This is what Love and Life Looks Like

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." (Jeremiah 1:5) Oh, yes, my friends – God isn’t surprised by surprises. In fact, He is delicately, intricately, lovingly, and carefully at work in our mama’s womb from the moment of our conception. And these photos are proof of what love, support and life look like when a young person and her family value that precious, God-given life. Is it easy? I'm sure it isn't -- but it will be oh, so worth every minute of choosing life.

Last week, a dear friend sent me a private FB message asking if I could help her with a proclamation she was making to the world. I was surprised by the story, but I was so proud of her for being such a loving, caring and supportive mom to her 16-year-old daughter, but also because she led us all in the value and sanctity of life.

I was able to pray with her a few weeks ago when she came for prayer for several things -- but this one wasn't mentioned. Her hands were already full including the passing on of her beloved father. I love how deeply my friend loves. I asked if I could share my suggestions for her proclamation. Obviously she said "yes".

"Amidst all the concerns and worries about all that’s going in our world, the Torres Family were blessed to welcome a beautiful, brand new life into our home on Sunday, September 6th, 2020 at 8:05 pm. Needless to say, a lot changed for the Torres household when precious baby boy, Elijah, made his debut, making Secily, a mom, Andrew and Seth, uncles, and for Richard and I, grandparents. So, this is our new US – with new life, joy and laughter brimming in our home!

This is Us, today, but just a few months ago, when we heard the shocking news of our teenage daughter embarking on an unplanned journey, our first reaction was tears, fears and concerns. But, after the initial shock, we chose to welcome this precious addition to our home and family. We are so grateful for the unconditional support and prayers from our family and our church family who embraced the journey wholeheartedly with us.

We are so proud of our daughter for choosing life at the young age of 16, and only three weeks after my dad’s passing. So, please join our entire Torres family as we welcome Elijah Candelario, weighing in at 5 pounds, 4 ounces and 18 inches long. Sweet and beautiful Elijah, you have given us reasons for so much joy in a time of grieving from the loss of your great grandpa, Candelario. We love you so much and are so thankful God gave us you!
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11"

I know this story isn't the same for everyone when making the tough choices for life. Some young women don't have supportive families like the Torres family. Some don't have resources to provide for their prenatal care, the birth of the baby and the ongoing care that follows, but God who delicately and intricately formed that precious baby, is the same God who cares for us all of our lives. He has plans for each life and in partnering with Him, we'll find the support, the resources, the strength and, if for the best, a loving couple, unable to give birth naturally, is waiting and longing to adopt. Living with no regrets is key to loving life. Life is precious. And so are you.

In the Letting Go

Letting go of treasured times, treasured people, treasured routines and traditions isn’t easy, but it’s obviously the life God designed for us during these times. Throughout the Bible we read about letting go. King Saul’s son, Jonathan, and David were best friends, but life happened and they had to go their separate ways. Moses’ mom had to put him in a basket and let him go to save his life. Jesus had to let go of His place in heaven to come to earth to rescue you and me.

Maybe those scenarios don’t provide the comfort you've needed for letting go of your routines, schedules, plans, dreams and hopes during this pandemic. It hasn’t been easy for anyone who is a planner, a doer and wants to hold on as long as they can. Status quo certainly has been disrupted, hasn’t it?

I’ve been letting go for a very long time. I can’t believe how fast time went – watching my own children grow from infants to raising their own children. I see it as a good thing. It is supposed to be that way. I’ve had to let go of friends as we’ve moved in and out of each other’s’ lives while navigating changing seasons of our own. One day, I held my husband’s hand for the last time and let go as he and I touched eternity together when he quietly went home.

It’s not easy letting go, but God gives us the fortitude and strength to conquer the “letting-goes”. My letting-goes were staged by God in a slow-methodical way. I applaud those of you who had to let go during these crazy, unplanned times and your ability to “bend and not break”.

I have witnessed those who have stood tall -- silent and strong, with arms lifted high toward heaven. I’ve seen you let go of your own ideas of how things ought to be and you’ve trusted God instead. You have let go of holding on so tightly and found the courage to look forward to what God has in store! He has a sovereign plan and we’ve resigned ourselves to trusting Him. We've made it through many seasons and we’ve come out of them braver and stronger. None of us knows what the future holds, but when we raise our hands high in the letting go, we’ll find ourselves looking upward to Jesus. He’s the One who is able to lead us through the heartaches and triumphs of the living, the loving, and the letting go.

Letting go is a daily, moment-by-moment choice. Giving it all to God is the way to come out on the other side as conquerors. I love this scripture: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) When we relinquish control, worry, doubt, fear and doing-it-my-way and give it all to God daily, we can be free to be a human-being instead of a human-doing. God is in control. We just need to recognize His authority and let Him lead. We can trust Him with all that concerns us each day. Letting go is scary at first, but the freedom in our mind and hearts will be worth it.

Isaiah 55:8-9 -- “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Calling All Mountain Climbers and Mountain Movers!

It seems everywhere we look, there are unconquerable mountains in front of us – both in the natural and the spiritual. This photo prompted me to write this blog. Mountains symbolize obstacles, immovability, challenges -- and if it’s a mountain the size of Kilimanjaro -- maybe hopelessness. But mountains also symbolize conquering, overcoming obstacles, making progress and winning some really huge victories!

Mountain-moving faith is possible because Jesus said so: “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” (Mark 11:23). Jesus meant those words as a catalyst for us to get out of our hopeless mindset and into “Nothing is impossible with God", so, Lord, please give me that mountain-moving mindset!

We are meant to move mountains and see the impossible occur through faith in the unending promises of our sovereign Lord. Maybe there are some who are reading this blog and you have some personal mountains that need to be moved. God is in the mountain-moving business. Don’t doubt or underestimate what He wants to do in your life. You do your part in “climbing in faith” and He'll do His part in moving the mountain!

In spite of our own personal mountains, we are involved in conquering mountains of a different sort. We are no longer sitting silently about the mountains of negativity, evils, assaults on faith, respect for life and are climbing those mountains, too! We can no longer hide behind the excuse, "I don't want to get involved." Whether we like it or not, we are involved. The real question is "whose" morality will prevail. Whose mountains will crumble?

We’ve already seen the great outpouring of people who attended the movie “Unplanned”. This headline came out yesterday after the box office totals were revealed: “Breakout Box Office Hit: Pro-Life Film ‘Unplanned’ Edges Out ‘Captain Marvel’ in Key Screen Stat”. Despite opposition from so many media outlets and anti-Pro Life endorsers, it dominated in audience reviews, scoring a 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and earning an A+ rating from CinemaScore. That’s what I call mountain-moving results because we wouldn’t keep silent.

We can't legislate morality, but we can restrain evil and deter wrongdoing. God doesn't need a super-majority, but He does need a humble minority that is willing to look at some mountains with audacious faith and say “Move. Get out of our way!” God's call is not to Washington or Hollywood, but to "if My people humble themselves" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

It's time for us to put on our mountain climbing gear and be willing to climb some mountains and expect to see change – with the common goal of brotherhood and respect for life and each other. Yes, it may seem mountains are looming before us and the sheer magnitude of the mountain makes us feel incapable of going over it, around it or through it. But we're not climbing without the support of unfailing support. God is on our side. As followers of Christ, while incredibly joy-filled and blessed, God clearly allows mountains in our lives – the difficult and narrow path, but He assures us He is walking side-by-side with us. Oh, but in the end, the rewards are so much more than the struggle. Ready to go mountain-climbing with me?

Born

Yesterday my blog’s title was “Born to Create”. Today I title my blog simply “Born”. The fact that we were given the opportunity to be born is a huge accomplishment when we think of the alternatives today.

Last night, pre-opening night, we saw “Unplanned” -- the controversial movie about the true story of former Planned Parenthood Clinic Director Abby Johnson’s change of heart after witnessing an abortion firsthand. The controversy (besides the obvious pushback from Planned Parenthood and Pro-Choice advocates) was the film’s R-rating. That means that a 15-year-old girl can, without her parents' consent, choose to have an abortion, but that same girl cannot see this film about abortion.

I wasn’t too surprised with the movie’s content since we heard Abby Johnson and the brilliant actress, Ashley Bratcher playing her, speak at the recent National Pro-Life Prayer Luncheon here in Dallas. Though I wasn’t surprised at what was coming, I couldn’t hold back the tears to think that in an “In God We Trust” country, the diabolical atrocity of abortion is permitted and not just permitted, but touted, publicized and praised by activists, and those who don’t feel they have a choice, but to abort.

The most startling scene happens daily at Planned Parenthood clinics. I couldn't hold back tears. There was nothing contrived about the scene in the least. It was the reality of abortion.

I agree with author and speaker, Janet Denison in saying that older children should see this movie because it accurately and honestly reveals the truth about abortion. If our kids see that one scene, they will probably never consider abortion an option for their lives. This movie may just make our kids more responsible with their dating lives and more likely to understand and strongly consider making a biblical choice about sex and marriage.

The movie, in its entirety, isn't a "cheesy" Christian movie. The characters are superb in their acting and the movie is factual. It will rivet you. Oh, but it is so much love. Serious love of parents praying for their daughter. Indescribable love of those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for LIFE. The amazing grace of God that takes a young woman whose heart was so cold and believed she was endorsing a good thing, to at His specific, perfect timing, opened her eyes. There is laugh-out-loud humor in many scenes. And, most importantly, I believe Abby Johnson and her story is going to truly impact the high dollar abortion industry as many people's eyes are opened to the truth that has been hidden far too long.

Dear Friends, PLEASE see this movie. We have been silent far too long. The world needs to hear the truth about abortion instead of temporary compassion by those who convince a desperate, scared woman that abortion is her right to choose. Ultimately, "Unplanned" teaches that real compassion wins and is always grounded in truth. That is the theme of this movie, and it has a powerful influence. Compassionate truth should be the theme of our lives as well. "Let love be your highest goal!" (1 Corinthians 14:1)

I have several friends (mostly, Christian, church-attending) who had an abortion (some, more than one). Not only did compassionate and loving truth heal them, today they are proponents of "life" at conception. We must speak out because the lives of the unborn don't have a voice to speak. We do. Please let your voice be heard. That's why I am blogging this message today. Please see this movie and encourage others to do the same. Pray before you go and ask God to speak His truth to everyone in the theatre. Be brave and speak God’s truth with love. I hope you will choose to see "Unplanned". You will have a stronger, godlier witness on abortion if you do.

Life is about making choices. God knows all about tough choices. He loved us so much he chose to give us his Son. Let’s honor God with what we choose to give back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBLWpKbC3ww