Singing in the Darkness

I woke up and my first thought was: "Lord, make me a blessing to someone today. Finally! This is what I always want to be my first thought but I am far too selfish for it to ever happen. Thank you Lord for making it my first thought today!" I kid you not.

I want to be selfless, but I am not. However, I have seen plenty of selflessness in action lately. Two very good friends gave up their afternoons this week to come help me plan and decorate for my daughter's upcoming bridal shower. Hosting and decorating are SO not my thing. I knew when to call in the troops, and so many friends offered. They probably are no strangers to my deficiencies.

In between decorating, I counseled a young man about what true faith in Jesus entails. He claimed to know God, but he clearly was not walking the way God commands. I asked him many questions, and each time, he gave the right answer, but each time he added a rationalization for why he couldn't obey just yet. 

"You are right," he told me. "I will think about all this, and I will do it Soon."
I laughed. "Soon is a put-off word. Soon is another way of avoiding commitment. The Bible says when you know the good you are to do, do it now, while it is yet called today."
I hope I was a blessing to him. I don't think he thought so while I was speaking. I hope he will in retrospect.

In between decorating and counseling, I uploaded and reviewed my final files of my pro-life book. And now: my book is live on Amazon!!! The print book will be a few days yet, but the e-book is available now just by clicking HERE.

This book was two years in the making. It chronicles my first year as a sidewalk counselor at the busiest abortion mill in the Southeast. I kept a daily journal of my time on the sidewalks, which I collected knowing I would someday turn it into a book. I spent the second year of my work as a counselor editing the book. It has been a long time coming. It is already #18 in its category, so I am hopeful it will rise quickly.

I would be very grateful for everyone to share the news/link to this book with all your friends. Pro-choice people might read it. It gives a unique perspective of a unique sidewalk ministry, and could influence their thoughts regarding abortion. That is my prayer.

This book is one I want desperately to go viral. I want the message of hope and how each of us can engage in the abortion debate in a way that truly changes hearts and minds. God calls each of us to awaken each morning with the intent to be a blessing. It doesn't come naturally, except perhaps to the birds singing each morning in the darkness.

Help me to sing in the darkness with a song pleasing to God Himself.
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Hebrews 3:12-15

¹² Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. ¹³ But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. ¹⁴ For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. ¹⁵ As it is said,

“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Inextricably Linked

A whirlwind few weeks are before me. Monday, I visit a mom who I have walked alongside for almost two years now since counseling her not to choose abortion. Her baby is growing and needs a new car seat which Cites4Life supporters will donate. I will bring it to her after my work as a sidewalk volunteer at the very abortion center where I first met her.

The next day, I will be meeting two moms I counseled in the past couple of months. They will be seeing their babies on a 3-D ultrasound, through the kind generosity and partnership of Sweet Pea 3-D Imaging in Concord, NC. As the sidewalk counselor who has been working with them, I am the privileged one who will see their baby with them as they find out the gender. Incredible joy for me.

For the next several weeks, I am coordinating  the hoped for wedding of a mom who chose life last week. The young couple are being counseled in a variety of areas by Cities4Life friends and supporters. We are all praying for a great outcome, but the most important part, the life of the baby is secure now.

Then, this weekend, I am hosting a bridal shower for my own baby. As so many moms know, I blinked, and she was a woman. Also, as every mom knows, I would die for her. All my children mean the world to me, and raising them was the most important job God gave me. I did my best, but now my role is changing. However, she will always be my beloved daughter.

As I tell the moms at the abortion center, the child you carry is inextricably a part of you. Soon after conception, some of the stem cells of the baby migrate to the mother's organs, including the brain, and the heart. Those stem cells remain till the mother's death. Literally, God has designed the link between mother and child to be inextricably unbroken, no matter what. Her heart and her thoughts will forever be connected to her baby.

This reminds me of our connection to God, etched into His very Being:

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands...(Isaiah 49:16)

The stem cell bond of mother and child is an incredible image of the power of God, and His design for humanity. And it gives me peace. We are in His hands, and no one can break the bond when we have told Him that is where we intend to remain.
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Isaiah 41:13 

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

* for the next several busy weeks, my blogging may be sporadic. In my absence, you may enjoy reading one of my eighteen books! Just click on the author website or book covers to the right of this blog!

Honest Appraisal

I taught an art class yesterday. The kids drew a leaping dolphin. I loved hearing several say, "This is the best dolphin I ever drew." At the end of the session, I told them we were now going to learn how to critique.
"What's that?" they asked.
"It is where you point out what the artist does that is wonderful, and something they could do to improve."

This is always risky with a new class. Kids can be cruel. However, I think it is important to learn how to judge others work in an encouraging manner that helps them to learn we all are imperfect. We all can grow and learn from each other. We should learn how to give and receive gracious critique.

I needn't have worried. I have a whole class of kind and gracious kids. They were eager to praise each other, and they were thoughtful in their appraisal of how each other could improve. No one's ego seemed to be so hanging in the balance that they crumpled when areas of improvement were pointed out. Each seemed pleased by the honest praise of their classmates.

This is how the world is supposed to work.

The parents had all drifted in, coming to pick up their children. I saw them lined along the back wall, nodding. The kids had excellent impressions of what was good, as well as sweet and gentle ways of expressing what could be improved. I wondered if the parents were also thinking: If only I could give and receive feedback so well. 

They were all smiling as they left. The critique had gone well. They were all feeling built up, encouraged. I collapsed afterwards. It is a two hour class, and it takes every ounce of my energy, but in a good way.

I had art teachers my whole life, private and in school. All of them encouraged me, and their guidance in improving was always gentle. I believed I could do anything. May I be that person now to others.

After all, it is the way God works. He is always reminding us how much He loves us, how we are created in His image for good works and for eternal relationship with Him. Think of that: the creator of the entire universe loves ME, and wants me to be with Him for all eternity.

He does not coddle us into believing we are perfect, and He is forever showing us how to improve. However, bottom line: He believes in us. He adores us. He is there for us. Always.

This morning, I checked on my books on Amazon, as I always do. Look at what I saw when I looked at my latest horse book (link here):

NUMBER ONE!!!!!! Now that's encouraging.

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Psalm 103:11

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

Luke 12:7

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Isaiah 49:15-16 

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

Psalm 36:5 

Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Isaiah 54:10 

For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

We ARE Called Upon to Judge

A friend just sent me a link to a story about the rehabilitation of an abused Tennessee Walker Horse. That is what my latest book is about! (click here to buy book ) Here is the link to the article if you want to see it: http://www.horsenation.com/2016/02/03/saving-theo-the-journey-of-a-tennessee-walking-horse/

What is sad is that this abusive practice to make horses win shows has been going on for seventy years...or so. There have been laws to curtail it since 1970, but it persists! Trainers who do this are devious in hiding it, and if confronted, say it doesn't hurt the horse. Since winning shows with these abused horses is a big-money industry, there is a cloak of collusion around those who practice it.

This is the nature of sin. It is easy to rationalize. It is easy to find others involved in that sin that will support the sinner, and make them feel justified in their transgression.

The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all else. Who can know it?"

The first act of returning to God involves recognizing the nature of sin. So few people dare to confront sin not only in themselves, but in others. They will be branded as critical and judgemental. I face that every single day when I volunteer on the sidewalks of the abortion center to try to turn women from killing their unborn babies.

It is not kindness to turn a blind eye to sin. Not in ourselves. Not in others. Sin will destroy us. Sin thrives in secrecy and silence. Speak up. Be courageous. Confront the sin in yourself first, and don't be afraid, despite your own imperfections, to challenge those who are on a path of destruction.

We are commanded to judge! Judge with RIGHT judgment.
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John 7:24 

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Proverbs 31:9 

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Galatians 6:1 

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

1 Corinthians 6:1-6

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, ...

When Dreams Come True

I had the best day, overflowing with miracles of kindness. First, I got to accompany the pregnant teen I am working with to visit her old school. She was so happy to see teachers and friends she had missed. Then, I told her about the pregnant lady who had just chosen life at the abortion center, and was going to get married because she had been so convicted of the need to follow God's commands. I told her we were going to give this poor young lady a wedding.

"I want to help her!" the teen declared.

It turns out, this teen has the voice of an angel. She sang me a song she wrote yesterday. I listened with goosebumps rising on my arms. At first, her voice was a little tentative, but then, she seemed to forget I was in the car, and sang the absolute most perfect wedding song I have ever heard.

"You're hired," I told her. "We have to run it by the bride, of course, but you are one seriously talented young lady."

"I can do make-up and hair too," the teen told me. "I want to help. Can I help?"

Later, I texted the young bride to be.
"We have a singer, and she also does hair and makeup. We also already have someone willing to make your cake and silk bouquet. What size wedding dress are you so I can keep a look out?"

"Size 6." Though, since she is pregnant, it will need to be flowy, not form fitting. Strapless. White. Anyone have one they want to contribute?

"This is a dream come true," the young mom wrote to me, "I just cannot thank you enough for helping us choose to save our little one. I want to follow God. I just want to hug you right now."

I want to hug her back.

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If you want to help plan a wedding or have a potential dress for the bride, please let me know. We could use people in the Charlotte area for food prep for a small reception as well.
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John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Inextricable Bond Protected

Yesterday, there was much rejoicing at the abortion center. Despite them tripling the "pro-choice" escorts to try to foil our ability to reach the women who would stop to talk with us, three women chose life for their babies! 

Two couples came on board the mobile ultrasound unit and both said they had no choice but to abort. Their circumstances were dire. Both knew God, and understood and believed the Gospel. Both just needed someone to help them refocus on who they were in Christ, and what faith and walking with Him entailed. I was on the RV all afternoon with the couples, but it was so worth it to see lives transform before my eyes.

The first couple was unmarried, but clearly very much in love. Their backgrounds were of hardship and struggle in terrible environments. Somehow, they had emerged as hard-working, Christian (though clearly back-sliding in some areas), and with a desire to do better than the life they had emerged from.

First, we tackled the issue of the baby. We went through the verses where God clearly describes children in and out of the womb as created by Him, in His image, as blessings, and wonderfully and fearfully formed with a unique and sacred purpose. I asked what God would think were they to destroy that life He created. 

"He would not want us to do that," they both said. Their faces were somber, contorted with despair.

Their eyes welled with tears as I shared the Gospel (which they knew and believed), and offered tangible help to overcome the obstacles they listed. They had attended church sporadically, but had concerns that people judged them for not being married. I told them I would be honest with them, so they knew they could trust me in all we were offering. God's plan indeed is that children be born to married parents. We would help them no matter what. However, if they desired God's blessings, it is always wise to know and follow what He commands.

When I spoke about God's plans for marriage as protective, not restrictive, they agreed. I told them if money was the issue, I was pretty sure we could find a way to help them have a modest wedding. They told me they would be thrilled, and the man turned to the woman and said, "You are the one I want to commit the rest of my life to."

Instead of pained angst on their faces now, they features softened. I could see hope noodling its way into their hearts. As often is the case, housing was a huge issue, but we were able to offer several possibilities they had not explored. We gave them a written list with phone numbers and contacts.

"Do you have prenatal vitamins?" the nurse asked. They shook their heads.

"Oh!" I cried, remembering a donor had just given me two huge bottles of prenatal vitamins, "I have some in the car!"

I ran out to the car. I grabbed not only prenatal vitamins, but PJs that would fit their other small children, a baby 'snugli' carrier, and a parenting book.

"What don't you have in your car?" the nurse asked.

I have ALOT in my car. Friends donate all the time, and I know at some point, God will give me just the person who needs the item.

Then we had the greatest pleasure of all- seeing their baby on the ultrasound. She put on quite a show. One of the oddest things, which I often see happen, is when the mother put her arm under her neck, the baby suddenly assumed the same pose. The inextricable link between mother and child is supernatural. The greatest travesty of abortion is violently breaking that bond in the destruction of the life women are designed to bear.

They held hands, and gazed with rapture upon their child.

When we finished, the man clasped my hand. "Thank you." 

The woman looked radiant.

"How do you feel now?" I asked her.

"So relieved!" she said, smiling at her husband-to-be.

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Anyone interested in donating supplies, wedding dress, decorations, for a modest wedding? Better yet, would someone in Charlotte volunteer to be the coordinator of this? I promise, you will be blessed beyond belief.

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Proverbs 18:22

He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.

Hebrews 13:4 

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

Genesis 2:24 

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Ephesians 5:25-33 

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ...

Singing in the Darkness

My new book about my first year as a sidewalk counselor at Charlotte's busiest abortion mill is in final edit. Should be out very soon. This book is very special to me, since it represents what I believe is God's highest calling right now in my life.

Today, I go as I do every Monday to the abortion center sidewalks, to plead with the women who stream in like molten lava to kill their babies. I pray, as I always do, that God will send me those with a conflicted heart. I pray they will pause and listen, and reconsider entering that place of darkness and death.

Let me speak Lord, but let the words and the Message be yours.

Hebrews 4:12 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Job 33:14 

For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.

Luke 6:46 

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?