Kayaking4Life....Keeping My Eyes on Jesus

I spent the morning on the sidewalk of the busy abortion center in Charlotte speaking on behalf of the unborn with my team from Cities4Life  Then I spent the afternoon kayaking by myself....kayaking4life.  I think I need a t-shirt with that catchy name on it. 

As anyone who labors for the Lord on the sidewalk of abortion centers can attest, it is important to have a way to decompress after the spiritual battle that ensues on that sidewalk. Kayaking does that for me. I go out alone on the water, emptying my heart of everything but God and His glorious creation. It never fails to recharge me for the ongoing call to speak on behalf of those who cannot speak.

I always see God’s lessons in symbols all around me, and this happens especially when I am alone in the beauty of  nature. Yesterday on my kayak was no exception. I needed God’s message because it was both a wonderful and a heartbreaking day on the sidewalk. Three women chose life for their precious babies, but one whose baby was 17 weeks old went through with the abortion. Have you ever seen a 17 week baby in utero?

We all tried speaking to the young couple. They admitted they knew it was wrong, they claimed to know and love God, and yet their eyes were on their struggles and not their conscience, their God, or their eternity. That is what sparked my lesson in my kayak. The video below tells you what the wind and the waves tossing my boat reminded me about walking with integrity and strength before God.

My prayer as we enter Resurrection Weekend is that God would speak clearly to all of us. That we would turn to Him and His power and Love. That we would keep our eyes NOT on the storm in our lives, but on Jesus, the Savior of our lives.

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Hebrews 12:2 

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 14:6 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

God Uses a Team Devoted to Life of the Unborn

The longer I work on the sidewalks of the busiest abortion center in the Southeast, the more I cherish and understand the necessity and value of a team on that sidewalk. The sign holders make the abortion minded mama slow down and think. The ones who counsel briefly when the car stops give them literature to read and let bible verses and photos of the unborn sink into their soul. The ones who stand in prayer as the conflicted mother enters the clinic send petitions to God. The RV driver who arrives early in the morning so that even those who arrive while the clinic doors are locked see that free help is available. The line of volunteers who call out to the women offer promises of hope in Jesus and tangible help. Every single volunteer is critical to any choice for life.

Tuesday, our shift had barely begun on the early cold morning when one of our young volunteers was able to speak with a panicked teen carside. Somehow, she convinced the teen to go on the Monroe HELP Pregnancy Center RV where our mobile ultrasound unit is available for free.  This teen was adamant she would NOT have this baby. She was somber and terrified. She could not tell her parents she was pregnant.

“My parents are perfect,” she said, “They never make mistakes.”

Word of warning to parents: DO NOT let your kids believe this. How incredibly damaging that message is to them when they inevitably mess up.

I told her that I was sure she had great parents, but said, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That includes your parents.”

The nurse had not yet arrived, so I had a half hour of quiet time alone with the girl I will call Nancy for privacy reasons. I asked her if she had asked God what to do about this baby. She told me God would have her keep it, and she knew she was going to hell because she absolutely would abort.

This paved the way to a Gospel presentation. Nancy was not very familiar with the Bible though she clearly believed in God. She knew little about Him or what His commands really meant. She definitely did not understand why Jesus died for us or why we should trust and love Him. She asked great questions as I shared the Gospel, and when I finished, she wanted to ask Him to be Lord of her life. We finished praying together when the nurse, Valerie, arrived.

Despite having just committed her young life to Jesus, Nancy was still terrified. NO WAY could she have this baby. I began citing verses to explain what God would have her do. I shared resources that could help her, even told her about two job possibilities friends had told me about for helping the moms I work with! But without going into much detail, I promised her we were able to help her through every obstacle. First, she needed to see her baby.

Valerie took over and could not have been more perfect and in synch with the needs at the moment. She shared tearful testimony after the ultrasound that made me want to be pregnant so I could let my baby live. She showed Nancy the tiny baby’s beating heart, and I think I saw a flicker of a smile on Nancy’s face.

“It’s a miracle, isn’t it?” Valerie asked.

“Yes,” Nancy said.

Now it was my turn again to counsel with specifics. Nancy remained solemn and repeatedly returned to the fear of telling her parents. I don’t remember when we have had to fight so hard for a baby on the RV. Valerie and I were on there three hours. Nancy didn’t ask to leave...in fact, she kept saying she didn’t know HOW to decide. Finally, there was a shift. She visibly softened. I shared Deuteronomy 30:19 with her: I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

“What do you think God would have you do?” I asked.

“Choose life.”

“What do you want to do?” Valerie asked.

“I want to keep my baby.”

We filled her arms with gifts, and listed a plethora of ways we would help. We included my offer to go with her to tell her parents, or for one of our free trained family counselors to go with her. She smiled as she picked out a pair of hand knit booties our supporters send us.

What if our Cities4Life team had not been there? 

There is no doubt in my mind that this panicked teen would have aborted had she driven into the clinic. I don’t know how Kayla got her to stop but without a doubt, Kayla helped save that baby’s life. Praise God the RV was there and praise God that Woody, the driver, was available and willing and was there so early that the RV could be there at the moment it was needed. Praise God that a whole team outside the RV were praying even before I texted one of them to tell him this was a hard one, so pray hard! 

What a beautiful blessing our incredible teams devoted to the unborn are to me...and to Nancy and her little baby.

Later that day she texted me. She was so grateful we had been there.

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Galatians 6:2 

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Four Generations of Pro-life Sidewalk Counselors — Now THAT’S a Legacy

My name is Analise. I come from a large family also known as the Metzger Nation. I am the oldest of soon to be thirteen kiddos. We adopted two of my brothers from Missouri, my daddy was adopted when he was a baby, and I myself was adopted from Kazakhstan at 10. I know for a fact that I have the best crazy family on this planet!

 My parents got involved in pro life ministry in 2008 I believe. We were not familiar with sidewalk counseling or sidewalk ministry, but my mom was. She grew up doing this very same thing as a young teenager with her family. My mom explained what abortion was in age-appropriate language so we all understood why we would go there. There were a few other families that would come out and minister with us and we would go out once a week at the most but sometimes we would go on Saturdays as well. The clinic had very little coverage or no coverage at all from sidewalk counselors.

After we got involved with sidewalk counseling, my parents helped establish Cities4Life with the Benham Brothers. Its hard to believe how large Cities4Life has grown and how many faithful people are out on the sidewalk six days a week. 

My husband David and I met at the busiest abortion center in Charlotte, ministering together. I remember my parents were doing a Cities4Life training at the clinic sidewalk, and David was speaking. It was a very hot summer day.  I was standing in the shade watching over my siblings and we were listening to what David was sharing as he was speaking truth and sharing the Word of God to those inside the clinic. We went to Cities4Life gatherings and would see each other there, as well. 

Three years ago, my family and I joined Christ Fellowship, where David attended. I would see him every Sunday and every Wednesday for our weekly Bible Study. David and I would always talk about God and His Word and life in general. David would also teach us and share some Scriptures about wisdom and understanding from God. 

 I am so blessed by God for bringing David into my life! We love serving the Lord together and seeing what else God has in store for us. We definitely want to adopt whenever the Lord opens the door for us. David and I are expecting our first little girl late in the summer. We can't wait to meet Lydia Faye Jordan and bring her on the sidewalk with us!

This photo was taken at the place where David Jordan and I met in June 2014. This is the busiest abortion clinic here in Charlotte and they do abortions six days a week. Yes, we met while standing and ministering together at an unusual place to many, but not so unusual to some. 

October 28, 2017 was our first day of ministry together since our marriage at the busiest abortion clinic in Charlotte. It felt so strange that we were ministering as a husband and wife, instead of just friends.

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I love this story, this couple, and this extended family. They have loved God and served Him on behalf of the unborn for four generations. How many of us have this incredible legacy? Maybe it will start with you. Click HERE for information on volunteering.

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Proverbs 22:6 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Deuteronomy 6:7 

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

The “Pro Choice” Group Prevented a Mom Who Needed Our Help From Getting It, But God Prevailed

This picture is of me with Kitty, a spry 87-year-old who comes to the sidewalk of the abortion clinic three times a week to speak on behalf of the babies who cannot speak for themselves. The “pro-choice” crowd, who tells us how much they care about women, called her an “old hag”. I am sure they meant that kindly. Maybe they care about women except certain exceptions... such as the very young unborn girls or women more advanced in years like Kitty.

Another woman who experienced the love and care of the “pro-choice” crowd called me yesterday. I had just finished several hours on the sidewalk with our Cities4Life team on a really cold day. (That is why I am dressed like Nanook of the North in the photo above.) I will call this woman Jane to protect her privacy.

“Miss Vicky? My name is Jane. I have a pamphlet with your name on it.”

I instantly knew she was a mom from the abortion center and had one of our pieces of literature we give out to encourage Moms to choose life over abortion. We also counsel and point post-abortive women to resources to help them.

“That’s great,” I told her. “We would love to help you.”

She unveiled an amazing story. In December, she had come to the abortion center to kill her baby. She had just moved to the area and had no family or friends. Her boyfriend, upon hearing she was pregnant urged her to abort. She lost her job when the employer learned Jane was pregnant. She felt utterly alone and abandoned with little choice but to abort.

As she pulled into the abortion center, she met me briefly, took the pamphlet with my name on it, but couldn’t talk with me. The “pro-choice” crowd told her to drive on, drive on, don’t talk to them. She drove into the parking lot and hurried into the clinic. She had been warned by the people who schedule the abortions NOT to talk to us as well. The “Pro-choice” crowd swirling around her with umbrellas to block us continued the warning not to talk to us. Jane clutched the pamphlet and went into the waiting area. She sat down and began leafing through the pamphlet.

“It was terrible in there. It was crowded. So many people. Some people were crying, but some were laughing, and watching TV...like this was no big deal. I looked at the Bible verses in the pamphlet, and then the photos of babies in the womb, and then the picture of an aborted baby and how it was ripped apart. I realized God was telling me get out now. I could not do that to my baby.”

“Did you stop to talk with us when you left?” I asked, “Did you tell us you had chosen life?”

“No...I didn’t see you, and they told us don’t stop, don’t talk to you all. So I drove home. Every day, I looked at that pamphlet and your name and number. I wanted to call...I needed help...but I didn’t want to be a burden.”

“Our ministry exists to help you and your baby,” I said, “It is a privilege to help you. Please know you are not a burden.”

“I should not have been there, but I didn’t know what else to do. I love my baby so much already. I can’t believe I ever thought of doing that to my precious baby.  I am going to Hell for sure.”

That was the opening I pray for every day as I head off to my work as a sidewalk counselor. I shared the glorious truth of the Gospel with her and she wanted to ask Jesus to be Lord of her life immediately. We prayed together and she committed her life to God. Then I shared the wealth of resources and help we could provide. She was overcome with gratitude. I even had a job opening for her from a friend who had just contacted me about the need for good workers. I shared that information with her and she said she would call my friend immediately.

“I am so glad I called you!”she said.

Do not miss this. The “pro-choice” crowd did everything in their power to prevent this woman from talking with us. This is a woman who didn’t want to abort but saw no way out of her situation. She needed and wanted our help, but was warned repeatedly not to talk to us. By the grace of God, I managed to get our literature into her hands, even as the “pro-choice” crowd waved her on, told her not to block the driveway, and urged her not to talk to us because we were “crazy”.

I texted her some verses to encourage her later in the day. This was her response: I'm so excited and so very grateful! Thanks so much!

This story should encourage sidewalk counselors everywhere. First, there are people who go into abortion centers who really do not want to abort. They simply see no other option. When truth and resources are offered, some do make choices for life. Secondly, the so called “pro-choice” crowd is not about choice. They actively block the choices other than abortion. Thirdly, more women choose life than we know about. They do not always stop to tell us.

So many people hop on the “pro-choice” bandwagon because it sounds so noble to be pro-choice. What they don’t understand is the truths I outlined above that were revealed clearly through Jane’s story. A choice for death is not choice. It is the end of choice...certainly for the baby. How many babies and women’s lives are destroyed who could have been saved if they had been offered a real choice?

Praise God that His truth can prevail even in the midst of such darkness and delusion as abortion. Despite those groups so eager to usher women in crisis to an irreversible and devastating choice, God grants us the privilege to shine His light, and sometimes, a wounded soul escapes the path of destruction.

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Joshua 24:15 

And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Revelation 3:20 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Ephesians 1:4 

Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

A Beating Heart Reminds Us To Follow God, Not Our Heart: An Abortion Pill Reversal Story

The young lady who had an abortion pill reversal (see abortionpillreversal.com ) came aboard the HELP Monroe Pregnancy Center RV to have a repeat ultrasound of her baby. This is now the third ultrasound to measure the progress of her child. She is past the major danger time when the abortion pill reversal failure would most likely occur. Nonetheless, I held my breath and prayed until I saw the baby’s beating heart again.

The heart rate was excellent and the baby measured a full week’s growth since he was measured a week ago. We are all so encouraged and joyful. The young mother told us she is still worried, but she is radiant with the joy of the child she carries. She told us her parents call her every day to check on her.    

As reported in earlier blogs, the woman took the abortion pill to destroy her baby, and immediately regretted it. In tearful horror, she and her boyfriend noticed the abortion pill reversal sign our Cities4Life teams post just outside the abortion center for women to see as they leave. The couple went home,  found the website, and connected with our nurse, Courtney. The reversal protocol began as quickly as we could reach the woman, and her baby survived!

Miracles were not at an end.The young couple committed their lives to Jesus last week after seeing their child on the ultrasound with his vigorously beating heart. They knew God had been in the midst of this incredible journey, and now were ready to let Him take over.

This week they told me they intend to marry...very soon.

Praise God, not only for the beating heart of that little baby, but for his parents’ new hearts inclined towards God.

So often, we are told to “follow our heart.” But the Bible warns us in Jeremiah 17:9: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

Our heart can mislead us. It can deceive us. This young woman would attest to that. Her heart told her to kill her child because in her mind, it was the wrong time for a baby. As soon as she followed the advice of her heart, she realized she had been deceived. Now her heart was broken.

Praise God that in this case, the young woman was given a second chance.

The Bible tells us that when we commit our lives to Jesus as Lord, we are given a new heart. God  promises us that instead of a heart that is cold and hard to the will of God, our heart will be softened to submit to His call.

Ezekiel 36:26-28 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

 The young lady thanked Courtney and me for all our efforts to help her. Then she said sadly, “How was it here today?” She pointed to the abortion center. (The RV is parked on the curb of the very place she had almost taken the life of her precious baby.)

“It was busy as usual,” I said, “But two women chose life.”

“That’s good,” she said, “It is a terrible place. I would never go there again. Never. And I would try to talk anyone who wanted to go there into changing their mind.”

That is the power of God in one’s life. A new heart. A new outlook. Deception falls like scales from our eyes and we see the glorious wonder of God’s plan and His creation. Our heart yearns to follow Him as best we are able. A new heart. A new life. In Him.

Here is a video of the beautiful little baby with his precious beating heart. The arrows on the video point first to his little hand, and then his little foot. And beating a testament to God’s goodness, in the center of it all, his little heart. May it always be devoted to God.

We Need Conviction, Not Encouragement

It was still early and our Cities4Life team had not yet arrived. I was pacing, as I always do, in the brisk morning calling out to women as they got out of their cars to see if the abortion center door was unlocked yet. In those few seconds we have as the women go from their cars to the door, our team tries to offer the network of help and resources we have collected, as well as the truth and hope of God. It is a tall order in fifteen seconds, but sometimes that is the only time we will be allotted to be a voice speaking on behalf of the unborn baby.

A couple of days ago, a woman from the group of “clinic defenders” approached me with a smile. I smiled back, hopeful. We all pray for the abortion-supporters and do engage in conversation when there are no mothers within earshot we might reach. The abortion-supporter told me, “I am not coming to be saved.”

She was actually going to the fellow abortion-supporter on the curb, not coming to talk with me. I thought it was wonderful that she knew if she spoke to me, my intention would be to share the truth of the Gospel. There are worse things to be known for.

The director of Cities4Life, who is a visionary always examining how closely we can be more like Jesus in our ministry, has often pointed out that Jesus was approachable. I think of that often. Sinners flocked to Jesus. They ran from Him of course in the end and He was left all alone to face His accusers and then the full wrath of God in paying the penalty for our sins. But while His mission was still to spread His message while walking in the flesh among us, people were drawn to Him.

There are things I know He DIDN’T do to draw others to Him. He didn’t develop a great music ministry. He didn’t have exciting programs targeted to specific age groups with amazing production facilities. He didn’t stoke people’s egos with words of comfort and promises of peace and prosperity. He didn’t downplay sin. 

There were also things He did do. He did meet needs sometimes. Sometimes He fed the hungry, sometimes He even provided wine. Sometimes He healed physical ailments. However, given the vast crowds that surrounded Him, it is telling that He didn’t do those things ALL the time...or even MOST of the time. He was brutally honest about sin, and bold in calling people to account for their sin. He did not shrink from touching the untouchables or from eating with those whom society would hardly consider the elite or powerful. He mingled with the poor, the down-trodden, and the simple people. In fact, He is rarely seen in the company of the rich or famous, and usually has pretty harsh words for those in powerful positions.

What is apparent in His ministry in nearly every interaction is He rarely spoke words of affirmation, but words of conviction.

Matthew 4:10 NIV

[10] Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.' ”

Matthew 4:17,19 NIV

[17] From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” [19] “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

Matthew 5:11-12,20-22,27-28,39-40,44,48 NIV

[11] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. [12] Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. [20] For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. [21] “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' [22] But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. [27] “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [28] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. [39] But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. [40] And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

I could go on, but you get the idea. Jesus does not coddle. He does not encourage. He convicts us of our hopelessness and points us to the absolute only solution...HIM. His admonitions never suggest following Him so that our life on earth is wonderful. He always points to the reward of Heaven, of eternity with God, clothed in the righteousness that Jesus gives us through His atoning death on the cross.

He is right there, on the frontlines, confronting the people who most need to hear His message. He speaks truth. Always.

How can I be effective is NOT the right question. How can I speak and behave more like Jesus? Where am I called to reflect His light?

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The Testimony of a Man who Found Life and a Wife on the Sidewalks of an Abortion Center

Hi, my name is David Jordan and I am a soldier in Christ's army,  One of the battles that I have faithfully been fighting for the last four years is that of the abortion holocaust which is ravaging our nation. Therefore, it's at the local abortion mill that you will find me every Saturday morning opposing that malicious will by not only trying to deliver those babies that have been appointed to death, but also by assisting my Glorious King in setting the captives free from the devil's will. This my friends is a most worthy of wars, and one that I am personally honored to serve in. 

You may be saying "good for you, but that's just not me. It's not who or where I am", and in reply I would say "not so fast". Let me give you a little background that you may understand it's not who I was either. I have overcome much in my young life. I just turned thirty-six and I was bound in drug addiction for two thirds of my life. Drugs were my life for most of my life, and though I tried to follow Jesus many times over the years, the environment I lived in and the drugs that were always there choked the seed of God's word out and I was never able to bear fruit to completion or maturity. 

The Pavkovicks, fellow sidewalk volunteers, opened their home to me a little over four years ago. They are the ones that provided me the place I needed to get rooted and grounded in the word and love of God. They are the ones that had a heart for their preborn neighbor and the women who felt that their destruction was a viable option; and they are the ones who have been faithfully trying to rescue both for many years now. 

I am a soldier on the front lines of this most important of battles, but it is not because I volunteered out of a burning desire, great conviction, or even the goodness of my heart. I was drafted into this battle, and I started going to the abortion mill out of obedience to the word of God and submission to the man of God that took me into his heart and home and showed me what life is really about. It is about the Giver of life and ensuring that all He has blessed with that most precious of gifts get to actually live. 

When I first got into this battle, I was a solitary man, one who didn't believe in abortion, but not enough to do anything about it. That wasn't real conviction or true belief... just mere mental assent; which never saved anyone. It doesn't have the power to save a soul from eternal damnation nor these little babies from the slaughter. Yet that is the state I entered this battle. The burning desire and true conviction came later. 

Don't let the lack of either keep you from this most basic and simple of commands: love your God with everything that you are and your neighbor as yourself. My life has changed so very much because of this simple act of obedience. I am no longer a solitary man; for the Lord is faithful.  I met my beautiful wife Annalise at that very same abortion mill. Annalise and I are happily awaiting our first little one ourselves. Lydia Faye is expected to join us in early August where she too will testify with her very life the goodness of our loving Father God. 

I hope to see you all, my friends, on streets paved with gold, but first come and stand with me on the sidewalks in front of the abortion clinic, buildings that conceal a great evil and those whose hands are stained with the blood of countless innocent children.     

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2 Corinthians 5:21 

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Pro-life Pastor on Trial for Warning a Pro-choice Protestor She is Dead in Her Sins

Flip Benham, an ordained minister, was arrested and charged with threatening behavior for warning a ‘Pro-choice’ protestor at Charlotte’s busiest abortion center that she was dead in her sins. Flip Benham has been an active voice for the unborn for many decades. He is the one responsible for leading Norma McCorvey to a saving faith in Jesus and baptizing her. Norma, recently deceased, was ‘Jane Roe’ of the infamous Roe v. Wade abortion legalization case.          

The plaintiff, president of Pro-Choice Charlotte, is employed as a consultant by the largest abortion center in Charlotte, A Preferred Women’s Health Center. She also volunteers as a ‘pro-choice’ protestor, and is well known for driving too fast where she has swerved and nearly hit many of the pro-life, Cities4Life counselors. She brags about this kind of  driving in recent news articles. 

She is also well-known by Cities4Life counselors for broadcasting pornographic sexual tapes, as well as recording’s of anti-biblical comedians over a sound system at the abortion center. She uses vile language and regularly ridicules young adults that volunteer with Cities4Life for their chaste behavior and dress. I have heard her tell young children of pro-life volunteers that their parents lie, and she offers to explain to them sexual activity that leads to pregnancy.

The incident that led to the arrest of Flip Benham was during a peaceful prayer walk by Love Life Charlotte  There were many adults with approximately 50 children present in the crowd when this woman began using vile, strong language directed to the group with a megaphone. Flip approached the woman. He remained on public property, never crossing on to the clinic private property, and urged her to stop speaking that way in front of those children. Rather than listen to him, she used the megaphone to continue cussing and urging the families to go home, punctuated with words I will not repeat.

Flip, who never goes anywhere without a Bible in his hand, clutched his Bible and told this woman, “You are dead.”

“Are you threatening me?” she asked.

“You are dead in your sins, in your trespasses,” Flip said. “Dead to God, and to self, and you spread death to everyone else. Your heart is full of prickles and stings, and spiders and snakes. Only Jesus can save you. You are dead in your trespasses. I was once dead in my own trespasses and God saved me, and Jesus wants to save you.”

Sometime later, he said, “You are a dead woman walking. What does that mean? It means this: Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Your heart is revealed to me over and over again by the vile things you are saying. Jesus can clean you up, set you on a rock, and put a new song in your mouth. He does it every day. He did it for me, he will do it for you. But it is up to you. You have that choice. I can’t do it for you.”

They were 10 to 12 police officers at the time on the premises. None swarmed upon Flip with any concern regarding the words he spoke. Countless times, they all have heard Flip do what he is ordained and committed to do: share the Gospel. The woman continued speaking inches from Flip’s face with her bull horn. She never went to a single policeman with a single complaint or concern about what Flip had said. Everywhere he goes, every chance he gets, Flip shares the gospel. She has heard this from him hundreds of times. 

She went to the magistrate and filed a complaint, saying that she feared for her life and that Flip had threatened to kill her. With no evidence and her report alone, Flip was arrested. None of the many witnesses who heard Flip were asked if what the woman had said was true.

Yesterday was the civil case in which the plaintiff asked for a court injunction and restraining order against Flip. Later next month, unless dismissed, Flip will meet the plaintiff again in a criminal trial of the incident. I was there as a witness to testify about Flip’s character and also of my knowledge of this woman’s character from my work on the sidewalks of the abortion center. 

One of the most disturbing interactions I’ve had with her is when she drove her car, speeding as usual into the abortion center driveway, and swerved to hit me. Had I not jumped out of the way, I would have been badly injured, if not killed. I immediately screamed to her, “You just tried to kill me! That was so foolish and reckless and evil.”  Her response? Laughter.

I then began crying, partially out of fear, but partially out of intense anger that someone would be so reckless with my life. The woman taunted me, saying, “Oh boo-hoo, Vicky. So sad. Why don’t you report me to the police?“

Police officers check our sound permits daily and had just arrived.  I went to them and told them what had happened, still crying. While the officer did write up an incident report, he told me they could do nothing because we had no evidence. This is despite the fact that there were several witnesses.

During the trial, this woman claimed that because of Flip’s “threats”, she feared for her life.  Then she broke down in tears. I have never seen anything but vile, angry, decadent outbursts, language, and behavior from this woman. Meek and tearful is not her usual persona. She had never shown any remorse for any of her threatening behavior towards us with her car, or for her speech to the children littered in profanity, or for her ridicule of the modesty of Cities4Life young adult volunteers.

How incredibly ironic that without a single corroborating witness or evidence, she was able to express fear for her life from a pastor sharing the gospel and have him arrested… But when she literally swerved to hit me with her car at reckless speed at the abortion center, I was told I could bring no charges against her despite several witnesses observing the incident.

Her lawyer asked Flip at least ten times if he did indeed say “you are dead.“ Each time Flip said, “Yes, that is what I said, but that is not all that I said. Context is very important. She was being incredibly vile to the children and group there. We asked her to stop. Then I went on to share the clear biblical truth that all of us are dead in our sins, in trespasses, and we can be made alive again through Jesus Christ.”

 Each time the lawyer asked, Flip was able to again share the magnificent truth of the gospel in the court room. After the sixth time or so, the lawyer asked again, “So did you say ‘you are dead’?”

Flip sighed, and glanced at the judge. The judge appeared to be getting a little annoyed. “All right, you’ve already asked that,” he told the lawyer, “And he’s already answered, but go ahead, answer it Mr. Benham one more time.“ 

And glory upon glory, we got to hear the gospel again. 

The judge was clearly only interested in witnesses who had actually seen the events of that day.  I was therefore not called to testify. Two of our volunteers who did see the incident gave their testimony. Closing arguments were made. Almost immediately, the judge ruled to dismiss the case.

We praise God for Flip’s continuing ability to share the gospel even in the midst of such trying circumstances. In this instance, truth and justice prevailed.

However, we know that this woman, employed by the abortion center, will likely not stop attempting to silence volunteers who offer hope and help other than abortion to women. We do not believe the plaintiff would have resorted to this unless we were effective in helping women choose life and causing concern to the abortion industry who employs her. 

The opposition will not discourage us. We are called to be a voice for the voiceless and defend the rights of the vulnerable. We never break the law, we are peaceful and loving, and we never have to cover up lies because we speak truth... God‘s truth. We are there to offer the only hope that transforms lives, not to mention tangible resources to help women choose life for their baby. As Flip explained to the judge, he is there to share the Gospel first to the mothers who feel abortion is their only option, but also to anyone he can reach, including the woman who had him arrested.

“It is what I do,” he told the judge. His mission is to speak to all those who do not understand that a heart that rebels against God and His commands is indeed in danger. Not in danger from us, but in danger from a holy God who warns us repeatedly that unless we turn to Him and repent, we are indeed on a path of destruction.

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Matthew 15:18-20 

But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. 

Ephesians 4:29 

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Romans 10:9  

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

            

                        

               

                    

A story of Reversing an Abortion and Testing Faith

A wide-eyed six-year-old took my photo. Her name is Abigail. She was totally enthralled with my kayak. I told her that I was pretty nervous. This photo might be the last picture of me alive. I was venturing into water where an ALLIGATOR had been spotted. Also, it was the maiden voyage with my new sun canopy. I might flip over as soon as I hit the water. I was very safe and secure sitting in my kayak on the dock. I had faith my kayak would remain afloat on the water, but it had not yet been tested. I was smiling in this photo, but my knees were shaking....

I waved goodbye after thanking Abigail, and slipped into the possibly ALLIGATOR infested river. The wind was stiffer than I hoped.  If the canopy was going to be caught in wind and flip me, it would surely do so in this wind. I was perhaps taking my life in my hands. Would my boat sink with the holes in which I had screwed the canopy supports? Would the hull remain watertight? Would the wind pick up my canopy like a kite and carry me to Oz?

But as you can see, I was smiling despite my fear. See, I had just come from a SPECTACULAR event. I had been on our HELP Pregnancy Center  RV with our Citie4Life Nurse, Courtney, and our HELP sonographer Kelly, doing an ultrasound of a baby whose mama had taken the abortion pill a week ago. We had started her on the abortion pill reversal protocol a week ago  and now were doing the first recheck to see if the baby was still alive  If the baby still lived, her chances were very good that she would continue to thrive.

We held our breath as Kelly started the ultrasound. Almost immediately, we saw the beating heart. Courtney whispered, “It’s beating.” Then she hugged me. We had a LOT of love and emotion and effort invested in this baby. A good strong heartbeat,  a week’s worth of growth, and the little baby was moving about. 

I high-fived the mama. “Good job!!!”

After the joy of seeing that little baby alive and apparently thriving, we shared the Gospel with the parents. Early in the Gospel presentation, the father realized that it was clear he was NOT good enough to enter Heaven. All our works are as filthy rags, the Bible tells us, even our righteous works!

“Then what IS good enough?”he asked me.

“Great question,” I said, “And I promise I will tell you.”

As I continued sharing the Gospel, and reached the point of Jesus resurrection, I asked him, “What did Jesus overcome when He rose from the dead?”

Awareness dawned on the young father’s face and he smiled broadly. “DEATH!!! He overcame death!!! That is what is good enough, isn’t it???”

“Yes,” I said. “By His death and resurrection, the penalty for our sin was paid for, and Jesus proved He had the power and authority to raise us from the dead, that He had defeated death once and for all.”

The couple was eager to commit their lives to Jesus at that point. They had seen a bona-fide miracle of God in the life of their baby, and they saw no good reason not to proclaim Him as Lord and seek to live for Him from that moment forward.

The photo above is of the mother and father holding a model of a baby the size of their precious child. We don’t want to post their faces or names to preserve their privacy, but they were eager to have us share the picture and the  generalities of their story if it might save others.

Would my kayak flip? The wind was stronger than I thought. At times, I was paddling hard against the wind wanting to push me a way I didn’t want to go. The kayak rocked more than it does without the canopy. In fact, I was a half hour from the dock when the wind and the waves picked up even more. Would my kayak hold me safe and secure?

In several difficult struggles with women I counseled over the week, the same theme emerged. They did not want to abort, they knew it was wrong, but they did not trust that they could withstand the struggles they would face in the future. They all claimed to believe in God, and they all claimed to have faith in Him...yet they all wanted to find a way to avoid the trials before them even if it meant defying God.

I  challenged them to test their faith in God through this illustration. If one has never seen a boat before, and is encouraged to step into a boat on shore, it would be easy to trust that boat. It is not going to sink on shore. Just like me in that first picture in this blog sitting in my kayak on the dock. I had faith my kayak would float and be safe with the new shade canopy, but it was untested faith. However, as soon as I launched into the river, it was an entirely different matter. I wouldn’t truly have faith in the boat’s ability to hold me until I tested it in the wind and choppy waters.

The same is true of faith in God. It is easy to claim Jesus is Lord of our lives when all is smooth sailing with no struggles or worries. It is an entirely different thing to trust God when we are terrified and our situation seems impossible. Can we trust God in the storms of life?

The Bible says sometimes our poor choices bring struggles and sometimes God brings struggles into our lives. Our response in either case should remain the same. Trust and follow God and obey what He asks of us. We will never know if God will sustain us in all things until our faith is tested. Faith is like trusting my kayak in the deep water will keep me afloat. Anyone can trust a boat on shore.

My kayak rocked. It did not flip over. No alligators devoured me. My joy was complete.

Click HERE for video of maiden voyage of my kayak canopy.

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James 1:3 

For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Mark 4:38-41 

But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

1 Timothy 1:19 

Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,

Proclaiming Life Without Faltering That Babies AND Mothers May Be Saved

It has been a very difficult week at the abortion center sidewalks. So many women who were on the fence about choosing life for their babies were struggling and questioning. I was on my bike after leaving the sidewalks because the insistent Winter had decided to nap and Spring crept out of the bedroom to frolic for a few hours in Charlotte. I always take advantage of beautiful days to commune with God in the glory of His creation.

It was beautiful and peaceful. My phone is mounted on my handlebars so I can use the GPS, take photos, etc.  While pedaling along and enjoying the quiet of the greenway save for the call of birds along the path’s budding treees, I received a text. It was a mom several of us connected with Cities4Life have been counseling for days. We knew her appointment for the abortion was looming.

“I am still undecided if I will abort,” she texted.

“May I call?” I texted back.

“Yes.”

For the next hour or so, I spoke to the mom. This is someone who claims Jesus is Lord, and claims to love God. Her boyfriend was urging abortion however and she didn’t feel like she wanted the baby because of that.  She said she would have this abortion, feel bad, repent, but she knows she will still go to Heaven because God is a forgiving God.

I had been counseling another woman over the past few days who was saying the exact same things. Thus, I had several verses and thoughts already prepared in my mind. I shared these verses with her:

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7: 21-23)

I asked her if those verses concerned her. She had not known of those verses. They did worry her.

Then she told me she did not really want to abort, but she had plans, important plans, and the baby would make those more difficult. Yet with searing honesty she said she knew abortion was wrong, but she was selfish and she was in a hard place.

I told her she was in the same hard place every one of us is in at every crossroad in our life. Do we follow self or do we follow God? Do we disobey God and follow Satan, or do we honor God and follow Him?

Now she told me she was really pretty certain she would NOT abort this baby, but she was just being honest...she didn’t know if she could follow through on this. “One thing you will know about me is I am not a liar,” she said.

I told her I respectfully challenged that. I believed she was lying to herself and to God. I reminded her of this verse: Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, (1 John 2:4)

“Wow Miss Vicky, you sure say some blunt things! You don’t dance around it, do you?”

“No. A baby’s life is at stake. I believe you are playing with fire. I believe you are giving Satan a toe-hold. Unless you slam the door on the possibility of abortion, Satan is going to wedge that door open. Do you know the parable of the person who swept her house clean when a demon leaves but she leaves the door open for it to return by not fully following Jesus and seven demons return worse than the one who left? “ 

Luke 11:23-26 NIV

[23] “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. [24] “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' [25] When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. [26] Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

“No,” she told me. 

“Well that story shows us that we are either for God or against Him. I believe you need to admit to yourself now, out loud that you will not abort this child. I think until you do, you will waver in doubt and you give Satan a foothold. Just like it is saying one thing to declare Jesus LORD and another to behave in a way that shows He truly IS LORD, it is one thing to say you don’t think you should or will abort, and another to DO what you say. Close the door on abortion, and we will help you to follow that commitment.”

I shared many more stories as she threw up other objections. All amounted to the same thing in essence she had been saying all along. She knew abortion was wrong, but she didn’t want to give up her plans for her life. My arguments all amounted to the same thing as well. God’s purpose in creating us was not for our happiness, but to glorify Him in all we think, say, and do.

“OK,” she said

“OK what?” I asked.

“OK. I am ready to say I will not abort this baby.”

“And mean it?” I asked.

“Yes. I will not abort this baby and I will do everything in my power to bring him safely into this world.”

She immediately dropped all pretenses and sobbed her heart out. They were tears of relief. A great battle for her soul had been waged...and God won.

I almost crashed my bicycle because my eyes flooded with tears. I was shaking. It had been such a hard spiritual battle. Plus I had been biking almost twenty miles by now as I talked with her....

We instantly galvanized the team to set up a 3-d ultrasound, mentorhsip propgram with Lovelife Charlotte, and plans for baby shower. The folks in charge contacted her immediately. She was so relieved. I knew she would be. Kicking Satan down the street always feels good.

When I got home, I had a call scheduled with a second difficult case. The woman had finally chosen life after several team members again had all counseled her. I was to call the boyfriend who, as in the story I just relayed, wanted abortion. The boyfriend would not answer his phone, though for two days I had been trying to call and he had told his pregnant girlfriend he would talk with me. 

Finally, I decided I had nothing to lose and sent a text. The text was about the humanity of the baby, the development of the baby, the horror of abortion, the clear commands of God to protect the baby and the mom who did not want to kill her baby, the challenge to be the man God called him to be and to help the mother of his child.

No response.

Last night, I received this text from that mom:

I know you're sleeping, but I just wanted you to know that you don't need to talk with my boyfriend . We are all good, we are on the same page and we're here trying to support each other and we already set out a thing that each of us will put money each week to make a savings for the baby 

Hallelujah!!!

I tell you these stories to encourage you. Abortion is a gruesome, barbaric, horrific, violent end of an innocent baby’s life. Nothing justifies exchanging that baby’s life for our own. God’s commandments are clear: Rescue those being led away to death, hold back those stumbling to the slaughter, Thou shalt not murder. 

We are NOT to remain silent. We ARE to judge, but judge with God’s righteousness.

Proverbs 31:8-10 

Speak out on behalf of the voiceless 

and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. 

Speak out in order to judge with righteousness 

and to defend the needy and the poor.

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The Wisdom of the Aged to an Abortion Minded Mother

I always learn tips about how to live a gracious and Godly long life when I teach my little nursing home art class. The 103-year-old woman, R, is always the last to leave, working meticulously on her drawing, and usually chuckling throughout.  Since she and I are alone at the end as I clean up, she never fails to have some bit of wisdom for me.

“You know,” R told me, “There were many times I had to do things I didn’t like to do. But I just told myself, if you have to do it, stop complaining. That just makes it worse. Do it and learn to like it.”

I remembered my son, as a small boy when he joined a t-ball team. He desperately wanted to be the catcher, but was placed in the field somewhere. He did complain at first. It is not at all where he wanted to be. He had plans, desires, talents...and the coach was thwarting them. Then one day, he came to me and said he had made a decision. 

“I’m going to bloom where I’m planted, Mom.”

That declaration still brings tears to my eyes. 

The Bible says it another way: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

And

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13)

Yesterday at the abortion center, our Cities4Life team met a woman who was just driving by. She had an appointment to abort in a few days, and she wanted to see the place. She stopped to talk with our new afternoon team members. They spoke with her a long time about God, the humanity of the baby, and the help we could offer. They gave her our literature which had my name and number on it. She called me later in the afternoon.

Her story was one we hear all the time. She was initially excited to know she carried life in her! But the boyfriend told her he didn't want the baby, nor frankly did he really want her. She had many plans, desires, talents ... and the baby didn’t really fit in. She and the boyfriend discussed how it would be better to have the baby in maybe three years or so.

Except the baby was here now.

I spoke to her for an hour and a half, sharing the truth of fetal development (which she did not know), the truth of God’s word regarding the sanctity of life, and the truth of what it means to proclaim Jesus as Lord. She agreed with and understood everything I said. Still, in essence her response was:

 I know the right thing to do, but I don’t want to do it.

I refuse to bloom where I am planted.

I refuse to abide in God even though abiding in my own choices has led me to heart ache and terrible difficulties now.

The 103-year-old lady smiled at me and told me she had enjoyed the class. She took her drawing in one hand and laid the other hand on my arm.

“And you know, all my life I have ended up enjoying what I did.”

By the way, my son eventually got to be the catcher on his t-ball team. And he was a very good one.

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Please pray the woman we ministered to cancels her appointment at the abortion center. If interested in volunteering with Cities4Life, click Here.

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James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

John 16:33 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 4:12 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

Romans 12:12   Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.