Life and Death, Blessings and Curses

"This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life..." Deuteronomy 30:19

God has graced us with the ability to create life; we also hold in our hands the means to destroy it. It seems odd that one would destroy what one has created... yet it's done thousands of times each day, millions of times each year, and tens of millions of times each decade. I'm speaking of abortion.

And sadly, it's legal. While many rightly languish in prison cells for taking another's life, abortion, which stops the beating hearts of the most helpless and innocent members of our society, is condoned, encouraged and even touted as a right. Where is our shame?

Our shame is hidden. It's there, but not acknowledged. Abortion kills, we know that, but it also maims. Abortion causes emotional, psychological and spiritual damage to those who choose it. No parent can take the life of their child without being severely affected. The link between abortion and depression, suicide, substance abuse and self-destructive behavior is unmistakable. With over 40 million legal abortions performed in the U.S. since 1973, and a minimum of two people affected by each abortion, the emotional cost is staggering.

But there is hope, and healing, and grace to be had. There is no sin too big for God to forgive and no wound too deep for Him to comfort. There are vehicles for the healing of those who are victims of our nationwide epidemic.

There are also solutions to abortion, viable alternatives for unwanted pregnancies that don't get talked about enough. That's where crisis pregnancy centers, pregnancy resource centers and centers for life come in, and they need our support. While the abortion industry reaps handsome profits, centers that provide non-violent, life-affirming alternatives normally operate on a shoestring budget and rely strictly on donations.

Next Saturday, April 26, I'm participating in a walk-a-thon to raise funds for a local center for life. Will you help me help them? For more info on this, email me via the link on my profile or simply leave a comment.

Read here for info on adoption. More than two million couples are waiting to adopt a child, even a child with special needs, should one become available.

Read here for info on healing after abortion. Rachel's Vineyard retreats replace shame with healing and forgiveness. There is hope!

Together, we can heal our land! Won't you join me?