Calling All P/A Women and Men Healed by Jesus!

The following was posted on Facebook yesterday. I would love for some of you to share your thoughts....

Cal Zastrow wrote: "Two babies saved from murder today at the Mississippi death pit. Six mothers murdered their children. So great and common the slaughter, so few care or come out to offer help or pray. "Lord, call forth laborers into the ripened harvest field in front of America's killing centers."

When I responded with a call for love and compassion for these DECEIVED, hurting, panicked women, I was met with heavy criticism for my complacency, inaction, and Christian "mood music". One person even compared post-aborted women to Charles Manson....

Were there sidewalk counselors or praying Christians outside the clinic when you had your abortion? How did it make you feel then, afterward?

Did their presence let you know you were loved even if you went through with the abortion?

What perspective can you share with these sidewalk counselors that would help them better understand the women walking into these clinics?

While I respect Cal's passion for the unborn, and while some babies are saved through their efforts, I feel a greater harm is done where the MASSES are concerned, especially in light of how the biased, liberal media in this country has used our own words and actions against us.

Does anyone have any thoughts I can share with Cal or his followers?

I love you all deeply in Christ,
Mary

Why is Abortion Never Okay?

"1. Abortion terminates the life of an unborn child. 2. God is the Creator of life which makes every life valuable (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). 3. God has commanded us not to take the life of another (Deuteronomy 5:17)"

[The text above is an excerpt from Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion; Chapter 6, Chart 6:1, page 54]

These reasons may be obvious to those of us in the church. If we are trying to help others understand these reasons, then we should communicate God's perspective to them--in a loving, non-judgmental, Biblical way. Explain how God creates each and every life-- and that creation of life begins at conception. Discuss God's sovereignty-- and that we are not to say whether or not some lives are worth living. With prayer and God's guidance, we in the church can shed light on the truth that abortion is never okay. We will look at three more reasons "why" in the next newsletter.

We at In Our Midst Ministries are here to help churches and other pro-life ministries gain an understanding of the abortion-wounded person as well as to develop a ministry standard for these hurting people. We will bring our one-day training to you. Contact Therese at tboschman.iom(at sign)gmail.com for more information.

Blessings in Christ!

To order a copy of Secret Sin, go to Amazon.com.

Sharing Your Testimony

I receive questions on occasion about sharing testimonies, speaking to groups, answering God's call in this ministry field, etc. As I was answering one of those questions this morning I thought it might be good to share it with you here. Following is one such question and my response.

Hope it blesses you today!
Mary

Q: I was recently asked to give my testimony at a pregnancy center banquet coming up. I have never given my testimony on my abortion to a large group of people or given it to, to many for that matter. So, here I am feeling led and called, but still hesitate. I feel led to go into church throughout my area and come alongside pastors and share may testimony and plant healing groups in the churches for post-abortion women. I believe you are very familiar with this, so any input and guidance would be appreciated. - V.

A: Dear V, It's so good to hear you're being asked to share your testimony! That's exciting!
My first question for you would be (and forgive me if you have told me this already), but have you been through a recovery bible study, like Forgiven and Set Free? If not, that would be the first step, and I would recommend doing it with at least one other person familiar with this healing process.
Once that is done, prepare, prepare, prepare! Pray about what God would have you share then write out your testimony and practice it over and over. (Twenty or thirty times is recommended!) Also, be mindful of the time limitations you have been given by your host. Practice it in front of your mirror until it is second nature to you and until you can do so without "breaking down." It's okay to tear up; but you need to be able to continue to speak....
Then practice it in front of others. Your family is a good first audience! (Speaking of, if you haven't told your family, you need to do that before you go public with your testimony!) See if you can share it in front of other small groups -- a bible study class, Toastmaster's group, a local pregnancy resource center, etc. -- anyone that will sit still long enough to let you. Also, practice with a microphone if possible. (I used to use the mic that came with our karaoke machine back in the early days!) Your voice sounds strange to you over a mic and you need to be comfortable with that.
Beyond all those "practical" suggestions, pray, pray, pray! Pray that God would speak through you; that He would prepare you for what He has called you to. That is scriptural -- when He calls, He equips! (1 Thessalonians 5:24) Pray that He puts a "guard over your mouth" (Psalm 141:3) -- that you would speak only what He would have you to share. Take Him at His Word, and rest in that. Pray for Him to prepare the hearts of those in your audiences. Remember that this is not about you, but that it is all about Him -- for His purposes, for His glory! And second, that it is on behalf of those in your audience who need to hear it.
And for those moments when you may experience fear, read through the story of Gideon in Judges: 6. Gideon was "the least of the least" -- he was fearful, and yet God called him "mighty warrior!" It's God who makes us what He wants us to be; it is Him that gives us the courage to take these steps of faith, and it is Him that produces the results! You are called to obey in faith; He does the rest! God often calls us to things that are bigger than we are or that we feel incapable of doing. This is so He can grow our faith, our dependence upon Him, and remain humble in the process. :)
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions, and DO let me know how it goes! I expect great things from our Great God through you. :) For His glory, Mary

Is Abortion an Acceptable "Cure"?

"I never knew people who had abortions suffered so. Honestly, I never considered how it affected them until now...." - A Non-abortive woman

"Several years ago a close friend of mine had a sore throat that just wouldn't go away. She had been examined by her doctor who had put her on antibiotics. She was on her second or third round of medication when a physician at church offered to take a look at her throat. He knew immediately something was amiss and recommended she see an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

What the first doctor didn't realize was that the irritation in my friend's throat was a very aggressive form of cancer. The antibiotics he prescribed were never going to heal her throat. In fact, had the accurate diagnosis been delayed any longer it might have been too late. What that doctor didn't know almost killed my friend.

What we in the church have believed about abortion all these years has been based on partial information at best and deceptions at worst. We have considered abortion as a political and social issue that is primarily about saving the babies and one that has little if anything to do with the people within our congregations. What we believed was a sore throat is really a deadly cancer, and it is destroying the lives of millions of Christians in this country. Further, many pastors and church leaders have counseled women and couples to abort, or supported their decision to abort in unfortunate situations and for "acceptable" reasons (e.g. fetal abnormalities or risk to the life of the mother). They have done so out of concern for these people, but also out of a lack of knowledge and understanding of the larger scope and impact of abortion. What we, as Christians, haven't known has hurt us. And it has hurt the people that have trusted us for wise counsel."

[The text above is an excerpt from Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion; Chapter 6, pages 53-54]

This week we will look at some of the reasons why abortion is never a reasonable or acceptable choice. Those who choose abortion have been convinced, by themselves or others around them (even others in the church), that it is the best solution to a difficult dilemma. Although one's intentions may be good...truly wanting to help her in her desperation and fear... advising a woman to have an abortion is not "right" and ultimately will not solve anything.

Think about the wise words from Proverbs 16:25: "There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death."

We at In Our Midst Ministries are here to help churches and other pro-life ministries gain an understanding of the abortion-wounded person as well as to develop a ministry standard for these hurting people. We will bring our one-day training to you. Contact Therese at tboschman.iom(at sign)gmail.com for more information.

To order a copy of Secret Sin for you or someone close to you (friend, family member, pastor, etc.), go to
http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Sin-People-Choose-Abortion/dp/1600371485/ref=sr_oe_5_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254413996&sr=1-5

Blessings in Christ!

Abortion-Wounded Christians - Why They Remain Hidden in the Church

"The first night after the abortion I knew I would never be the same.... I couldn't tell anyone.... The secret pain, guilt, and shame were too much to live with everyday." - Greg

"Greg was a Christian when he drove his pregnant girlfriend to have an abortion. His relief was short-lived however, and within the first twenty-four hours following the procedure he knew his life was forever changed. But where does a Christian go for help when s/he has just ended the life of her/his unborn child? If he had been a member of your church would he have been able to share his sorrow and regret openly? What kind of comfort and guidance would he have received?
Because having had or having been involved in an abortion is a shame-based sin, the accompanying emotions are incredibly strong. Those who live with this shame fear being judged harshly, condemned critically, or rejected completely. Thus it takes an enormous amount of courage for a post-abortion person to tell someone of their secret sin, and all the more when that other person is a Christian. Even with all the recovery programs established within many evangelical churches in recent years, most churches still operate under the guise that "we are fine because we're Christians." Instead of functioning like a hospital emergency room (which would be more appropriate in many cases), many churches continue to function more like a country club. People are ashamed of the condition of their lives, so they put on a happy face and pretend everything is okay for their brief time at church. It's no wonder then why few Christians share their abortion experiences with other Christians.

IS IT ANY WONDER?

Sadly, most Christians in this situation will seek help outside the church long before they will share this kind of secret with their Christian peers - if they seek help at all. Why? Don't they know we will love them in spite of their sin? Don't they know we will embrace them and show them the grace and kindness of Christ? No. The hard truth is that when abortion is the sin issue, they don't want anyone to know what they've done, and least of all their Christian peers. And honestly, the church does not have the best reputation for embracing sinners when the offense is of this nature. Sexual sin has always been the most devastating issue for the church to deal with, and understandably so.

In the days of Christ, the religious leaders were quick to stone those caught in sexual sin. Take the woman caught in adultery in John 8 for example. They brought her to Jesus with stones in hand. In more recent centuries churches have excommunicated those in their midst that committed such heinous crimes, shaming them publicly for their indiscretion and casting them out ceremonially. And more recently still, churches have split over such matters. No, sadly the church doesn't have the best track record in dealing with such weighty issues.

What that means, however, is that we have lots of room for improvement! As we begin to see and understand the truth of abortion we can begin to change our responses to it in our communities and in our churches."

[The text above is an excerpt from Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion; Chapter 4, pages 37-38]

So I ask again: If Greg, an abortion-wounded father, had come to your church for help, what kind of reception would he have received? What kind of help would your church have offered him?

We at In Our Midst Ministries are here to help churches and other pro-life ministries gain an understanding of the abortion-wounded person as well as to develop a ministry standard for these hurting people. We will bring our one-day training to you. Contact Therese at tboschman.iom(at sign)gmail.com for more information.

To order a copy of Secret Sin, go to Amazon.com.

Blessings in Christ!

Healing Promotes Healing...and Evangelism!

It is common knowledge in abortion recovery circles that abortion hurts everyone it touches - the entire family, friends, medical personnel, and even some clergy that are involved in the decision to "terminate" a pregnancy for reasons of fetal abnormality or for the health of the mother. While this is common knowledge for those of us in this type of ministry, it is not common to the world - or to the church.

Below is an excerpt from Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion pertaining to the ripple effect of healing that takes place when these wounded people are given permission to grieve - or be angry - and to find healing and freedom through Christ.

"Over the years as I've witnessed the healing of post-abortion women I have noticed a fascinating phenomenon. As these women and men are healed through Christ, they respond in a variety of positive ways - all of which are effective in changing hearts in this country and around the world. Some who've been healed through Christ begin sharing their story boldly with others, telling how their abortion(s) hurt them - which exposes the lie that says "abortion helps women." Others are so excited about this newfound freedom, forgiveness, and peace that they immediately want to help other victims of abortion find that same hope. As others accept God's forgiveness and their true identity in Christ, they are compelled to serve God and His people in numerous and powerful ways within their churches and communities. As people are healed, more people hear of the real story of the painfulness of abortion. The light of truth exposes the lies and more healing is perpetuated. The natural, organic growth of post-abortion healing multiplies exponentially; changing hearts (healing hearts) and turning the tide one ripple at a time."***

Many churches are intent on sending out the body of Christ to evangelize the world around them. While this is indeed in line with the teachings of Christ, I think a better model is to help those (who are wounded) in your midst to find healing and freedom in Christ. As they experience forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration according to the power of God they will become the most effective evangelists for your church and in your community. Once the bound are set free, they cannot wait to tell others about their amazing Savior! (Isaiah 61:1-4) Try it in your church and see if it doesn't work!

To order Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion for yourself or a pastor at your church go to Amazon.com.

For more information about how to meet the abortion-wounded at the point of their need with compassionate understanding - and as a safe place for these people to share their abortion secret - contact us via email at staff(at sign)inourmidst.com. We will bring our one-day training to your area.

Abundant blessings in Christ!
For His glory.

***Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion, Page 76

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?)

Jesus didn't come to this planet in order to "go to war" over "social issues." He came to show us the Father's heart toward lost and dying sinners and to show these same sinners how to find peace and salvation through Him. He came to show us how to walk in love, even when people falsely accuse us or tempt us or plot evil against us. But He never talked about waging war against social ills or the ones who perpetuate them. (For the record, the only ones he railed against were the religious leaders who kept people from Him by their legalism and pride.)

Jesus did come, also, to teach us how to do battle against our enemy -- not the flesh and blood kind but the spiritual enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour us. He showed us a distinct difference between the "enemies" of this world -- which actually include our own "flesh" (our human nature) -- and the enemy of God in the form of Satan.

For us to wage war on abortion is much like fighting air. We work ourselves into a frenzy, albeit passionately, but what does our swinging and flailing accomplish? I will tell you: it alienates the ones we are called to love; the ones we are called to meet at the point of their need with the love and concern and truth of Jesus.

No, I say we lay down our current weapons of battle -- the emails and blogs and picket signs that rage against this "social ill" and those who support it. I say we take up our spiritual garments of peace, salvation, truth, and righteousness. I say we stop flailing at air and start aiming our true weapon (the sword of the Spirit) at the Prince of the air! And I say we make peace with the people of this world who have been deceived; the people who are operating out of their woundedness and hopelessness and false selves.

No, the way to win this "war" is not with anger and railing and shouting at the human hands perpetuating evil in this world. We are called to love them, to be Jesus to them. There's nothing wrong with informing the body of Christ what goes on where this issue is concerned. We need to be informed! But even in those communications we should be expressing our love for the flesh and blood people who are perpetuating abortion and the plethora of deceptions surrounding this issue.

Just imagine what would transpire if we followed Jesus' example of ministering to the woman at the well and the woman caught in adultery where the pro-choice/pro-abortion people are concerned. What if we went, two-by-two to them, befriended them, shared His love with them?

Now I'm not naive enough to think that all of a sudden every pro-choice/pro-abortion person is going to turn into a righteous Pollyanna! But don't you think we will gather more flies with honey than with vinegar?

I challenge my colleagues in pro-life circles to try this strategy for a month. I challenge you to ask God if you are one who has "waged war" against the wrong enemy. And if you are, ask Him to enable you to see these "enemies" as He sees them and to love them accordingly; put His Word and His Truth to the ultimate test. Don't stop speaking the truth, simply commit to making sure that whatever you do or say, it is wrapped in compassion, mercy and humility, and filled with His Spirit.

Let's declare PEACE with these human "enemies" just as Jesus would -- by His Word, through His Spirit, and for His glory and their benefit. Let's lay down our weapons in this world and take up the full armor of God. Let's aim the Sword of the Spirit at our rightful enemy as we build bridges of peace, hope, reconciliation and salvation for those who are lost, hurting and dying in this world.

For further reading: see Ephesians 6:10-17; John 4:7-30; John 8:1-11

...and go and do likewise!

Abortion hurts. Jesus heals! We can help.

Have a blessed day in Jesus!
Mary

Sanctity of Human Life

On this Sanctity of Human Life Sunday it is appropriate to remember all those that have lost their children to abortion. It is not only the babies' lives that are lost, destroyed. The lives of their mothers and fathers are forever changed as well. And the ripple (or is it a tsunami?) of destruction goes out from there.

If you know someone that has been touched by an abortion, give them a call or send them an email today. Let them know you are thinking of them.

By the way, THANK YOU, President Bush, for commemorating this day as National Sanctity of Human Life Day!!! Your recognition means the world to us and I pray it will help others to recognize that abortion doesn't help women - it hurts everyone it touches.

How my heart cries out for the leaders of God's church to become aware of those in their midst that continue to carry the wound left by abortion. To become aware...to become educated...to become involved in leading the people in their churches to embrace them, to listen to them, to help them find the hope and healing available only through Jesus Christ.

If you have been touched by an abortion, make an appointment with your pastor or minister or priest. Share with them what abortion has done to your life. Give them the statistics related to Christians and abortion. Let them know there are many in their midst that are suffering. Offer to help them begin to understand. Send them to our web site for more information, or better yet, give them a copy of my book, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion.

And if there is anything I can do to help, simply let me know. I am here to serve you.

For His glory...
On behalf of those wounded by abortion,
Mary

Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion

Upcoming Event - Alert

Don't miss our upcoming Christian Leadership Conference: Equipping Leaders to Heal the Abortion Wounded at the AirTel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, CA, Thursday, June 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Our Midst is working in conjunction with Greg Hasek of Misty Mountain Counseling Center and Yolanda Gorrick of Joy for Mourning. Anita Dost, Greg Hasek and I will discuss how to identify the hidden effects of abortion while providing ministry tools that assist post-abortive individuals who desire reconciliation with God, their families, and their past.

Register now!

Why ProLife? by Randy Alcorn

I highly recommend the book "Why Prolife" by Randy Alcorn. It's an awesome book for anyone who would like to learn more about the abortion/pro-life issue or to reinforce what you already know about why we should be totally pro-life without exceptions. This book is very short but packed with great information. Click here to view a copy and purchase this book from Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). EPM is a great place to find other books and links on pro-life issues.

Great work Randy and a thumbs up from me!

Anita Dost,
VP - Project Development

Give Them Back! Conclusion

He Allowed the Consequences; Yet the People are in Denial: (v. 25)

25 So He poured out on him the heat of His anger
And the fierceness of battle;
And it set him aflame all around,
Yet he did not recognize it;
And it burned him, but he paid no attention.

God has already allowed the consequences to affect those that have chosen abortion. He has convicted many of them of their sin. Sadly, because most people are not aware how abortion affects those it touches (post-abortion syndrome), they do not always connect the consequences with the sin. Many times, the only way they have been able to survive this tragedy in their lives is to deny that there is anything wrong with it or that it hurt them in any way. They have been set aflame in their innermost being, but have not recognized it. They have been burned to the core of their being, but they have been unable or unwilling to pay heed to it.

When someone goes to the doctor with vague, nondescript symptoms, they may be shocked to receive a diagnosis of cancer. This is sometimes true of those that have been hurt by abortion. They know on some level that something is wrong, but they can�t put their finger on it. But when they learn that it is their abortion that has been the cause of their pain or destructive behaviors, many times they are relieved and can then begin the healing process.

Isaiah 43 (verses 7, 10, 12, and 25) go on to tell us that WE are His witnesses, created for His glory, and we have a job to do. Who will join with us in standing in the gap for those in our midst that have been plundered and imprisoned (and are suffering silently) because of a past abortion? Our responsibility is to take the knowledge we have and ask, "What would Jesus do?" Then go and do likewise. What a transformation will be brought about in our churches and in our world as we step out in faith and obedience and walk through the healing process with these fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to the glory of our Father in Heaven.

Who will stand with us and say, �GIVE THEM BACK!�?

For more information about how you can stand with us in this ministry, contact us at staff@inourmidst.com.

Give Them Back! Part IV

Today is the day I've been waiting for! The day we get to look at Isaiah 42:22 and the three words that resonate within me and those like me with a passion to help those hurt by abortion to find healing in Jesus Christ: Give Them Back!

God�s People: Plundered�.: (v. 22)

22 But this is a people plundered and despoiled;
All of them are trapped in caves,
Or are hidden away in prisons;
They have become a prey with none to deliver them,
And a spoil, with none to say, "Give them back!"

God�s people within the Church have been plundered by the moral code of the secular world. As a result, we have been trapped in deep, dark caverns of shame and guilt. Our people have hidden this part of their lives away so no one will see; so no one will know. Our people within the Church have become prey to abortion and to the enemy of God that entices them then condemns them for doing it. But we at In Our Midst are here to say, "It's time to GIVE THEM BACK!"

Who Among YOU ...?: (v. 23)

23 Who among you will give ear to this?
Who will give heed and listen hereafter?

Again I ask, will you listen? Will you give heed�?

They Sinned Against God, Not Us!: (v. 24)

24 Who gave Jacob up for spoil, and Israel to plunderers?
Was it not the LORD, against whom we have sinned,
And in whose ways they were not willing to walk,
And whose law they did not obey?

Those of us that have never been involved in the abortion decision may find it difficult to be compassionate toward those that have. We are often hard-pressed to understand how they could make such a choice. We don�t understand. And often, as a result, we are tempted to judge them harshly or condemn them quickly.

I will be the last person to say their choice was not sin. It was sin. But it was a sin against God � not against us. (See Psalm 51:4) Ours is not to judge, but to love and restore them gently. (Galatians 6:1,2) It was His law they broke; our responsibility is not to be judge and jury but to be the hands and feet of our loving and merciful Savior. We have been called to love them like Jesus, and to stand against the enemy on their behalf and demand, "Give them back!"

Very few have had anyone to stand for them in that way over the past 33 years. But now we know they are suffering silently in our midst. Who of you will stand with us?

Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of this series.

Give Them Back! Part III

Today our focus on Isaiah 42 brings us to the servants of God. Take a look below to see what God has to say to those of us who serve in His name:

We are His Servant, His Remnant (re: the Post-Abortive): (v. 19)

19 Who is blind but My servant,
Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send?
Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me,
Or so blind as the servant of the LORD?

Who among us -- the servants of the Lord -- are still blind to the truth of how abortion is affecting those in our midst? Have we heard their cries of agony? How could we when they continue to suffer in silence out of fear of being judged? Out of overwhelming feelings of shame and guilt? We have been blind to the fact that abortion doesn�t just end the life of an unborn child; it devastates the lives of everyone it touches! And Christians most of all! We have been deaf to their cries. We have served God the best we knew how with the knowledge and understanding we possessed; but now we know more. God has lifted the silence in the Church and now it is our responsibility to look, listen, take notice, and act.

The Wake-Up Call to the Church!: (v. 20)

20 You have seen many things, but you do not observe them;
Your ears are open, but none hears.

Are we willing to hear and see? Now that we know, will we embrace this new knowledge, roll up our sleeves and get to work?

Those of us who now know are without excuse. Abortion recovery is not political, it's personal. The wounds left by abortion affect every area of the post-abortive person's life -- their relationship with God, their relationships with others (spouse, children, friends, co-workers, etc.), their service to God, their view and treatment of themselves. It affects the choices they make and the way they live.

Now that we know, what will we do to help them? How can we not help them?

Join us tomorrow for part IV of this series.

Give Them Back! Part II

Yesterday we began looking at Isaiah 42 and how it applies to our work within the Church on behalf of the abortion-affected. Read on for more fascinating parallels to challenge and empower us to answer God's call to this unique mission field.

The Blindness of the People (Due to His Silence): (v. 14-15)

14 "I have kept silent for a long time,
I have kept still and restrained Myself.
Now like a woman in labor I will groan,
I will both gasp and pant.
15 "I will lay waste the mountains and hills
And wither all their vegetation;
I will make the rivers into coastlands
And dry up the ponds.

God has been silent in the Church where the abortion-affected are concerned. Our churches are suffering, its people limping along in atrophied service to Him because their wounds are not healed. Christians in this country are struggling to survive: our marriages are falling prey to divorce at the same rate as non-Christians; approximately 50% of our men and teen boys are addicted to pornography; our women and teenaged girls are oppressed by eating disorders and other addictive behaviors. Depression among Christians knows no gender preference. Our people are wounded, imprisoned, and the growth of our fellowships (not just in numbers but in productivity and influence) has suffered. Each of these destructive issues can be attributed to a past abortion. We are undone! Even so, God has promised not to leave us in that condition.

The labor pains have begun. The groanings of restoration and recovery are subtle now, but the more people I talk with the more convinced I am God is doing a new thing in the Church! So many people within the Church are beginning to see the neglect the post-abortive have suffered in the Church, and their hearts are pounding with a desire to help them.

His Promise of Guidance for �the Remnant� and Deliverance for �the Undone:� (v. 16)

16 "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know,
In paths they do not know I will guide them
I will make darkness into light before them
And rugged places into plains
These are the things I will do,
And I will not leave them undone."

Every day the realization becomes more profound: We are breaking new ground. We are carving a new path. But God has promised to lead us on this new path of unexplored territory. We do not go alone! This is His ministry and we are His hands and feet, the "Jesus with skin on" to carry out the task to which He has called us. He has promised to lead us, to go with us, and to bring light into the darkness (i.e. bring awareness to the Church of the abortion-affected in her midst) and He will not leave us undone (i.e. that includes both those of us in abortion recovery ministry and those suffering silently within the Church). He is the One upon whom we must depend for every step we take on this journey. His promises are sure. How faithful is our God...!

Join us tomorrow for Part III in this series.

Give Them Back! Intro. and Part I

Every now and then God shows me something in Scripture that makes my heart beat a little faster and the adrenaline certainly began to flow fast and furious when I read Isaiah 42 a few days ago. Over the course of this week we will examine this passage of verses.

The entire chapter of Isaiah 42 is awesome, but I will highlight only a few verses and passages from the whole (all emphases mine). We will begin today in verse 6:

God's Call on Our Lives: (verses 6-7)

6"I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.

He has called US to be the people of His promise through Christ, to be a light to the nations, to open the eyes of those who do not see; to bring out the prisoners (that He has freed!) and those who dwell in darkness. But His call is not for us to simply go out on our own and do it; He has said He will �hold us by the hand and watch over� us. He will not leave us to our own devices. He has appointed us as a covenant � a promise � to His people� A light to the nations to open blind eyes and bring out prisoners. But He will go with us and work through us. First Thessalonians 5:24 supports this promise: Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

Those Christians that have been wounded by abortion fit this description so perfectly! They are free in Christ, but they are still living in the dungeon of despair, guilt, and shame. They live under the cover of the secret in their own little prisons�in the darkness of their shame�suffering in silence, alone yet in our midst�.

His Promise to Do It: (v. 13)

13 The LORD will go forth like a warrior,
He will arouse His zeal like a man of war
He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry
He will prevail against His enemies.

Bringing abortion recovery to evangelical churches in the U.S. is an uphill battle all the way. The stigmas and misconceptions about abortion that have taken root within the Church make for a nearly impenetrable wall in some circumstances. But God promises to make the way before us as a mighty warrior whose war cry can be heard above the roar of the battle! The time of His silence is over�. And He will prevail! For over 30 years of legalized abortion God has been silent within the Church (for the most part) where the plight of the post-abortive is concerned. Abortion is the last great sin issue to come out of the proverbial closet. We are the "zeal" He will "arouse." Now is the time. Listen for the war cry and prepare, for our God will prevail!

Join us tomorrow for as we continue to look at the next few verses in Isaiah 42.

Abortion and the Church

I found an interesting article on the Pro-Woman Pro-Lifer blog a couple of nights ago pertaining to abortion and the church. In it the author shares a startling perspective of how the church sometimes (unknowingly and unintentionally) impacts the decision to abort that a lot of people would rather not look at.

Kudos to this Pro-Woman Pro-Lifer for having the courage to tell this side of the story.

It's Not Political...It's Personal

Abortion has been politicized since Margaret Sanger began her legacy in the early 1900's. For those of you unfamiliar with Ms. Sanger, she was the founder of and inspiration behind Planned Parenthood. Even Ms. Sanger, were she alive today to interview, would tell you that although it has become political, abortion is and always will be first and foremost personal. (Of course that would probably be the only thing we would agree on!)

Sadly, those of us who have not directly experienced abortion have missed the personal aspect of it. We have acted with dogged determination in our desire to see Roe v. Wade overturned and to "save the babies" however we can -- whether by voting pro-life, holding prayer vigils, or protesting abortion and/or abortion clinics. For all intents and purposes abortion has been political to us.

But the Church...ah, the body of Christ.... Within the walls and community of the Church abortion should be treated as the personal issue it is. For those that have experienced it, our focus should be on loving them as Jesus loved the woman caught in adultery. Our responsibility is to be Christ to them, to restore them gently [Galatians 6:1].

Too many of our churches, pastors, and ministry leaders see abortion as a political issue and as such, they opt to distance themselves from it. I encourage them, however, to look at abortion as a personal issue and to treat it accordingly.

And lest I be misunderstood here, let me say how very much I value those who deal with the political side of abortion. People at organizations like National Right to Life that has fought for life issues with perseverance and integrity; LifeNews.com that keeps us informed of what's going on politically so we can be intelligently involved; Concerned Women of America that also informs and lobbies; Priests for Life that remains on the frontlines, standing for the cause of Life in Jesus' name in the public and political arenas. Each of these organizations has an inestimable value in the political arena, standing strong for the cause of Life. I shudder to think where we would be without these and other like-minded organizations.

However politics should never overshadow the personal aspect of abortion within the Church. That's where we have been, whether due to lack of information or due to God's silence.... But let it be known He is silent no longer. Those of us at In Our Midst and similar ministries across this country will testify that the voice of God is no longer silent on this issue. His heart cries out through our own. Abortion is personal. It is affecting God's people in destructive and detrimental ways and the time to begin the healing is now.

Let the healing begin!

Abortion: The Church's Lowest Priority?

Of the top ten needs of the evangelical church, abortion is the low man on the totem pole according to Discipleship Journal's most recent issue (Nov/Dec 2005). "More ongoing, passionate prayer in both personal and church life" won the spot for the greatest need of the Church according to the pastors that were polled. Only three "social" issues made the list: marriage ranked seventh, homosexuality ranked ninth, and abortion barely made the cut filling the number ten slot.

...Further evidence that we have our work cut out for us.

New Brochure for Post-Abortive Men

Fatherhood Forever has issued a new brochure for men that are suffering from the pain of a past abortion. Click here for access. Share it with everyone you know.

Post Your Abortion Secrets

There's an incredible web site called PostSecrets.com that has done an amazing job of allowing people a way to share their deepest, darkest secrets with the world in an anonymous and non-threatening way. I would invite everyone to take a look at this site. [Caution: Some of the postcards on PostSecrets.com are quite graphic in nature.]

In light of the significance and poignance of the PostSecret site, I would like to invite you to send your abortion secrets to us. We will post your secret in the same way, only your "audience" will be the pastors, ministry leaders, and abortion recovery folks that visit In Our Midst.

If you have an abortion secret or an abortion regret, I invite you to share that with us and those who visit our site either via email or by sending a post card to:

In Our Midst Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 30621
Edmond, OK 73003

Whether it is the first time or the hundredth time, share your secret or regret with us so we may share them with others in order to help non-post-abortive people understand how abortion has affected you.

Bringing Abortion Out of the Closet

As we have begun this work of equipping churches to minister to the post-abortive we have encountered some wonderful people�. People who understand the need for abortion recovery in the Church. People who are ready and willing to meet this hurting population where they are with the love of Christ and for His glory. These people, these churches have blessed us beyond what we could ever imagine!

But there have been a few that have rejected the idea for one reason or another. Either they are literally too busy to take on one more thing, they are too discouraged to think something of this nature would do any good, the job seems entirely too big, or they honestly do not see the need in their congregation. These are the more obvious reasons, but I believe there may be some other less obvious reasons at the root of this rejection. I think one reason may be fear.

When the Church is Afraid
People � even people within the Church -- are sometimes afraid of the word abortion. They are afraid it will polarize their people. They are afraid the topic will turn political. Maybe they are merely afraid they won�t know how to help those hurt by it or that they will be inundated with throngs of abortion-wounded people. Perhaps they�re afraid they won�t be able to put their own feelings aside regarding the issue in order to help them�.

Overcoming the Fear
Whatever the case, those of us in ministry need to �get over it!� We have a job to do. Yes, it�s a big job, but God doesn�t call the equipped, right? He equips the called. If there is a shake-up in your congregation, go ahead. Some people need to be shaken out of their comfort zones anyway. And if there are people in your congregation that are pro-choice, they need to know the truth of why abortion is never the right choice. Our job as ministers of the gospel is to tell people the truth based on God�s Word. We don�t have to justify or defend the truth; we merely need to share the truth based on facts and allow the Holy Spirit to work how and where and in whom He will work.

Our priority should always be to please God, not man. We may offend some people in the Church as we discuss the truth about abortion, and as much as we don�t want to do that, neither should we choose to neglect those in our midst that are suffering silently due to a past abortion. Perspective is often a difficult thing to maintain, but the final plumb line must always be: Are we striving to please God in all we do regardless of others that may be displeased?

If abortion is brought out of the closet in your congregation, rest assured you will not be overrun with post-abortive people requiring immediate attention and/or counseling. Yes, some will come, but in a trickle usually. One at a time, little by little. There will not be a stampede during the altar call. It just doesn�t happen that way.

Becoming Informed
When they do come, yes, you need to know how to minister to them � which is what In Our Midst Ministries is all about. If you already know how to counsel others with Scripture � and hopefully you do!�the rest is just basics of understanding who has abortions and why, how abortion affects them, and the areas in which they need healing. And the best part is that you (as the pastor) probably will not be the one they need to walk with them through the healing process. The recovery process works best in small support groups with leaders that have been through the post-abortive healing process themselves.

So what do you, as the pastor need to do? You need to know the truth about abortion � not merely what you�ve heard through society or the media. You need to know why people �choose� abortion and how it affects them emotionally, spiritually, and physically. And you need to know how to create a �safe� environment within your church for those who have been wounded by abortion. �Safe� meaning that your congregation has been adequately informed about the abortion issue so that they have compassion (not condemnation) in their hearts for the abortion-affected. You will find that few people will come forward asking for help for recovery from this issue without first knowing they will be accepted and loved, not judged or gossiped about.

There are several ways you can prepare yourself for post-abortion ministry. One is to read up on the topics here at In Our Midst, in books, and on the Internet. (Use caution, however when surfing the web on this topic.) A second way is to invite us to come to your church to train you and your staff, as well as anyone else from your church or community that is interested in post-abortion ministry. The training can be done in a few hours.

Creating a Safe Atmosphere in Your Church
The next step is to begin creating a safe atmosphere in your church. Many people have misconceptions about abortion, who has them, and why. Your job is to inform your congregation about the truth of abortion. Dispel the wrong beliefs.

Treat abortion as any other sin and admonish your congregation to do the same. Jesus loved sinners. It was for the sinners that He came to earth in human form � to tell them about the Father�s love for them, to model that love for them, and to give His life as a ransom for their (our) sin. We must never forget where we ourselves came from, and each of us came from a life of sin.

Bring the sin of abortion into the light of the cross by the light of the Word of God. Show your congregation how Jesus defended the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11) � a sin punishable by death in those days. Show them how He defended her, shaming her accusers and saving her life before He ever confronted her sin. And even then He did not condemn her. He defended her, He shamed her accusers, then He freed her to go and sin no more. That is our model for dealing with the post-abortive�and how much more for the post-abortive Christians in our midst?

Reaping the Rewards!
God will so bless your church, your ministry, your people if you will answer the call to meet these hurting people at the point of their need. Abortion is a tough topic to grapple, and I won�t lie to you: post-abortion ministry brings with it a fair amount of spiritual warfare. Abortion is the enemy�s territory, one of his pet methods for destroying the people of God and their effectiveness for Christ. To bring post-abortion ministry into your church is to step on his toes. That in itself should be a good reason to pursue it! It is time to take back that territory, to tear down his strongholds on God�s people.

What a joy it is to see God�s people being set free from the pain and condemnation of a past abortion. What a thrill it is to see them go from mourning to dancing! And what a greater reward it is to witness them taking what the enemy meant for evil in their lives and using it to glorify God! That�s what this ministry is all about. Freeing God�s people, defeating the enemy�s hold over them, and watching as they go and do likewise with others similarly wounded.

Why wait another minute? Begin now and watch for God�s blessings. Contact us for more information about how to begin meeting the needs of the post-abortive in your midst. We are here to serve you.

No Time for the Abortion Affected?

Hooray for Progress!
Pornography has finally made it into many evangelical churches � as a ministry, I mean � and it�s about time. How I praise God that those with pornography addictions are finally being given a safe place within the Church to receive compassionate understanding, accountability, and assistance as they seek godly recovery. For too long either the Church didn�t believe or didn�t recognize how pervasive pornography addiction was within the Church. For a growing number of churches this is no longer the case, and I for one say, hallelujah!

More Progress Needed: Abortion Recovery in the Church
At the same time my heart breaks for the countless Christians suffering silently within the Church because of a past abortion experience. Statistics now report that at current rates at least one in three women will have at least one abortion by the age of 45. One in three. But as we know, abortion isn�t merely a women�s issue. It�s not merely about the baby and it�s not merely a women�s issue. A woman doesn�t get pregnant alone, and it is not her life alone that is affected when she aborts. No, abortion affects everyone it touches � from the grandparents to the children those post-abortive parents have years later, to the medical community�and everyone in between.

Just as abortion isn�t a baby or woman�s issue, it isn�t the �world�s� problem. Jesus said the Church is to be the spiritual hospital for all broken and wounded people. That includes those that have backslidden (there�s a term that takes me back a few years!) as well as those affected by addictions � drugs, alcohol, pornography � and yes, even those that have been wounded by abortion.

Worn Out, Used Up, Uninformed�Afraid
Yet there are still too many pastors that, due to compassion fatigue, because they don�t understand the issue, because of fear of how their congregation will respond, or because their ministry �plate� is already full, they feel they can�t possibly take on another ministry. When did Jesus ever instruct us to only meet the needs of those for whom we had time? When did Jesus ever direct us to only minister to those for whom we have a clear understanding of their sin? Of all the people that have ever walked the earth, if anyone was in a position to feel overwhelmed by the needs around Him or to experience compassion fatigue it was Jesus. Of course Jesus knew how to pace Himself. He knew how and when to steal away for a few hours for spiritual rejuvenation with His Father. [And in all fairness, He didn't have a wife and children at home depending on Him as well.] ;) He also knew the importance of training others with whom He could share the workload. And fear, well, there wasn�t a sin that intimidated Him. Why? Because His heart �and His ministry�was for the sinner. It was for the sinners He died. It was for the sinners He lived too. It was for the sinners He loved that He did it all. Not just certain sinners � but all sinners. From every tribe, every tongue, every nation, and every category of sin.

Of the pastors I know personally, I see many similarities of Christ in them, especially when it comes to ministering to those around them. They too see the needs of those in their flocks and want to give their best to help meet those needs. In that sense they are reflecting the heart of Jesus in amazing ways and I have the greatest respect for those pastors. Unfortunately, it's also those pastors that seem to experience the greatest degree of compassion fatigue and feelings of being overwhelmed. And sadly, I do not have an easy solution for that.

Passing By On the Other Side of the Road
Even so, I would challenge every pastor that would say, �That�s a great ministry you have there, but� (fill in the blank),� to examine the Word of God for support for that response. If Jesus were standing here before you right now would you tell Him you don�t have time for the abortion affected? That you�re too overwhelmed to help them? That your ministry �plate� is full? Again, of the pastors I know, that would never be their response. So what is the solution? I wish there was an easy answer to that question. I believe, however, that while recognizing our limits is good, we should never limit God's ability to minister through us. If He has brought this ministry to your awareness, perhaps it is worth pursuing; perhaps it is worth asking Him, "What would You have me do in regard to this ministry opportunity?"

Who should be ministering to the abortion-affected if not the Church? If we don't do it, who will be Jesus to them?

Another example from Scripture comes to mind� It�s the story of the Good Samaritan � and the religious leaders that passed by on the other side of the road, refusing to help the person that had been beaten and robbed. Did they not have time either? I encourage you (pastors and ministry leaders) to not allow the weight of your ministry burden to prevent you from seeking training and resources that could actually help lighten your load overall, even if it is in the "new" area of ministry to the post-abortive.

Contact us to learn how we can help. We are here to serve you.

Red Flags and Rabbit Trails

I wrote a few days ago about how many of the couples in our churches that are having marital problems can, with the right prompting, trace those troubles back to an abortion for one or both people involved. In addition to the intimacy issues, sexual dysfunctions, sexual addictions, infidelity, unforgiveness, etc. discussed in the recent entry, following are some other red flags to watch for:

Once in a Daydream

A Dream for those
Suffering in Silence in the Church
by Greg Hasek

One day I decided to take a blanket and book to my favorite spot overlooking a meadow of wildflowers. There I sat. The smell of buttercups and fresh cut grass seemed to drift past me in the breeze. I had decided that while I relaxed, I would read the new book I had just bought on post abortion healing. It was not long though that my eyes grew weary and I found myself drifting to sleep.

I began to dream. There I saw myself walking into this big church. It was the same church I had gone to for so many years but something seemed different this time. The inside of the church seemed much brighter and warmer than I remember. There were children playing and a peace and love that seemed to fill the air. I continued to walk down the aisle closer to the front. I stopped and could not believe what I saw. There to my right was a table. Men and women sat at the table across from each other. They looked as though they were giving communion to each other. I looked to my left and there was the pastor saying in a quiet voice to the congregation, �We welcome those hurt by abortion to the table. Men and Women come.� I suddenly noticed tears in the pastor�s eyes. As if we were the only ones there, I came to the pastor and said, �What�s wrong?� �What�s happening?� He looked at me as tears dripped down his face and said, � For too long I have ignored those hurt by abortion in this church. I was always worried about what people would think. I am so sorry. Forgive me. I want this church to be a place where post abortive men and women come heal together. That when they walk in those doors, they will know they are welcome and accepted and will find a place of healing.� As he said this I could feel God�s grace like I never felt it before. I looked again to my right. Those at the communion table were men and women who have experienced abortion. They were offering forgiveness and love in Jesus name. They told me to come and join them. I began to cry as they offered me the bread and then the wine. They were hugging, crying, men and women. I knew something special was happening.

I felt the rain upon my face and I suddenly awoke. I had to remind myself I was only dreaming. I noticed I had been crying. I went back to reading the book about why churches are so resistant to reaching out to post abortive men and women. As I read, the dream seemed to fade into my memory at least for now.

Greg Hasek MA/MFT LPC is Executive Director of Misty Mountain Family Enrichment Center in Oregon and Washington. He specializes in working with post abortive issues and has a real passion for post abortive men and couples. He currently is developing new programs and curriculum for post abortive men and couples. Misty Mountain is in the process of building a retreat center in Washington State where couples will come for healing of post abortive issues in a retreat center experience.

[Reprinted by permission]