Please answer one or more of these questions. We'll compile the answers and share them here on our blog in the next week. If you'd like to answer but want to remain anonymous, just let me know. Thanks!

1. How are you going to celebrate? 
2. What is a special or favorite quote from your dad? 
3. What is your favorite memory of your dad?

                             Send your answers to <contact @ ALife2.com>
We look forward to reading and sharing your replies.
Thanks for playing along and have a great Father's Day!

I came across this music video recently. Thinking about our clients and how they have the same basic need as all of us...grace. Enjoy watching "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North.

Author: Philip Meinel

A man who enjoys seeing the talents God has given utilized for His purpose.

This Sunday is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It is a great time to become emotionally connected to this cause. There are memorial services throughout the nation, where you will have the opportunity to pray for women facing unplanned pregnancies, women trying to cope with the guilt of abortion, men that never knew they were fathers, grandparents that never knew some of their grandchildren...as Charlie Sykes put it at the Evening for Life, "The Ghost Nation" of what our nation could have been.

But you don't have to be so bold as to attend a service. It might weird you out more than anything. But regardless of your personality type, this is an opportunity to meditate on all of our missed opportunities. These struggling families are not far removed from you. They are your neighbors, they are your family members, they are the people you meet. They have the same fears and weaknesses that you have. They are sinful people in need of grace, mercy, and peace.

Peace that only Jesus can give. He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Please use this opportunity to strengthen your faith, read God's word, meditate on His words and how they apply to you and this world. You were born to make a difference. You are salt and light in a tasteless dark world. 

God bless your Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. May He bless your worship this week, in and out of your church building.

​Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

Author: Philip Meinel

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

​Feeling sure that she stuck out like a sore thumb, she walked into the market, expecting any pair of eyes to be on her pregnant belly. That’s why she’d come so early – to avoid the crowds. Less eyes to see and judge. After several months of carrying a child – who the media and medical journals were telling her to just call a fetus – the shock and surprise had given way to fear and dread long ago. Her boyfriend had jumped ship as soon as she told him the news, and she’d never felt so alone. All she could think was it would just be too much to handle. After all, she had friends with kids and they seemed overwhelmed and inconvenienced by having children to take care of. Wouldn’t it just be the same for her? Wasn’t it the same for everybody, even if they wanted theirs?

Later, while she stood there checking egg cartons for the ones without cracks, these worried thoughts persisted. Then she heard a chorus of voices approaching from the next aisle. A mom pushing a cart full of groceries approached, with one toddler in the cart seat, and another trailing noisily behind on foot. Two kids, she thought. Man, that looks rough. 

“Evelyn…” the cart-pushing mom called loudly, but patiently. “I can’t see you back there, catch up!”

A third little girl skipped out from around the corner of the last aisle, and joined the rest, whining about wanting Fruit Loops this time. 

Ok, so it’s three. Even worse, she thought. How does she do it this early in the morning?

As she stood there, trying not to stare, but certainly no longer concerned with eggs in her hands, she watched this mother of 3 carry onward, then past her, then down the next aisle, then around the bend out of sight. The mother of 3 looked tired, and probably hadn’t taken more than two minutes on her makeup today, but her body language didn’t say defeat. Her words to her children were gentle and patient, even though firm. She tussled the toddler’s hair, held #2’s hand with her pinky while pushing the cart with her free hand, and when the straggling #3 caught up, her reprimand had been “I love you too much to lose track of you in here,” not “Why are you being such a brat?!” like some moms yell in stores. That mom of 3 had it together. 

Somehow, today, her eyes and ears were more open. So was her mind, and her heart. Something about this mother of 3 spoke to her. Maybe it’s not all bad, for all of them. Maybe it doesn’t have to be as horrible as I think. Maybe I could be a loving mom like that, in spite of the stress…. Maybe I could do this. 

Her mind was a buzz as she toyed with thoughts more curious than foreboding while finishing her grocery shopping. And when she got to the checkout, guess who was in the lane ahead of her. Mom of 3 was just putting the final bag in the cart and taking the receipt when she looked back, saw her, and noticed the baby bump. Mom of 3’s face crinkled with a smile that seemed to say Well, good for you! and then she was gone, out the door with her little noisy entourage of energy.

Hm….Good for me? Maybe…. It seems good for her. 

Walking in the grocery store that morning, her plan had been to go to Planned Parenthood next and consult about a possible abortion. Walking out, though….her plans had changed. Her heart was starting to change too. Maybe there was room in there for a child after all.

What if you or me could be the reason for a story like this? What if we who are parents chose to work on fashioning a view of our station as parents that emanated “It’s good for me” instead of “Man, what a burden!”? What if those who are single or are without children did what they could to uplift the prospect of having children before the eyes of society? 

Friends, we need to sell children! Wait, that came out wrong… What I mean is, we need to sell the idea of having children – as a great thing! And we need to sell it big! We need to all be like those celebrities or paid actors on commercials who endorse a product because it’s worked for them. We need to offer our own life situations as glowing testimonials for how parenting is not only NOT a horrible, scary, or burdensome thing – but a blessing! 

Because we never know who’s watching. 

Yes, we may have a hard time remembering that while we go through our busy weeks with screaming babies who are teething (like mine is now, plus colicky), fighting brothers, tattling sisters, the runaways, the don’t-eat-supper-ers, and the ones getting quite the attitude because they’re getting older and they know they’re smarter than you give them credit for. But even though all these hardships, and many, many, MANY more come with the territory of pregnancy and raising kids, we can still maintain a positive attitude and fight to keep our hearts light about the gift that children truly are. 

There can be thankfulness and joy over the kids we have been blessed to bring into this world. Why not think of them as essentially care packages sent down from the Lord of Heaven, to bless with something wonderful and memorable during this life – a legacy of our own! And no matter how these children come to be, we can focus on the beauty of life as miraculous design of the Creator himself. It’s possible to see children in this way, and we must see them this way so it can show before others!

We all know how hard the devil is working to use brokenness and sin in our communities and society to send the opposite message, and convince others that death is better than life. But our consistently joyful mindset and desire to raise great, godly children will send the right message to our world – a message direly needed to be broadcasted everywhere we go!

Our testimonials sell the awesome blessing of children. Let these testimonials-in-action be seen everywhere, and let them be real!

Because you never know who’s watching. ​

Author: Jeff Ulrich

Father of three, working on his selling points...

Loving Moms is growing & changing! We are seeing more moms, and want to enrich and maximize our time with them, so that we are truly helping transform families.

• Starting in June, the Tuesday group will be held every week.
• Classes on Tuesdays & Saturdays will begin at 10:00am
• A light lunch/brunch will be served each time. 
  
• There will be informal Jesus activities in childcare.

Can you help? More assistance will be needed for the Loving Moms. Perhaps you could work this into your schedule:

• Provide or serve simple refreshments (ideas: little sandwiches; mini-subs; bagels & fruit; cheese, sausage, & crackers; baked goods).
• Help with childcare activities.
• Help with the moms in class & shopping in boutique.
• Find out about being a substitute class leader.

​To find out more, talk to Pat Johnson (Pat@pregnancy-counseling.com, 414-416-9648).

Summer finally arrived, and it has been wonderful for our Healthy Choices program! Rachel, our program director, has been speaking near and far. Just last week she spoke at the National Lutheran Girl Pioneers Camp. She inspired with her passion for Life and encouraged the audience to be heroes for life. She also provided practical ways to create a culture of life. Following the talk, Rachel spent some quality time with the pro-life generation. One young lady is now excited to use her passion for interior design to assist pregnancy centers. Another girl received Rachel’s copy of Stand for Life, which will help her be a voice for life as she enters college in the fall.

This summer Rachel is also spending a week at each of the Lighthouse Youth Center locations. During the afternoons she is giving interactive and relevant talks about a range of issues from sexual activity to goals and relationships. It’s a joy to partner with other Christian ministries.

​The Healthy Choices program is tackling tough issues and reaching teens where they are at. Consider bringing the Healthy Choices program to your school, church, or group. Rachel addresses a range of issues and the talk can be specialized for your audience.

​Broken hearts, broken families, broken communities, a broken country. What do all these things have in common? They could all be radically improved simply by an increase in the positive influence of men of this nation, our communities, and our families. Legislation doesn’t change hearts on the tough issues. Academia doesn’t, either. It’s everyday people like you and me, right where we are, that spark change. Statistics show that a shocking percentage of women who opt for abortions make that decision due to coercion from someone else. Many times it’s men who are responsible for that coercion. Whether it’s the boyfriend, fiancé, husband, or a concerned or upset father, when this happens, it only amounts to tragedy upon tragedy. Men have a duty to be life-affirming! We’re meant to be protectors of women and children!

While many men, like me, feel a little hesitant about speaking strongly towards women in the Pro Life discussion, due to real and perceived reasons why we can’t relate, there is a legitimate platform for us men of the world to have man-to-man influence with each other about the sanctity of life. So, men, I have some serious encouragement to share today!

In many ways, we men of the last couple generations could have done immensely better at leading and modeling God’s ways. Most men struggle with staying strong in the roles God appoints us to. We get distracted by careers, by bowling leagues, fishing and hunting, and whatever other sirens of accomplishment and adventure may call to us. We apathetically fail to keep leadership as a priority worthy of our effort and time. In our weakness of faith and character, we are letting the women of our times be led down a destructive path. But the good news is, God has given a lot of specific and empowering instruction for men to be the principled warriors that are needed in society. Wherever men have failed we can repent of those failures, and, being forgiven in Christ, our status as saints in God’s eyes means we’re in a great position to do great things going forward. Each and every woman who might have an abortion, as well as her unborn child within, desperately needs the Godly guidance we men can provide.

How can men be strengthened to come through in this way? Check out what King Solomon, who was a leader who both failed and excelled in his lifetime, wrote for us over 3,000 years ago:

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”  - Proverbs 27:17

Many of us have heard this before, but just think about what that means! One of the reputedly wisest men of all time wrote succinctly that we men make each other sharper, or better, by our contact with each other. As in many aspects of life, even though the Almighty God could certainly “sharpen” a man on his own, He makes it possible for other mortal men to be His sharpeners! What an honor, what a privilege! 

Men, how can we sharpen each other? The opportunities are endless, really, if only we keep our eyes out for them. There are the everyday interactions in our job places, in our teams or hobby related gatherings, and in functions related to our places of worship. There are the more incidental interactions, where we find ourselves bumping into someone else and having perhaps only minutes to influence each other through an interaction. On these occasions, every word and action and attitude is critical – an opportunity to lead that other man by your very example and Jesus-like behavior. Even if conversation about the Pro Life vs. Pro Choice topic doesn’t come up, anything you can do to demonstrate principled living and promote Godly ideals nudges that fellow male towards male leadership in his own life. 

As one example, what could you do if you’re talking to a coworker who has a child already with his girlfriend (or wife), and says they’ve found out they’re pregnant again, and they really weren’t planning for it and don’t like the idea of dealing with another child? These kinds of situations are to be handled with care, and the better a relationship you have (or can take a step toward having) with that person, the better the chances that he’ll be receptive if you talk positively and excitedly to him about the blessings of seeing children come into the world. Speak in terms of what’s good, what’s happy, and what’s encouraging about the situation. And by all means, offer to direct him/them to their nearest pregnancy help center that values lives of the unborn, like our main location in West Allis, Wisconsin, so they can get the right support and information to make a God-pleasing decision for their family in a confusing time.

There can be a plethora of other very real scenarios like this, but the key is to listen and be attentive to the situations of our neighbors, allowing the realities they’re living in to hit us in the heart. Then, we can use the pure concern of a Jesus-like love to guide our suggestions, warnings, or information-sharing. We want them to see solutions and hope where many others in this darkened world might point them toward selfishness, destruction, and unhelpful quick fixes!

We men who want to serve and sharpen others need sharpening ourselves. So it’s wonderful when we can find special opportunities to be encouraged, such as in male leadership conferences and conventions. The one pictured above, called “Men of His Word,” takes place in the Oshkosh, Wisconsin area annually. Or there’s the “Ironmen of God” conference trademarked below, that also takes place annually, in the southern Wisconsin town of Ixonia. No matter where you are, seeking out events or resources that go beyond the everyday are crucial for this battle of upholding life and Godly living. You’re always just a quick Google search away from something local to you that might be already available, just waiting to bless you! Seek other iron to get your personal sharpening!

*At the time of this writing, the Ironmen of God conference in Ixonia, WI is right around the corner, set for Saturday, March 19th! If you’re in the area, it’s a fantastic way to spend part of a Saturday with brothers in the faith!*

The point in all of this, gentlemen, is: EQUIP YOURSELF! SHARPEN YOURSELF! 

Deep down, underneath layers of stoicism and gender-role expectations of perfection and performance, we aren’t all we want to be as men. No one can be, if left to themselves. “No man is an island,” as the saying goes. And yet, many of us go through life as if we prefer to be one. There is just too much at stake for us to remain islands, when we could instead be the sharp and powerful iron tools we were created to be! 

There are truths in God’s Word that can literally save lives, of which we can be the messengers if we first fill ourselves up with that truth. There are women in our lives whom God wants us to lead lovingly, with gentle words and actions that bring those vital truths into their journeys. There are also millions of other men out there, whose struggles don’t have to be endured alone. Any man you know or come across is someone who might be going through a situation (or has, or will someday) where they need the voice of truth – the voice of LIFE – breathed into their heart. They may need your guidance, they may need to learn how to guide others, or they may need a lot of guilt forgiven. These are our friends, our coworkers, our teammates, the men and adolescents in our churches, our nephews, our brothers, our sons!

Let’s be ironclad, men! Let’s resolve to be warriors for changing the course of the abortion story by humbly, yet boldly, seeking every chance we can get to sharpen one another. Let’s lead everyone – male or female – into the life-preserving decisions and lifestyles that honor God, cherish lives of the unborn, and build vibrant families. Surround yourself with as many ways to be sharpened as you can, and let’s go lead this generation into a bright new chapter on life!

Author: Jeff Ulrich

Jeff is a husband, father, and graduate school student. He attends Hope Lutheran in Oconomowoc. Jeff’s background in ministry education and future in the counseling field reflect a heart that loves to serve others and make a difference. He shares his personal or spiritual reflections in his own time at www.missionpossiblejeffulrich.blogspot.com

Whether you’re watching tv, reading a magazine, or walking down the street, it’s there. We are surrounded by a culture of immorality. Amplify all the negative messages we’re bombarded with and you’ll start to hear what today’s teens are facing. Satan is constantly using the media and sometimes even “friends” to lure youth into behaviors that lead them away from Christ.
 
Like adults, teens sometimes need to hear a message more than once or from multiple sources. Our Healthy Choices program is empowering teens to live, love and lead for Christ. Our speaker reaches teens where they are at and tackles tough topics like relationships, sex, porn, media and life goals. Call us at 414-727-8176 or email Rachel at rachel@pregnancy-counseling.com to set up your school, church or group presentation today!

Author: Rachel Greiner

Rachel is the Education Director and Advancement Officer for WELS Lutherans for Life. She is a fabulous speaker, presenting for a wide variety of audiences on many engaging topics.

Do you ever feel like you can’t do enough to help in the cause for Life?

Maybe you’ve prayerfully set aside an amount of your very well deserved earnings to donate. Maybe you’ve volunteered some of your spare time to work at a pregnancy center. Maybe you’ve talked to your neighbors, friends, and family. Yet despite any of that, do you still feel your heart yearning to be even more a part of the solution? Whether we’re already active in this cause and looking for more, or we have yet to figure out the way to get started, it can be hard to figure out what that next – or first – step can be.

So here’s a suggestion of a great principle to live by that I’ve heard great leaders speak of, and it goes like this:

Don’t let the things you CAN’T do stop you from doing the things you CAN.

I think this principle can powerfully enable us and encourage us in many areas of life. Very little in life is an all-or-nothing affair. And the truly important causes that we find in life, that tug our heartstrings, haunt our dreams, and spark ambition for being a positive influence, are definitely not all-or-nothing. 

An all-or-nothing attitude can leave us paralyzed and inactive. Worse yet, it can leave us feeling defeated. Defeatism can bring awful consequences. As Christians we are reminded that God’s Spirit gives us not timidity, but power, boldness, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). 

And, better yet, the very famous and well-loved verse of Philippians 4:13 points out that, with God, all things are possible. He is our strength. We usually think of applying that to dire, emergency situations, hoping in God’s strength to cope with trials of life. But what about the more everyday things, or tasks that we want to be able to carry out? If it’s a righteous cause, will the Lord not give us the strength and the ability to get it done? 

Take a look at your life – your talents, your available time, your resources and wealth, and your influence – and assess the ways that you can accomplish something just as things are. 

Here are a couple practical applications, if you’ve ever found yourself feeling stuck or defeated, yet wanting to do more:

1.    Know who is doing the work: What we do in life matters, but it’s God’s power behind our actions that makes the biggest difference. 
2.    Don’t underestimate prayer: Prayer is powerful (James 5:16), and there can be no such thing as too much of it when you pray for things you know matter to the Lord. Prayer keeps your head and heart in the battle!
3.    Never forget the impact of Christian legacy: The impact you can make on a daily basis, with intentional, Jesus-centered, passionate living in the presence of your circles of influence, is profound. And it creates a ripple effect that can last long past your own lifetime. 

I think a way to summarize these three points, which can each be unpacked into so much more discussion, is to think of a seed. A seed, you ask? Why something so small?

Exactly. When you get down to it, each of our lifetimes is a speck along history’s timeline. And each day’s actions, words, and ideas are minuscule in comparison. Yet, just as a seed is a tiny thing when it goes into the ground, it can become a sprawling orchard over time. It grows into a plant or tree, and that plant or tree produces more seeds in its blossoms or fruit. Our actions, too, have an exponential impact. God doesn’t usually call us to be earth-movers. But he’s given each of us the chance to plant seeds through our lives. 

There’s an old anonymous Greek proverb that says, 
    “Society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” 

Maybe a better spiritual twist on that could be:
    “A nation is blessed when families plant Godly legacies which they know will outlive them.”

So remember, when all else fails, you can still plant a seed. God will do the rest! Do the things you CAN! 

Third in the FUEL Series...

We must ENGAGE with our culture. Volumes upon volumes could be written about this – and already have been. This is the arena where what we preach and believe must be practiced. Before I say more, see how the Apostle Paul put it, in regards to his own ministry:

“Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do this all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” – 1 Cor. 9:19 & 22b (emphasis added)
 
Remember, brothers and sisters, it’s the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” that we fight. Those blinded by that evil, our fellow human beings, we’re not fighting – we’re saving. We want to win them over to this cause. Moreover, we ultimately want them to be won over to the truth of salvation, so they might know the peace, freedom, and comfort that the Christian following offers. THAT is our endgame.
 
Engaging with anyone and everyone in this present day culture in America is very hard, because Jesus’ followers are naturally different because of the transformation of our hearts and minds. But we’re called to be set apart on the inside, not outwardly – at least not in every way. While we don’t want to harm our faith by engaging in outright sinful acts that are part of some lifestyles today, we must never forget that it’s by the same grace that they too were forgiven on the cross, and we would live the exact same way, in our own ugly rebellion, if not for Christ living in our hearts. Honestly, being a Christian means giving ourselves up. Do you want to win over others to the truth? Then you and I must become slaves to them. That is, we must let ourselves be mastered by whatever reasonable means it takes to reach others.
 
This is an art form. Some of us are naturally gifted at making friends, or at being sociable in general. Others of us have to force ourselves out of our comfort zones quite a bit. But a close look at Jesus’ own life reveals that he was never one to seek personal comfort. He came to seek and save the lost. That is our mission too. We can only achieve this by meeting with, sharing meals with, and talking with the very ones we differ from. That’s how our Savior did it (think of the story of Zacchaeus, the Samaritan woman at the well in the desert, and many others). We must engage with others, roll up our sleeves and live life alongside them, and “be all things to all people” so that there’s every chance to win them over to the ways of life.


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Author: Jeff Ulrich

Jeff is a husband, father, and graduate school student. He attends Hope Lutheran in Oconomowoc. Jeff’s background in ministry education and future in the counseling field reflect a heart that loves to serve others and make a difference. He shares his personal or spiritual reflections in his own time at www.missionpossiblejeffulrich.blogspot.com