I’ll never forget when I saw the news that Roe V. Wade was overturned come across the tv screen. We’d spent many years serving those experiencing unplanned pregnancies in a country with some of the world’s most loose abortion regulations. It was surreal.
 
In the days that followed, we saw the rightful, necessary celebration of pro-lifers that women, men and the unborn would be spared the pain and death of abortion. We also saw the equally intense reaction of abortion supporters. While driving out of town, I ended up turning onto a street blocked by an angry demonstration. It reminded me so much of the random guy one may see in Time Square holding a “The End is Near” sign. Unfortunately, I fear that this and even messaging from life-affirming organizations may have given the impression that the “fight” is over. That after years of faithful work and prayers, no more women will be regretting recent abortions, or little humans having their lives cut short. I would give everything I have for that to be even close to true.
 
Unfortunately, I speak with Wisconsin women who are just a short car ride away from an Illinois abortion provider. Increased awareness of, and access to abortion pills, is changing the dynamics. An increasing percentage of abortions are abortion pill procedures, which bring unique risks. Borders and laws remain important but have their limits. We live in an age when we can have seemingly anything discreetly delivered to our door. If it’s Italian food (or shoes) I am all for it. However, abortion pills are being mailed sometimes from India. The trends suggest that abortion pills via mail through sites like “Plan C” will only increase. While some things have changed, many risks for women remain the same. We may have been lulled into complacency. We must not forget the destruction that legalized abortion has had on pre-born babies, families, and society. DON’T underestimate the reality and availability of abortion.
 
Even if legal abortions were a thing of the past there would still be unplanned pregnancies, families facing significant challenges, and women and men dealing with unhealed pain from abortion. There would still be those without the hope and unconditional love that can only be found in Christ. The truth is our mission doesn’t change based on the political whims of Washington.
 
I can’t overstate the impact of a woman choosing life, but that is just a beginning. There will be bad days when she needs support and the Holy Spirit grants a volunteer just the right words. Satan will try to scare her into changing her mind. We must be available with practical support. When she doesn’t feel strong enough we can gently remind her she is brave and not alone. Ultrasounds, parenting classes, and diapers are just a few of the ways that we are there for parents in our community.

​Love in action is needed now more than ever! By giving of time and treasure, people are having an impact that lasts for generations. DO be a part of families thriving! Your skills can be a blessing. Learn about volunteer opportunities.

Reaching out to those in need is expensive. You can get the word out about the services provided by giving today!

​Dear Doctor,

You probably don’t remember me, but I remember you. I can picture your face, your eyes, the curve of your mouth, the grip of your hand on the door knob. No, dear doctor, you probably don’t remember me. But I can’t forget you. 

You see, thirteen years ago you told me I was pregnant. You looked at me, a young, teenage girl, barely out of highschool, and with coolness in your eyes and a chart in your hand, you sat across from me. You watched me as I cried. You watched as my past, my present and my future all raced through my mind. As my emotions and a child’s life hung in the balance, this is what you said, “You have 2 choices. You can either keep the baby. It will change your life forever. You won’t be able to finish school or go out with your friends.” 

You stopped. I looked up at you. In a decided voice you said, “Or you can terminate it.” 

I looked at you through the fog of my thoughts and the mist of my tears. I shook my head and said, “No, I’m keeping it.” You tried to talk me out of it. You told me my boyfriend wouldn’t support me or stick around. I walked out of your clinic confused, scared and embarrassed. 

That was the last time we spoke. The last time you saw me. But I’ve seen you. I’ve seen you many times, dear Doctor, in my thoughts. I’ve prayed for you and your patients. I wonder how many other mothers you’ve said those things to. I wonder how many took your advice. 

The ‘it’ you suggested I terminate is now 12 years old. She’s a beautiful young lady who’s growing closer to her God and her family everyday. She knows whose she is and she’s learning who she is. She’s made us proud, made us laugh and made us happy. She made us parents. 

I say us because the boyfriend you told me wouldn’t stick around has become my best friend. He was in the waiting room when I was in your office that day, and he’s been at my side ever since. 

No, I didn’t take your advice 13 years ago, but I heard you. And your comments certainly affected me. 

Dear Doctor, you convinced me that it wasn’t worth it for me to finish school. I finished out the semester, but my professors saw a change in me. I lost my effort, I didn’t study, I no longer tried. In their eyes, just as in yours, I was another statistic. Someone who could’ve been something, if only she didn’t get pregnant. 

Your comment about my boyfriend, though I didn’t believe it, stuck with me. Was he just marrying me because I was pregnant? Did he ever really love me? Does he love me now? Or am I just ‘the right thing to do’? 

I can still hear your comments today and I question my worth. My ability to parent. My attractiveness. 

Yes, Doctor, I think about you. I pray you haven’t had many patients like me. Patients who’ve been blessed with a child, yet are scared and confused. Patients that go to their doctor - someone they trust - looking for healing. 

I pray, if you do have any patients like me, you’ve rethought your comments and, instead, fill those patients with positive thoughts about their future as a mother - the joy of having a life growing in them and the abundance of love their heart will feel. I pray, instead of pointing them to the abortion clinic, you point them to the many pregnancy counseling centers in your area. Point them to people that care about their life and the life of their baby. 

I pray for you too, dear Doctor. I pray for your soul. For many years I struggled with anger towards you - both my husband and I did. We wondered what kind of person would suggest ending a life? Does he even know Jesus?

Then God spoke to us. “Be kind and compassionate to one another. Forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) I am a sinner too. Among many things, I committed adultery by having sex before I was married. I, a child of God, mistreated God’s gift of sex. No, I have no right to be angry with you. I sin too.

Dear Doctor, I forgive you. More importantly, Jesus forgives you - He forgives me too. 

God bless you, dear doctor. He sure has blessed me. 

Sincerely, 
NotMerely A. Statistic

Author: Katrina Meinel

Katrina Meinel vividly remembers that day in the doctor's office. She knows she is a forgiven sinner and a child of God. She's happy to be the wife of 1 man and the mother of 4 children. She's convinced that 1 Corinthians 15:10 is true, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am.” Yes, her life is good, but she knows heaven will be far better!

Can I talk to you for a second about porn?  I know we have never met (and I know porn isn’t the most comfortable topic to discuss…), but I thought you would care about stopping porn.

Because you care about life.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after years of leading a purity ministry is that porn kills.  Porn kills intimacy between spouses.  Porn kills healthy expectations about sex.  Porn kills the joy that God wanted to characterize our lives.  Porn kills the confidence we feel in approaching our Father in prayer.  Porn can kill the eternal life Jesus died to give us.  Despite all the pleasure it promises, porn kills.  

Porn is anti-life.

Sadly, porn is killing lots of us.  According to The Porn Phenomenon, a massive study by the Barna Group, 51% of men (13 and older) use porn every single month.  1 in 7 senior pastors confess that porn is a current struggle.  The average kid is now exposed to porn before finishing 5th grade.  Sit in any given pew on any given Sunday, and you’re likely to be sitting next to someone struggling with porn.

So, what do you do if that’s you?  Or your husband?  Or your daughter?  Or your sister-in-law?  Or your best friend?  If porn is taking the life of someone you love, where do you turn?

Answer:  To Life!  To Jesus, who called himself “the Life” (John 14).  To Jesus, who came on an unstoppable mission to give life to those who were dead in sin, yes, even dead in porn.  To Jesus, who left plenty of proof that he loves porn users.  If the way he dealt with prostitutes and women caught in the act of adultery is any clue, Jesus wants to give life to every kind of sexual sinner.  

While Christians who struggle with porn tend to want man-made, effort-driven, white-knuckling plans for moral purity, God has a better plan.  This plan relies on the power of grace given by the Holy Spirit.  Here’s the proof:

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom. 7)

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.” (Titus 2)

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Cor. 5)

I pray you would meditate on those promises until the Holy Spirit grips your heart, until grace teaches your soul to desire something that lasts longer than porn, until Christ’s love compels you to find pleasure in God and not in porn!

If you or someone you love needs help with porn, visit Conquerors through Christ (www.conquerorsthroughchrist.net).  CtC is a gospel-driven purity ministry that helps people reject, resist, and recover from the wreckage of porn.  You’ll find the 5 Steps to overcoming porn use, wisdom on rebuilding trust in relationships, and gospel truths to breathe life back into weary souls.

If porn has left you lifeless, take heart.  There are Christians we want to help you get your life back.  Far more importantly, there is a Christ who already has.

“In [Christ] was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1)

Guest Author: Pastor Mike Novotny
​​
Pastor Mike is currently serving as the campus pastor at The CORE in Appleton, WI; and will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Men of His Word conference in Oshkosh.

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

The National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children is coming up on September 10th. This is an excellent opportunity to talk with your children about abortion. We teach our children to behave, to repent of their sins, to repel the Devil, to trust in Jesus, to love others, to serve, to watch their step lest they fall...fall where?

The reality of death is everywhere, and yet some parents feel the need to shelter their children from this reality of sin. It's easier not to think about it, and pretend that life will always be as it is, and that we will have more good times than bad...but this is not the reality. And when you avoid the reality of sin, you avoid the reality of God's salvation. When Jesus is only used to make skinned knees feel better, instead of bring people back to life...His Name is cheapened. His Name is The Name - at which every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

This is an opportunity to bow our knees, bow our heads, bow our hearts...and plead for God's mercy, to ask that His will be done, to ask for strength and endurance to defend the rights of all who are destitute, who cannot speak for themselves.

This is an opportunity to show the result of wickedness...the result is sad. The righteous are a strong tower, protected by God, but the wicked devour each other. God's law protects us. God's law protected them while they were in the womb. The fear of the Lord gave their parent's faith to trust God's promises. He will always provide. His timing is good. He gives strength to the weak and sight to the blind. He is the author and perfecter of life.

Show your children the true power of God. He redeems our lives from the pit.

Last year we took our children to Resurrection Cemetery in Madison, and had a private service of God's word, explanation, hymns, and prayer. It wasn't anything extravagant or intensively planned, but God's word worked. 

Sin hurts.

Sin kills. 

​​But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Author: Philip Meinel

A man trying to lead his family in the grace of God.

I know what it is to have an unexpected pregnancy. I was thirty-two years old and had three other children when I found out I was expecting another. 

I was already tired, overwhelmed and burdened by motherhood. I loved my children for sure. It’s just that they had so much energy, and an insatiable thirst for exploring and running and being read to and that meant I had to explore, run and read.

And then there was the embarrassment of the question that always followed when people found out we were expecting: Was this planned?

 We had been married long enough to know how things worked, and yet, somehow here we were, red-faced without a good answer. 

And then there was the pregnancy. I thought maybe if this pregnancy was God’s decision and not mine it would be easy.

It wasn’t. 

An eighteen inch rainfall left our basement flooded and after working all night to mop water down the drain and out of the house I started to feel weak, then feverish, then I developed a cough. 

It would take four months to be properly diagnosed as having walking pneumonia, and in that time I went from being an active mom to being a mom who couldn’t move off the couch and who was awake more of the night than asleep as coughing fits left me unable to lie flat in bed.

When it finally came time to give birth my baby nearly died. She was being strangled and the cord had to be cut even before she was delivered, and then her little face was bruised and puffy, and all that bruising led to jaundice and extra days in the hospital. She failed to thrive and didn’t eat. My milk didn’t come in. And if that wasn’t enough she couldn’t see. For six weeks we waved our hands in front of her little eyes and there was no reaction, only a blank stare. 

This pregnancy from God seemed more like a cruel joke than a gift. Except…

God was there every step of the way and God’s people restored my faith every time I started to lose hope. 

People I didn’t even know that well showed up at my door with meals, others sent notes letting me know they were praying, still others used every opportunity to encourage me and remind me something special was happening (when I didn’t see anything special happening.) 

When I lamented to a friend that I had no endurance and was weeks from delivering a baby, she sent me a necklace with a cross on one side and the word “Believe” on the other.

And when we finally admitted to our family and friends that we thought our baby couldn’t see there was weeping and praying, adamant praying, followed by eyes that were opened and a child who suddenly blinked as something came near her. 

I came to understand firsthand why the body of Christ is ever hopeful about the unborn: 

God doesn’t make mistakes.

There has never been, nor will there ever be a “blob of cells” that mistakenly attaches to a womb. There is only life breathed into being by God Himself. Scripture tells us as much. 

We’re told in the second chapter of Exodus that God allowed the midwives to conceive. In Genesis 20 Abraham’s wife Sarah ended up in a harem and God closed the wombs of all the king’s household until Sarah was safely back where she belonged. The accounts of Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth and Mary the mother of Jesus all show a divine plan when it came to conception.

David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, penned, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).

That little speck in your womb that wreaks havoc on your body is nothing less than the handiwork of God.

And it is the job of the body of Christ, EVERY MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, to remind every woman carrying a child that she is blessed …

even if it’s unplanned,

even if circumstances aren’t ideal,

even if the mother is not in good health, and

even if the child has a defect. 

 My fourth child is a constant reminder of God’s goodness. We prayed for her to see and God gave her spiritual insight. She’s got a tender heart and a fierce temper. She runs harder and longer than any of my other children. She’s a mess maker who with a profession of love still brings tears to my eyes.

In short, she is a gift from God, a gift I didn’t know I needed. She shows me often that God blesses us with riches that have nothing to do with money, but that are far more valuable. 

So dear reader, whoever you are: If you have a child inside of you know you have been touched by God. He is the creator and sustainer of life. He does not make mistakes. And from my experience if there’s one thing that can make less than ideal circumstances better, it is to surround yourself with Christian friends who will remind you of the goodness of God in the moments when you can’t see it, and who will give help you find your hope in God in your most hopeless days.

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​Do you ever wonder how much reflection actually takes place on a long 4th of July weekend such as this year’s? It feels like it’s become so customary to make sure that we have a great cookout or party lined up, or to go to Summerfest with our coolest red, white, and blue garb on, or to attend the best and loudest fireworks show around. But stopping to meditate on the lives lost in battle, or the lives lived in pursuit of protecting or enhancing freedom - that’s so much harder to find time for. We are, after all, the proverbial fish that forget we live in water. As Americans, the comfort of our freedom is so constant and sedating that we’d completely forget the cost paid for it all if not for reminders like national holidays with patriotic axioms attached to them. Of course, I speak in generalities that aren’t entirely fair. But you know I’m right. 

How much more true it is of the freedom that Christians have! Even though we’re still nagged every day by the effects of sin in our natures and bodies, we get to live every day with the knowledge that our destinies are bound for heavenly bliss, instead of the placement in hell that we’ve earned and deserve. 

But do we take full advantage of our freedoms, both earthly and eternal? Do we Americans thank the Lord for the fate of being born in, or being able to emigrate to America, AND to be registered in the ledger of heaven’s citizenship too?

In Galatians 5:13 it says, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” 

St. Paul wrote these words originally to believers who were being led astray by a teaching that one must remain obligated to the tradition of circumcision to be considered a true believer. The truth of these words bears application for so much more, though. Our freedom in Christ isn’t for us to place extra rules upon ourselves in fake piety, nor is it for us to focus on ourselves at all! Our call out of spiritual darkness and into the light and freedom of God is actually opportunity to unleash ourselves on this world to do good things. We are free to serve others, instead of being stuck with only serving ourselves, as we surely would around the clock if we weren’t saved. 

So this year, let me encourage you to be appreciative of the freedom that others won for us as Americans, which is continually defended to this day. But even more so, let’s be appreciative of our spiritual freedom in Christ, and let’s unleash our gratitude for being captives no more, by going out and serving others. Let’s see how far our reach can get in this world of hurting, needful fellow human beings, now that we’re no longer tethered to ourselves in our sin. In Jesus we are free indeed! We have a message of hope for the life to come, and help for making it through this one. We have mouths, hearts, and hands that are equipped by the Lord to do good deeds and give others a hand up when in trouble, or to speak words of encouragement, such as the Pro-Life message. We have opportunity to let God use us to change the here-and-now situations, as well as the eternities, of everyone around us. Let us make the most of our freedoms!

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​

This story is told by one of our lay advocates...

The helpline caller was seeking an abortion; she had already obtained an ultrasound and learned she was 18 weeks pregnant.
 
Kaya* has three other children, ages 3, 2, & 1. The father of her unborn baby is the dad to the three others and said that he supports whichever decision she makes. We made an appointment for the next day, and when I learned he would be off work, I invited him to come along and told her the kids could play with toys at the center.

...18 weeks pregnant...

When they didn’t show for the appointment, I called her and did options counseling on the phone. She was nice to talk to, so we easily built a rapport. We chatted about the challenges of parenting three little boys, and I encouraged her. She is young and finds her responsibilities to be overwhelming at times. She has no help from extended family, and her boyfriend is working most of the time, so is not available to help during the day.
 
Kaya said her ultrasound showed that this next baby is also a boy. She wouldn’t be aborting if it was a girl—she’d love to have a girl.

I told Kaya that at 18 weeks she is at the upper limit for having an abortion in Milwaukee, which seemed to surprise her. I explained the abortion procedure—at 18 weeks the baby is too large for suction, etc., and she commented, “I won’t be able to get that out of my mind.”
 
Kaya talked about her past—there was abuse and her mother was not there for her. She prays for the memories to go away. “So you believe in God?”  I gently asked, “What does God think abortion?” She answered, “Oh, no, he says this baby is his gift. But I’m praying he’ll forgive me.”
 
We continued talking, but Kaya was intent on having an abortion. She did agree to make another appointment to come in, and we again talked about how to get to our pregnancy center.

..."I won't be able to get that out of my mind."

When she didn’t come for that appointment, I called again. She said now that it’s getting so late, she isn’t planning to pursue the abortion.
 
I’m thankful this child will live to be born, even though his mother has not had an apparent change of heart. I will call her again to suggest prenatal care, to encourage her spiritually, invite her to Loving Moms parenting classes, and to see if any other connections/referrals can be made.

*The name "Kaya" was chosen for ease of writing, and is not the real client's name.

Please continue to pray for our lay advocates, and the clients they serve.
"You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." - Jesus

​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

There’s a video going around social media. Maybe you’ve seen it (if not, you can watch it here.) It’s about why wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger. I’m not sure if it’s the actual reason, but it sure does bring home a point. When your hands are put together as shown in the photo you are able to separate your thumbs, (symbolizing your parents-”for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother” Genesis 2:24a) your index fingers (symbolizing your siblings) and your pinkies, (symbolizing your children) but try as you might, your ring fingers are stuck together. (symbolizing you and your spouse-”and the two shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24b) 

Our family tried this one night around the dinner table. My daughter pointed out that when your middle fingers (symbolizing yourself) are tip to tip (above others and your relationships with them), your ring fingers easily come apart. But when your middle fingers are down (serving others), your ring fingers are glued together.  “Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10:9

Wow! What a picture of marriage. How close a husband and wife become. Not just physically, but in all areas of life-emotionally, financially, intellectually, spiritually, even recreationally. So close, that it takes a ripping of the flesh (and the heart) to separate them.  

Sometimes, as a wife, I get selfish. I put myself above my husband. Sometimes I put myself before my children, my parents and my sibling. Sometimes I like to think about what I want and need. Why didn’t they call on my birthday? Why aren’t they coming to visit? Why isn’t he coming home? Why don’t they just listen to me? Don’t they love me? It’s times like that when all the relationships in my life suffer, but especially my marriage. When I’m thinking of myself, my husband doesn’t look so good. But when I put myself last-let Christ fill me and let His love shine through me-it’s amazing how great my future looks! Empowered to take on challenges, able to see the blessings in the unexpected, willing to listen to my God and follow His lead. A marriage built on Christ is good indeed.

So what does all this have to do with living pro life?

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up, But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Unexpected pregnancies happen. They even happen within a marriage. An expectant mother with support is far more likely to carry her child. Maybe that support is her husband, maybe it’s her parents, maybe it’s you and your spouse. 

 The latest stats from 2014 show that married women are more likely to keep their child. 

Copied from WI Dept. of Health Services Reported Induced Abortions

A woman that has the proper view of marriage, and has had a good example growing up, is less likely to become pregnant before marriage. In Wisconsin in 2014, almost 78% of abortions were the choice of unmarried women. Model a godly marriage for your children-and all those around you.  Make marriage something they want, something they respect, something they’re willing to wait for. Build your marriage on Christ, putting yourself last (middle fingers down), and you will be a life-giving couple.

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1

Author: Katrina Meinel

Katrina is super psyched for the WELS Marriage Enrichment weekend this weekend!