God Provides...But Sometimes He Uses US to Do So

This incredible woman chose life for her baby, Jesus for her Lord, and marriage to live righteously before God...all in the span of four days. Chrissy, on the right is the humble and amazing Cities4Life counselor that first stopped J's car and convinced her we could and would help her.

We got to see J's baby on an ultrasound yesterday. That baby was the most active little munchkin I have ever seen on an ultrasound. She was doing cartwheels in the womb. (While we cannot determine gender on the RV, I will call the baby 'she' since I hate using the word 'it' when referring to a tiny human being.) I think she was at least as excited about life as we were. I am not sure I have ever seen a mother's face more suffused with love than J's as she watched her little one. To think how far this woman has traveled emotionally and spiritually in two weeks gives me goose bumps.

We are still helping this wonderful couple find housing. One church we'd contacted called me yesterday. They knew of the couple's story and believed so strongly that this couple is seeking to truly live for God and turn their lives around that they offered to partner with Cities4Life in securing housing. I am not the only one who has been deeply touched by this brave woman and her husband who also committed his life to Jesus.

How many of us face impossible circumstances, see a way out that dishonors God but seems like an easy quick solution...and choose it? I bet if we are honest, many of us. To make a choice for God that we know will entail suffering and struggle is NOT easy for any of us.

Yet, when I asked J when her very difficult life began to turn around, she instantly said it was the moment she met the Cities4Life counselors and decided against abortion. Her commitment to Jesus, and then living as she clearly saw He commanded her to live was the next transformative step.

She is overwhelmed by the love of God's people enveloping her little family. She told me that she and her new husband had been isolated prior to the past two weeks. Trust did not come easily to her, but what an unexpected blessing she found in the presence of God's foot soldiers.

J gave me permission to post her story. She said it might encourage others, and even save lives. She told me she was so afraid to reach out to others, but when she did, the floodgates of God's blessings opened. "I had to humble myself and swallow my pride...and then...look what happened!"

All of us need to swallow our pride, turn humbly to God, admit our stumbling weakness, and be healed by the ONLY One who can heal. I am so inspired by this woman's perceptions and faith.

We are still struggling to find affordable housing for this couple and are praying for a landlord who wants to bless a wonderful young couple to come forward with a house, trailer, or apartment large enough for their family of five. I am confident God will provide. He always does. Please consider how perhaps you can be a part of His incredible plan for provision.

Three more women chose life yesterday on the sidewalks of the abortion center. One of our brand new counselors was instrumental in a couple changing their hearts to their baby. Do you want to be a part of this revolution for abundant life? I wouldn't miss this blessing for anything!

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For housing leads, or to join our Cities4Life Sidewalk team, please contact vkaseorg@cities4life.com
Additionally, when I gave several bags of clothes to the sweet family from donors, the 9 year old girl told me she loves dresses. I don't think any dresses were donated! If you have size 5-7 Junior girl dresses you would like to donate, let me know!
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1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Made In His Image Before One Day Came to Pass

After writing my blog about the needs of the mother who chose life, Jesus, and marriage, I received many offers of help. Within hours, every material need and more was met. (Except for the housing. We need at least 6 months of housing before they can enter a fabulous program that provides housing. This is a great opportunity for Christian landlords to be the hands and feet of Jesus!)

Along the way, I met a delightful woman, Lisa, who brought me a carload of things for J's family. She also offered to help with baby shower organizing, and securing furniture the women who choose life might need. Others offered maternity clothes, gift cards, and anything else needed to fill in gaps.

To say I am overwhelmed and humbled is an understatement. THIS is how the body of Christ should act. This is the beauty and purpose of the church: to uphold Christ's teaching and message and show the love of the Lord to His people in tangible ways.

Today, I return to the sidewalk of the abortion center. More women who have been deceived by a culture that says death to a human baby is a viable solution to struggles they face will swear at us and tell us we are judgmental hypocrites. Many "pro-choice" escorts will try to convince these women that they are doing the right thing in aborting. Their babies will die and their God-created nurturing souls will mourn.

Some, however, like J and her husband, will choose life. They will see the compelling truth of what Jesus did for them on the cross, and take a humble step of faith into eternity with God. They will feel the love of scores of people moving on their behalf, and will finally understand what a gift human life is and what it means to be made in the image of God and to carry another little image-bearer in their womb.
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To be a part of transforming our city to one that reveres life, please join us on the sidewalks of the abortion center. For info and training, contact me at vkaseorg@cities4life.com
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Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

Colossians 3:10

And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

Overflowing Abundance While Others Are in Desperate Need

Back from Hilton Head and missing the sun, the sea, my sister, and the joy of God's beautiful creation. However, while the vacation was wonderful, many hours were spent working on behalf of a delightful but struggling family. I return to that issue, still in crisis.


This is a plea. The wonderful couple chose life over abortion for their unborn baby, Jesus as Lord of their lives, and then marriage all within five days when convicted of their need to truly live as God would have them live. They still need permanent housing and clothes for their other children. Cities4Life is committed to helping them turn their life around. We have them in safe temporary housing, but that ends Friday. If anyone has leads on housing for a family of five anywhere that is a doable commute to Stallings, NC, we need help...immediately. We are hoping to keep costs to $700 a month or less. Maybe a Christian landlord is willing to help a family who is trusting God to provide. The dad works full time in a stable job.

Secondly, the kids need clothes. The list is below. I am hoping to bring the mom a pile of them today or this week. Can you help? Drop off will be in south Charlotte. Email me with donations at vkaseorg@cities4life.com. Please consider helping.

Additionally, the mom needs large maternity clothes. She is due in January, so season appropriate maternity clothes only. If we succeed, as hoped, in securing affordable housing, we will need furniture for them, with immediate need of beds. Used computers would be very helpful.

It is tempting to spend the day unpacking from my trip and repacking for the trip out to my folks in a few days. However, the needs of this family weigh heavy on my heart. And then, I see verses like this blaring like boat horns in my Bible reading: 

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:42
So, I already received a call from a wonderful family who will be dropping off a gift card. Maybe this is a harbinger of the floodgates of generosity opening. Instead of unpacking, I will be gathering what I can from my own surplus to help this family. Jesus will not let me off the hook.
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Children Needs:

9 year old girl needs shirts junior small, bottoms 5 in juniors, sportsbras xl kids or small junior, panties 5 juniors or small, socks medium, pajamas small in junior, shoes 7.5 woman, & want tablet. 
7 year old boy needs,shirts & bottoms size 7-8 in boys, pajamas7-8, socks medium, boxers size small in boys ,shoes size 4 in kids , want tablet. 
2 year old boy needs shirts & bottoms size 4T pajamas size 4T & socks & shoes size 10 in kids,

 

I Am Feeble and Weak...How Can God Use ME?

This is hubby, Arvo. He loves to boogie board. I mostly sit and watch since there are spooky creatures in the ocean that bite, sting, and attack humans. Sometimes I pray they won't bite, sting, or attack my loved ones while watching. I don't spend much time sitting, but I do like sitting on the beach watching the waves and praying my loved ones in the water survive.

You may wonder why there are so few pictures of Arvo on this vacation. Sadly, he injured himself kayaking with me a while back when his kayak capsized and he ended up walking it to shore and stepping into a deep knee wrenching hole. He is still nursing that injury so can't bike or kayak the long marathon sessions my sister Wendy and I can.

I can relate to injury now. Yesterday, I (foolishly) agreed to join Wendy and Arvo in a Pilates class. I did all right until about forty minutes into the class when something broke. Something in my back...muscular and important to pain-free living. I stopped following the instructor through a series of impossible core-strengthening moves and huddled in a painful ball in the back corner.

Sadly, even walking hurt. Lots of icing and no kayaking yesterday, and I feel just a little sore today. Pilates and I will NEVER meet again. Wendy and I biked to a pretty nature preserve and walked, which is how I know walking hurt a little. Not too terribly, and we did find a cluster of three alligators in the swamp.

Back to Arvo. He may be injured, but he loves to cook (I know...lucky me!) and has made us gourmet meals when we return from our long kayaking and biking jaunts.  This is his version (below) of Brunswick Stew which is better than any I have tasted in any restaurant.

All of which demonstrates an important principle. We can't do ALL things, but we can do SOME things, and the SOME things we can do can bless others and make others feel valued as God Himself values us.

This principle is how I became a sidewalk counselor at our local abortion center. I (grudgingly) went to the 101 Sidewalk Counselor Training for Cities4Life. I sat behind a deaf woman. She was able to speak and read lips, and sign. So I was able to eavesdrop on her discussion with the interpreter.

She asked the interpreter, "How can I be of use if I cannot hear what the woman is saying if I stop a car of someone heading in to abort?"
The interpreter asked her, "You speak clearly. Can you say, 'Please don't kill your baby'?"
"Yes."
"Then God can use you."

That was a defining moment for me. If God could use a DEAF woman to counsel women not to abort, surely He could use ME. I went to the sidewalk of the abortion center, and discovered my calling.

I hope this encourages all of you. Whatever disability, illness, limitation you face, SOME things remain for you. Can you pray? Prayer moves mountains. Can you speak encouragement? Encouraging words can change despair into hope. Can you share the Gospel? People are stumbling to destruction and yearning to know what can save them from the painful paths they are on. Can you sponsor a family who has chosen life over abortion and now faces impossible circumstances but is willing to accede to the intrinsic and priceless value of their child? You may turn that family's future around. Can you volunteer on the sidewalks and are you able to say, "Please don't kill your baby"? Then God can use you.
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John 14:12

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Oh Death, Where is Thy Sting?

Corinthians 15:54-55
…54When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 

Wendy and I biked our regular route along the beach yesterday, and came upon a stingray a fisherman had caught. He wanted to free the stingray from the fishhook but knew the stingray would only know the pain of the hook being removed, not the freedom that would result. Thus, the fisherman wedged the stingray's dangerous tail against the sand with his fishing pole as he removed the hook. Otherwise, the stingray would sting him and prevent the very act that would set the stingray free. Keep this image in mind for the rest of our day's story...

That morning, Wendy and I had been kayaking.  A dolphin surfaced right by our boats, and continued to play with us, surfacing near while we paddled and talked for a half hour.

Finally, he tired of his game and we wended our way back to the dock. My phone rang. It was my sister Amy in a panic. The nurse's aid had been unable to waken my mom. She was completely non-responsive. My sister was racing to the Assisted Living Home.

Wendy and I were stunned and distraught. "Let's pray," I said. Everyone knows one day death will come to all, but it is never something you are ready for. Crying, I closed my eyes and prayed. I prayed for the comfort of all who love mom, strength for Dad, and a miracle. I prayed that the truth and joy of Jesus would enter not only Mom's life but the lives of all my loved ones, that the travesty of separation might only be temporary. (That part is a continual prayer of my heart.) I prayed that somehow, God would make this all well.

I finished praying and Wendy said, "A dolphin surfaced here while you were praying."

That was a comfort, as though God had sent one of my favorite animals to remind me of His providence in all creation. Still, we paddled back to dock in numb, mournful silence. We returned to the condo, planning how we could get out to Tucson that day. I even had insurance on my flight to Tucson to visit in two weeks so I would be able to change the flight, and leave from Hilton Head.

When we got into the condo, we got a text from Amy: "All is well."

WHAT???? We had been certain Mom had died. ALL is well????

Mom's vitals were all completely normal, the complete unresponsiveness had inexplicably passed after a couple of hours. She was totally and miraculously WELL. They will be doing complete tests today but no one knows what caused it, and no one knows what made it go away. We talked to Mom in the afternoon. She sounded chipper and ALIVE.


I believe God sent a miracle. A reprieve was granted. He LOVES us. He would have not one of us perish and be separated from Him for all eternity. Death has no sting when our hope and trust is in the One who overcame death once and for all in Jesus dying for our sins and rising from the grave on our behalf.

Like the stingray who didn't know he was being saved by the fisherman, but only felt the humiliation of submission as he lay powerless on the sand, ALL of us must submit to Jesus as Lord if the sting of death is to be squashed once and for all. It may seem impossible...but it is THE way, THE truth, and THE life. The stingray had to submit or he would die at the hands of the very one who yearned to save him.

Right around the time as we were rejoicing in this unexpected wonder of wonders, I got a text from one of the moms I work with. She sent a photo of her baby from a 3-D ultrasound with one of Cities4Life partner ministry, Sweet Pea 3-D Imaging. Accompanied with the picture of the baby SMILING in utero, was this message:

I love her message. "Thank you for everything you stand for."  I stand for Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. I stand for life. I stand for victory over death, and triumph over sin. The prayer that is always in my heart is that everyone will stand with me. Every soul is precious to God. Every soul longs for eternity and redemption.

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Hosea 13:14 
I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them …

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Stand with us on the abortion center sidewalks speaking on behalf of the baby's life, and the mother's redemption. Contact me at vkaseorg@cities4life.com

How Can a Puny Human Help in the Face of Vast Struggle?

In between biking and kayaking, I spent an hour speaking with a woman in crisis who chose life over abortion. Though I have only known her a week, at the end of our discussion where she poured out a litany of really dreadful circumstances, she had the sweetness to ask if I was having a nice time on my vacation.

The world is so full of beauty and danger. Somehow they coexist but disaster is just a mouthful of sharp teeth away.

While kayaking after the phone call, another woman called me. She had my name from literature we hand out on the sidewalks of the abortion center. She chose life and wanted to see her baby now that our new RV with the mobile ultrasound is back on the curb in front of the center. A life saved because Cities4Life had been present on the sidewalk! That felt glorious!

Then my sister and I were blessed by the sighting of a dolphin near our kayaks. I think it was God's way of reminding me that the troubles of the world may be as vast as the ocean, but out of those depths appear treasures of His goodness, surfacing and twinkling in the sparse rays that manage to sneak around the clouds of despair.

In this world you will have troubles, but take heart I have overcome the world.

Wendy knew the phone call with the woman in crisis had distressed me.
"You need to get out on your kayak," she said.
"You can tell?" I asked.
She nodded heartily.
That obvious, huh?
"It's just that I'm so helpless here? What can I do to help her?"

I can do nothing. God can do everything. You could help though. This woman needs a car for her growing family. She chose life and Jesus in unbearable circumstances. If you have a used, reliable van that you can donate or consider selling for $2k or less, please contact me immediately at vkaseorg@cities4life.com

Meanwhile, I'll be in my kayak looking for glimpses of God's glory and provision.
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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.”

2 Timothy 3:1-17

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. ...

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Matthew 6:25-34

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ...

The Yin and the Yang of Relationships and the Call To Sow Abundantly

This picture is a simulation of the yoga class my sister Wendy roped me into attending. This pose is an example of one of the moves the instructor told us to achieve, only without the benefit of a wall or railing to hang on to. Also our leg was supposed to be about twenty feet higher in the air with a graceful arch and our arms were both supposed to be stretched elegantly in front and our neck and head extended backwards such that our forehead gently touched our butt.

And we were to simultaneously breathe deeply in and out of our nose. No mouth breathing or eyes bugging out or sweat dripping off our noses allowed. The instructor didn't exactly say that but while everyone else was in Nirvana and I was gulping in bucket-loads of oxygen (through my mouth) and feeling an overwhelming urge to puke, sweating like a pig, everyone else was standing like statues, balancing on two toes with eyes closed, hands in a prayerful position, contorted like a bunch of snakes in a pit.

I laughed out loud a few times, which also was not exactly protocol in Tai Chi Yoga. I think I have the name correct. It made me think of my favorite expensive hot tea out at Starbucks where I would have paid at least a million dollars to be rather than twisting my body into impossible positions.

The nausea only lasted about an hour. When it had passed, Wendy asked if I would be doing class again with her on Wednesday.

Now contrast that picture above with THIS one:

Or this:

 Or this:

Which of these activities would you rather be doing than Tai Chi Yoga? In my book, any one of them. However, Wendy did agree to ride 22 miles on her bike with me yesterday, then kayak 3 miles in search of dolphins, and go to a 2 hour Time Share presentation so we could snag $150 in restaurant vouchers.

And while we waited forty minutes at the world's best seafood place, she did agree to sit on the rocks overlooking the water where we sighted dolphins!

So this is the yin and the yang of relationships. I am sure tai chi yoga-ists are really into yin and yang. Give a little, take a little.  Kayak three miles with me, and I will stretch my body into muscle-spasm hell.

Bike 22 miles with me, and I will go to the verge of barfing to do the things you (inexplicably) enjoy doing.

It is a Biblical principle after all. The Bible tells us:

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8


We reap what we sow. What we sow cheerfully and joyously will rebound upon us. This works in relationships, and it works spiritually. When we joyfully obey God and offer ourselves as living sacrifices to His will and purpose, we reap eternal rewards. There really is nothing more satisfying than feeling God's pleasure and delight, and watching His miracles unfold as we labor in His fields.
(Though kayaking and biking, and kissing a horse's nose come close.)

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To volunteer with Cities4Life and be a vessel God can use to save babies doomed to abortion, please email me at vkaseorg@cities4life.com
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Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Galatians 6:7-10

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.