Be sure to check out the giveaway at the end of this post.
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Another voice of truth...another piece of the story. Though I have never met her, Pat Layton, author of Surrendering the Secret has won my heart.
A woman who speaks from experience in both pregnancy care ministry and as a post-abortive woman, Pat's heart is to help women find healing through Christ.
Pat is a national speaker and trainer. She has produced a daily radio segment, “A Word for Women” and writes articles for newspapers, newsletters, and ministry media, including Focus on the Family and Concerned Women for America. Her personal story was also published by Baker Books, appearing in Loved by Choice (2002). Pat’s most recent published article, entitled “Out of the Darkness”, appeared in the January 2007 edition of HomeLife Magazine. In March 2007, Serendipity House, a division of LifeWay, released her post-abortion healing Bible Study called Surrendering the Secret.is Founder and President of A Woman’s Place Ministries, Inc., in Tampa, Florida.
Pat has a story to tell. She also has a call to action.
I can't wait to share her heart with you today! Please take good care of it friends.
In her own words...
When I was a young girl I had a friend who, while roasting marshmallows by a friendly campfire, found herself engulfed in flames. The edge of her pants leg barely touched the blazing fire and instantly ignited her clothing. Within moments my young friend’s clothing grabbed the fire and covered her entire body. The result of that single moment resulted in horrendous burns and permanent painful scars that she would live with for the rest of her life.
A moment changes everything.
I have personally lived through a similar life scarring moment. My scars were not visible, they were emotional but just as painful and just as life scarring.
As a young college student, I played with the friendly fire of “Women’s Rights” and “Freedom of Choice”. I wrote articles and supported picket lines. It all sounded
so righteous at the time. Who would not fight for a woman’s right to decide what to do “with her own body”?
I had no idea how close I was standing to a fire that would engulf my entire life.
At 23 years old, when I found myself facing an unplanned-unwanted pregnancy my seemingly obvious choice was abortion.
The day that I walked into that abortion clinic was the day my life caught fire.
No one told me about the fear, the shame, the loss, and the guilt that comes with an abortion. No one told me about the physical, emotional and spiritual damage that would engulf my life like flames from a fire.
No one told me about the heartbreak of abortion.
Since the legalization of abortion in America on January 22, 1973 over 55 Million lives have been destroyed. Conservative estimates place abortion numbers at approximately 1.5 Million each year. Those numbers do not include the lost mothers, fathers, Grandfathers and siblings of aborted children.
If the numbers estimated are correct, abortion providers generate over $750 MILLION dollars each year!
Do you think those kind of dollars might create some political and social HEAT?
As this letter is being written the Health Care Reform Bill which includes abortion funding, that is raging on Capitol Hill, is a clear reflection of the power struggle that lies at the center of the Sanctity of Human Life.
It really should be no surprise to the Church.
We have fought the same battle since the beginning of time…..
Genesis 3:15 says:
“I have put enmity between you (Satan) and the woman and between your offspring and hers."
…and will continue to fight until the end of time.
Revelation 12:4b says:
“The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that he might devour her child, the moment it was born."
Make no mistake, this is ENTIRELY a Spiritual Battle and will only be won using Spiritual Weapons. (2 Corinthians 10:4)
The Body of Christ alone will determine the casualties allowed.
As Christians we have a responsibility to respond to the destruction of innocent lives.
In response to God’s Word in Duet 30:19-20---We are to speak the truth about God’s Commandment to “Choose Life”.
It is time to heal the heartbreak.
It is time to make your voice count.
How does one begin to move past the pain of an abortion? The first step is to contact a trusted friend at a local Pregnancy Care Ministry to seek out an Abortion Recovery Group/Bible study. Many Centers have studies for women and men.
Feel free to contact me bcmcglothlin (at) comcast (dot) net or Pat patlayton (at) mac (dot) com privately for help taking those first few steps.
I want to encourage you to really think about how what is being shared here this week affects your life. To help you with this Pat has agreed to give away two free copies of her book, Surrendering the Secret.
To enter, simply answer these questions: (please be sure to leave an email address in your comment so I can contact the winners)
How are your thoughts changing toward this issue? What is God showing you and how can you get involved?
Stay tuned tomorrow as we begin to hear from those who are serving on the front lines...pregnancy care ministries.
Surrendering the Secret is a Post Abortion Recovery Bible Study published by Lifeway in 2008. To offer the study in your church or community please contact
www.surrenderingthesecret.com
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