Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Kudos to the Knights of Columbus

Christian Newswire reported today that Stanton Healthcare in Boise, Idaho, announced the Dedication Service for two state-of-the-art ultrasound machines. They acquired these machines with the help of the Knights of Columbus.

A similar effort, the Option Ultrasound Program sponsored by Focus on the Family has been underway since 2004 with a goal to providing 650 ultrasound services by 2010. (Ultrasound services included the machinery plus training and facility improvements to accommodate the conversion of non-medical pregnancy centers to medical status.)

Excerpting the Christian Newswire Press Release:


Brandi Swindell, Founder and Director of Stanton Healthcare, states,
    "We are thrilled to announce the dedication of these two state of the art ultrasound machines. We are also deeply gratified to have partnered with the Knights of Columbus whose deep generosity made this project possible.


Knights of Columbus, Idaho State Deputy Brian Simer, states:
    "Every day, thousands of women are making individual decisions to have an abortion under great pressure, and often with little knowledge about the precious new human life within them. Modern ultrasound technology now provides clear, well-defined full color images of the child in the womb. The opportunity to see such images, and to understand in detail the development of a child even in the early weeks of pregnancy often has a dramatic effect on a woman's decision regarding her pregnancy. "Through our ultrasound program, the Supreme Council provides a matching grant for every state or local council that raises half the cost of a new machine. Since the program began in Iowa, Georgia and Florida 19 months ago, Knights in 25 states have enabled the purchase of 53 ultrasound machines. Together, we have so far donated $1,627,855 to buy these machines, and it is the single largest and most important project being funded by our Culture of Life Fund." 
     
For more information or interviews call:
Brandi Swindell at 208.867.1307
Christian Newswire
     
     
     
     

Monday, August 23, 2010

Good News for Pro-Life Advocates

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A federal judge on Monday issued a decision forcing the Obama administration to stop funding embryonic stem cell research with taxpayer funds. The judge ruled the executive order Obama issued allowing such funding contravened a federal law prohibiting taxpayer funding of the destruction of human embryos.
 
U.S. district court Judge Royce Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction against the funding.

For the rest of the story, go to Life News:

http://LifeNews.com/bio3145.html

And pray for Judge Royce Lamberth that he will continue to speak truth despite the harassment he will likely receive.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Good News from Shawn Carney, Campaign Director 40 Days for Life

Dear Julie,

Things have been quite frenzied this week --
receiving record numbers of applications for this
fall's 40 Days for Life campaign -- but I had to
share amazing news that, with God's grace, could be
repeated in YOUR community.

I just received word from our local 40 Days for Life
campaign leaders in Fayetteville, Arkansas -- and got
confirmation from their local media -- that their
city's one and only surgical abortion facility is
CLOSING!

Praise God!

During three previous 40 Days for Life campaigns in
Fayetteville, the abortionist grew more and more
aggressive towards the prayer volunteers, taunting
and ridiculing them in person -- and in the media ...

... but they did not react; they persisted in
peaceful vigil and remained to pray for the unborn,
the women entering the facility -- and especially for
the abortionist himself.

And NOW ... that facility is closing down!

Click here to see photos of the Fayetteville 40 Days
for Life vigils:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=996

All the glory belongs to God ... and please remember
to pray for the conversion of the abortionist -- and
for all women who have been hurt by abortion since
that facility opened in Fayetteville.

If you haven't already, there are only FOUR DAYS left
to apply to lead a 40 Days for Life campaign in your
city from September 22 to October 31. The application
period closes at midnight this Saturday, July 31 ...
so there's still time for YOUR city to get involved.

To apply to lead a local campaign, visit:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/apply

Imagine what it will be like to pray for an end to
abortion in front of the abortion facility in your
town ... and then receive the wonderful news that it
is closing its doors.

How will you feel?

How humbling will it be to see God use the simplicity
of prayer, fasting, outreach, and vigil to bring an
end to abortion in your area?

In Fayetteville, faithful prayer warriors prayed for
a day like today. They were faithful, and that day is
now here -- the surgical abortion facility in their
town is closing.

Maybe YOUR town will be next.

What a reminder of what God can accomplish when we
are faithful. I cannot think of a better time to
bring 40 Days for Life to your city than a day like
today, with amazing news like this.

If you haven't already applied to lead a campaign in
your community, you can do it now at:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/apply

For Life,

Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

Eggsploitation

The infertility industry has a dirty little secret. Watch Eggsploitation, a documentary film by the Center for Bioethics and Culture. It's only 2 minutes long and is available at http://www.eggsploitation.com/

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Babies Go to Congress!

Moms, Babies Served by Heartbeat Pregnancy Help Centers Share Their Gratitude with Congress WASHINGTON, Jluy 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Women, who rejected the choice to abort their babies, bring their children to Washington D.C. as part of Heartbeat's Babies Go to Congress(tm). Heartbeat International provides an opportunity on Capitol Hill for women to speak publicly about their gratitude for the support they received when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Moms will testify before elected officials that pregnancy help centers are good for America.

For more about Heartbeat International and this exciting campaign, visit their website
http://www.heartbeatinternational.org/babies-go-to-congress-july-2010

Sunday, June 6, 2010

FYI--Why Socialized Medicine May Not Work with Aging Population

Read the following article as posted in LifeNews for an indication of what the United States may encounter with our new health care system.

Canada Rethinking Pro-Rationing Socialized Medicine Because of Rising Costs
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- Pressured by an aging population and the need to rein in budget deficits, Canada’s provinces are taking tough measures to curb healthcare costs, a trend that could erode the principles of the socialized medicine system that has produced long waits and rationing of care.
British Columbia is replacing block grants to hospitals with fee-for-procedure payments and Quebec has a new flat health tax and a proposal for payments on each medical visit — an idea that critics say is an illegal user fee.
And a few provinces are also experimenting with private funding for procedures such as hip, knee and cataract surgery.
It’s likely just a start as the provinces, responsible for delivering healthcare, cope with the demands of a retiring baby-boom generation. Official figures show that senior citizens will make up 25 percent of the population by 2036.
Conservative writer Ed Morrissey of Hot Air commented on the news.
"American fans of single-payer health care have long held Canada as an example of success in both providing health care and controlling costs. Canadians have more reason to question both, however, especially the latter. The provinces, which bear a significant portion of those costs, may end some services and curtail others as ballooning costs have exposed the cradle-to-grave system as unsustainable," he noted.


Posted in www.LifeNews.com on June 6, 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010

From the Womb Life Gets a Thumbs Up!

Check out this photo of a preborn infant giving life a thumbs up.


http://lifenews.com/int1550.html

"From the lips [thumbs] of children
and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger."
~ Psalm 8:2

Monday, May 17, 2010

Pro-Life Majority Is the New Normal!

Great news! The Gallup organization has released the results of a new poll, which confirms the results of their previous two polls. More U.S. citizens consider themselves pro-life than pro-abortion. For more information, click on the link.


http://LifeNews.com/nat6337.html

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Happy Mother's Day!

We all have mothers. So, whether they're still with us or have gone to their reward,

Happy Mother's Day!

There's another part of our population that often gets overlooked on this holiday. I appreciate what Stacy Massey of Abortion Recovery International wrote in her thoughtful letter. See it at:

Hide
Abortion Recovery InterNational http://tinyurl.com/29hvzw3

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Free Pro-Life Tool

Free copies of Over Coffee (We Shared Our Secrets) to pregnancy centers and post-abortion ministries.

If you would like a supply of my book to offer to donors as part of your fundraising campaigns, I will send them to you postage-paid. To learn more about the book, visit my website <www.JulieSurfaceJohnson.com>
Then contact me at JulieSurfaceJohnson@gmail.com.

I look forward to participating with you in expanding a culture of life in our land.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pro-Life Grandma Is Fuming!

This mild-mannered Christian pro-life grandmother is fuming!

Today LifeNews reported the results of an EPA study that associated the rise in autism with the inclusion by pharmaceutical companies of fetal cells from aborted babies in the MMR and chickenpox vaccines given to our children.

I hate that abortion has resulted in 50+ million dead American babies. I hate that abortion has broken the hearts of millions of American women and men. I hate that people still consider their right to choose more important than their babies' right to live.

But now this!

I hate that my grandson has autism because some amoral pharmaceutical executive furtively authorized the inclusion of fetal cells from those poor aborted babies in his MMR and/or chickenpox vaccine.

Can this possibly be happening in the United States of America? I fear greatly for our country on Judgment Day!

Read about it at
http://www.lifenews.com/nat6272.html

Friday, April 9, 2010

Special Report from The Elliot Institute

The highly-respected Elliot Institute has just released a special report to showcase the effects of abortion on women, particularly when coercion is involved. For your free advance copy, go to:

http://www.theunchoice.com/pdf/FactSheets/ForcedAbortionReportAdvanced.pdf 

and please consider a gift of any amount to help them continue their groundbreaking work.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

A Day in the Life of an Abortion Survivor--Melissa Ohden

In Christian Newswire this morning, I read about Melissa Ohden, a young woman who survived a saline abortion in 1977. It's a dramatic story of how, over a five-day period, she was subjected to a failed saline infusion followed up by three days of Pitocin drip before she was delivered spontaneously in bed by a nurse.

By the grace of God, Melissa lived! Now, she tells others of God's love and healing power. As a mother, Christian counselor, and pro-life speaker, Melissa shares her testimony at many events and venues. To find out more about her and to engage her as a speaker, see her website.
http://www.melissaohden.com/

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Personhood Amendments

More good news comes to us from Christian Newswire. Follow the link to get the rest of the story--and consider how you might start the drive for a similar amendment in your state.

Mississippi Personhood Amendment Officially on 2011 Ballot JACKSON, Miss., April 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann has notified Personhood Mississippi that enough valid voter signatures have been certified to ensure a spot on the November 2011 ballot.

The Mississippi Personhood Amendment states "The term 'person' or 'persons' shall include every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning or the functional equivalent thereof."

For the rest of the story, go to http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7403413519.html

Press Release from Christian Newswire

Governors Declare April as Abortion Recovery/Awareness Month SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Governor Rick Perry of Texas and Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota have declared April as Abortion Recovery/Awareness Month.

For the rest of this great story, go to www.ChristianNewswire.com.
http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/1852613508.html

_________________________

Editor's note: Did you know that you can sign up to receive free press releases from Christian Newswire on a vast assortment of topics. It's a great way to keep up on items of interest to you!
_________________________

Monday, March 29, 2010

Bad News to Report!

From Life News comes this excerpt. Read the entire story at 
http://www.lifenews.com/state4935.html


Report: Telemed Abortions Using Dangerous Drug Hurt Woman, Up Insurance Costs

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 29
, 2010

Add to My Yahoo! Email RSS Print
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new reported issued by a national pro-life group takes on the growing practice of "telemed abortions" -- which see abortion practitioners instruct women on using the dangerous abortion drug by video conference instead of assisting them in an in-person, on-site visit.

Some Good News to Report!

Just when we need it, a piece of good news for pro-life advocates.

CitizenLink, a publication of Focus on the Family Action, reports the following legal action in Illinois.

Good News: Illinois Pro-Lifers Get a Court Victory

 
Attorneys prepare for appeal of ruling.
Parents are one step closer to being notified if their underage daughter is considering terminating her pregnancy, after a judge dismissed a challenge to the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act today.
Cook County Court Judge Daniel Riley did impose a stay of his decision that will allow the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) time to file an appeal. The ACLU confirmed in a statement it "will move swiftly to appeal."
The law passed in 1995, but has been stalled in the for years by legal challenges.
The act requires physicians to notify the parents of an underage woman at least 48 hours before performing an abortion.
The Thomas More Society has led the battle to revive the law.

For the rest of the story, visit CitizenLink by clicking on the link below.

http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000012349.cfm

Monday, March 22, 2010

Remember in November

After yesterday's scandalous vote to cram tax-funded abortion down our throats, we are feeling betrayed by Congress. Thanks to Team Sarah, I can share with you how individual congressmen voted. Go to this link, print it off, and remember in November who deserves your vote.

Last night's Roll Call Vote:
http://www.teamsarah.org/profiles/blogs/roll-call-vote


Lest you are pinning any hopes on the Executive Orders signed by President Obama, consider what House Republican leader John Boehner said:

“The law of the land trumps any Executive Order, which can be reversed or altered at the stroke of a pen by this or any subsequent President without any congressional approval or notice."

Friday, March 12, 2010

Baptists for Life promotes life among those who are elderly or infirm.

Dutch group endorses right to suicide for elderly

Bunny's Last Days: When Living Will Isn't Enough

Report Finds 36 Died Under WA Assisted Suicide Law

On Both Sides of the Atlantic, a Debate Over Quality of Life

The disappearing disabled

 

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

LifeNews.com

I've been a subscriber of LifeNews for close to ten years. Steven Ertelt consistently puts together the best news relative to pro-life issues--and he does it daily! When I was "in the trenches" of the pregnancy center movement, I found the information I gleaned from LifeNews extremely helpful.

LifeNews.com is a free news service that comes right to your email box. I urge you to visit www.LifeNews.com and sign up to receive daily updates.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

A Day in the Life of Karen DiCostanzo, Hawaii Right to Life

Today we received a call from a middle school instructor because a student from her school was pregnant. The teacher explained that the girl is a special needs student who had become pregnant through the molestation of a high school age boy. The student’s mother had scheduled an abortion but had taken no further action. The unborn child would be the sacrificial lamb for another’s misdeeds.

The instructor was inquiring about Hawai’i’s state law to see whether she could legally intervene on behalf of the girl and her unborn baby. Sadly, in the Aloha State, abortion is a “fundamental” right, meaning that no one may interfere with a woman’s (or minor girl’s) right to abortion.

Many would say that in this situation, an abortion is best, even some who consider themselves pro-life. But is abortion is the best help we can offer this young lady? Does it “fix” the molestation? Or is it a way to redirect our anger and revulsion away from the situation and toward an innocent third party at the expense of the mother? Abortion is never a good choice, and the devastation it visits upon all those it touches results in physical, emotional, and spiritual scars for a lifetime.

Jesus said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me.” Are we willing to say the same, regardless of the circumstances?

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

NIFLA Auction! Let the Bidding and Fun Begin!

I just visited the NIFLA (National Institute of Family and Life Advocates) website and discovered they're in the middle of a hot auction benefiting NIFLA and pregnancy resource centers across America. As I flipped through the multiple pages of auction items, I saw office furniture, jewelry, books, artwork, ultrasound courses and supplies, musical instruments, sports memorabilia, and restaurant coupons. Check for yourself. Perhaps you'll find just what you're looking for and can benefit pregnancy centers at the same time.

The following is an excerpt from their website at www.nifla2010auction.cmarket.com.

Make Your Bid Now!
Now is your chance to get all the great items you want, while knowing you are helping support NIFLA and pregnancy resource centers across the country.

NIFLA is a non-profit organization which exists to provide life-affirming pregnancy resource centers the best legal education, consultation, and training possible.



The NIFLA 2010 Auction is now open.
The auction will run from March 1, 2010 to March 21, 2010, with proceeds going to NIFLA and participating pregnancy resource centers. Auction items range from getaways to books, from gift cards to camps/conferences, donated items guaranteed to delight and surprise

Tell your friends, family, community. You don't want others to miss out on all of the fun.
    

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

A Day in the Life of Rebecca Gaumitz

Considering how to get involved in the pro-life movement?  Don't see what you can do?  Here is one way I help out.  I may not have the time to hold up signs or give a great amount of money but God has allowed me to give through my business.  I own a seasonal consignment sale. Each consignor can decide if they would like to donate their items at the end.  They know up front that if they do, it will go to our local PCC.  We end up with a lot of clothes and furniture for them.  We also hold a diaper and formula drive to help the centers out.  Consider what you can do today!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Notes of Appreciation for Pregnancy Centers - BEaVOICE

During the month of January Betsy Powell of Focus on the Family urged Facebook members to BEaVOICE and send notes of appreciation to pregnancy centers for their selfless ministry of grace to women in unexpected pregnancies.

Consequently, an awesome 23-page document, comprised of hundreds of individual thank-you notes, testifies to the great work of pregnancy resource centers around the world, more than 2300 in the US alone. You can access that document by clicking on the link below. Read and be blessed!

http://www.facebook.com/l/ab90a;www.heartlink.org/pdf/thankyou0118.pdf

Betsy tells me that people can also download prayer requests that have been submitted by pregnancy centers across the country. Print them out and share with a small group that would like to support these gracious servants in prayer - or use for your own prayer time. http://www.facebook.com/l/ab90a;www.heartlink.org/PDF/prcprayer.pdf"

Monday, February 8, 2010

All Life Is Sacred! (by Julie Surface Johnson)

She examined the jewel in our crown--firstborn son of our firstborn daughter--with the trained eye of a pediatric nurse and declared, "Something's wrong. I'd have him checked for Down syndrome."

I recoiled, like a cobra, in denial. Who was this person who dared upset our perfect world and perfect family with cruel conjecturing?

Certainly it hadn't escaped me that Sam had low muscle tone, that his head sometimes seemed too heavy for his neck. But, after all, he was only five months oldand a large head often indicates high intellectual capacity, does it not?

Besides, if there were a problem, the doctors certainly would have noticed it. This one, after all, was only a nurse.

Wiser than her mothermy daughter immediately made an appointment with Sam’s pediatrician. “Yes,” he said. “Sam does have low muscle tone but little else would indicate Down syndrome. To make you happy, though, I will order blood tests.”

Two weeks later, we had the truththe nurse was right. Sam has Down syndrome.

Through Sam, God has taught this grandma a thing or two about thin places and perfection:
  • Only God is perfect. He decides what’s best for us . . . what we need. And, having supplied that need, He gives us strength, yes, even joy, to walk the path He sets before us.
  • Sam meets our needs perfectly, teaching us daily about unconditional love. And through him, this staunch advocate of the sanctity of human life gets to practice what she preaches, "All life is sacred."

Friday, January 29, 2010

InspireLife Now Blog

Pro-Life Tribe invites you to visit the Inspire Life Now Blog for an excellent analysis of the Focus on the Family ad, scheduled to air during the Super Bowl featuring Tim Tebow and his mother Pam.

http://inspirelifenow.blogspot.com/2010/01/care-net-calls-tebow-ad-opponents-slam.html

Thursday, January 28, 2010

When It's Time to Speak Out

Editor's note: This post was first seen as The Promise of Holy Boldness on my other blog . But I'm posting it here since it relates so well to the power pro-lifers can exert when we all work together.
____________________

Have you ever witnessed the glorious transformation of a timid, gentle, soul into a bold proclaimer of truth?

I have. Years ago, a subcommittee in the Oregon State House of Representatives was considering the merits of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). A pro-abortion group had called into question the work of CPCs and was attempting to shut them down--permanently.

People on both sides were invited to testify.

Representatives of Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups testified first and did their level best to condemn the centers and their staff of "deceptive and misleading practices."

When they had finished, the chairman of the House subcommittee invited representatives of the other side to speak.

One by one former clients of CPCs calmly testified that they'd found:

genuine concern,
pressure-free environment,
free goods and services,
confidentiality, and a
non-judgmental attitude.

You could tell that many of these women felt intimidated testifying before this august legislative group.  Yet when it came to defending the truth about organizations that had helped them in difficult times, these gentle souls were bold as lions.

The same thing is happening across the land with women who have experienced abortion firsthand. After years of suffering pain and remorse of post-abortion stress, they have found the courage to join the Silent No More Awareness Campaign and are boldly proclaiming the truth about abortion . . . warning others not to participate in it.

This is holy boldness in action!  

The Apostle Paul told Timothy "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." When it comes to speaking truth, we can be bold--speaking the truth in love, yet with the boldness of lions.

"The wicked flee when no one pursues,
but the righteous are bold as a lion."
~Proverbs 28:1
 
By the way,  the House Subcommittee found in favor of CPCs.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

A Day in the Life of Jerry Thacker


About 10 years ago, I took a trek across the country and visited what were then called crisis pregnancy centers in various locations.  I talked with board members, directors, volunteers and even clients. My goal was to ask them what could help them as they went about fulfilling their mission of helping women in crisis. One of the items they mentioned was that there was no magazine specifically for them to use in training the stakeholders in their ministries.  With this knowledge in mind, we started At The Center Magazine. Funding was secured from a generous foundation sponsor and article content has been driven by continuing research and the comments of those who found the information helpful.

Well, a lot has changed since that time. The centers are now mostly called by the name Pregnancy Care Centers and the need for them to help women who carry the unborn make a decision for life has never been more important. In addition, many centers are active in spreading the word of abstinence-only sex education training and some centers have quite active programs in helping those who have had abortions cope with their fatal decision. Of course, meeting the spiritual needs of the clients who come through the doors of each center has been an important function not only for them, but something for which At The Center magazine has also provided help and counsel.

For more than 7 years, At The Center Magazine was published in paper format and nearly 20,000 copies were mailed each quarter.  As the publishing world has changed, we have changed as well.  Now, At the Center is an electronic webzine. Moving to the internet and doing away with the paper version has lowered costs, but more importantly, it has allowed us to post articles from the very first issue up to the most current on the internet in Adobe Acrobat readable files. (Some 378 articles) This allows for immediate printing to paper of the exact number of copies the reader needs. (I guess today we would call that "green" and consider it a good thing.) 

At the Center is produced by Right Ideas, Inc., a Christian-owned research and publishing company in Fleetwood, PA. We suggest you sign up all stakeholders in your ministry to receive the monthly update by email that will remind them of the valuable information available to them on the site. Include every board member, volunteer, staff member and each donor that gives to your center.

Jerry Thacker, Publisher
jerry@rightideas.us

Website: www.atcmag.com/

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

An Extremely Helpful Resource - Free Book

Editor's Note: Just this morning I read a press release about a free book for young girls who are unexpectedly pregnant and are in a state of confusion. The following is an excerpt from Serena Gaefke's website   Serena is making this download free with one click.





101 Girls Guide.com
Helping girls make informed choices about abortion
Are you having trouble deciding what to do? It's a tough decision either way you look at it.  There are many reasons you could probably list right now as to why you should have an abortion, but have you ever considered all the reason's not to?  While this site expresses an opinion about abortion, it is your choice, first and last. But what is 'choice' worth if you aren't making an informed choice? Why not be informed so that whatever you choose you can go ahead and know that you made a choice you can live with, one you will be happy with, even if you come across this same information later. If abortion is right, you won't be offended by any of the information here. But if abortion is wrong, won't you be glad you found out in time?

To help the most women possible, the first edition of this book is being offered for FREE at this time.

Go to 
www.101girlsguide.com  for a free copy of "101 Reasons Not to Have an Abortion: A Girl's Guide to Informed Choices" (e-book PDF format).

Four years in the making - yours with one click!


www,101girlsguide.com

Sunday, January 24, 2010

An Extremely Helpful Resource

I found this wonderful website that includes more web addresses than I've ever seen in one place for pro-life organizations. Hope you find this helpful!

http://www.christianliferesources.com/?links.php

Saturday, January 23, 2010

A Day in the Life of Lisa Holub

Editor's Note:  Lisa Holub has a long history of working with pro-life ministries, including Care-Net and LifeSteward Ministries. However, Pro-Life Tribe gratefully posts these thoughts from her personal life, thoughts that exhibit  how pro-lifers can affirm life without formal involvement in an organization. Here is Lisa's story.


My 90 year old father-in-law passed away in our home on October 6th from end stage Alzheimers. It became quite intense as a caregiver to him the last 4-6 months of his life. We still have my mother-in-law at home (she's 86) and she has a different form of dementia that is still mild in its stage. The Lord has given me a whole new appreciation for the sanctity of human life in all its stages and forms. Handicaps, illnesses, whatever the case may be, do not change the worth of the individual in God's eyes.

I remember one day vividly. I had just come out of dad's room in which I had to change his sheets again, get him in a clean diaper, and deal with him not understanding what was going on. As I walked down the hallway I complained to myself; well, I was actually just having a pity party! The Lord stopped me in my tracks and said, "If that were Me in there, would you be complaining? He is 'one of the least of these' and when you do things for him you are doing them for Me." 

That sobered my thinking immediately! Of course I wouldn't be complaining if I knew that Jesus was the one for whom I was caring. I have always believed in the sacredness of human life as it is created in God's image, no matter what stage of life. Now I was challenged with living it out.

I'm glad to say that I am no longer the same person I was even 3 months ago. God is not through with me yet and is changing me from glory to glory.

Friday, January 22, 2010

President Ronald Reagan's 1987 Pro-Life Speech

On this 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, take a few minutes to listen to a great patriot, former President Ronald Reagan, as he addresses Grove City College Center for Vision and Values on July 30, 1987.
http://www2.gcc.edu/media/other/ReaganLifeVideo.asx

The 37th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

Today is the 37th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the day pro-life people honor the more than 50 million babies who have lost their lives to abortion.

Thirty seven years! For thirty-seven years and even longer, some souls have fought against this evil. Others have joined the movement along the way. When will it all be over? When will victory be achieved? When can these warriors lie down and rest?

Maybe soon. A new Knights of Columbus (Marist survey) shows that there is a strong majority of Americans who believe abortion is "morally wrong." It breaks down like this among the various generations:

         Greatest Generation (those 65+) 60+%
          Baby Boomers (45-64)                 51%
          Generation X (30-44)                   60%
          Millennials (18-29)                       58%

Maybe pro-life individuals will gain the upper hand as generations join forces and voices.

I've been encouraged looking at the numbers of Gen X'ers and Millennials who are becoming involved in the battle for life . . . among them leaders like Lila Rose, Katie Walker, Abby Johnson, and Ann Cowan, to name a few.


On the other hand, if it takes longer, we can be confident that victory is ours. If we can't turn things around without God's direct intervention, we can be sure He will intervene. He is, after all, the Giver of life and the only one with the right to take life.

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations:
He will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces,
he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken."
~Isaiah 25:7-8


Have you a pro-life victory you'd like to share?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Roe v. Wade Pro-Life Rally Experienced

There were many pro-life rallies today across the country, but I can tell you that the one held in Portland, Oregon, was amazing!

The heavens wept (literally) as bells tolled 51 times, once for each million of the 51 million babies who have been lost to abortion in America since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973.

Speakers included Archbishop John Vlazny, Cindy Brunk of Silent No More, Tamra Johnson of 40 Days for Life, Dr. Frank Rosenbloom of Oregon Right to Life, Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers of Aurem Cordis, Ann Cowan of University of Portland, and Pastor Ron Sunseri of Morning Star Church. Music was provided by Dan and Georgene Rice and their great band.

Through her story of post-abortion stress, Cindy shared effective ways of reaching the millions of men and women who are still struggling with their guilt and shame.

Deacon Harold's rousing message included a call to African-American men to become heroes by protecting and nurturing their families.

Ann Cowan rallied her peers, the next generation, to take a stand for life and press on unafraid, girded with hope for a better world.

I could go on and on. Every speaker thrilled the audience with words of wisdom and encouragement. It was a great day. The audience was respectful and upbeat despite heckling from pro-abortion picketers.

I hope other Pro-Life Rallies across the country had similar experiences. Why not write and tell us about them!




 

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Roe v. Wade Prolife Rally

This is the week for all pro-life ministries to come together and commemorate the millions of babies whose lives have been lost to abortion.

Fifty-one million little ones received no funeral or burial; yet they deserve to be remembered and mourned. Their blood cries out to us as a call to be strong and vigilant, to overcome evil . . . with good.

How do we do that? Keep doing what we're already doing--working within the law to peacefully change the minds and hearts of the public.

Whether you're working for change
  • in a pregnancy center, 
  • in the political realm,
  • on college campuses,
  • in the public square,
  • at abortion clinics, and even
  • in your churches
remember that life is sacred. And the sanctity of human life extends to all, even those who don't yet recognize they're made in the image of God.

Polls show that public sentiment toward abortion is turning. The day is coming when all will be free.


To modify slightly the text of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream" speech:


"All of God's children, 
black men and white men, 
Jews and Gentiles, 
Protestants and Catholics, 
born and unborn [italics mine]

will be able to join hands 
and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, 
"Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last."



What a glorious day that will be! In the meantime if a pro-life rally is scheduled in your area this week-end, plan to attend and join hands in defense of life and the day when we will all be free at last. 



Monday, January 11, 2010

Pro-Life Tribe Thanks God for Pregnancy Care Centers Worldwide!

Pro-Life Tribe joins other pro-life organizations across the country and around the world in thanking God for the work of pregnancy resource centers as they share His love and helpful services to women who are undecided about their pregnancies.

Because of these non-profits and the dedicated women and men who support them through their time, talents and funds, babies lives are being saved and women are being spared from the heartbreak of abortion.

As we acknowledge Sanctity of Human Life week (January 17-24), may we redouble our commitment to pray and work toward the day when the lives of all innocent little ones will be protected in the womb.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A Day in the Life of Karen Wells, Doula

As a Birth Doula, I provide birthing women and their families emotional, physical, informational and spiritual support throughout pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum. My passion lies providing tools for couples to experience a healthy, satisfying birth as they define it. By empowering moms and dads with knowledge and confidence, they can see many of their desires come to pass; all the while, laying a foundation for the successful parenting of their children.

I consider it an honor to walk alongside my clients as they experience the holiest of moments. In no other place can one see, not only the birth of another human, but also witness the birth of a mother and the birth of a father. This is an environment that is to be protected and revered.

As a Doula, I herald the beauty and majesty of life in the womb and life outside of the womb. I have the privilege of being the voice of the baby, as I encourage a mom to keep going and not give up. I also speak God’s gentle words to a dad, by reminding him that he has been chosen for this task; and whom God chooses, He equips. The families I work with are proof that pregnancy and birth are not just conditions and procedures to be endured, but incredible seasons of life to be celebrated.

When a day is done, I take satisfaction in knowing that the more I value and honor pregnancy and teach others to do the same, I can have an impact for the littlest voices in the womb.

For more information on Doulas and tools for pregnancy and birth, please visit my website www.gatewaybirthservices.com.


Karen is the author of “The Miracle of You – Inspirational Promises for Expectant Parents”. This full-color, hardback book is the perfect gift for a pregnant mom. Through the pairing of stunning and true-to-life illustrations of fetal growth and statements of God’s love and purpose, families are able to speak into the life of an unborn baby before he or she is even born!