Twelve Stones, A Ministry Worth Knowing About!

I was privileged last week to attend a post-abortion training given by Kim Olson at Twelve Stones. Twelve Stones is a counseling and retreat center in the beautiful woods of Brown County, Indiana. Robb Besosa, the Co-Founder and Program Director of Twelve Stones attended the training with several of his staff. I found Robb to be a devoted man of God, a humble and learned minister of Christ. After getting to know him and his staff a bit, and after seeing their heart for families struggling in their relationships, as well as their unique ministry model, I can confidently recommend them to others.

The Mission Statement of Twelve Stones is as follows: The mission of TS is to return "soul care" to the church by helping the hurting, training those who will walk alongside them and encouraging both as they intentionally apply the life changing Word of God. One way they do this is by counseling whole families when one or more family members are struggling, in an effort to support the whole family structure.

Whether you are a pastor, church or ministry leader, or simply are struggling in your family relationships, I encourage you to check out the ministry of Twelve Stones. It's not often I run across a ministry so completely Christ and other-focused with integrity that runs this deep. Twelve Stones is such a ministry.

Response to the Murder of Late-Term Abortionist Dr. George Tiller

As many of you have probably heard by now, the infamous late-term abortionist, Dr. George Tiller, was gunned down yesterday while serving in his local church.

This tragedy is beyond words on so many levels, and I could write pages on my own thoughts and feelings. However, so many others have commented in more eloquent and concise ways. So I leave you with a press release issued by Life Issues Institute earlier today. Kudos to Brad Mattes for being a voice of sanity and reason in a world where we are faced with such tragedy.






CONTACTS:
Bradley Mattes, Executive Director
J.C. Willke, MD, President
Phone: 513.729.3600
Cincinnati, OH
Email: info@lifeissues.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2009

Life Issues Institute Condemns Murder of Late-Term Abortionist

George Tiller, a notorious late-term abortionist in Wichita, KS, was murdered yesterday morning while serving as an usher in his church. Police have arrested a suspect in the shooting. Life Issues Institute emphatically condemns this violent act of killing. Bradley Mattes, Executive Director, said, "Not only is murder a direct contradiction to the philosophy and mission of the pro-life movement, it works to make our efforts of protecting unborn babies and their mothers from abortion that much harder."

Mr. Mattes is the host of Facing Life Head-On, a weekly half-hour TV program on life issues, sponsored by Life Issues Institute. He and a film crew had recently been in Wichita, interviewing and filming for an upcoming episode on Mr. Tiller. "While there we were struck by the violence perpetuated on preborn children and their mothers, by this abortionist" Mattes said. "This added act of violence is another tragic chapter in the ongoing controversy over abortion, and it's not the answer to ending the violence inside abortion facilities."

Life Issues Institute encourages the media, politicians and the general public to not paint the peaceful pro-life movement with a broad brush of radical behavior. J. C. Willke, MD, President of Life Issues Institute, said, "What happened to Mr. Tiller is tragic and wrong. We must remember that violence inside or outside of abortion facilities is never the answer. We will continue to work peacefully and within the law to end the killing of unborn babies."

Life Issues Institute is dedicated to changing hearts and minds of millions of people through education. Organizations and individuals around the world depend upon Life Issues Institute to provide the latest information and effective tools to protect innocent human life from womb to tomb.

Please pass this along to those in your circle of influence and visit Life Issues Institute for more on this and other pro-life issues.

In Christ,
Mary

Abortion hurts. Christ heals. We can help.

The Word for the Day: Unaware

Too many of us who have been touched by abortion are unaware of the hurt we have experienced. I was unaware for nine years of how my involvement in my friend's abortion had hurt me. Many post-abortion parents are also unaware of where the painful things in their life began - the ongoing sadness, lack of motivation, lack of trust, or lack of joy.... They don't know why they crave things that are self-destructive or why they feel an overwhelming sense of regret, anger or depression when they open their eyes each morning.

Our church leaders are also unaware of abortion's effects on those in their care. How can they know when we don't recognize the problem ourselves? How can they know we are hurting if we don't tell them?

Why are We at War Over Abortion?

Abortion & the Church's Response

Can someone explain this to me? Why we choose to use language like this in regard to the abortion issue? Why must we be at war with them? Have we stopped to see what kind of impact this war has on those on the other side? Whether we started this war or not, we have become enthusiastic participants in it, proudly and loudly lobbing our weapons of warfare into their camps where many of them lie wounded already by their own past abortion decisions and post-abortion pain. (Tell me: What do wounded animals do when someone comes along to help them? They lash out violently. Does that mean we say to heck with them and leave them to die in their misery? I know that's not our intention, but is it what many of us in pro-life circles are doing? It's not our goal, but too often it is the result of our passionate defense of life. Interesting irony, don't you think?)

April is Abortion Recovery Awareness Month

In case you haven't heard, April is Abortion Recovery Awareness Month. In recent weeks, two governors -- Perry of Texas and Jindal of Louisiana -- have made proclamations supporting this awareness campaign.

In honor of Abortion Recovery Awareness Month tell someone you know about the detrimental effects of abortion. Tell them abortion hurts everyone it touches. But also tell them that Jesus heals, forgives and restores lives wounded by abortion.

Tell your pastor.

Tell your friends.

Tell your neighbors.

Tell anyone who will stand still long enough for you to listen!

Speak the truth with the love of God and with confidence, compassion and hope.

Jesus loves those wounded by abortion...so much so that He laid down His life that they might live...and live abundantly and live free! There is indeed no greater love than this!

Blessings in Him,
Mary

Second Edition of Secret Sin Now Available!

We have worked tirelessly to update and improve Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion. Copies of this revised and updated version are now available by order through Morgan James Publishing, any book store, or through us here at In Our Midst. Please note: if you order from Amazon, you may get the first edition until they run out of their current stock....

Secret Sin, 2nd Edition has a NEW chapter on Men and Abortion; there are new resources in the Appendix and a BONUS for the first 500 purchases. Our gift to the first 500 people who register their purchase of Secret Sin, 2nd Edition is an Abortion Recovery Ministry Packet which includes the following:

Protection for Health Care Professionals

Our conscientious health care professionals are at risk of being forced to perform abortions. Please learn about this political agenda and let your voice be heard.

Visit Freedom 2 Care to be informed and to make your wishes known.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
--Edmund Burke

Words of Wisdom to Inspire You

A friend sent the following message to me earlier today and I thought it was very timely. Take a few moments to read through it and then examine your own heart for areas that might be stinging a little. (There are some specific questions at the end to get you started!)

------------------------------------

GEORGE CARLIN (He recently died)
A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

Let Your Voice Be Heard on FOCA

The Freedom of Choice Act is one of President Obama's highest priorities. In effect, it would eliminate every restriction on abortion nationwide. Specifically, the act entails the following:

* FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections.
* FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions.
* FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions.

For more information about FOCA or to sign the petition to let your voice be heard about this destructive act, please visit the FIGHT FOCA website and pass the word to everyone in your circle of influence.

Also, please make this issue a part of your daily prayer time. It is by God's hand that FOCA will be held back. Let's pray together to that end.

Blessings in Him,
Mary

A Must-See Video! (Out of the Mouths of Babes!)

Yes, it's true that I'm on sabbatical, but I'm not completely disconnected! :)

View this video -- it is powerful! Then tell everyone you know about it.

Pass it on...for the glory of God and for the good of others....

In Him,
Mary