Jana explains how the Lord enjoys us and doing life with us. And how that changes us in profound ways.
abortion
Why would we “retreat”?
If you know anything about military terms, “retreat” generally means you are getting your arse whipped. So you retreat to catch your breath, to design a strategy, to regroup and reassess the plan of attack. If you have been around Christian circles, then “retreat” can mean something a little different — a time to rest and be quiet, to reflect and recharge. Think tents in battlefields compared to bed and breakfasts.
But I’m not sure the two meanings aren’t closer than we realize. We are in a spiritual war. And sometimes it feels like we are getting pounded. We do need to rest and reevaluate our position and restock our weapons. We do need to be reminded of what it is we are doing and is there a better way to go about the it. Who are we fighting again and why does it matter?
Thus said, I want you to strongly consider two “retreats” on the horizon, either for you personally or for someone you know. The “Yes and Amen” Retreat is a time to get quiet with the Lord and really listen for Him. It is not mindless activity but purposeful exercises that help us see where God is working in our lives. We all need to be reminded of the “vision” He has for us and this weekend really draws that out. Time to rest, reflect, reassess what you are doing and why. The Lord always seems pleased to breathe new life and new dreams into those who invest the time to be with Him. I don’t know how to explain what happens other than it is a supernatural time in His presence. We are truly refreshed and renewed for a different level of warfare.
On the other hand, “Sweetly Broken” is a very unique retreat to help women who have been wounded by abortion. This weekend is for women who have been recently wounded or have been carrying around this scar for years. We know that Jesus truly longs to heals this hurt so we are creating a very safe and tender time to seek that very healing. If this is you and you still feel shame or guilt, or feel like God is mad at you, please don’t live in this lie any longer. Come and be with other women who know exactly how you feel, but also know how to help you walk into wholeness again. If this is someone you know, don’t let fear keep you from telling them about this weekend. The walking wounded need to know where to go for help, so be willing to give them directions.
If God has given you a burden for these fellow soliders, we are waiting for Donor/Prayer Warriors who will carry each woman who attends Sweetly Broken in a spiritual way and a financial way. Think of it as going back to pick up a wounded solider on the field and carrying them to safety. We must link arms as we all battle together.
I am simply compelled to be part of building God’s kingdom. But we must retreat at the right time. I have to make myself pull away from the foray to really hear what my spirit needs for warfare. Won’t you join me for these two power filled weekends? And please, pray for His kingdom to be advanced as we seek His face.
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31
Life or Death
On my Facebook page I posted a video link of Gianna Jensen. She has an amazing story of surviving an abortion. Literally. She is an aborted baby that survived.
What I love is her boldness. I love her willingness to pull back the curtain of denial and political ambiguity and let us see the real issue: the strong killing the weak. Of course I know this is a loaded gun. But I have myself walked through the abortion clinic doors. I, too, am a survivor, but my child is not. So I am not at all willing to look the other way about this life and death issue.
What about deformities?
What about rape?
What about the mother’s needs?
What about them? If you were the innocent, helpless baby in the womb, you would be praying that someone, somewhere would come up with another solution than your death.
There are always, always, always options.
Abortion is our issue. It’s not out there. Or “their decision.” When unborn babies have no value, then what guarantees your value? And a culture that embraces death only begets more death.
The death of Christ is the only death that ever brought forth new life. Every child sacrificed in clinics today is a kind of death in the parents, in their community and ultimately in our country.
Is the blood of Christ strong enough to wash away this sin?
Thank God, yes it is.
But we don’t sit idly or comfortably or neutrally by and do nothing. You have a voice. Use it for life.
Life or Death
Proverbs 14:12 makes a frightening statement: “There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads only to death.”
Is this possible that I can be so insistent on my own way, so oblivious to all the danger signs, so in denial of the truth that my actions will result in death? Death of my own soul or body? Death of relationships? Death of others?
As a woman who has walked through abortion clinic doors and walked out a murdering, mangled mess, I see the reality of this wise word. It seemed right, at the time. But in the end it led to death in many, many areas of my life and the lives of others.
But God. This warning proverb also has an inferred, mathematical hope. If the negative aspect of this proverb is true, then its counter positive aspect is also true: there is a way that seems right to God and in the end it leads only to life.
What are you facing? Is it is right to you or to God? Are you seeing areas of death in your life? Are you willing to follow God’s way and trust that despite the odds, it will lead to Life for you and life for people around you?
“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know,” Jeremiah 33:3
Lord Jesus, protect us from willful sins. Give us a willing spirit to sustain us and to lead us in the way everlasting. We fix our eyes on You, the author and perfector of our faith. Amen
Death Begets Death
Normally, we try to look at one real question on Wednesdays. Today, I’m not answering just one question. I’m answering ten! I know this is a loaded topic…BUT one worth talking about since it affects 1 out of 5 women. I was approached by a high school student with these questions and thought I would share my answers.
1. Do you believe abortion is morally correct?
No.
2. In what circumstances do you believe abortion is socially acceptable?
Never.
3. In your opinion, is the third trimester too late to perform an abortion?
Absolutely.
4. Do you believe abortion can cause depression or mental side effects?
Absolutely. In addition, it can cause nightmares, rage attacks, self-hatred leading to eating disorders, cutting, addictions to drugs and alcohol. Anything to numb the pain. It also causes long- lasting trauma to relationships, something people rarely discuss. This breach in conscience prevents future trusting relationships, especially with men.
5. What do you believe causes the women to have abortion as an option?
Fear. Fear of being alone, of being stuck with baby, of being “fat”, of being found out, of losing their life, of being a bad mother.
6. As an estimate, how many people do you know who have had an abortion?
I know personally 20+ but have counseled more than a 100 women.
7. Under the circumstances, what age is most common related to abortions?
17-25 is my guess. Middle school girls think having a baby is “cool” and often decide to parent rather than release for adoption. Most occur around end of high school or in college when a woman feels like “she has her whole life ahead of her.” Funny that the mother’s life has greater value than the life of her unborn baby.
8. Do you believe that the male has a substantial part in the decision process of an abortion?
Ahhhh, tough question. Yes, I do morally now. But when faced with that, I moved forward regardless of his decision.
9. Do you believe that the parents of the female play an important role in the decision process of abortion?
Many many abortions happen with the push of over active parents. They are more concerned with reputation than the value of life and the value of hardship in character building for their child. And many girls also have abortions out of fear of their parents finding out. They are trying to hide the evidence, as it were.
10. Can previous abortions cause emotional problems in future relationships and the start of a family?
I mentioned this but absolutely… Many women I have counseled with “withheld” this secret for fear of rejection from their husbands. So they are grieving in silence. It causes sexual disconnect and all kinds of trauma around having children in the future. “I killed one baby how can I welcome this one,” is the mentality.
Also there is a HUGE medical issue of damage done during the procedure where STDs are spread, damage to the cervix and tearing of the uterus. Abortion is one of the riskiest medical procedures ever and it has NO medical oversight or accountability. It absolutely affects the ability to bear children in the future.
A few more comments if I may?
I had an abortion at the age of 18. It was one of the most painful things I had ever lived through, physically, emotional and spiritually. No one ever told me the truth about any of those things prior to the procedure. But more information is not the answer necessarily. At that time, we made sure it was never called a baby, so when I found that out, I was doubly horrified. Today, we know it is a baby and call it a baby, but we so undervalue the intrinsic worth of a human being, it causes perhaps more harm. Mom has no value so baby has no value. And so even after abortion, mom continues to suffer from lack of value and worth which often leads to more sex, dirtier partners, more pregnancies, more abortions, etc.
I debated a woman from Planned Parenthood once and challenged her point that she was “empowering women.” Empowering women is not accomplished by killing women and men, even if they are in fetus stage. Empowering women is to teach them about actions and consequences; sex leads to babies. But also about the overwhelming energy given to a woman when she is taught how to harness her passions and focus them on good and long-term results. Parenting and adoption is incredibly hard. But they are choices that lead to life and hope and possibilty.
Abortion is quick and final. No life, no hope, no possibility.
Healing is my final point. I know many women who have tried many things to wash away the guilt of the blood on their hands. It has been my experience that only the blood of Jesus has the power to do that. I am not a church lady. But my life was radically transformed when I realized that even though I was a murderer, God still loved me. It was a long arduous road to recover my heart, but one I am thankful for beyond measure.