abandoned to Christ.

To abort or not to abort...that is the question. But what is the answer? I mean, the right answer?

It’s amazing how many people establish an opinion on important issues without having all the facts. If we're honest, we'll all admit, everything we hear or read in the media isn't “the whole truth and nothing but the truth”. The media (depending on the source), will either skew facts or completely dismiss some, so the public will have no choice but to agree with the media representative's opinion.

Personally, I don't believe the American people are so feeble-minded. I believe whether Christian or non-Christian, we're all endowed by our Creator with a conscience that allows us to distinguish between right and wrong. And if we're provided with accurate information regarding any issue, we are capable of making decisions that are right in the sight of God.

Almost one and a half years ago (September 26, 2011), Living Waters Publications (LWP) released the 180 Movie; a 33-minute documentary made available to the public via DVD purchase or can be viewed online at www.180movie.com.

This vividly intense documentary shares the truth about abortion, it’s effect on the morality of our nation and people just like you and me. Because the issue of morality was brought up by some of the interviewees, a clear and biblical Gospel presentation is also included in this movie. Which I'm so grateful for and expected nothing less from Ray Comfort and his ministry family.

I found the 180 Movie to be a passionate and intellectually gripping movie. Ray Comfort, Founder and President of Living Waters, presents the viewer with a perspective on abortion that speaks directly to the condition of a person’s heart, rather than keep abortion at a comfortable, political distance. Our faithful brother Ray opens the movie with a stern warning that history will be repeated, if we aren't wise enough to educate ourselves and learn from it.

Abortion isn't only a hot political topic, but it can hit closer to home. It can affect marriages.

Prior to marriage, some couples don't consider whether or not abortion is an option for their spouse. They assume their husband/wife feels the same. But when they are surprised with the news of a baby they were not expecting (emotionally, financially, etc.) or they discover that the baby has a deformity or other possible health issues, sadly, abortion is often mentioned by medical professionals, friends and family members.

Married women account for 18.4% of abortions*, often leaving devastating heartache that some marriages don't recover from. So why not provide information to everyone, prior to marriage about the truth of abortion?

In the state of Texas, a Woman’s Right to Know Act - HB15, went into effect on September 1, 2011. This bill mandates that all medical facilities supply women who requests an abortion to receive proper information 24 hours prior to the procedure. HB15 also requires all doctors performing abortions to show women the sonogram of their unborn child and verbally describe his/her physical traits and vital development. Women can choose not to look or listen, but the doctor performing the abortion is required by law to share the truth with her regarding her unborn baby so she can make an educated decision.

Below are links to local pregnancy centers in the Dallas area who fully disclose the truth about abortion, both for women who are considering having an abortion, and support for those who've already had one.

Real Options for Women, 700 E. Park Blvd., Ste 206, Plano, TX 75074 | Phone: 972-424-5144

Mid Cities Pregnancy Center, 8251 Bedford-Euless Rd, Ste 220, North Richland Hills, TX 76180 | Phone: 817-577-4387 ** 1111 W. Airport Frwy. Ste 229, Irving, TX 75062 | Phone: 214-441-3460

Dallas Pregnancy Resource Center, 12959 Jupiter Rd, #260, Dallas, TX 75238 | Phone: 214-343-9263 ** 6500 Greenville Ave, #405, Dallas, TX 75206 | Phone: 214-369-6281 ** 3901 Holystone St, Dallas, TX 75212 | Phone: 214-905-9068

For those of you who do not live in the Dallas, Texas area, I recommend these two options to call for prayer, loving and truthful counsel and compassionate help: Heart Changers and Every Life is Beautiful.

*Statistic taken from The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform,www.abortionno.org/Resources/fastfacts.html

Valentine's Day.

Ahhh...here we are again. Many look forward to this day. Many don't. Women seem to look forward to it more than men and those who don't have a "sweetheart" to celebrate with, are unhappy altogether.

So what's a Christian to do with this made-up holiday that's really not a holy day?

Well, it's certainly not a sin to celebrate it and it's not a sin to dismiss it either. This is one of those "live by your own conscience" decisions that all Christians have been given freedom to make (Rom 14:5-6).

This day is supposed to be the day where love is generously expressed, shared and celebrated. But it's really not about that for most, is it? For most of us (including Christians) this day has become sort of an idol day. Not that we are bowing down and worshiping a golden calf or anything. But we're doing something worse—we're making ourselves the idols to be worshiped (and really, I'm speaking more to the women than men).

Precious sisters in Christ, you must admit, you expect more from your sweethearts on this particular day than any other (with the exceptions of your birthday and anniversaries). Sometimes what you expect is more for competition purposes than it is for the expression and reception of true, God-given love, isn't it? You know what I mean? If your man doesn't outdo your friend's man, then you think this means your man loves you less.

Reading between the lines always gets us into a lot of trouble ladies...especially when there are no lines to read between. Creating a scenario that only seems to make sense to what your unreliable emotions tell you is a dangerous and honestly, quite sinful way to live (Philippians 2:3).

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, lived to give His life away. The condescension, life, death and resurrection of the Son of God, was the ultimate demonstration of love.

If we claim to know and understand this truth, then we would look to give to others; create a special day, afternoon or evening for the one we love, rather than wait with great expectation for what our sweethearts give to us, true?

Remember beloved and precious sisters in the Lord, we're not the frail, weak-willed women of this world. No, we're strong, vibrant daughters of the Most High God and therefore are empowered to give love rather than sit around like feeble damsels and wait for someone else to bring it to us. Love, that is, God has already been given to us. So let us give rather than look to receive.

If you've been saved by grace through faith, then you already posses the fullness of love found only in Jesus Christ, and therefore have no reason to remain in sorrow, because God is love—and He never fails.

No longer be deceived by Planned Parenthood's lies.

January 22, 2013 marked the 40 year anniversary of Roe v. Wade; since that day, nearly 60 million innocent, unborn babies have been slaughtered within, what ought to be the safest place on earth—their mother's womb.

There are three basic positions on the topic of abortion: Pro-Life, Pro-Choice and what I call, "Pro-Inbetweeners".

Pro-Life: life begins at conception; babies are gracious gifts from God Almighty to the mother and father, whether or not they're deserving of such a precious gift; all human beings are created in God's image, therefore abortion, that is, terminating the life of an unborn child, should not be allowed for any reason; whether rape, incest, disabilities or even the possible death of the mother if she carries the child to full-term.

Pro-Choice: the beginning of life is relative and uncertain; the unborn baby is considered a living being only when he/she is "wanted" by either the mother or father; the impregnated woman should be able to choose whether or not she desires to carry her unborn child full-term for any reason e.g., rape, incest, discovers child has a disability, the baby is not the sex the mother desires, the mother changes her mind for any reason at any time (including up until the ninth month), or that her life is in danger.

Pro-Inbetweeners: wouldn't personally get an abortion and don't believe abortion is right, but don't think anyone should impose either view (Pro-Life or Pro-Choice) on anyone else, so neither do they.

We could banter back and forth about when life begins, if the unborn baby feels the pain of being aborted, or that there should be exceptions for abortion in cases of rape and incest (which by the way, only count for approximately 1% of all abortions). But rather than continue a futile dialogue, I want to lovingly share the truth with you. Let's start by examining the true objective of those who advocate abortion. If we consider this issue with complete sobriety and logic, we're forced to come to terms with what legalizing abortion is really about.

While Planned Parenthood and others who fight for a woman's "choice" claim that their only concern is for a woman's life and health, this is obviously a ruse for their real agenda: to create a system similar to that of organized crime where making a profit by preying on the hopeless, weak and defenseless is most appealing, since they're more easily manipulated.

As a Christian and Pro-Life advocate, I don't believe the majority of women who have chosen to have an abortion were battling for their right to become murderers by taking their baby's lives; though that's where this morose plight leads. Rather, I believe the majority who support the Pro-Choice position (especially women) do so because they think they are fighting for a woman's health and right to be her own person.

Unfortunately, most Pro-Choice supporters are being used as pawns by disingenuous people and organizations like Planned Parenthood who deceive women into believing that they aren't murdering their babies, they're just taking command of their own bodies. But they're not. What they're really trying to do is degrade a woman's sexuality, disengage her God-given gift to love and care for the weak, and minimize her strength and ability to practice self-control.

Planned Parenthood is trying to encourage women to whoredom rather than accentuate a woman's priceless purity and unique value—as a treasured jewel made by the Almighty.

Rather than truly care about women and protect the preciousness of her God-given purity, abortion providers want to defile a woman's radiant and graceful visage by recreating her as a ravenous and sexually reckless woman with no scruples, wisdom or restraint; flippantly engaging in the only act that produces life, with no regard for the virtue of her own life, or the life of others.

This horrid depiction of what a modern day woman looks like is a complete farce. God made women delicate yet strong, beautiful, wise and full of compassion and loving-kindness which makes this world a more pleasant place. That's why God refers to the kind of endearing love He has for us, to that of a mother for her child.

“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?"

~Isaiah 49:15a

If Planned Parenthood and all the other Pro-Choice advocates truly cared about women and their welfare, they wouldn't fight so hard against sonograms or programs that teach sexual purity, rather than teach and promote a lifestyle that causes painful and sometimes deadly diseases, broken hearts, and relationships.

As a woman, I want to encourage women everywhere to take hold of her excellent God-given purpose and character: to only desire intimacy with a man who will cherish, adore and love her enough to protect and honor the beauty in which God created her; to protect and maintain the gracious gift of sex to be enjoyed within the blessings of holy matrimony; to be the suitable help-meet to one man; to infuse her household with God's peace, joy and blessings; and be the strong and tenacious advocate for those who most need her protection...her children, whether living inside or outside of her womb.

If you're a victim of rape or incest, know that if the LORD chooses to open your womb, He is doing it for your blessing and as a reward for the pain you've suffered. Don't allow anyone to strip away your choice to receive God's blessing of a new precious life. Receive God's gift and reject the opinions of those who want to take more from you.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."

~Psalm 127:3

Beloved sisters in Christ and precious women everywhere, please hear me. You are more than Planned Parenthood and the world says you are. You are a precious, delicate and delightful creation of God. Your purity, your life, your heart and all that you are is worth more than a deceptive " I love you" from a man who is only seeking his pleasure. You have a true, eternal "I love you" from the Almighty with whom you can know, love and be protected by if you will only be honest with yourselves, humbly confess your sins and admit your frailties so that you can receive the magnificent life that can only be obtained through repentance and faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Lord.

"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. I will gather those of you who mourn for the festival, so that you will no longer suffer reproach."

~Zephaniah 3:17-18

If you or someone you love needs help, guidance or healing, please visit : Human Coalition. You will be loved, prayed for and compassionately led with God's truth.

From the time God the Father spoke of Christ through the Old Testament prophets, to Jesus' first coming, death, resurrection and ascension; human beings have muddled the true character, nature and purpose of the magnificent Son of God.

This false image of Christ has been created in writing, art, online media, and sadly, even from some pulpits.

Multitudes continue to depict Christ in a way that equates Him to mortal man, rather than receive Him as He is—the immortal, almighty, righteous, just, holy and good God...in human flesh.

"Now it happened that as He [Jesus] was praying alone, the disciples were with Him. And He asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?' And they answered, 'John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.' Then He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.'"

~Luke 9:18-20

With relativism becoming the new "religion" of choice these days, many well-meaning Christians (like myself many years ago) have fallen prey to Satan's deception that we'll never draw people to Christ by proclaiming His deity and exclusivity. The enemy has spun the lie that if we don't show how relatable Christ is to their lives, then we'll lose them; forgetting salvation is of the Lord, not us (Ps 49:7-9; 1 Cor 2:3-5; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 9:16).

In believing our enemy's lie, many of us have compromised the deity of Christ by palliating His powerful, life-giving love and works, to something that only tantalizes a person's physical senses, yet does nothing to benefit their soul (1 Cor 10:23-24).

Just because something fulfills a person's physical needs doesn't necessarily mean that it will be useful in building up their faith. As a matter of fact, we know that God often allows painful things to happen to His children as an act of His righteous and loving discipline (Prov 3:11-12; Heb 12:6-7, 11; Rev 3:19).

The Son of the Most High God was given to us as a propitiation for our sins, so that we might be freed from the bondage of sin, rescued from the wrath of God, and granted the immeasurable riches of God's kindness and love, fully manifested in the Person of Christ alone.

While it is true that Christ is able to "sympathize" with our weaknesses and temptations (Heb 4:15), that does not mean that He excuses our sinful behaviors or our worldly views of Him.

So who is Jesus to you?

Is Jesus: Savior, King of kings, Lord of lords, the Master and Shepherd of your soul and Ruler of your life? Is He the majestic King who humbled Himself in order to purchase your eternal freedom? Is He the one who is powerful enough to calm the sea with a word, yet will weep with those who weep? Is He the one who always spoke the truth because He is God and God is love?

Or is Jesus the one who understands you and therefore allows you to "just be you"? You know, the Jesus that feels more like a boyfriend, your homeboy, your buddy and pal who only says nice things that make you feel good about yourself? Is He the Jesus that the world paints effeminate portraits of and is always looking longingly at us, just hoping and waiting for us to take notice of Him?

If after reading this article, you've sadly discovered that you view Christ the Lord merely as your sympathizer, don't be discouraged, repentance is only a prayer away. Remember, Christ set you free from the fear of God's judgment and provided you the freedom to come to the throne of grace, knowing that in Christ, you are accepted by God and are granted continual audience with the Almighty (Heb 4:16, 10:19-22).

Three good, heart motive questions are:

Am I reading Scripture to know God more only so I can love Him better? (Ex 34:5-7; Mk 12:30)
Am I reading Scripture only to feel good or to be good? (Ps 55:20-21; 2 Tim 4:3-4)
Am I reading Scripture to understand God's point of view or prove my point of view? (Jer 9:23-24)

One of the Scriptures I pray regularly is Psalm 139:23-24. It's a loving and contrite prayer that can help you cultivate the habit of demonstrating your love and trust to God our Father.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

~Psalm 139:23-24

I pray that God will demonstrate His faithfulness by opening your eyes to His true character, so that you may see Him (Matt 5:8), and that others may see Him, through you (Matt 5:16; 2 Cor 4:7).

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