Five Minutes - A Small Sacrifice with Big Impact

Five is a small number. All Jesus needed to feed 5,000+ people was five loaves and two fish from a little boy with a BIG HEART.

As David ventured out to defeat Goliath, he stopped to gather five smooth stones. Of course, the job was completed with only one stone (and his BIG FAITH in our HUGE GOD!), but those other four stones didn't hurt any.

Today I am asking for five minutes of your time. You see, the book I authored, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion is listed on Amazon.com and has been since it was published a year and a half ago. In all this time there have been only two comments posted about the book. The first is from my wonderful husband who "gets" this ministry and supports it in every way - physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially. While his review of the book is a glowing recommendation, he's still my husband, and his opinion can appear to be biased. :)

The second review was less than stellar. And that's okay! Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

What I'm asking from you is that if you have read Secret Sin, and if you saw any value in it, if you agree with me that the information in it is important to the Church today, would you please go to Amazon.com and post a review?

The review section is near the bottom of the page. Simply give the book a rating and a couple of sentences (or more!) telling people why you would recommend it.

Besides helping people to have a more balanced view of the book, it helps to get the word out that this IS an important topic.

Please help me in this small way; my prayer is that it would have a BIG IMPACT on the lives of those suffering in silence with the pain of an unresolved past abortion.

I consider it the greatest privilege to serve God and His people in this ministry.

Abundant blessings in Christ,
Mary

Announcing A Safe Place

For many years the vital area of post-abortion ministry has been dutifully carried out by the valiant pregnancy resource centers across the nation and around the world. They have been the true pioneers, bravely stepping forth into the deep, uncharted waters of post-abortion pain and trauma. The work they have done and continue to do remains a crucial aspect in the restoration of lives wounded by abortion.

As with all pioneering endeavors, there comes a time when we begin to think outside the traditional box. In the world of post-abortion pain that time is now. We at A Safe Place Abortion Recovery Center, have begun to explore new ways of reaching a larger percentage of the effected population, to tailor our efforts to reach this specific group in a way that meets their needs.

At A Safe Place Abortion Recovery Center we are committed to creating a safe, confidential environment strictly for those wounded by abortion. A place where they can begin to heal and to find the hope and peace and joy they lost in that past abortion experience.

In Our Midst Ministries is proud to present A Safe Place Abortion Recovery Center. Although we won't officially open our doors for services until January 15, 2008, the web site is now live. Please visit A Safe Place online for more information.

_________________________
A Safe Place Abortion Recovery Center is a division of In Our Midst Ministries.

In Sympathy...

Our hearts and prayers go out to the survivors and loved ones affected by yesterday's shootings at Youth With A Mission and New Life Church. We pray for comfort from the God of all comfort for our friends and neighbors in Arvada and Colorado Springs.

[Dear Readers: Please take a moment to pray for these families, these communities and for our country....]

God is Moving In Our Midst!

We moved our family to Loveland, Colorado last February, but until now I've been officing out of our home. The time has come however to move In Our Midst to an outside office once again. This is a good sign...we are growing and God is working!

The past couple of months have been exciting as God has been clarifying the ministry of In Our Midst. We have always known His call was on us to raise awareness about the devastating impact of abortion on those it touches and to educate and train those in the body of Christ to minister more effectively to those wounded by abortion. Even as we stepped forward in obedience the way seemed unclear, but these past two months the vision has become crystal clear and we are excited about how God is moving In Our Midst!

Look for more details in the coming months, but for now just know that our God is amazing and we are passionate about serving Him in the ministry to which He has called us - for His glory and on behalf of those wounded by abortion.

Please make a note of our new phone numbers and my new email address effective immediately. Our mailing address is the same.

Have a blessed day in Jesus!

With warmest regards in Him,
Mary

Building Community for Abortion Recovery

Occasionally people will contact me wanting to know of someone that has been successful implementing an abortion recovery program in their church. Or someone from a PRC will ask about how to get the pastors in their area "on board" with abortion recovery. That ability to connect people is clearly one of the links in the IOM chain that has been missing. The ability to connect people who have the same passion for abortion recovery and awareness -- in the Church, in the pregnancy resource centers, and in the world at large is so important to our effectiveness to make a difference in our world. As a result, and after a long time of working toward it, In Our Midst is happy to announce we have placed that link into this chain!

Now, whenever you have a question about what to do when your pastor is reluctant to discuss abortion recovery, or when your abortion recovery program is floundering you can visit our message boards and connect with real people who know what you're talking about because they've been there. And there's so much more!

This message board is for YOU! It will only be as useful and as successful as you make it. So I encourage you to use it. Bookmark the page so you can go to it regularly. Add your two cents worth -- even if that's all it is! Talk to people. Share your stories. Share your successes and your failures, your problems and your solutions. Together we can build a community that not only has a passion for those wounded by abortion as well as a passion to protect the next generations, but a community that is making a difference for Christ in our world.

Go to the new IOM message boards now! See the potential and make it happen!

Our web master is still perfecting the page, but you can begin to post your messages today!

Categories and forums include:

Abortion Recovery in the Church

The Other Side of Mother's Day...

Mother's Day is one of those days of celebration that can be a time of deep sorrow and mourning for those mothers that have lost children to abortion. And this is one area in which we need to continue to work to raise awareness; awareness of how sensitivity and compassion are warranted on this day even amidst the celebration of those mothers whose children are alive. It's a wonderful thing to honor our mothers and to celebrate the incredible blessing mothers are to their families, but let's not forget that many in our midst have lost children -- to miscarriage, to stillbirth, to accident or illness, and yes, even to abortion. This may be a new concept for some people (and especially some pastors, and especially in regard to recognizing mothers on Mother's Day), but the manner of death does not diminish the lifelong sense of loss for those mothers whose children have died. I believe when pastors miss this mark it is most often simply an oversight.

My encouragement to you is to take a moment to call or email your pastor today with a gentle reminder to be extra sensitive and compassionate toward those other mothers this Mother's Day. Take this opportunity to share with him your own loss if you have lost a child. Come alongside your pastor to help him shepherd your congregation more effectively.

Step by tiny step we will begin to make an impact on our churches, our communities, our cities and our world as we continue to cultivate compassion for those that have been wounded (emotionally, physically, and spiritually) by abortion. You can make a difference today...to the glory of God and on behalf of those wounded by abortion.

With great affection in Christ,
Mary

Note: If you have lost a child, visit one of these sites for information about grieving and surviving that loss....

News & Updates

Heartbeat International Conference

The Heartbeat Conference went beautifully! My delightful daughter, Jenna, accompanied me on this trip to help me "man" our exhibit table and generally to keep me company. This was a first for her and the women of the conference made her feel like "one of the girls!" Thanks to all that complimented and encouraged her.

Also, if I'm not mistaken, this was the first time Heartbeat has had an abortion recovery workshop track as a part of their annual conference. Stacy Massey of ARIN did an incredible job...

...of choosing the best of the best to lead these workshops (myself excluded!). I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these other leaders better and was delighted by what I saw as top-notch professionals with a passion for those wounded by abortion. Thanks, Stacy, for inviting us to teach at Heartbeat and for doing such a wonderful job of organizing everything.

If you don't know Stacy or ARIN, get to know them!

Also, if you were unable to attend the Heartbeat conference, you may still order tapes of the workshops. Go to their conference page for details.

Coming Up at IOM!

Midday Connection Interview

The kind folks at Midday Connection (a ministry of Moody Broadcasting Network) invited me to be a guest on their call-in show yesterday. It was a marvelous exhibition of God's grace, mercy and goodness. Where I am weak, He is strong! If you'd like to hear the show, go to Midday Connection and click on the podcast button. (Audio of the interview should be available in a few days.) Or better yet, sign up for their podcast subscription!

I continue to be amazed at how awesome and incredible our God is!

In His strength,
For His glory,
Mary

IOM Office Closed This Week 4/16 - 4/22

I am headed to St. Louis this Tuesday for Heartbeat International's Annual Conference so our office will be closed this week. My daughter is attending this conference with me, so please pray for us as we come to mind. We will have an exhibit booth at the conference and I will be teaching a workshop on Saturday.

Abundant blessings in Christ!
Mary

What's New with IOM?

New things are always happening around here! And that's usually a good thing. ;)

Our Web Site...
After a very long search and a long time of waiting to find someone with the skills and the willingness to make some much needed revisions to our web site, we have acquired the services of a web administrator! Take a few moments to look through our site at the beautiful job this webmaster is doing. In particular, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion has its own page now. There are new articles on when abortion is okay, how to make the church a safe place for those wounded by abortion, how codependency relates to abortion, and the answers to the most frequently asked questions. The most recent press release about the book is also available and a products page so you can see what materials we have available and email us with your order. Along with the new articles and features the site has a cleaner more navigator-friendly format. (Great job, Rick!)

Look for more updates in the coming weeks. We will have PDF files of some of our booklets and articles for easy download to your computer, as well as more new articles and features. Keep an eye out for some more surprises at the IOM web site down the road! And please feel free to let us know how we're doing. If there is something you would like for us to provide -- information, articles, links, features -- to help you make your ministry more productive or to encourage you as you serve God on behalf of the post-abortive, email us. We want to hear from you.

Our Staff
We have recently added a part-time employee to help with the running of the IOM office. Ana's time with us is short -- only through the end of May, but she brings a helpful hand and a sweet spirit to our office. We say "WELCOME!" to Ana and thanks for giving of yourself to make this ministry more productive!

Our Spring Break!
Since our move to Colorado we have been knee-deep in unpacking, organizing and generally getting settled in our new home. We've also been extremely busy with the PR of the book and a host of other things the Lord has graciously brought to us. And even as grateful as we are for the doors He is opening and the opportunities He is providing, we are also aware that our first ministry is to our relationship with God and to our children. So in order to tend to both those areas, we are closing our office this week for Spring Break. We will be back at work next Monday, April 9th. Please pray for us that this will be a restful, productive time with our children and drawing ever closer to our Heavenly Father.

Most abundant blessings to you in the sweetness of our Savior's lovingkindness....
Mary

News and Updates

Several things are in the works where In Our Midst is concerned. First, the press release announcing my recent book, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion went out a couple of days ago. It has already generated a good deal of interest and I am buckling in for the ride!

I have also been invited to be a call-in guest on Father Frank Pavone's satellite television show next week. I am so humbled by his invitation and look forward to what God has in store through this medium.

Another invitation has come to me from a pastor in Mityana, East Africa. He has asked me to bring a team of people to minister to his congregation with the hope and encouragement of Jesus Christ. This is a huge undertaking and yet it seems that God is ordering our steps and bringing the plans together. I always say that when you walk with God it is always an adventure!

We are beginning to settle in to our new home and home state. Colorado is beautiful and the people are incredibly friendly. We have been warmly received everywhere we've ventured. I met two wonderful ladies yesterday that are serving God through a network of abortion recovery (PACE) classes. They are seeing excellent results and have a steady in-flow of women seeking healing from past abortions. Their churches are supportive of their efforts and more interest is created on an ongoing basis with other churches in the area. Praise God! He is moving in Northern Colorado!

Please lift each of these things (and me!) to the Throne of Grace as they come to mind. We serve a HUGE God who accomplishes mighty things and yet I am only one *small, insignificant* person. Pray that God will continue to order my steps, that He will do the work through me, that His Kingdom would be glorified and His people ministered to and healed. Pray also that God would supply all our needs in Christ Jesus according to His Word and on behalf of those wounded by abortion.

Many blessings to you in Christ,
Mary

We are back!

It's taken a while, but we are back "in business" in our new home state of Colorado! The weather has been crazy -- a little bit of everything, but most days are beautiful, and as one of our new friends says, "It's just another day in paradise!"

The office is coming along, so for those waiting to receive mailings, I appreciate your patience. The timing of this move wasn't the best -- being winter, first of all, and being the beginning of the year secondly--so tax issues have been taking the priority these past couple of weeks even as we've been unpacking umpteen-million boxes.

Even so, God is amazing! Thank you all for your prayers as we have begun to settle in to our new home. Please keep the prayers coming and be sure to let us know how we can serve you. That's what we're here for!

Many blessings in Christ,
Mary

IOM Offices Closed Until February 19th

Please note that our offices will be closed from today until Monday, February 19th in order to get settled following our move. I will continue to check email as I'm able.

Remember today: We serve a HUGE God! Nothing is too difficult for Him! :)

Blessings to all in Christ,
Mary

IOM is Moving!

As of February 7, 2007 In Our Midst Ministries will be relocating to the following address:

Our new phone number (effective February 8th) is: 970-669-1096.

Please direct all postal mail to that address beginning on February 4th. Our email addresses and URL will remain the same.

Also, please pray for our family as we make this move.

Blessings in Christ!
Mary

New Year Sluggishness

Okay. I admit it. I've been having a hard time getting back into the swing of things after the holidays.

I so enjoyed the holiday festivities, time with family and friends, time to relax and not focus so much on "work." I took a couple of weeks off from work completely, except for answering the most urgent emails. I didn't think about speaking engagements or traveling or any of the numerous other things that always seem to consume so much of my focus and energy. And I enjoyed it.

But now it's time to get back to the work at hand. And honestly all it took to stir me from my sluggishness was one phone call from a woman seeking advice on how to improve her faltering church-based abortion recovery ministry. It was a reminder to me of all the people out there, suffering in silence in the church pews each Sunday, unable to cope on their own, unable to share their pain with others. It was a reminder of women like the one that called me, working hard to help others with their post-abortion issues, but unable to effectively reach them on their own.

So, I'm back. Ready to get down to business. The real trick now will be finding the appropriate balance. There's always something, isn't there! ;)

I pray that if you are struggling with New Year sluggishness, that God would inspire you with a phone call or a letter or an email -- anything that will remind you of your calling for God's glory and on behalf of those wounded by abortion. We have a lot of work to do. We need God's wisdom, strength, and guidance, and we need each other.

Whatever you do for the Kingdom and for the abortion-wounded, may God abundantly bless your efforts and may you experience His goodness, kindness, and favor far beyond all you could ask or imagine.

Blessings in Him,
Mary

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from IOM!

We at In Our Midst wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and blessed Christmas holiday. We pray you enjoy your time with family and friends, and most of all, that you celebrate the reason for this season...the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

In celebration, our offices will be closed from December 20 through January 2, 2007.

Catching Up...

Greetings, everyone! Hope your Thanksgiving holiday was fulFILLING in every way. ;) My family and I traveled to the Chicago area to spend the past week with my husband's extended family. We had a great time catching up with them. Thanksgiving is our one time of the year to see them all. We returned home late last night after waiting for hours in the Chicago O'Hare airport. We nearly didn't make it home due to a winter storm that blew into our area. The snow is beautiful but we are "snowed in" today. Of course it's the perfect weather to help get us in the Christmas spirit!

Christmas and Post-Abortion Pain
The topic of abortion is a difficult one, and never so much (generally speaking) as during the month of December. If you have been wounded by an abortion, take this time to reach out to someone trustworthy for help through the holidays. You do not have to suffer alone. Likewise, if you know someone that has lost a child to abortion (or miscarriage, etc.), reach out to them with some special care and compassion. Let them know you recognize their pain and loss. Help them to find a positive way to remember their child at Christmas, always with the understanding that their child is in heaven with Jesus now..... (For more on the healing process and how to help yourself or others struggling with symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome, go to SafeHaven .)

Secret Sin and the Secular World
Secret Sin has been out a couple of months now, and the response to it has been overwhelmingly positive. The most unexpected response has come from some non-Christians that have read the book. If someone close to you has confided that they have had an abortion, do not hesitate to give them a copy of Secret Sin simply on the basis of their religious affiliation. Although the book was clearly written to the body of believers in Jesus Christ, it (astoundingly) has a way of connecting to the non-Christian as well as to the Christian. (No one is more surprised by this than I am!) I suppose it is testimony to the power of God to go beyond our designs and determinations! How big is our God!!!

If you would like to order a copy of Secret Sin, go to Amazon.com. The hardcover edition is not yet available, so click on the paperback link.

A Holiday Challenge
Our family has begun to talk about what we are going to do this Christmas to make it special. We always try to keep Christ in Christmas by giving to those less fortunate than ourselves, but this year we feel an especially strong tug in that direction. We have been so blessed and have such an abundance...and there are so many that have little or nothing. The tricky part is locating those people and finding ways to be Christ to them. If you have a special way of helping the less fortunate at Christmas (or anytime), let us know by clicking on the comment link below. We want to hear from you!

Warm or cold, sunny or snowy, I hope wherever you are you are enjoying the beginning of another CHRISTmas season. We have so much to celebrate in Jesus!

Blessings in Christ,
Mary

[Clip art from ChristmasTimeClipart]

Setting the Record Straight

In Our Midst Ministries, while wholeheartedly pro-life, is equally pro-woman, pro-family, and pro-freedom. What I mean by that is that some have characterized this ministry as being "anti-abortion," arguing that we are against a woman's right to choose. Semantics aside, because the United States of America has determined that a woman does indeed have the legal right to terminate the life of her unborn child we are bound to uphold the law of this great land. Whether we agree with the law or not, we respect the institution that has passed it.

My reason for writing this entry today is in response to an apparently obscure web site that calls itself "Abortion Facts and Information," a title rife with irony considering they have classified IOM as an "anti-abortion" web site using the following criteria, quoted from their own home page:

"The purpose of this site is to help women in accessing abortion clinics, accurate information and contraception while avoiding those who oppose women's right to self determination. Anti abortion organizations are also opposed to contraception and sex education. All women have the right to decide if, when and how many children they will bear, without coercion, deception, stigma or guilt."[Emphasis mine]

The FACT is that IOM does not "oppose women's right to self determination." Self determination is defined by Encarta as "the ability or right to make your own decisions without interference from others." We at IOM believe completely that women have a right to self determination according to this definition. However, we also believe that in making the decision to terminate the life of one's child, a woman should have access to all pertinent information pertaining to said decision and the possible (and probable) affects thereof. For example, women considering abortion should have access to factual information concerning the very real physical and emotional risks (to themselves) of abortion. What we at IOM have found is that abortion hurts every life it touches. Because we care about women, we want them to know about these risks so that they may make informed decisions.

In fact, we are vehemently opposed to the coercion of women to have abortions. One recent report by the Elliot Institute stated that about 64% of abortions involve coercion by the father of the baby, the parents of the mother and/or father, or others.

A report by Vanderbilt Students for Life stated that "By vesting all reproductive responsibility in the woman, a pro-choice male creates a situation in which men can easily rationalize their irresponsibility toward women who choose not to abort.

They go on to say that:

As Daniel Callahan puts it, ``If legal abortion has given women more choice, it has also given men more choice as well. They now have a potent new weapon in the old business of manipulating and abandoning women.`` Given that 80 percent of all abortions are sought by single women (according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute) the advent of reproductive rights has created a situation in which a man can coerce a woman to have an abortion by denying his responsibility towards her, or even abandoning her when she gets pregnant and ``chooses`` to carry the pregnancy to term.

Coerced abortion is in direct opposition to self determination.

The FACT is that "anti abortion" organizations, generally speaking, and IOM, specifically speaking, are not "opposed to contraception and sex education." We believe that there are safe and reliable methods of contraception, but we also believe that sex was created by God to be enjoyed within the constraints of marriage -- marriage as defined by God -- between one man and one woman. (The BEST sex is that that is enjoyed as the Creator intended it to be!) And we believe honest, trustworthy sex education should be a part of every young person's life. The sex education promoted by Planned Parenthood, for example, does not meet this criteria. Condoms do not prevent most of the sexually transmitted diseases and they are not a reliable method of preventing pregnancy, for that matter. "The pill" (as well as other chemical/hormonal contraceptives) do not prevent any sexually transmitted diseases and can cause a variety of health risks for the woman.

The FACT is that the very basis of the Abortion Facts and Information web site, by their own definition, is sorely lacking in "accurate information" -- at the very least in their characterization of "anti abortion" organizations. With such glaring errors at the core of this web site, I would question the credibility and reliability of information found within its pages. In fact, as I examined their "abortion fact sheet" I was appalled at the misinformation printed there.

My caution to those seeking accurate information on this emotionally charged and sensitive issue is to carefully consider the source. If the information talks about abortion as though it is as harmless as having a cavity filled, run! Many times those that have had abortions will try to influence others to abort so their own abortions will seem more justifiable and "okay." This type of behavior is not consciously intended to harm others, however it is a common practice among those that have not sufficiently dealt with their abortions.

The bottom line is that, based on our years of experience in working with those that have made the decision to abort, we do believe abortion not only destroys the life of an unborn child, but it also devastates the lives of others touched by that decision -- namely the mother of the baby, the father, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends -- and the list goes on. In short, abortion wounds every life it touches.

For accurate information regarding abortion and its after-effects, go to SafeHaven Ministries or Elliot Institute. If you or someone you know is struggling with the decision to abort or not, there is accurate, reliable, helpful information out there. Make sure the source you go to is one that is trustworthy and has your/their best interests at heart.

Because we care,
Mary

Eyes Are Being Opened!

The testimonials about our book, Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion are beginning to come in. Below is one of my recent favorites!

"Just wanted you to know that I received the books and my pastor has already read it. Let's just say, his eyes were opened after reading your book. He said to me that he never knew how many abortion affected [there are] and that we've waited too long and hope to get a ministry started in our church soon. I am SO excited about this and I wanted to thank you for your book." -CM

To the glory of God and on behalf of His people wounded by abortion,
Mary

Click here to order Secret Sin

"Happy Birthday" - A Powerful Message From a Post-Abortive Father

From a rapper named Flipsyde....

These lyrics speak truth.... Pass it on.

Happy Birthday...so make a wish

Verse 1:
Please accept my apologies, wonder what would have been
Would you've been a little angel or an angel of sin?
Tom-boy running around, hanging with all the guys.
Or a little tough boy with beautiful brown eyes?
I payed for the murder before they determined the sex
Choosing our life over your life meant your death
And you never got a chance to even open your eyes
Sometimes I wonder as a fetus if you faught for your life?
Would you have been a little genius in love with math?
Would you have played in your schoolclothes and made me mad?
Would you have been a little rapper like your papa da Piper?
Would you have made me quit smokin' by finding one of my lighters?
I wonder about your skintone and shape of your nose?
And the way you would have laughed and talked fast or slow?
Think about it every year, so I picked up a pen
Happy birthday, love you whoever you woulda been
Happy birthday...

Chorus:
All I thought was a dream (make a wish)
Was as real as it seemed (happy birthday)
All I thought was a dream (make a wish)
Was as real as it seemed

I made a mistake!

Verse 2:
I've got a millon excuses to why you died
Bet the people got their own reasons for homicide
Who's to say it woulda worked, and who's to say it wouldn't have?
I was young and strugglin' but old enough to be your dad
The fear of being a father has never disappeared
Pondering frequently while I'm zippin' on my beer
My vision of a family was artificial and fake
So when it came time to create I made a mistake
Now you've got a little brother maybe he's really you?
Maybe you really forgave us knowin' we was confused?
Maybe everytime that he smiles it's you proudly knowin' that your father's doin' the right thing now?
I never tell a woman what to do with her body
But if she don't love children then we can't party
Think about it every year, so I picked up a pen
Happy birthday, love you whoever you woulda been
Happy birthday...

Chorus:
All I thought was a dream (make a wish)
Was as real as it seemed (happy birthday)
All I thought was a dream (yeah, make a wish)
Was as real as it seemed

I made a mistake!

And from the heavens to the womb to the heavens again
From the endin' to the endin', never got to begin
Maybe one day we could meet face to face?
In a place without time and space
Happy birthday...

From the heavens to the womb to the heavens again
From the endin' to the endin', never got to begin
Maybe one day we could meet face to face?
In a place without time and space
Happy birthday...

Chorus:
All I thought was a dream (make a wish)
Was as real as it seemed (happy birthday)
All I thought was a dream (make a wish)
Was as real as it seemed

I made a mistake...!

[Thanks to Annie and Emily at After Abortion Blogspot for the heads up on this one. :) ]

"Secret Sin" Now Available!

Secret Sin: When God's People Choose Abortion - Unmasking the Secret Shame & Silent Suffering of Post-Abortive Christians (by yours truly) is available for purchase through Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and Morgan James Publishing (for bulk purchases). Whether you are a pastor or a post-abortive man or woman or someone who simply wants to understand post-abortion issues better, Secret Sin is the resource for you.

From the back cover:

"Secret Sin sheds new light on the abortion issue, giving the body of Christ an inside look at how abortion affects those touched by it, and what we, the hands and feet of Christ can do to walk with them through the healing process."

Order two copies today -- one for yourself and one to share with your pastor.

Blessings in Christ,
Mary Comm

Telling the Secret is Complete!

After many months, the Telling the Secret booklet is finally complete! If you or someone you know is struggling with whether or not to tell someone about their abortion experience, or if they want to know how to go about it, this booklet is for them. Copies are available on request. The suggested donation is $5 each (to cover printing and shipping costs).

Email me at mary(at)inourmidst.com to order your copy today.

Telling the Secret:
Why It's Important to Tell Others About Your Past Abortion(s);
Who to Tell and How to Do It
By Mary Comm and Carla Simmert

IOM: Out of Town...

I will be traveling over the next three weeks with my family -- a mixture of business and pleasure. As a result our offices will be closed until Monday, September 11. I will check email and phone messages as I'm able. Otherwise, I will catch up when I return to the office.

Please pray for safety as we travel, and for opportunities to serve Him even while we're away.

Many blessings to you!
In Christ,
Mary

Happy 4th of July!

America the Beautiful

(Lyrics by Katherine Lee Bates;
music composed by Samuel A. Ward)

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

Opportunities to Support In Our Midst

In Our Midst Ministries, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation that depends on the provision of God through His people. If you would like to support our ministry there are a few ways you can do that.

First, we need ongoing prayer support! If you would like to pray specifically for this ministry, please contact me at Mary@InOurMidst.com. I would be happy to add you to our list of faithful prayer warriors. We cannot continue to stand strong in this effort without the prayer support of God's people. If you do not want to be on our "Prayer Team" we invite you to pray for us in general as the Lord brings us to mind.

If you would like to support us financially, you may click on the PayPal link on our home page and make a one-time or ongoing monthly donation. Or, if you would like to support us but are unable to do so with a monetary donation, we have partnered with US Recycling out of South Carolina regarding the recycling of printer cartridges and cell phones. If you or your organization use a printer, instead of throwing old cartridges away you can send them to US Recycling on our behalf. US Recycling will then credit a small amount to us as a sort of commission on the cartridges (or old cell phones) they receive.

US Recycling makes this process almost effortless on your part. All you do is go to their site and sign up for the program. (Be sure to tell them you heard about this program from In Our Midst Ministries, Inc.!) They will then send you postage paid envelopes or boxes in which to mail your used printer cartridges or cell phones. Every time a new person or organization signs up with US Recycling on our behalf we get a $25 referral fee plus a small commission on the cartridges/phones received on our behalf.

We invite you to partner with this ministry according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and on behalf of those wounded by abortion in our midst. If you have any questions, we would be happy to answer them. We are here to serve God and you.

Many blessings to you in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Warriors Needed!

We love being in this ministry! We love serving alongside the Lord on behalf of those wounded by abortion. Every day brings with it a fresh glimpse of the Savior's heart and a touch of His lovingkindness. We are continually blessed by the up-close view of His work by virtue of our assignment at In Our Midst.

At the same time, we are trespassing on the enemy of God's territory. Abortion has been his playground and his possession for the past 34 years and he is none too happy with what God is doing to take back this ground. So in short, while we love serving God here, we have also realized more every day that we are in the midst of a fierce battle. I could list all the ways he is attacking, all the little things he does to frustrate or violate us, but that's not really important. What is important is that we stay strong in the Lord and in His might. We can work toward that goal through personal time with our Father in prayer and meditating on His Word, but we also need the persistent prayer support of others. We cannot be as strong and effective in this battle without the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

So my request to you today is to take a few minutes and lift us to the Throne of Grace.... Pray for spiritual, physical and emotional protection for each of us on staff with In Our Midst and our families. (When the enemy cannot touch us, he moves on to those closest to us.) Pray that we would praise our God all the more whenever the enemy does attack, and that God would receive the glory no matter what.

Also, we would appreciate hearing words of encouragment as you feel led. If God has touched your life or blessed you in any way as a result of this ministry, please let us know.

We appreciate you and we are here to serve you.

In His strength,
For His glory,
Mary

Happy New Year!

To all of you from all of us...

May you have a blessed year ahead in 2006 in the love, strength, peace and comfort of our Lord and Savior.

All the best to you in Christ,
The In Our Midst Staff
Mary, Anita, Kathy and Melissa

Glorious Growing Pains!

In addition to our new web site design, In Our Midst has also been blessed to hire our first full-time salaried employee. Kathy Gibson brings with her eight years of pregnancy center, abortion recovery, and abstinence education experience. Kathy has a wonderful heart for God and is passionate about helping those wounded by abortion to find peace and healing in Jesus Christ.

Due to the need for additional office space, we have also relocated our offices. We now have two spacious offices in an office complex not far from downtown Edmond. We will continue to use the post office box for receiving mail however, so our mailing address will remain the same until further notice.

Because of all these changes, it may be a bit more difficult to contact us for the next few days, so please be patient. Email is probably the best way to reach us until the phone lines are installed, which is scheduled for the early part of the week.

God has been so amazing to us. The growth we have experienced this year, and especially the past month or so, has been far beyond all we could ask or imagine. He has indeed been faithful to us as we continue to serve Him with our lives on behalf of those wounded by abortion.

Please continue to pray for us. We have many needs, not the least of which is office furniture, fixtures, and funds. :) Even so, we trust our God who knows what we need before we even ask to provide according to His perfect will. Still, if you would like to participate in what God is doing through In Our Midst, we welcome your prayers, your partnership, and your contributions. As always, we are set up to receive donations through PayPal for those who feel led to contribute.

Whatever the case, we glorify our God and praise Him for each of you. I pray He will continue the good work He has begun for His glory.

Announcing Our New Design!

After several months of adjusting, editing, and reworking our website we are pleased to present our new and improved web design! Many thanks to Jason Zimdars at Element Fusion for doing a great job!

There are still some minor adjustments to be made, but we hope you enjoy our new and improved home on the web.

Claire and Clarissa

I just read the most fascinating, most heart-warming story I've seen in a while. In our world of "it's all about me--and me winning a lot of money" "reality" shows, this story is a bite of reality that truly will satisfy!

I mentioned recently that abortion isn't political, it's personal. This story shows yet another side of the pro-life vs. pro-choice debate...and yes, it is entirely personal! Read it. You will be inspired.

Family Watchdog

I just learned about a web site everyone should be aware of. It's called Family Watchdog and has to do with convicted sex offenders residing in your area. You simply put in your search area information and hit enter.

The sad thing about this list is that so many of these people look like really nice folks...and they probably are. Nice folks with a serious problem that happened to get caught. So many sex offenders have either been sexually abused themselves or have become addicted to pornography. I believe most people probably don't realize how an addiction to pornography can be a slippery slope into more destructive sexual behaviors.

If someone you know has a pornography addiction, go to Pure Life Ministries , Prodigals Online, or Misty Mountain Retreat Center for advice and help. Don't wait. The time to act is now. There is help for them and for you, as their support person.

Site Redesign/Programmer Wanted

In Our Midst's web site is in the process of being renovated. Look for the new and improved site in the next week or so. I think it's going to be a hit! :)

Along those same lines, we are looking for someone with programming and creative design skills that could help us with ongoing updates and changes to the web site. It would be helpful if they also "have a heart" for abortion recovery ministry. If you or someone you know fits this description, please contact us by email at staff@inourmidst.com.

Compassion Fatigue

There's a name for everything these days. Who knew?

As I have talked with some pastors lately I have gotten similar responses: "Sounds like a great ministry but I've got more ministry work than I can handle right now. I can't possibly think of adding to what I'm already doing." And this after they have agreed that abortion is affecting those around them in often crippling ways. Is there an epidemic of compassion fatigue (CF) among our ministers and pastors? I'm beginning to wonder.

I encountered my own bout of compassion fatigue back in 2000. What was supposed to be a relatively short sabbatical ended in a full-fledged resignation. I called it burnout at the time, but I think compassion fatigue more aptly fits. And now I'm beginning to recognize similar responses in some of the pastors I've spoken with recently. They're dealing with so many people with so many big problems -- marital discord, divorce, depression, addictions, destructive behaviors, eating disorders, cutting, and the list goes on. The trouble is, these issues can often be the red flags signaling a deeper, more complex root problem such as an unresolved abortion experience. And as we know, one must get to the root of the problem before significant progress is accomplished. Sadly, these pastors are not seeing that significant progress and as a result they are experiencing frustration, losing hope, and some are even becoming cynical -- which in turn sometimes prevents them from pursuing the training they need that will enable them to begin making progress with these people for whom abortion is their core issue. And the vicious cycle of CF continues.

CF is a common malady for those in counseling, pastoring, or caretaking roles. Often, for those dealing with broken people, what they end up with is a sense of hopelessness, anger, frustration, etc., especially when their profession is ministry based. Many times those in ministry find it difficult to draw appropriate boundaries between ministry and home life, often giving of themselves until they are physically, emotionally, and spiritually depleted.

I located a couple of good articles on the topic along with some symptoms. Review the symptoms and be on the lookout for them even with your own pastor or church/ministry leaders. If you see the signs of compassion fatigue, the time to act is now. Help them find the help they need. Pray with them and for them. Do what you can to support, encourage, and facilitate their recovery.

Ministry Update

This past year has been amazing. It has been such a wild ride! We at In Our Midst are so excited to be participating in this much-needed area of ministry. Just to let you know where we've been, where we are currently, and some of the places we will soon be going, below is our current schedule.

In addition to these we have several other potential events and trainings in the works. If you would like to book In Our Midst to do a training in your area, please contact us at staff@inourmidst.com. We have a limited number of training weekends available for 2006, so don't miss this opportunity to invite us to your church or organization. We are here to serve you for His glory!

Trainings - Completed:

• San Diego, CA: College Area Pregnancy Services: P/A Training - Basic Track
  
• Edmond, OK: Ministries of Jesus: P/A Training - Basic Track: Sept. 12 – 26, 2005
  
• Edmond, OK: HHBC: P/A Training – Basic Track: Sept. 12 – Oct. 3, 2005
  
• Rock Hills, SC: Calvary Baptist Church: Healing the Hurting In Our Midst Conference – Basic Track: Sept. 30 – Oct. 1, 2005
  

Events - Coming Soon:

• Southern Baptist Convention's Annual State Convention, South Carolina - November 14, 2005
• South Carolina Ride 4 Life: Beginning June 9, 2006

No Greater Love Groups:

• Edmond, OK: HHBC: Began October 6, 2005
• Rock Hill, SC: Calvary Baptist Church: Beginning November 1, 2005

No Greater Love Brochures

The brochures for our No Greater Love post-abortion bible study support groups are now in! To learn more about this ministry opportunity or to receive a brochure, write to us at staff@inourmidst.com.

Prayer Alert and Praise!

In Our Midst has been invited to the Southern Baptist Convention's statewide pastors conference for South Carolina coming up in November. Over 2,000 pastors will be in attendance! Please pray that God would be preparing the hearts of those pastors to receive the message to be delivered during that conference and that they will be motivated to begin ministering to those in their midst that have been hurt by abortion.

Helping the Hurting In Our Midst -- First Conference A Huge Success!

In Our Midst and SafeHaven Ministries combined efforts this past weekend to bring the first "Helping the Hurting In Our Midst" conference to Calvary Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

It was, I believe, what will be a loaves and fishes experience over the coming weeks and months. We only had about 30 people in attendance, but God touched the lives of those 30 and I believe they will be the five loaves and two fish that God will use to begin multiplying the ministry to which we've been called.

God moved in such amazing ways this past week and weekend.... I am still in awe of what He accomplished.... Following are just a few ways we saw God work:

In Response to Katrina

In the aftermath of Katrina, the staff of In Our Midst would like to encourage you to do whatever you are able to offer assistance or relief to those in such great need. If you have the funds, there are many reputable organizations that are taking donations of non-perishable food items, water, diapers, formula, etc. These organizations are able to distribute these items to those in need, something that most of us are unable to do. Personally, I would rent a fleet of buses to help rescue the victims if I had the resources to do so! Although I cannot rent a fleet of buses, I am compelled to do what I can. I know many of you feel the same way.

If you don't have the funds, perhaps you could offer your time to help these organizations sort the items and prepare them for shipping. Another need that everyone can meet is to pray. Pray for the ones that still need to be rescued; pray for the injured and for those who have lost loved ones; pray for all those that lost everything they own and have even had to be transported out of state. They may be in a safe place, but they are nowhere near being settled. Now they must begin to rebuild their lives.... Pray against discouragement and depression. Pray for all those who are giving of their time and energy to help these people. Pray for our government officials, that they will pull together as the citizens of this country are doing. Pray they will stop attacking one another needlessly and unite for the betterment of everyone. And pray specifically for our President -- that God would give him wisdom from above to make the best decisions; pray for his stamina and his faith.

Following is a list of reputable places that are taking donations. (This is not a comprehensive list by any means.)

Locally: (Edmond, OK)

Salvation Army

'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 'The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
Matthew 25:35-40 NASB

Photos: Associated Press via Yahoo! News

Posted by mary at 12:37 PM | Comments (0)

Let's Talk About Priorities

I'll be the first to admit it. It is tough keeping the main thing the main thing. No matter how dedicated, how devoted, how passionate we are about keeping our priorities straight, the natural course of our lives is often in complete conflict with our priorities. It's that way at home. It's that way at work. And even when your work is "ministry," it's that way there too.

I've seen it time after time with pastors, ministers, ministry workers, and church leaders. Many of us have gone into ministry because that is God's call on our lives or because that is the passion He has given us -- or both. And when we begin the work of ministry, we are on fire, gung-ho, and radically devoted to the ministry at hand.

We want to impact lives for Christ. We want to see souls won in Jesus' name. We want to see the hopeless find hope and the hurting find healing. But in the course of the daily grind, we find ourselves buried under mounds of paperwork and ever-growing "to do" lists, and inundated with phone calls from committee chairmen and department heads. Everyone has a need. Everyone has their own priority.

This group needs a room to meet in. That group needs an announcement in the Sunday bulletin. Other groups need copies made, extra chairs, donuts and coffee. And the list goes on. And suddenly, what should be about ministry becomes a scramble to locate things and shuffle words and scrape up supplies. Oh, I know. All these "things" need to be done so that ministry can take place in these areas, and that's fine. However, when aerobics classes and cartoons take priority over meeting people at the point of their need with the love, truth, and hope of Christ...well, that is a problem.

I don't mean to sound critical here. As I said, I'm just as guilty as the next person of getting distracted by details or side-tracked by drudgery. I needed to be reminded today to keep my own priorities in place. Maybe you needed that reminder as well. Whatever we do today, let's be sure we're doing it for the right reason and for the right Person.

State of the Ministry Address

In Our Midst has been "official" since around March 18th of this year. She's still a "baby," but this baby is learning and growing every day!

Media Exposure

Since March, we have sent two press releases out on the news wires. As a result In Our Midst has been highlighted by numerous Christian ministries and has been featured on a variety of web news reports. We have also been interviewed by several Christian news programs and talk shows, some which are nationwide.

Networking

Over the past few months we have networked with other Christian ministries and churches literally from coast to coast, and we have found many "soul mates" with similar goals and common passions along the way. Ministries, churches, and individuals from Florida to South Carolina to Illinois, Oregon, California, and Saskatoon, Canada have encouraged us and confirmed this journey we have begun.

SafeHaven Ministries, Inc. remains our strongest ally, but we have made new friends and associations with others as well: CareNet, A.R.I.N., Women of Faith, and Misty Mountain Retreat Center to name a few. We cherish and highly esteem these friends, both old and new, as wonderful gifts from our God.

We have also developed our first ministry brochure which details what In Our Midst is about. If you would like a brochure -- to give to your pastor or pregnancy care center, or for your own information -- simply contact us and we will be happy to send that out to you free of charge.

Upcoming Events

September marks some other firsts for In Our Midst. I will begin teaching a four-week class on compassionate abortion recovery at Henderson Hills Baptist Church in Edmond, Oklahoma the second week in September, and In Our Midst will join SafeHaven for a two-day post-abortion recovery training conference in Rock Hill, South Carolina beginning on September 30th. (We will have online registration available for the Rock Hill conference soon. Please check back if you're interested in attending.)

We are also joining with three pregnancy care centers (Foothills Pregnancy Care Center, Piedmont Women's Center, and York County Pregnancy Center) and SafeHaven for South Carolina's annual Ride 4 Life to be held in 2006. (Look for more details to follow in the months ahead!)

Staff and Finances

It's hard to call Anita Dost "staff." Anita is more like a full-fledged partner in this ministry. She possesses the same calling and passion for the church and the abortion-affected suffering silently within her walls. She has tireless energy and abundant enthusiasm, and is always quick to remember where her strength and sufficiency come from. In all honesty, I don't know where In Our Midst would be without her. She is truly a gift from God!

Anita came on staff officially in May, and takes an embarrassingly small paycheck for the enormous contribution she makes to this ministry. Even so, she gives all she has to the calling God has placed on her life.

As for finances, we began this ministry with an adequate nest-egg for the start-up costs, but those funds are dwindling rapidly. Up to this point we have been mostly privately funded, and will continue to operate in this manner as long as God provides. We believe that where God calls, He also equips. If you feel God has laid this ministry on your heart or if you would like to contribute financially, you may do so via PayPal or by sending a personal check or money order to us. Because In Our Midst is a non-profit 501c-3 corporation, all contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Also, because this ministry is growing we are planning to add another person to the payroll for general office work. There simply aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish all that needs to be done with the minimal staff we currently have -- which is a good thing! It is proof that we are growing! However, unless a volunteer surfaces, we will offer an hourly wage for these services, which will further deplete our current resources. However, please know that our dependence is on our God to replenish these resources. We trust that He will provide, by whatever means He chooses. :)

Prayer Support and Quarterly Newsletters

Beyond our need for financial support, we need prayer support! If you would like to be an ongoing prayer partner for this ministry please contact us at staff@inourmidst. Specific prayer requests and praises are sent out weekly via email, usually with a brief update on the activities of the ministry. We welcome all the prayer support we can get!

Also, if you would like to receive an occasional In Our Midst newsletter update via email, please send your name and email address to staff@inourmidst.com. Our plan is to begin sending out email newsletters quarterly, beginning in October. You won't want to miss these updates!

In Closing...

As I look back over the past year and see all that God has done through In Our Midst I stand amazed! And as I look ahead to where He is taking us, I am even more in awe.... What a privilege it is to have been chosen by God Himself to work in this much-needed ministry field. We are grateful beyond words for this assignment and as such, our greatest desire is to serve you accordingly. Please let us know how we can serve you...for His glory.

From my heart to yours,
In Jesus,
Mary Comm
President and Founder
In Our Midst Ministries, Inc.

Home from an Interesting Vacation!

We returned on Saturday from a week at Horn Creek Camp in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountains of Colorado where we got some much-needed rest, family time, and the opportunity to meet some wonderful folks from around the country who also bear the name of Christ.

One of the more interesting couples turned out to be a pastor (Brad) and his wife from Arizona. This pastor was charged with the responsibility of adding a spiritual dimension to our vacation experience -- which he did quite nicely. And of course I couldn't resist telling him a little about this ministry during the course of the week -- which made for some very lively conversations.

Initially I was discouraged by his reaction to our purpose here at In Our Midst. He was not opposed to what we are doing, but neither was he optimistic that it would make any difference. Unfortunately I allowed his "supportive opposition" to frustrate me, and in the end I missed an opportunity to encourage him. You see, his job is to minister to the college/singles under 25 at his church, a group of young people that by definition is one of the most challenging to lead, instruct, and positively impact due to their age, emotional maturity, and the capricious stage of their development.

During one of our conversations Brad said something to the effect that it doesn't matter what you tell them at this age; they do what they want and they don't believe any of the consequences you tell them about will ever happen to them. I found this troubling, especially coming from a pastor who taught such incredibly dynamic lessons during the week. He told me (in regard to his efforts with this group of young people) that he feels like he is trying to "hold back the ocean." This being the larger reality of the situation which unfortunately didn't occur to me until the end of the week.... Brad is apparently suffering from some pretty significant burnout.

I'm sorry I missed the opportunity to encourage him while we were at camp together, although you can be sure I will follow-up with him via email. One thing we have to remember in this difficult and cutting-edge type of ministry is that the opposition we encounter will take many different forms and come from many different directions -- even from our own. The other thing to remember, and perhaps it is the more important of the two, is that opposition is not always what it appears to be; sometimes there is a deeper issue at work that is less obvious, and to miss it might be missing the opportunity to encourage a fellow traveler on this long and difficult road.

I learned a lot from this experience which just goes to show that even though we take vacations, God never does! :) He is always working in and through the events of our lives for our benefit and for His glory.

Flywheel: An Excellent Christian Movie...!

My family and I watched an excellent Christian movie tonight and I wanted to recommend it here. It's called Flywheel and although it's an extremely low budget movie, in all honesty it is probably the best Christian movie I've ever seen! The script was good, the acting was very well executed, and the message was incredibly powerful.

I don't want to spoil it for you, but the basic plot is about a man who puts on a "church" face but is as lost as can be. Everything in his life begins falling apart and well, God gets hold of him. The main character has some pretty tough choices to make, even to the point of making restitution....

Anyway, you need to see this with your family! It gave us a wonderful opportunity to talk about God's faithfulness even in great difficulty.

I laughed, I cried. I gave it a 10! :)

It has nothing to do with abortion or sexual sin, but the message of this movie is for everyone! Watch it. You won't be sorry!

An Honest Confession...

I am always learning things about myself.

A couple of nights ago my husband and I went out for a farewell dinner with some friends that are moving out of state in a couple of weeks. They are friends we know and love but in all honesty there's a lot about them we don't know. We've really been more of "friendly acquaintances" in the couple of years that we 've known them. We've shared the illness and loss of a dear friend and sister in Christ, but our relationship with them has not deepened on many levels.

Anyway, they were asking about this ministry and what we are doing. As I thought later about the conversation I realized something very uncomfortable about myself.... As I talked about what we're doing through In Our Midst I didn't look the wife in the eye. In fact I looked everywhere but there.

As I realized that I asked myself, "Why?" Why didn't I look her in the eye? Why was I hesitant to share my passion for the post-abortive with them openly?

I questioned my motives quite thoroughly, even repeatedly passing over the answer that was screaming at me inside.... I didn't go into great detail, I didn't look her in the eye because I didn't want to see what might be there.... I wasn't afraid she would be uninterested or condemning or critical... I was afraid that if I looked her in the eye I might see that familiar look that says, "I've had an abortion."

In my attempt at an evening of normalcy, in my desire to have an enjoyable evening with friends without the outing of another abortion secret -- or worse, the refusal to share the secret -- I looked away. I'm not in any way suggesting that she is most likely post-abortive; this is not about her at all. It's about my own weakness; my own area of denial and lack of availability. And should any of you think less of me for it you are not alone.... I'm feeling pretty awful about that part of myself as well.

The missing (or perhaps 'less obvious' might be more accurate) piece of the puzzle, however is what it always is... Jesus. He knows my weaknesses, He even sympathizes with them. [Hebrews 4:15] How I praise Him for that! And the beautiful thing about this whole ugly scenario is that He has brought this weakness to light, and even in His sympathy He has dealt with this dark corner of my heart. The result is that I will never again be able to look away.

I tell you this for a few reasons: (1) because we are instructed to confess our sins to one another, (2) for accountability, and (3) to encourage you to never stop learning about yourself. When we stop examining ourselves in light of God's truth we become rigid and inflexible (spiritually speaking), and perhaps by doing so we let pride get a foot in the door of our hearts.

The bottom line? I am fallible. If any of you think I should be farther along in this journey, you're probably right! But the truth is that "this" is where I am and yes, I have a long way to go. Thanks be to God, He will take me the rest of the way, and someday He will take me home! [How I long for the day...!] In the meantime I remain a work-in-progress. But although I may be faithless at times, He is always faithful!

Talk About It...!

Do you want to see more churches begin abortion recovery programs? Me too! One easy way to do that is to begin with your church. Talk about how abortion has affected your life and the lives of those around you. Talk to your pastor. Talk to your women's ministry leader. Talk to the counselors on staff at your church (if you have any). Talk to your friends. Talk to your neighbors. Talk about it every chance you get!

I know, it's not an easy topic to discuss, especially with people whose views you may not be aware of...views that may be harsh or judgmental or indifferent. You aren't sure where they will go in their response. You're not sure how you will respond if they are...um...unkind, or worse, obstinately opinionated. ;) But as I have begun learning, God reveals His strength most beautifully in my weakness. He takes an uncomfortable mire and transforms it into ministry. He takes the bricks of confrontation and builds a bridge. And yes, sometimes He allows us to fall face-down into a puddle of humiliation, but even then He is working, always working to complete His purposes and to bring glory to Himself. (And that, my friends, is what we are here for!)

If you want others to be able to find hope and healing through Jesus Christ at your church, start by talking about it. You never know how many -- or whose -- lives will be transformed because of those conversations.

Passing Them Off?

I joined a pastors' forum a couple of weeks ago to see if I could begin building relationships with some pastors and to begin dialoging with them about abortion recovery within the Church. There hasn't been a lot of conversation on the topic of abortion (no surprise there), but what I've found is that the mindset *seems* to be that it is a normal, acceptable thing to pass off those who are struggling with a past abortion to parachurch organizations. This tendency troubles me, although, once again I am not surprised.

It *seems* that the Church (in general) has an open-door policy for helping their members deal with "ordinary" life issues like marital problems, parenting issues, even addictions like pornography and substance addictions. But oddly enough, when the word abortion arises, the protocol is to send them somewhere else. Am I the only one that finds this odd and even, shall I say, unacceptable?

Any thoughts on this? Have any of you experienced this within your church? How can we help to change this attitude?

Note: I do not in any way oppose parachurch organizations that provide abortion recovery. I am grateful beyond words for all those who work diligently outside the "walls" of the Church to bring healing to those wounded by abortion. I enthusiastically support their efforts and their heart in this much-needed ministry.

Pro-Choice Not Pro-Abortion?

I received an interesting email a few days ago from a post-abortive Christian woman who was offended by some of the materials on our web site. One of the things she made very clear to me was that (in her view of things) pro-choice is not the same thing as pro-abortion.

I know what I think about this statement, but I would like to know what others think. Is there a significant difference between being pro-choice and pro-abortion? What say you?

Note: This is not an invitation to get "political"...just an invitation for open discussion. :)

"No Results"

I spent some time this afternoon checking out the top ten mega-churches in the United States. Some of them had well over thirty ministries ranging from Divorce Care groups, addiction recovery groups, marriage counseling, singles' ministry, and grief recovery to physical fitness and weight-lifting groups, home repair, financial counseling, Boy Scouts, and the list goes on. It was disappointing how the search results for the word "abortion" would come up "No results" time after time. However, while this may be a bit on the despairing side, it is also encouraging that three of the ten do indeed have abortion recovery groups! And, because the other seven don't have them at this time doesn't mean they won't ever have them.... It merely means we have our work cut out for us!

Kudos go to the following churches for providing abortion recovery programs:

Welcome to In Our Midst Ministries!

We are delighted you are here! This ministry has been born out of a deep desire to follow God in faith and obedience to that which He has called us -- specifically...

Please browse the articles and other resources we've made available here. They are for you. You'll want to visit often as we will be adding new articles and features in the coming weeks and months. Ask us questions. Send us your comments. Voice your concerns. We are here to partner with you as you minister to those in your midst who've been hurt by abortion and other sexual sin. It is because of the love, grace, mercy and the healing touch of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that we are here, and our desire is to provide you with the best resources available in this area of ministry.

May God richly bless you as you serve Him by bearing the burdens of those in your midst.