of knowing my kids wouldn't soon be running into the room to tell me about "the teenagers".

In an instant, I decided I'd just go ask them to turn it down. Now mind you, I never know what "them" it's going to be. Would it be one of their kind friends, or one of the ones rich in attitude?

I just didn't think I could deal with attitude in that moment.

So, I walked downstairs and out the front door without saying a word to Shane about anything..he didn't know what I was doing, and he didn't know what I'd just read. Usually, I'd ask him to talk to the teens, but I didn't even have the energy to ask in that moment.

Out the door and down the walk I went...and then I saw whose car it was that was blaring the music. For sake of privacy, we'll call him "Simon". ;)

I knew this kid by name. He's my favorite of all of their friends. He proudly boasts "Calvary Chapel" stickers all over his car, and is quick to talk about church with me should I bring it up.

I walked to his door..."Simon?"

"Oh, hey!" he says as he pops out of the car wearing his cross necklace.

"Simon, would you do me a favor? My kids have just gone to bed, would you be willing to turn your music down please?"

"Oh, sure." and he does it immediately.

"Thanks," I say and turn to go back home.

But then I pause, and I turn back to him...

"Don't you go to Calvary?" I ask.

"Yes. I do."

"I just found out that my best friend from childhood has MS...." and then the tears flow...having been held back as though by a dam, they are now pouring out like a flood.

"Would you be willing to put her on your church's prayer chain? Her name is Anna."

"Sure! I'm going to Youth Group tomorrow night. I'll put her on then. Anna, you said?"

"Yes." was all I could manage through the tears...

And then, "Simon" amazed me....he held his arms wide open and walked over to me and just took me into his arms and gave me the biggest bear hug and patted my back as I boo-hooed on his shoulder.

It was a loving, compassionate hug like one you'd get from a fellow Christian.

I don't even remember anything else he said to me. In truth, I don't think he said much, as I don't think there was really anything to be said....but I was so amazed by his merciful heart and his tenderness in that moment...I don't even know how to put into words how much this young man touched my heart, or how perfect his response was.

That was it. 

I thanked him, and came inside and fell into my husband's arms as I wept for my friend, and explained to Shane what I'd found out.

Thinking back over things from last night, I am blown away by how quick I can be to think that teenagers with moronic music don't have a brain in their heads....last night was a great awakening for me.

I know this post has been all over the place. I appreciate you just reading along and showing me grace.

Please pray for my precious friend, Anna. I love her so much, and I wish like anything that this diagnosis was mine and not hers.

And, with regard to that teenager in your neighborhood who makes you crazy...give them a chance...it's pretty cool to see them rise to the occasion.

I'm not going to grammar check this post...I'm just posting. 

I know you'll understand.

Romans 1 and Caedmon

Yesterday in church, our pastor was teaching on Romans 1, and our 8 year old son was in service with us. Half way through, he leaned over and wanted to ask me something and I shushed him…so instead he wrote his question down on his paper, to ask later.

As SOON as service was over, he popped out of his seat and showed me the question he’d written down…with much anticipation he asked/read his question…

“Am I a Bond-Servant?” (referencing Paul in verse one) 

"Am I, Mommy? Am I?"

When I told him that he was, because of his commitment to Jesus Christ through receiving salvation and entering into covenant with Christ, he JUMPED up and down with excitement!

Would I jump up and down at the opportunity to call myself a slave? A bond-slave, a servant? I mean, I might SAY it...but do I JUMP UP AND DOWN IN EXHULTATION OVER IT?"

Maybe this is what it means to have childlike faith.

It was wonderful…and gives me a visual to remember all of my life.

Oh, that my heart will always be that thrilled to be a slave to Christ!