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God Wants a Word with You!

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God Wants to Have a Word with You

First, let me wish each of you a blessed 2020!

As I talked about in last week’s blog, How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God’s Plans for You?, we often set goals for what we want to achieve in the upcoming year. A fresh start.

There are two complementary thoughts for the New Year that I want to share with you in this week’s Monday Morning Blog.

A Word to Focus On in 2020

Several years ago, a friend and I decided to pray about a personal word God wanted us to incorporate into our actions, thoughts, and speech in the New Year. We remind each other of our word when times get tough or we’ve lost our focus. One we can pray for ourselves every morning, night, and throughout the day as a guiding remembrance of how God wants us to live and reflect to others.

As I browse Social Media, I notice that this has also become a tradition for many of my friends as they share their “word for the year.” Maybe you have a word for 2020 and if so, I’d love you to share it with us.

My “word” for 2018 was “Calm.” That year I fell down the stairs and broke my wrist, tore up my leg, and we had a septic flood. Calm was a prophetic word I clung to in the chaos.

2019’s word was “Joy.” The damage from our 2018 septic flood wasn’t repaired until August of 2019. I started the year still in a wrist brace and physical therapy from the fall, and we sold my writing cabin, which was bittersweet. In my sadness and unrest, I longed for joy and gladness. Joy was an appropriate word for 2019.

And drum roll . . . my word for 2020 is “Glorify.”

I’ll share with you how I arrive at the word I feel God wants for me each year.

  1. I pray asking God, the only One who knows what the coming year will bring, the word He knows will help me as I encounter the next year’s events.
  2. I read God’s Word, the Bible, expecting the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart.
  3. I listen to Him in my quiet time.
  4. I notice that a word appears repeatedly in songs we sing in church or I hear on the radio or in a sermon.
  5. I discuss with my friend our individual “word for the year.”
  6. When I feel confirmation, I settle on my word.
  7. I write my word in places I will see daily and pray over it each morning.

Some of you might also have a Scripture to focus on for the year or one that inspires you to pick a word for the year.

As I prayed about different words to pick for 2020, my thoughts went to the fruit of the Spirit.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-33

I wanted each of those words in Galatians 5:22-23 to define me. I would be a better wife, grandmother, mother, friend, neighbor, speaker, writer . . . and then God reminded me that if I focused on glorifying Him in everything I did, I would be reflecting all the fruits of the Spirit. I would become more Christ-like. Worthy of professing I’m a Christian.

For example, before I speak or write, I will think, Would that glorify God? Before I act, Would that glorify God? It’s amazing how my 2020 word is already changing me in one week. I still have a long way to go because after I say something, I also think, Wow that didn’t glorify God. Please forgive me.

Glorify is making me more aware of what God wants for me in my life.

[Tweet “I’m not suggesting everyone needs to have a “word,” but every Christian does need to know God’s Word.”]

I’m not suggesting everyone needs to have a “word,” but every Christian does need to know God’s Word.

God Wants a Word With You

God’s Word in Your Life in 2020

I often read the Bible in a year. I’m usually about a month behind on New Year’s Eve, but I don’t let that deter me. I just start the New Year’s reading plan in February instead of January, although I’m trying to catch up faster this year. As I write to you today on January 5, I’m just starting 1 Peter. Almost there!

So here’s my point. I don’t speedread to say I did it, but read at a pace that allows me to digest what I’m reading and what the Lord wants me to discern from His Word. The Bible is how He speaks to us. If you’re not in your Bible daily, you’re missing a daily Word from God. When someone tells me that God doesn’t speak to him or her, I ask, “Are you reading your Bible? Are you studying your Bible? Are you listening to what His Word is saying to you?”

As I read, I have a highlighter in my hand to note what speaks to me. God always has something new to tell me about how His Word applies to the issues in my life and in the world.

In the Preface of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith I shared how God spoke to me in my annual Bible reading that He wanted me to write about the brave women in the Bible.

God started my journey of writing Everyday Brave during morning quiet times. I often begin the New Year by reading the Bible over the course of a year and choose a different translation each year. About fifteen years ago, as I read Genesis in January, the Lord opened my eyes to the amazing accomplishments of biblical women. I was in awe of the courage and boldness as I continued reading through the year. A few years later, I decided to start making notes as I came across these courageous women in my annual Bible reading.

I want the best God has planned for you and that’s why I’m pleading with you, if you’re not already reading your Bible daily, start now. You don’t need to read the Bible in a year, but you do need to read the Bible during the year.

[Tweet “”God is not the God of confusion or division. He wants to help you live your life with purpose, but you have to be in His Word to know how to do that.”]

We live in tumultuous times, the Bible was full of those also. God is not the God of confusion or division. He wants to help you live your life with purpose, but you have to be in His Word to know how to do that. No self-help book will help you like God’s Guide for your life.

[Tweet “God is not the God of confusion or division. He wants to help you live your life with purpose, but you have to be in His Word to know how to do that.”]

I came across two other blogs today that I want to share with you, because they were my confirmation that at least one of you, and maybe more, need the encouragement to chisel time out of your busy schedules to pick up your Bible and let God speak to you. Even if it’s just one passage.

A short conversation with God is better than no conversation!

2020 Is the Year of the Bible for Many Christians

The Benefits of Reading the Bible in 2020

Let God’s Word, not the world’s words, guide your thoughts and actions.

[Tweet “Let God’s Word, not the world’s words, guide your thoughts and actions.”]

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 NLT

Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life. Phil. 2:15-16

Bible and highlighter Aaron Burden@aaronburden

Bible with cup of coffee Nathan Dumlao@nate_dumlao

January 6, 2020
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How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God’s Plans for You?

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How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God's Plans for You?

I’m going to be honest with you right up front! I seriously considered taking a mini-vacation from writing this week’s Monday Morning Blog. After all, it’s that confusing time between Christmas and New Year’s when it’s hard to remember what day it is after taking a day off in the middle of the week and many of us might be suffering from the after-Christmas blahs. I know I am.

We had a wonderful Christmas with our family, which I had looked forward to for weeks . . . and then it’s over. We don’t often have a day to relax and spend time with those close to us that we don’t see every day. Of course, as Christians, we have Jesus in our heart year-round!

But I digress. I felt justified in not writing a blog on the last Monday of the year. I rationalized that you would probably be too busy to read it anyway. Then I received the email that changed everything. God nudged me off the couch and back to my office because there might be just one person who needs encouragement in determining what God wants him or her to do in 2020.

Here’s part of the email that motivated me to write this blog. It’s from the Faith Editor at Crosswalk.com where I’m a contributing writer:

“Hi wonderful writers! I just wanted to thank and congratulate you ‘select 6’ writers for pouring your hearts into content that made our top 10 in page view-volume for content that was created in 2019 for our Spiritual Life channel!”

You might remember that last week’s Monday Morning Blog was “When God Surprises You!” My editor’s congratulatory email was a huge surprise to me! To God be the Glory!

The Crosswalk article that placed #3 in the Top 10 viewed for 2019 was How to Know If Your Leap of Faith Is In God’s Will. This article only posted on Crosswalk on October 11, 2019, and yet, it was the third most read article for the entire year in the Faith and Spiritual Life category!

[Tweet “Christians want to know how to determine if we’re in God’s will when we make decisions, decide to follow a dream, make changes in our life . . . take a leap of faith.”]

Christians want to know how to determine if we’re in God’s will when we make decisions, decide to follow a dream, consider changes in our life . . . .

We ask: What am I doing here? What does God want me to do?

In the Crosswalk article, I share the 10 Steps that I went through 25 years ago to determine if it truly was God’s will for me to take a leap of faith and start a Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry. Little did I know then that not only was it God’s will, but He had plans to take the mentoring ministry beyond what I could’ve ever imagined or dreamed.

How Do Your Plans for 2020 Align with God's Plans for You?

As 2019 ends, you’re probably thinking about setting goals or resolutions for the coming year. The 10 Steps in my Crosswalk article could help guide you, like they did me, in determining if your plans align with God’s plans for you. God’s will for you. 

[Tweet “The 10 Steps in my Crosswalk article could help guide you, like they did me, in determining if your plans align with God’s plans for you. God’s will for you.”]

Maybe you really want to follow God’s calling for your life, but you’re afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone. Or you might be fearful of failing or the cost seems too high to take a leap of faith into the unknown.

Let me assure you, if God is in it, He’ll be right beside you giving you the strength and courage to persevere.

[Tweet “Let me assure you, if God is in it, He’ll be right beside you giving you the strength and courage to persevere.”]

I can’t reproduce How to Know If You’re Leap of Faith Is In God’s Will here for copyright reasons, but here’s the link again. Crosswalk put the article into a beautiful slide show with pictures you’ll identify with for both men and women. The 10 faith steps in this article come from Scripture. God speaks to each of us through His Word.

[Tweet “God speaks to each of us through His Word.”]

I’m looking forward to hearing in the New Year the leaps of faith God confirms He wants you to take. I pray my Monday Morning Blogs will encourage you in your journey. We’re all sojourners together following the Lord’s leading to do His work on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, please give me the strength to take a leap of faith and go where you call me to go and do what you ask me to do. My trust is in You alone. Empower me to align my plans with Your plans for me and to give You the glory for what You will do in and through me.

“True success in your life comes not in knowing the will of God, but in doing it.” –O.S. Hawkins The Believer’s Code

 “For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” John 6:38 NLT

I wish you a blessed joyful New Year, not just on January 1, 2020, but everyday with every breath.

December 30, 2019
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My Thanksgiving Prayer for You!

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Count your blessings this Thanksgiving and Pray like Paul did in Philippians 1

Many of you read my blog regularly, though we’ve never met, and others I know quite well or we’ve had the opportunity to meet and fellowship together. But I want you to know that when I write this Monday Morning Blog,  my monthly newsletter, or any of my books, you are on my mind. I’m wondering what you’re thinking about world events, what’s happening in your life, and how I can encourage you with the Word of God and my words.

Often you tell me that a particular blog or book was just what you needed at the time, and we both know that it was God using me as His messenger. To God be the glory!

As I read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I noticed that Chapter 1:3-11, 27-28 in the NIV translation has the heading: Thanksgiving and Prayer. I thought how appropriate to personalize this passage as my Thanksgiving prayer for all of you.

Adapted from Paul’s letter to the Philippians Chapter 1

Thanksgiving Prayer (Adapted from Philippians 1:3-11)

I thank my God every time I remember my family, friends, peeps, neighbors, church family, readers, blog/newsletter followers, brothers and sisters in Christ, fellow authors and speakers . . . .

In my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy for those who partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in and through you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

[Tweet “I always pray with joy for those who partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in and through you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”]

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart whether I am chained to the computer writing the next book, blog, or newsletter, on a plane to a speaking event, or defending and confirming the gospel and mentoring . . . all of you share in God’s grace and ministry with me spiritually, and sometimes physically, through prayer, communication, and social networking. God can testify how I think of all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

[Tweet “Share in God’s grace and ministry with me this Thanksgiving and every day through prayer, communication, and social networking.”]

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best for you, our country, and those you love and cherish, and that you will remain pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

That you will lead, guide, encourage, parent, serve, and mentor others and be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

[Tweet “Lead, guide, encourage, parent, serve, and mentor others, be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.”]

Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (Adapted from Philippians 1:27-28)

[Tweet “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”]

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I know you, or never meet you but only hear about your great work, I will know that we stand firm in one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose us. This is a sign to them that they will face destruction if they oppose God’s ways, but that we will be saved by our faith in Jesus Christ—so says our Lord.

From Janet

[Tweet “This Thanksgiving, and every day, bravely represent Christ to a depraved and fallen world”]

This Thanksgiving, and every day, bravely represent Christ to a depraved and fallen world so that because of your living courageously as a woman of faith and sharing the Good News of Jesus, more people will be saved than lost (“destroyed”) when Christ returns.

I thank God in remembrance of each of you.

About His Work with you,

Janet

A Thanksgiving prayer for you.

You can sign up for my monthly online newsletter or weekly blog on my website.

If you receive this blog by email, leave a comment here.

*This blog is an update of a 2017 prayer.

*Picture from clip art

Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith available on Amazon and signed by Janet at our website.

November 25, 2019
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November is National Military Family Month

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Jocelyn's book

Author Jocelyn Green is a friend and fellow author whom I admire for her passion and versatile writing skills. I dearly identify with this topic since we have a military family in our family and my husband is a veteran.

Please enjoy this interview with Jocelyn C. Green, author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives

and  
Faith Deployed….Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives  
   
1. Jocelyn, could you share with us the inspiration behind these books.
The inspiration for Faith Deployed . . . Again was the same as the inspiration for the first book I wrote for military wives, Faith Deployed. Put simply, military wives need encouragement and the best source is God’s Word.

As a former Coast Guard wife, I was so desperate for biblical encouragement that spoke directly to me. To have an opportunity to collect this type of encouragement from twenty-eight other military wives from every branch of service and have it published by Moody is an incredible gift. I never once lacked motivation to work on this project.

2. The title of your sequel is “Faith Deployed…Again.” What is the significance behind the phrase “Faith Deployed,” and can the phrase (and the book itself) have meaning for those who aren’t military wives, as well?

[Tweet “Whether your military family experiences deployments or not, military life requires that we all deploy our faith in order to respond biblically to each trial we face.”]
I think of “faith deployed” as a faith called into action. Whether your military family experiences deployments or not, military life requires that we all deploy our faith in order to respond biblically to each trial we face. While this book was written by and for military wives using illustrations from the military lifestyle, anyone who reads the book will come away with a deeper understanding of God’s Word and how it applies to trials we face.

Military wives will be likely to get the most out of it since it speaks directly to their unique lifestyle, but I have heard from many civilians, and men, who have also benefited from reading it.

3. But if the troops are coming home from Syria, do we still really need this book?

Yes, we do. Faith Deployed…Again was created to encourage military wives during all the seasons of a career, regardless of where they stand in the deployment cycle and troops are deployed around the world continuously.
[Tweet “Military wives of all branches all over the globe are hungry for spiritual nourishment.”]

Military wives of all branches all over the globe are hungry for spiritual nourishment. That need isn’t going to disappear when troops come home. In fact, only one of the book’s eight sections is devoted to deployments. There are plenty of other challenges in the military lifestyle even without having a husband deployed to a combat zone.

As a Coast Guard wife, my husband never fought in a war, but I still desperately needed the hope that comes only from God’s Word. The biblical concepts illustrated in this book will strengthen and encourage military wives during times of both peace and war.

4. The rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury among soldiers and veterans are increasing at an alarming rate. How does this affect the spouses and children of these veterans?
[Tweet “The rates of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury among soldiers and veterans are increasing at an alarming rate.”]

The spouses and children make adjustments to how they interact with the veteran and how they live in their own home. Emotional detachment is very common among vets with PTSD, so the wife and children often crave a connection that their husband/father simply isn’t able to give at this stage. This means they feel lonely and sometimes emotionally abandoned. They might be angry and resentful that he changed so much because of his combat experience, or they could genuinely grieve the loss of the way their family used to be.

Several of our writers in Faith Deployed…Again are married to veterans with PTSD, and share their insights in the book. I also highly recommend the Combat Trauma Healing Manual for veterans, and for the wives, When War Comes Home: Christ-centered Healing for Wives of Combat Veterans.

5. What are some practical ways that individuals can support military wives?
  • Quite often, if you just say “What can I do for you?” or “I’m here to help you” the wife may be overwhelmed enough to not even know what to ask for. Give her some ideas, perhaps in the form of a coupon booklet for free babysitting, homemade cookies, a coffee date, running errands, an hour or two of housework, etc.
  • Find out what’s broken and fix it. Computer problems are a big deal, especially since so many couples rely on email or Skype to communicate. If the car is broken down, offer to give rides.
  • Mow the lawn, pull weeds, other yard work- cleaning out gutters-those seasonal tasks that the deployed spouse may have typically done.
  • Bring a meal over so that’s one less thing a stressed out spouse would have to think about.
  • Visiting is a great mood lifter, but ask first. And if you get a couple negative responses, don’t take it personally.
  • Drop off a basket of favorite foods and/or a movie rental you know she’s been wanting to see.
  • Pray for her!
6. Why is it critical to pay special attention to supporting the military wife?

If the military wife is supported, she will have much more ability to support her husband and her children in a way only she can. If she is too stressed out, her entire family will feel it. Her kids will suffer, she may resent her husband’s service, and if she tells him as much, he will be distracted from his duties. If he is thinking about the trials for his family back home, he will have a much harder time giving undivided attention to his mission. Also, if the wife isn’t getting support from appropriate sources, she will be more prone to confide in a man other than her husband who makes her feel special – which is the start of an emotional affair.

When we support a military spouse, we support the entire family.

[Tweet “When we support a military spouse, we support the entire family.”]

Today is Veteran’s Day! Thank all the veterans you know for their service and if you know of a military family send them a thank you card. They all sacrifice for you and me to experience peace and freedom. Don’t take that for granted or become complacent.

Related image

November 11, 2019
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Are You Ready to Get Your Brave On With Me?

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Celebrating release of Everyday Brave

Celebrate with me the launch of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith

Well it’s finally time! The release of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is today, September 10, 2019! Hoot!!! Hoot!!

[Tweet “It’s finally time! The release of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is today, September 10, 2019! Hoot!!! Hoot!!”]

Over the past year, many of you have traveled with me on this writing journey through trips and falls, illnesses, flooded basement, broken wrist, snowed in, car hit by a boulder . . . . Yes, it’s been a challenging year, but God has been good and the writing, editing, and printing kept on going.

Nothing can stop what God starts! I hope you agree this is true in your own life too.

[Tweet “Nothing can stop what God starts! I hope you agree this is true in your own life too.”]

It was a blessing last week to hold my new “baby” in my hands and start signing books for contributors, endorsers, and winners of blogs where I’ve been a guest blogger.

But don’t worry; I’m not leaving you out of the fun! I’m offering a signed copy of Everyday Brave to two of you who leave a comment on today’s blog to enter a drawing. I’ll announce the winners in next week’s blog!

It Takes a Village to Write a Book

A huge thank you to the courageous women who answered my shout out for stories and bravely shared in this book to bless other women. You know who you are!

I’m blessed to have nine endorsers who humbled me with their kind and gracious encouraging words about how God can use this book in the lives of women who often don’t realize they’re courageous everyday.

Tricia Goyer endorses Everyday Brave

Then there are the stories of 50 brave and courageous women in the Bible. In Everyday Brave, I use a new style of writing for me, creative nonfiction, where I base their stories on the biblical facts, while bringing them to life by recreating their world and environment. It was fun and some have said it’s my best book so far, but we’ll see what everyone else thinks.

Everyday Brave is not a Bible study, but there are discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which make the book perfect for use in Bible studies, small groups, Women’s Ministry studies, book clubs, Mentors and Mentees, or to help you as the reader engage with what you’ve read.

Everyone Needs the Lord

We live in a time when Christians need to have the courage to stand firm in their faith in a culture that is not Christian-friendly.

[Tweet “We live in a time when Christians need to have the courage to stand firm in their faith in a culture that is not Christian-friendly.”]

Regardless of the chaos in the world, we remain role models of a God-honoring life. Many are watching to see what it really means to be a faithful Christian who lives by the Bible.

Christians do not change the Bible to conform to the culture, but they do use the unchangeable Bible to reform the culture!

[Tweet “Christians do not change the Bible to conform to the culture, but they do use the unchangeable Bible to reform the culture!”]

True, it’s not for the faint of heart, but it is for those of us who fear the Lord!

I had to put my brave on just to write a book like Everyday Brave, but God’s timing is always perfect. I’ve felt Him encouraging me at every step, and I pray you will also be encouraged as you read it.

You and I really are much braver than we think we are!

Here’s a sneak preview of the Preface.

Believe me when I say I had to put my brave on just to write a book like this, but God’s timing is always perfect and I’ve felt Him encouraging me at every step. Let me first say, I had to tap into my everyday brave just to write this book. I’m not an expert on bravery and I don’t have all the answers for what makes us brave and courageous, but I do have a tight relationship with the One who does. He instilled in all of us brave hearts to push beyond what we think we’re capable of achieving, and so I started writing.

When taunting thoughts assailed me, such as Who are you to write a book about bravery? I honestly asked myself the same question. Then I quickly realized those disparaging words were coming from Satan because God doesn’t instill doubt in us. When he gives us a Holy Spirit–inspired idea or assignment, he encourages us and cheers us on with a “You go girl! I’ve got this. I’m with you all the way.” I knew God was with me on this project—I just had to get with it!

We need to bolster each other toward bravery just to withstand the barrage of daunting news today and the escalating attacks on our faith. It’s comforting to know that incredible women in the Bible also experienced scary and threatening times. They were victorious, and we can be too.

So my dear friends, let’s be courageous women of faith and get our brave on for God! Are you ready?! Let’s do it!

Be your own kind of brave!

Maybe your first brave step will be verbalizing an area of your life where God wants you to be brave and courageous.

Since I’m offering two free books for comments on this blog, let me give you a few ideas.

  • What is God asking you to do, but you’re hesitating?
  • What’s stopping you from courageously moving forward on God’s nudge to take a step of faith?
  • Where have you been victoriously bold and brave and how did it feel?

I sign Everyday Brave with this verse Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13

Everyday Brave available now on Amazon for sale

 

 

September 9, 2019
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Yes, God Still Performs Miracles!

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Image result for breakthrough trailer

Today’s post is going to be short. It’s a busy short week for me as Dave and I prepare to fly to Florida for First Baptist of Riverview Church’s Glory Conference, where I’ll be speaking and Dave manages my book table. This will be my first speaking engagement since I took a tumble down my office stairs and broke my wrist and banged up my leg. So I’m looking forward to getting away from my desk and having the opportunity to speak directly to women and meet them face to face! I cherish your prayers that God will be glorified.

God does have a sense of humor since the topic they chose for me to speak on is “Stepping Out in Faith.” I have much to share about what happens when you take a misstep.

So I wanted to use this blog to encourage you all to see a new faith-based movie, Breakthrough, staring Chrissy Metz who plays a powerful woman and mother of faith. Here’s a little bit about it:

BREAKTHROUGH is based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. From producer DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven) and adapted for the screen by Grant Nieporte (Seven Pounds) from Joyce Smith’s own book, BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.

See Chrissy Metz in Breakthrough movie

Here’s a link to watch a trailer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7083526/videoplayer/vi2244000281

We took our grandkids to see it Easter afternoon, which is a tradition for us, and they said it was the best “Easter” movie we had taken them to!

Be sure to take Kleenex because you will cry, but you will also be reminded of the amazing power of prayer and the fact that God still performs miracles!

Speaking of which, Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ, has a new book out The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural, which I was told in church today is an excellent book.

So let’s have a discussion about miracles.

What miracles have you seen God do in your life?

If you’ve seen Breakthrough or read The Case for Miracles, share your review comments.

Next week you’ll enjoy a guest blog from Andrea Chatelain, and I’ll be back the week after that!

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

April 29, 2019
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Why You Should See #UnplannedMovie

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Why You Should See the Movie Unplanned

I had another blog written for this week, but after I stood up in church today and asked everyone to go see the movie Unplanned, the Lord prompted me that I should encourage you to go see it too, if you haven’t already.

[Tweet “Just in case you don’t know the backstory of Unplanned, it’s the true story of Abby Johnson who was the youngest Planned Parenthood director at the time of her awakening.”]

Just in case you don’t know the backstory of this movie, it’s the true story of Abby Johnson who was the youngest Planned Parenthood director at the time of her awakening. After being involved in planning 22,000 abortions and counseling countless women on their “reproductive rights,” she was asked to assist in an abortion and what she saw changed her life. She said she couldn’t “unsee” what she saw on the ultrasound during the abortion or deny what was happening to a precious baby.

So she quit and became a pro-life advocate and wrote a book Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader’s Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line.

I first heard her story last year on the Mike Huckabee show while the movie from her book was in production.

God see the movie Unplanned

Here are a few things you might not know about Unplanned.

  1. Ashley Bratcher, the actress who plays Abby Johnson in the movie Unplanned, wasn’t sure how she felt about Pro-Choice or Pro-Life until she read the script and immediately took the role. She was warned she might be blacklisted, but she said it was worth it.

In an interview on FOX & Friends, she revealed that she knew her mother had had an abortion at sixteen, but didn’t know that at nineteen she almost aborted Ashley. When Ashley took the role, she learned that her mom was at the abortion clinic in the examination room, but changed her mind when a pregnant nurse entered the room.

‘I got up and I walked out and I chose you,’ Bratcher recalled her mom saying, “And I [Ashley] never knew that. It blows my mind.”

Ashley also had an interview with Shannon Bream on FOX, where she said “I walk by my faith in my personal life and in my career . . . I said, Okay God, I believe that you gave me these gifts and I want to glorify you with them. So, wherever that takes me and whatever that looks like, I give it all to you.”

WOW! That alone should make you want to see her in Unplanned and know that God led her to star in this movie.

BTW FOX, TBN, and CBN are the ONLY networks that have interviewed Ashley or anyone else affiliated with the movie.

  1. Unplanned is a PureFlix film by the same writer-directors Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon of God’s Not Dead.
  2. Dr. Anthony Levatino, who plays the abortion doctor in the movie, has an emotional testimony of performing over 1200 abortions when the tragic loss of his daughter in an accident made him realize he was killing other people’s little boys and girls. He went from a pro-choice abortionist to a pro-life advocate. Listen to his testimony on FOX & Friends.
  3. When the Unplanned producers were short on funds, Michael Lindell, founder of My Pillow, invested $1 Million in the movie to help finance it. He also has a cameo role. “I don’t get into things for the money; I get into them if the message is right,” Lindell says.
  4. Watch the movie trailer here.

Guess Who Doesn’t Want You to See Unplanned?!

As you can imagine, Hollywood, the mainstream media, Liberals, and social media have done everything they can to stop you from seeing Unplanned. Another reason why you should see it!

  1. Hollywood gave it an R rating unless the ultrasound showing the baby during abortion was removed, knowing that if people saw it, no one could deny what’s happening to a baby during abortion. PureFlix refused. The hypocrisy here is that in many states, a 13-year old girl can get an abortion without her parent’s permission, but she can’t go see a movie about abortion.

Many Hollywood actors are also planning a boycott of filming in Georgia because Governor Brian Kemp signed into law a Heartbeat Abortion Ban. Georgia is Ashley Bratcher’s home state.

  1. FOX is the ONLY TV mainstream media station running ads for the movie. All the other networks denied it commercial airtime.
  2. Twitter suspended #UnplannedMovie account the day after it opened, but there was such a push back, they reinstated it, but 85,000 followers were missing?! Twitter admits to it. And Abby Johnson continues to get kicked off her own Twitter account! Just as I’ve been saying in my blogs, we can make a difference so we need to keep the pressure on Twitter and do a grassroots effort to publicize this movie. We have to speak up and speak out. On your social media, use the hashtag #Unplannedmovie.

Abby Johnson tweeted that once it was reinstated, #unplannedmovie is trending worldwide on Twitter!

Follow @AbbyJohnson @_AshleyBratcher @Unplannedmovie.

  1. Theaters are showing Unplanned and at opening weekend Box Office it was in 5th Place. But we can do better next weekend if we want to keep it in theaters. They’ll look for any excuse to drop it.

So What Can We Do to Promote #UnplannedMovie?

PRAY

After I stood up in church to ask everyone to see this movie, we prayed for Unplanned as a church. Dave and I are also praying together at home.

[Tweet “Pray for everyone involved in the movie. Especially, Abby Johnson and Ashley Bratcher, who are the faces of this movie.”]

Pray for everyone involved in the movie. Especially, Abby Johnson and Ashley Bratcher, who are the faces of this movie.

Pray it stays in theaters

Pray for everyone who sees Unplanned

Pray that those who are confused about abortion or on the fence that their eyes are opened and they make a decision to protect life.

Pray for women who have had abortions or participated in them to acknowledge the need for repentance and seek God’s forgiveness. Like Abby Johnson, they can use their story for good to mentor other women. Johnson has a ministry called “And Then There Were None” that helps abortion workers get new jobs and helps shut down their former clinics.

[Tweet “Pray the eyes of our culture are opened to see how barbaric abortion is to the child and to the mother.”]

Pray the eyes of our culture are opened to see how barbaric abortion is to the child and to the mother.

Pray that legalized abortion is challenged and defeated.

[Tweet “Pray that every pro-abortion legislator is defeated. Too bold you say? Not for God!”]

Pray that every pro-abortion legislator is defeated. Too bold you say? Not for God!

Pray for the collapse of Planned Parenthood.

Pray that President Trump continues to pass legislation to defund Planned Parenthood.

Pray that other workers at Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics see what Abby Johnson saw and look at unborn babies as humans being dismembered and tortured, and they can no longer participate in these barbaric inhumane murders.

Pray God gives you the right words when confronted by those who challenge your beliefs.

Pray for me. Some of you might remember last October 22 when hubby and I were going to see the movie Gosnell about the trial of the abortionist and infanticide butcher (which sadly might not even be illegal in some states today), I fell down my office stairs and broke my wrist and banged up my leg. I never got to see that movie, which I had been promoting, just like I’m promoting Unplanned.

Last Thursday, the day before Unplanned opened at theaters, a boulder plummeted off a mountain and hit our car as we were returning home from Boise. Praise God, we were not hurt, but our car took a nasty hit. Coincidence? Maybe.

We live over an hour away from a movie theater, but we plan to see Unplanned this week. God willing.

[Tweet “Go see #Unplannedmovie. Take your friends. Take your teenagers, both boys and girls.”]

  1. Go See Unplanned. Take your friends. Take your teenagers, both boys and girls. Boys are just as much a part of unplanned pregnancies as girls. Take those who are sure they’re pro-choice or not sure. Take groups from your church. Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS sold out two theaters!! Now that’s what I’m talking about! God see the movie Unplanned like this church did!
  2. Use your social media presence to promote Unplanned, always using #Unplannedmovie.

With several states signing into law late term-abortion and even infanticide, I believe, along with the writer-directors, that God ordained this film for such a time as this. No one can leave this movie and say they don’t know what happens during abortion. Those who are “Pro-Choice” will know exactly what they’re “choosing” to do to an unborn baby.

[Tweet “No one can leave the movie Unplanned and say they don’t know what happens during abortion.”]

Don’t let abortion, late-term abortion, and infanticide become the norm anywhere. You know that could happen if we don’t keep the dialogue going and show the world the brutal truth about abortion.

[Tweet “Don’t let abortion, late-term abortion, and infanticide become the norm anywhere.”]

I said in last week’s blog, 5 Examples of How to Join God in Bringing Good out of Evil that “Only God could bring this movie out at a time when the atrocities of all abortion is the topic of national discourse. We can work with God in helping publicize Unplanned and end abortion!

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:6 NLT

What are your thoughts about the movie Unplanned? Please leave a comment and let us know.

April 1, 2019
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What to Do with Our Anger Over Evil

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What to Do With Our Anger Over Evil

In all my years on Facebook, I can never remember using the angry emoji . . . until the past few weeks, and I see that I’m not alone. None of the other emoticons express how strongly I feel about the atrocities of people celebrating infanticide, the outrageous behavior of legislators, and the liberal left lobbying to bring Marxist, Nazi Socialism and Communism into America!

[Tweet “The liberal agenda is like we went to sleep one night in the USA we love and woke up in the Twilight Zone.”]

The liberal agenda is like we went to sleep one night in the USA we love and woke up in the Twilight Zone.

While watching our grandkids a few weeks ago, Dave and I got hooked on the TV program Manifest where an entire plane disappeared for five years and then suddenly reappears. The passengers haven’t aged, but the world has changed during their absence. Many of them feel a “calling” they can’t ignore to help people. The program leaves you wanting to see the next episode, but at the same time it’s all unbelievable.

Except for the not aging part, as we hear and see unbelievable craziness in our country, I keep thinking this all has to be a nightmare. I’ll wake up and we will have returned to the American democracy I grew up in and loved. But I get up, have a cup of coffee, check out the day’s news, and realize it’s even worse than the nightmare, but I feel a definite calling to do something about it!

[Tweet “Liberal atheistic progressivism has been steadily creeping into our country.”]

The Current Craziness Didn’t Just Happen

Liberal atheistic progressivism has been steadily creeping into our country. The idea that government rules the people and God is a myth.

Statistics about Planned Parenthood’s increase in abortions and the undercover videos of their doctors and administrators casually talking about selling baby parts alarmed us for a few weeks. Then it’s back to daily lives.

The police force we all depend on to protect us and maintain safe environments, the first people we call when our lives are threatened, became the object of ridicule and their lives threatened. They receive orders to “stand down” when conservatives are being attacked.

Wealthy athletes, who made a fortune from their God-given gift of excelling at a sport, kneel for the flag and boycott the National Anthem that represents the American freedom that allows them to be so disloyal to the country that gave them fame.

[Tweet “A “New Green Deal” sounds like a Sci-Fi novel. The location can’t be the USA?”]

A “New Green Deal” sounds like a Sci-Fi novel. The location can’t possibly be the United States?!

It all brings back memories of the Left Behind series, which foretells the coming of the Anti-Christ who takes over during the Tribulation. Honestly, that doesn’t seem too far fetched or far off today with all the push towards globalism.

The Anti-Christ hasn’t appeared yet, but there’s a spirit of anti-Christ among us and Satan is emboldened. “Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared.” 1 John 2:18

And so we feel angry because it seems like the world is spinning out of control and there’s so little we can do about it. Along with the angry emoji’s, I also see a number of crying faces. 😢

When you read articles like a testimony from a former abortionist nurse who was pro-choice until instructed to put a live baby, who survived an abortion, into a room, shut the door, and let it cry itself to death. . . now you’re crying and angry.

What Should We Pray?

In my blog of January 28, Don’t Just Cry, Do Something, I listed 14 things we can do after we’ve had a good cry. Many have shared this blog. Prayer is the first thing I list, but what do we pray? Romans 8:26 assures us, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”

Read your Bible as you pray. God leads us through His Word to His will as the Holy Spirit prompts us when we ask, “God what do you want me to do?” Then we do it!

One of the prayers that the Bible tells us to pray is hard when we’re angry, but I know many of you are praying for those we’re watching do evil in the eyes of the Lord.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![b] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[c]how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matt 5:43-48

Jesus Was Angry

Righteous anger can be what motivates us to pray and participate in justice. When Jesus saw the moneychangers at the Temple, he was extremely angry and took action.

In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” John 2:14-16

When his friend Lazarus died, Jesus was angry.

When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him,[a] and he was deeply troubled. John 11:32-33

Reading different commentators, many believe that Jesus’s anger in John 11 was targeted at the one who causes death, Satan.

Scott Duvall wrote in Angry at Death: Reading John 11: “However, it is best, I think, to regard Jesus’s anger as directed against Satan, the Evil One himself, who presides over the realm of death, wreaking havoc throughout God’s good creation.”

Timothy George wrote in the Roar Heard Around the World: “But in John 11, this encounter takes place in the arena where Satan is deemed to be strongest, at his most unassailable fortress, in the realm of death. . . . What we have here is not so much a sudden upset as an ‘undying hostility to the forces of evil, coming to the surface at the very sight of them. ‘Calvin’s comment on this text is telling: ‘Christ does not come to the sepulcher as an idle spectator, but like a wrestler preparing for the contest. Therefore, no wonder that he groans again, for the violent tyranny of death that he had to overcome stands before his eyes.’”

It’s Ok to be angry at Satan, the creator of evil, death, and chaos.

Anger at the legislators, abortionists, pro-choice, liberals, progressives, and biased media . . . is natural, but maybe misplaced.

Whenever I hear, “The media is the enemy of the people,” my response is, “The media isn’t the enemy. Satan is and he’s using them as his mouthpiece and emissaries of evil.” Sadly, they just don’t know it. Pray for their eyes to be opened, just like God opened the eyes of the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. It happened then, it can happen now!

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor [Eph. 6:13-18] so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

I hope some of you reading this blog will share in the comments how you’re praying and what you’re praying. It would help believers across the nation to pray in one accord.

How are you turning your anger into positive action?

What are you doing to counter evil?

If you received this blog by email, please comment here. And please feel free to share wherever the Lord leads you.

*All Scriptures are NLT

February 11, 2019
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What a MAGA Hat Means to Me

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What a MAGA Hat Means to MeI was encouraged reading some of the responses to last week’s blog Don’t Just Cry, Do Something addressing the horrific atrocities of late term abortion being celebrated in New York and the proposed bill in Virginia to allow birthed babies to be killed. I gave 14 suggestions to stopping the murder of innocent babies at any stage of development. People did do something in Virginia and that bill didn’t pass because Republicans have a small lead in the state legislature, but every Democrat voted for it!

But as might be expected, I had followers also unsubscribe.

That’s OK and I expect the same thing this week. But call me an “About His Work” rebel, I cannot be silent. Again, I prayed about what I should write, and yesterday I heard from the Lord loud and clear. I couldn’t take notes fast enough. There’s so much to say on the topic of why the MAGA hats are controversial, but others have already written and spoken many of my thoughts, so I’m going to give you links to check out.

The first one is from a favorite FOX commentator Laura Ingraham, “The Hat that Dare Not Show It’s Brim,” and on the same link, you’ll see an article by Kristin Hawkins “Why I wear a MAGA hat these days (and I didn’t start out as a Trump fan).”

Why Are MAGA Hats Controversial?

Several weeks ago, Covington High School boys, who had just participated in the March for Life in DC, were wrongly slandered and mischaracterized by the media and others who didn’t bother to obtain the facts. The boys were judged and accused of racism simply because they were Christian, Pro-life, and wearing MAGA hats.

I asked the question on Facebook, “I don’t get it? Why are MAGA hats considered racist?” I honestly didn’t make the connection.

I was shocked to hear that some people equate President Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again with going back to the days of slavery?!! Say what? No one except the liberal media, never-Trumpers, and the far left would equate MAGA with the days of slavery. So I thought . . . until some conservatives said they did too?! Where did that thinking come from?

Ah . . . it had to come from listening and believing liberals and biased media who call MAGA hat wearers Nazi’s, misogynists, haters, racists . . . and often vile names. Simply because they support President Trump.

Let’s step back and ask why.

Why? Because Make America Great Again #MAGA was a successful campaign slogan for President Trump, and they don’t want him to win again.

[Tweet “If the left could intimidate and create fear in Trump supporters, they could silence them.”]

So they had to demonize what worked for him. They hate our President for his success and they’re insanely jealous.

If they can intimidate and create fear in Trump supporters, they can silence them. Take away our First Amendment right to free speech by encouraging their followers to shame and harass anyone bold and brave enough to wear a MAGA hat or even use #MAGA.

Whatever slogan President Trump comes up with for 2020, they’ll try to create the same brainwashing, shaming, anti-Trump drama because sadly, it’s working. There’s been very little pushback.

[Tweet “When a party uses bullying tactics, it’s because they’re trying to cover up their own bad motives that they’re projecting onto the opposition.”]

When a party uses those kinds of bullying tactics, it’s because they’re trying to cover up their own bad motives that they’re projecting onto the opposition. What the liberals are doing now is exactly what Nazis did . . . suppress the opposition, silence Christians and conservatives, then subtlety, and strategically, take over.

[Tweet “What liberals are doing is exactly what Nazis did . . . suppress the opposition, silence Christians/conservatives, then subtlety, and strategically, take over.”]

Notice that the Democratic Party has gone so far left, they’re trying to bring to America Marxist socialism where the government controls the people. Suppress successful capitalism and entrepreneurship, the very reason so many people want to come here. What the liberals aren’t saying is the only way to offer all the “freebies” is to tax the people, rich and poor. In Sweden, everyone making over $32,000 a year pays 68% of their income to taxes!!!

But I digress . . . that’s for another blog.

Last week, a restaurant owner said no one wearing a MAGA hat was welcome in his restaurant: “It hasn’t happened yet, but if you come to my restaurant wearing a MAGA cap, you aren’t getting served, same as if you come in wearing a swastika, white hood, or any other symbol of intolerance and hate”.

In his apology, he said his comment was meant to “reject” the anger, hate, and violence he says he associated with the red “Make America Great Again” Then his staff and partners convinced him he was the one showing hate and intolerance and he apologized.

I imagine if you asked him why he had that perception of the MAGA hat and what examples he could give of someone showing anger, hate, and violence wearing one, he wouldn’t be able to come up with any specifics. In fact, he admitted it had never happened to him.

And yet, we’ve seen footage of numerous examples of left-wing Antifa members dressed in black with masked faces beating up people, destroying property, setting fires, breaking windows, damaging business buildings and store fronts, burning cars . . . yes displaying anger, hate, and violence . . .  why aren’t businesses banning and denouncing Antifa?

Why aren’t the mainstream media and Democrats denouncing Antifa? Ah, could it be because they’re doing their dirty work for them.

Here’s what Make America Great Again and a MEGA hat means to me.

  1. We don’t apologize to the rest of the world for being a successful prosperous nation.
  2. We respect and appreciate men and women who protect our safety, both the military and police force.
  3. We respect the flag, the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem (like at this Iowa High School Basketball game), the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
  4. We remember our Judeo-Christian roots based on God and the Bible and aren’t afraid to say, “Merry Christmas” and “Jesus loves you.”
  5. We value the sanctity of life and allow every conceived baby the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Where infanticide is a crime.
  6. We protect our borders against those who want to do us harm, while welcoming those who want to enter our country legally and contribute to the American way of life.
  7. Cities don’t protect and harbor illegals with histories of violence and breaking the law.
  8. One party doesn’t encourage their constituents to harass and harm the opposing party.
  9. Freedom of speech is honored for both liberals and conservatives who can have civil debates.
  10. Colleges are intuitions of learning and not liberal indoctrination.
  11. The media and news report proven unbiased facts, not opinions and fabricated stories.
  12. Churches don’t have to have armed guards.
  13. Bibles and God are allowed in schools.
  14. You are gender by birth: male or female.
  15. You can wear a MAGA hat without backlash or fear.

[Tweet “Pres. Trump spoke about Jesus, shared the Gospel, and supported Christians more than any other president in history.”]

President Trump openly speaks about Jesus, shares the Gospel, and supports Christians more than any other president in history.

It’s our job as Christians, whether or not you like President Trump, to counter with the truth against the liberal and media lies. Denounce those who use “racism” over what flavor ice cream our President chooses or color the White House Christmas trees are, while they’re lighting up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate murdering babies.

What A MAGA Hat Means to Me

One of the first orders of business in the Democrat run Congress was an attempt to eliminate “so help me God” when someone testifies in front of Congress. It didn’t pass, but they tried.

Consider that the American people of all races will be the ones held in bondage in an anti-MAGA, Socialist, Democrat controlled government. Is that really the country you want to live in?

[Tweet “Let’s work together to make America not only great again, but always!”]

Let’s work together to make America not only great again, but always!

Here’s the link again to a great article, Why I Wear a MAGA Hat These Days.

I want to hear what MAGA means to you.

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

February 4, 2019
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Don’t Just Cry, Do Something!

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I’m back! Did you miss my Monday Morning Blogs these past few months? I certainly missed you!

As many of you know, I broke my wrist after a tumble down my office stairs on October 22. I’ve been in casts and braces ever since as my wrist healed. Now I’m in physical therapy to strengthen my wrist and muscles that haven’t been used for three months. As you can imagine, this was difficult for a writer!!! Fortunately, I had turned in the manuscript for the new book Everyday Brave the week before the fall.

But it’s been a long journey and isn’t over yet, so I’ll have to make this brief, if I can, since there are so many cultural events I want to address. If you follow me on Facebook, I’ve been able to peck out my comments and thoughts there.

Don't Just Cry, Do Something about the atrocities of abortion in our nation.

Since I’m limited today in the use of my wrist, there are several excellent posts I’d like you to read and share your thoughts and comments here:

“Standing for God in a Pagan Culture” by Pastor Greg Laurie

I’m reading the Bible in a year, and just read about the encounter Pastor Laurie talks about between God, Moses, and Pharaoh. For those who think that Christians should not be involved in government or political issues that are more moral than political, Pharaoh was the government and God sent Moses and Aaron to confront him 10 times before Pharaoh freed the Israelite slaves. I love the last line of this article, “God isn’t looking for good speakers; He’s looking for obedient servants.”

Question: What is God asking you to do in your sphere of influence?

The New York “Reproductive Health Act” RHA (which should’ve been named “Unlimited Abortion Act”) became law on January 22, 2019. Governor Cuomo and his supporters applauded and lit up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate…

[Tweet “Governor Cuomo and his supporters applauded and lit up the World Trade Center monument in pink to celebrate…”]

  • When a pregnant woman miscarries from an assault, the loss of her baby is no longer a crime.
  • Allowing third-trimester abortions (infanticide) for vaguely and subjectively a mother’s “health”.
  • Allowing abortions to be performed by medical personnel other than physicians
  • Making it legal for viable babies born alive following late-term abortions to be denied medical care and left to painfully die. (I can’t imagine what kind of person could stand by and watch this happen. Well I can’t imagine who could be an abortionist either!)

In other words, in New York a baby is not a human!

[Tweet “In New York a baby is not a human!”]

Please read the full text of RHA. It will only take five minutes. Many are trying to spin what it says. Read it for yourself.

In response to New York’s new genocide abortion law, my friend Heather Riggleman saw what God was asking her to do and bravely shared her own testimony in an open letter to New York posted in TODAY Parenting Team, “New York—You Let Fear Win.”

I know that if you’ve had an abortion, this topic is raw and painful for you if you haven’t asked God for, and received, His forgiveness. There’s nothing we’ve done that isn’t forgivable . . .  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

I’ve seen so many angry and tearful emojis on Facebook, but I think God wants us to put those emotions into action. Not just cry all over Facebook and social media where posts will soon be forgotten. We’re to do something to impact our culture positively.

Here are some ideas:

Pray that with science and medical strides in ultrasounds confirming that the creation of a human begins at conception, more people will see and admit that in-utero babies are developing people.

Share God’s Word on His creation of life. Psalm 139:13 Isaiah 49:1

Boldly support, campaign, and vote for pro-life conservative legislators.

Work to get out the conservative vote.

Volunteer at women’s healthcare centers that offer alternatives to abortion.

[Tweet “Encourage your church to get involved in foster care and adoption programs. The church, not the government, is supposed to care for the orphans.”]

Encourage your church to get involved in foster care and adoption programs. The church, not the government, is supposed to care for the orphans. Give these expectant mothers ways to care for their unborn children.

Sign petitions that shout your voice. We’ve seen their success in other areas.

Don’t become complacent or let the horror that alarms you now, become the norm.

Champion for life like you would for your own baby or grandchild’s life.

[Tweet “See and promote movies that expose the truth about abortion. Gosnell or Unplanned when it releases in March.”]

See and promote movies that expose the truth about abortion. Gosnell (his crimes would now be legal in New York. We were on our way to see this movie when I broke my wrist), Unplanned (listen to actress Ashley Bratcher’s own story),

Mentor—educate young women about the reality of abortion and answer their questions. I talk about ideas for how to have these discussions in Mentoring for All Seasons. I also talk in this book about how to mentor women and girls who’ve already had an abortion. How to share with them that God loves them and will forgive them if they only will come to Him and ask.

Use Your Story for God’s Glory. My friend Patti Smith is an example of a woman who had abortions before turning her life over to Jesus. She’s now mentoring women who’ve had abortions. She wrote a blog post for me several years ago, Prisoners of Their Own Choice.

God can use our past bad choices to help them not become someone else’s future.

[Tweet “God can use our past bad choices to help them not become someone else’s future.”]

Believe me, all those women in the “Shout Your Abortion” movement endorsed by Oprah Winfrey are not proud of their abortions. They’re hurting women who think they’ll feel better about their choice if they can justify it by finding other women in the same situation. They too need to hear that Jesus forgives when you ask.

[Tweet “Women who’ve had abortions too need to hear that Jesus forgives when you ask. Spread that news that God loves you.”]

Share the Gospel and love. Spread the news that God loves you and forgives. All you have to do is accept Jesus as your Savior, turn from your sinful life, ask Him for forgiveness for past sins, and let Him guide your life. (1 John 1:9)

Read Forsaken God?: Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten. There are questions at the end of each chapter for group study.

I’m not trying to promote sales of this book, I’m just telling you that when this book released in 2016, I foretold the progressive movement for what it is: the playbook for Satan. I saw it then and it’s even more relevant now. If progressives, like Cuomo and other liberals, get into power in the White House this is just an example of the continued progression of evil in our country.

Here’s another good article from Christianpost.com, Abortion is Satanic Worship.

When Cuomo and his colleagues gleefully wore pink and signed the death sentence to so many unborn boys and girls, he made this statement: “a historic victory for our progressive values.”

In Forsaken God?, here is what I wrote about Progressivism. It’s founder is Satan and atheism is the basis for its values.

Each generation pushes out the boundaries of sin and immorality a little farther in the name of a “progressive tolerant culture.” The 20th Century’s sexual revolution has made sex outside of marriage and abortion acceptable and old stuff as the 21st Century’s norm becomes casual hookups, unwed pregnancies, homosexuals, transgenderism, gay marriage, and condoms passed out in schools. What one generation does in moderation, the next generation does in excess, and sadly that’s been true since the beginning of time.

Satan is hijacking high-profile liberal pastors and several mainline denominations who expound that: the Bible isn’t inerrant or relevant, God is a myth, Jesus is a legend, and the church needs to catch up with the culture. Essentially, they’re atheists trying to mask themselves as “progressive Christians,” as if they’ve discovered the true, open-minded Christianity that doesn’t need the Bible.

I want to hear other ideas you have for engaging with our culture. God is using all of this to bring the atrocities of abortion back into the public eye.

What are you doing to let the light shine as the darkness takes over our country? You can make a difference, one life at a time.

Good to be back for such a time as this.

Remember the goodness of God so you don't forsake Him in your life.

January 28, 2019
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