This weekend was the Crisis Pregnancy Center 2009 Walk For Life in Terre Haute, IN. I was blessed to attend with both of my parents, my grandma and my nephew. Nothing like family coming together to support a great cause! Participants were asked to collect sponsors who would donate to the Wabash Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center so they would be able to continue to provide services to young women in the area who were dealing with an unplanned pregnancy or in need of post-abortion counseling and recovery. They are one of the many pregnancy resource centers who offer hope, love and education to these young women seeking help. It was a great turnout and I was able to capture some images of the day with my camera. The most touching was by far the children that were there with their families. Each were precious examples, living proof of LIFE!


I encourage you to find the local pregnancy centers in your area and learn more about how you can be an advocate for life. Here is a short video about Care Net, a nation wide pregnancy center so that those who are not familiar can get a better idea of what they have to offer.



This isn't just an issue of morality, it is an ignorance issue. Testimonies of young girls who find their way into these pregnancy centers across the nation have said that they had no idea the extent of their choices. Half of them didn't even know when the babies heartbeat began or that the baby was even alive inside them, or that their rights said that NO ONE (husband, parent, guardian, etc.) could force them to have an abortion. They have said "I was only told abortion was a choice, not that there were other options and I was never shown the reality of both sides" Pregnancy centers explain ALL of the women's options....including abortion. They show the women a sonogram of their baby so they can see what it is they are contemplating to abort as well as explain child development, then they are shown the abortion procedures, the risks and the consequences. After being given ALL of the information on choosing life and the choice of abortion 90% of women choose life. That is a HUGE percentage. Abortion clinics do not provide women with this same information of choices. Most don't even show them a sonogram. Why? Because if 90% are choosing life after seeing a sonogram these abortion clinics would be OUT OF BUSINESS. Because that is what they are...a business with their primary concern not being to help women, but to extort money from the ignorance, fear and lack of information these women have. One pro-abortion mind stated: "Women are smart enough to find out that information on their own, we shouldn't have to provide it for them." OK, then we should go to the grocery store and take off all the labels on all the cans, and not provide all of the nutrition information because "women are smart enough to find out that information on their own...we shouldn't have to provide it for them". That is the very same logic. It is absurd. Before undergoing any other medical procedure you are shown X-rays, and provided with other medical information before actually undergoing that medical procedure. We often also get a second opinion from other doctor's. None of this is provided to the woman in an abortion clinic. So it is no longer just a morality issue it is a lack of information. Abortionists don't want to provide this information because they know there would be a HUGE deficit in their revenue and that is their ONLY concern. If after giving these women all of the facts and information regarding their decision and they still choose abortion then it is between them and God after that, but if we do not at least provide them with that knowledge so they can make and INFORMED decision then we are just as much to blame for their choices as they are. We preach about women's rights, well then why are we not giving them the right to have all the information. Are we that scared of informed women? Even if you support abortion you should first support the right of these women to be fully informed because as of right now, they aren't and I believe this is the reason the number of abortions is so high! Give them all, and I mean ALL of their choices and then let them decide.

Be Informed, Be Inspired, But DO NOT Be Silent!

Day 2 of the 40 Days For Life campaign. I went alone to the Planned Parenthood and just sat in my car and prayed this time. It felt so good to just talk to God about everything. Asking for His help and just telling Him the burden I feel for these young women. It is so wonderful to know that God listens when we pray. I know He heard my concerns and desires for those women. I know that prayer works.

Tonight was the Annual Life Banquet for the Living Alternative's Pregnancy Center. There were 650 people there!! It was so encouraging to see that kind of turn out! Even though you know God is all you need and you are never alone it helps to see other Lifers to encourage you that there are others who share your passion. The guest speaker was Cal Thomas, an American conservative syndicated columnist, author and radio commentator. I thought he did an excellent job! He was witty yet addressed the serious issues with great passion and made so many great points! It was really great to be a part of! The center had everything donated to them by a family who had a baby at full term and due to complications they lost their child. After this heartbreaking event in their life they decided to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to the center so they have a brand new building and all the amenities (sonogram machine, clothing room as well as other baby essentials that can be given FREE to the women who come in seeking help...) They offer adoption referrals, post-abortion counseling, and teach life skills to these young women as well as restore hope. I plan to start volunteering my time there ASAP! I can't wait to be a part of it all! Saving lives has become a passion of mine! Jared came with me to the banquet. He was astounded by the community support and the sheer number of people involved. It was wonderful to have him there by my side. His support means everything to me!

God is so good!!!

Today marked the beginning of the 40 Days For Life campaign. My Mom drove here from Indiana to be with me for this. We stood outside of the local Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic where abortions are performed daily and simply prayed. It was heartbreaking to see these young girls going in there, some very visibly pregnant all the while knowing what goes on inside those doors. We didn't approach any of them. We just stood in their sight and prayed. I prayed they would see us standing there and rethink whatever decisions they were making. That they would understand their "choices" and seek the alternative...which is life. I think possibly the most heartbreaking was a young girl whose "friends" merely dropped her off outside and before she even had a hand on the door those same so-called "friends" drove quickly out of the parking lot leaving her alone. That was my first indication of the lack of support, and love these girls have. Their own "friends" are sending them under the knife without a second thought. There was a guy waiting for his partner in a car in the parking lot...and all I could think was "you coward". Sending that girl in there, alone, when you are just as much a part of it...again, the lack of support. It is no wonder these girls are at their doorstep. No one has extended hope, support, love and truth to these girls. After long prayer and many tears my Mom and I went to the Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center (a pro-life center) to get more information in hopes to help distribute it to young girls possibly on campus. These women need to know that abortion is NOT their only option. They do have choices and there are people who want to help and support them before and after their pregnancy. This center offers free pregnancy tests, counseling, sonograms, clothing and other essential items for her and the baby and above all...it offers hope. Something no abortion clinic offers. All of these things are FREE to these women...nothing is free at an abortion clinic. Wonder why? Because greed is the fuel behind the abortion industry. They get thousands in government funding and still charge women. These pregnancy resource centers operate on donations alone and never charge women for their services. Now you tell me who truly cares...the one reaping monetary benefits or the one who is paid in simply knowing they saved lives? I am attending their Life Banquet tomorrow to learn more about how I can be apart of saving lives. I cannot wait to be a part of this wonderful local program for women in need.

Continue to pray for these women and men who are clearly searching for hope in all of the wrong places. Pray that they would find hope in Christ. Pray also for the physicians and nurses performing these abortions that they would be awakened to the truth and get out of this life destroying business. Without a change in their hearts there will not be a stop to abortion.
And lastly, continue to pray for those, like myself, who are dedicated to spreading the truth about abortion. There are those who hate us for it, who spit in our face and try to discourage us. Pray for courage, strength and wisdom to never compromise, to never forget why we are here and to love every life we encounter in hopes to bring them closer to Christ.

I want to leave you with a prayer that you can say anywhere, in your home, at work, or in front of these very clinics that are performing abortions. Prayer works! What our nation needs now more than ever is prayer!

Prayer to End Abortion

Lord God, I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.

I know there is nothing that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death
by the Resurrection of Your Son.

I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
Never to be silent,
Never to be passive,
Never to be forgetful of the unborn.

I commit myself to be active in the pro-life movement,
And never to stop defending life
Until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
And our nation once again becomes
A nation with liberty and justice
Not just for some, but for all.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of the 40 Days For Life Campaign. I feel prepared, I spent the last few days typing up and printing off positive, life-affirming, educational information brochures to give to women that may be going to the abortion clinic here in town that offers alternatives to abortion. I have committed to going to this Planned Parenthood clinic for at least an hour everyday for the next 40 Days if for nothing else, to simply pray. Praying for the women dealing with an unplanned pregnancy that would seek help and choose life over abortion. I will be praying also for those in the abortion industry that God would change their hearts and that they would stop being accomplices to this horrific procedure that is plaguing our nation. Prayers are needed for those who are directly supporting this mass murdering and for those who are indirectly supporting it by not speaking out and not trying to help put an end to it. May God stir up a passion in their hearts to defend these helpless babies being slaughtered and offer love and support to those women in need so they might see that they do have a choice...and that God wants them to choose LIFE! Lastly, I will be praying for those who have chosen to take a stand against abortion that God would give them the courage, wisdom and ability to change history and bring an end to abortion once and for all. I pray that God would keep us 'Love Warriors' safe from harm as we try to spread God's love to those who so need Him. I feel prepared for any triumphs and disappointments over these next several weeks. I am not seeking recognition or overnight results...I am just simply doing what God has called me to do. He has called all of us to be witnesses and to speak the truth through love. I am simply following where God leads....

The next several weeks have a lot going on! This Wed. Sept. 23rd marks the beginning of the 40 Days For Life Campaign (www.40daysforlife.org) I've been putting together informational brochures with alternatives to abortion to hand to women at the local abortion clinic here in Champaign. I'm committed to taking an hour out of my day each day for the next 40 days to go there and pray as well as give support to any woman seeking help. A lot of these women have no support and have lost all hope. I want to help give them back that hope. Along with prayer I am also committed to fasting during this campaign. For those who aren't sure what that is, fasting is an act of discipline and faith to eat sparingly or of certain kinds of food as a religious observance. I am basically going to be a vegetarian for the next several weeks as a way of showing my dedication to this cause. It's my way of saying, I would give up something I love (eating junk) if it means saving even one life from abortion. It's a small sacrifice, I know, but my hear is in it and that is what matters.
Also coming up this weekend is the Terre Haute Crisis Pregnancy Center Walk for Life!
For more info about this and other ways to get involved go to their website: wabashvalleypregnancy.com

Keep all of us "Love Warriors" in your prayers, we are all putting ourselves at risk by taking a vocal stand against abortion. Pray that God will keep us safe and that He will give us the strength, courage, wisdom and heart to reach out to those in need and educate our world. But most importantly, pray for the women and families dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and also those suffering from post-abortion syndrome. This is not about religion or politics this is about saving lives.

For more ways on how you can get involved in your local area please contact me. I would be happy to share more information with you! To those already involved in some way, bless you! Together we can make a difference! With God, we can put an end to abortion once and for all!

40 Days for Life Spring 2009 Campaign Report from David on Vimeo.

The mission of the 40 Days For Life campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during a focused 40 day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in America. September 23rd marks the beginning of this 40 Day commitment.
To find a location near you where you can be a part of this peaceful prayer vigil please follow this link:

http://www.40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

If we want to see the end to abortion and to give people and families love and hope through Christ then we MUST pray. God is the only hope for our future.

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)

Everyday brings new things and change and so we as humans cannot stay exactly the same as each day passes and we encounter and understand new things. The goal is to continue to learn, grow and change for the good. I have grown to realize how incredibly blessed I am. I always knew that I had much to be thankful for but while praying today realized something I had always known but never fully understood. God gave his son to die for me so that I might have life. I have been really passionate about life, more particularly pro-life. But today when talking to God I thanked him for sacrificing his only son's life so that I might live. And it hit me...Life is a gift, again, something I already knew but had not thought deeply about before...We were not given this life to be destructive with it and to go through it without purpose, without love and without hope. God is love. God gives us hope and each of us has a purpose. My purpose was made clear today. On top of my gift of life, God has given me the gift of love, the gift of mercy and the gift of truth. God wants me to be a witness for all of these things. I will spend the rest of my life, from this day forward helping others discover their gifts. Once you find your purpose, you will find that we all have one gift and one purpose in common and that is sharing the love of God with others. We may be called to do this in different ways, but ultimately we are all God's messengers of love, hope and truth. Each of us are important parts of his plan. Isn't that wonderful to know? We are ALL important to God! Like a play, there are no small parts in this, Life's Production. We all make up the very dynamics of our life story. We have to practice and perform each day the role we are given for our audience which is the world. Everyone you meet is dealing with some sort of life issue and we, as Christians, cannot get out of character even on our worst of days. We must strive to be loving, caring and patient at all times even during the most difficult of times when we we might be dealing with the most difficult of characters. God is the director and we are the cast. When you get the casting call from God are you going to turn down an opportunity of a lifetime? I pray that you don't. There is so much to gain from choosing God and absolutely everything to lose if we don't. Choose life.

Why do people who are open atheists/non-believers use scripture to try and point fingers at those who are believers and who follow Christ, but if we quote scripture to them then we are religious righteous radical freaks (amongst other accusations)? If you do not believe in what the Bible says then why quote it? We know what it says, we live by it. You often misquote or take it out of context anyway to support your theories and ideas in attempt to validate your excuses and your lifestyles. So please.......
Do not preach about giving if you do not give yourself.
Do not preach about love if you do not show God's love in your own life.
Do not judge less you be judged.

The point of quoting scripture is to grow spiritually and to help others to grow spiritually, if your intent is merely to throw words in people's faces then do not quote the Bible. That is not the purpose of its existence. Doing otherwise makes YOU a hypocrite and quite frankly makes you look ignorant.

To accurately quote the scripture:

Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.
(Exodus 23:1)

A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
(Proverbs 12:17)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.
(Proverbs 14:6)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will not go free
(Proverbs 19:5)

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.
(Proverbs 14:25)

I encourage people to read the Bible because I long for everyone to find salvation and hope through Christ but if you have no intent of actually hearing God's word and living by it then please, do not speak it.

Many ask me "why are you so passionate about the abortion issue?" My answer is this: because abortion is an epidemic that is sweeping across our nation. An epidemic that is killing innocent lives! People will protest against war, drugs, cruelty to animals and other world issues but when it comes to abortion so many of us turn our heads! WHY IS THAT?! We will defend the lives of animals more than the lives of our own species! To me that is ludicrous! This is not about politics, people....this is about human LIVES. We are killing babies for nothing more than the sake of "I can, so I will?" How arrogant, inhumane and ignorant! And to those who defend abortion, I have yet to hear a sound argument. All I hear are excuses. Excuses so that you can be reckless and not take responsibility for your choices and actions. Just because a panel of judges made it legal does NOT make it right. Just because you like an outfit does not mean it looks good on you. Abortion is ugly and is primarily used as a form of birth control so for those who argue "what about rape, incest, etc.?" how do you explain these numbers then?

According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a pro-choice research organization affiliated with Planned Parenthood, in 2002 there were approximately 1.29 million abortions performed in the U.S. This translates to over 3500 abortions performed daily and over 40 million occurring in America since Roe v Wade legalized abortion in 1973.

Less than 5% of them are because of rape. So the other MILLIONS of abortions are simply because people say: "Now is not a good time." How selfish, heartless and ignorant that is.

I have a family member who chose abortion because she was young, scared, ashamed and admits to being ignorant to her choice. She will tell you that she was old enough to know better but had no idea the consequences that would come with such a decision. Because she TRUSTED these people to be medical professionals, to give her all of the facts and information. None of them told her she would live for years in silent regret, anger, grief, guilt, and medical issues. I tell you this because this is another reason why I am so passionate about Pro-Life! I have indirectly been affected by the horrors of abortion. I have seen the hurt and damage it causes. I know what it's like to grieve for a baby you never had the chance to know and love. I know that I could have easily been part of those statistics.....

Visit: beyondtheblackvalley.org to hear real testimonies from women who believed the lies that abortion would be a "problem solver" and really has been a life long burden to carry and has ultimately caused more problems than it solved.

I want to make something very clear...I hate abortions not people who have them. I realize that we ALL make mistakes and by the grace of God can know forgiveness no matter what we have done in our past. (Acts 2:38) God loves us more than our past...I find hope in knowing that. My goal is not to hate, but to love. I aim to be a Love Warrior in the spiritual battle for LIFE! I want to spread truth, love and hope to all of those who have had or are considering an abortion. (abortionrecovery.org) You do have a choice and God wants you to choose life.

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.
(Deuteronomy 30:19)

Choose life and not death!
(2 Kings 18:32)

In my quest to help save the lives of unborn babies by spreading the TRUTH about abortions I have neglected a very important aspect of the cause. Providing HOPE and HEALING to those who are victims of abortions (either directly or indirectly) I hate abortions not the people who have them. Those who have made the choice to have an abortion have a long road of healing ahead of them and there are several places that offer help in the form of love, hope, counseling and other resources you may need. Here are a few great links that offer just that! If you or someone you know is seeking help please visit these links or share them with others! You are not alone. Let's rise up together and be 'Love Warriors' in the spiritual battle for LIFE!

www.abortionrecovery.org

www.beyondthedarkvalley.org

I don't choose to speak out against abortion because I want attention or just want to hear myself talk, I speak because God has put a burden on my heart to help save the lives of innocent unborn babies who are dying everyday. There is a risk in speaking up. I can take the ridicule, the name-calling, the angry words, I can take all of that and not be swayed by it because I am guided by a much greater force. What IS scary is that people are dying for the sake of the cause. These people were killed trying to unveil the lies. I am at risk too. Anyone who speaks up about what they believe in is at risk. So I do not speak for glory, for praise or for any other reason other than God has put in my heart a passion to do so. I would risk my own life to save an innocent child. I do not fear the worst. I am not afraid to speak the truth. With the Lord on my side in whom shall I fear?

Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.
Deuteronomy 3:22

This is a horrific video that shows the reality of all stages of abortion. Please watch it all the way through. I dropped to the floor in tears while watching it. It is heartbreaking and at the same time stirs up anger. How can we let this happen? How can we turn our heads and even worse CONDONE this sort of inhumane cruelty? I hope this video changes the hearts and minds of those who have believed the lies. Speak up, you could save a baby's life.

I feel like I get slammed every time I talk about the government doing something that promotes morality (b/c you "can't legislate morality") yet an issue like healthcare comes along and I'm told by those same types of people that passing this healthcare reform is the "moral" thing to do.
So some types of morality should not be legislated (traditional marriage, drug abuse, abortion) but others should? It sounds to me like Obama and those like him change the rules to benefit themselves.

What was not discussed in Obama's speech is this: Medicare can't pay for itself, politicians have borrowed on social security (a govt. program we have paid into, but will probably never see). It is in fact bankrupt. We are in more debt than any other industrialized nation,and have no concept of a balanced budget within the federal govt. To top it off, the Federal Reserve prints money when we run out. I admit that the healthcare issue is monumental in that it effects everybody and is therefor very difficult to solve. However, giving people fewer choices, creating a healthcare monopoly by allowing the govt. to control how much doctors are paid, etc. seems to be a step backwards. We will have much bigger problems if we ever get to the point of hyper inflation, as the money that we have printed (unbacked by gold or any other standard) filters through the system. To say that Obama's ideas on healthcare are moral is stretching it.

I do agree that the Bible compels us to care for others and their welfare. I disagree that Obama's plan is actually going to accomplish that goal. And where is the separation of church and state that people like to quote so often....let the churches help those who are in need. That is our duty as Christians not the government. If we see someone in need WE should directly help the individual through the love of Christ(whether it be donations, our time, prayers...), not delegate the need to a government agency which has no ability to pray for, personally see to, and mostly, share the love of Christ. The job was never intended for the government; it was intended for Christ-followers. The government has tried and tried over the years to do a job that they are not intended to do, and it hasn't worked. It's like asking a teacher to build a skyscraper. A teacher wasn't meant to do an architects job. I think the only way we are truly going to solve the healthcare issue (and many other issues too) is for ALL Christians to step up and do the job they are called to do by Christ himself. Call me crazy, but I think it just might work when we do it GOD'S way!

Besides, we need to approach healthcare holistically. Cheap prescriptions and a single-payer system, while good, can only do so much. It is ludicrous to suggest that we ignore abortion to get universal healthcare, or that we ignore universal healthcare to fight abortion. A woman can destroy her child during the entire nine months of her pregnancy, and she need not provide any reason more than "Now is not a good time." That is unacceptable. And I think it is arrogant of us as Americans to EXPECT universal healthcare when there are countries who can't afford or have no access to a simple doctor's visit. When did we start believing that life is a right? Life is a GIFT and we shouldn't expect anything but be grateful for EVERYthing. We have created this notion that just because we live in America we should have access to whatever we want. Doesn't work that way. You have to earn what you are given and those who are draining society of resources without giving a thing back are the reason those truly in need are not getting the help they seek.

There are good Christians doing their best on both sides of the issue, and they all deserve our prayers. But we, as the body of Christ, cannot compromise. Can you imagine if God said, "Alright, fine, no idolatry but adultery is fine I guess."

I agree with many of you that believe we need reform, but do not believe that Washington is the answer. God is, was and always will be the only answer we need. Until ALL of us as a nation seek Him there will be no resolve.

People who claim to be open-minded or "freethinkers" (the newer trendier term) will throw their opinions in your face but if you choose to simply disagree and to speak the truth with love they will defend themselves like a starving pit bull defends its last piece of kibble.... even if you are not provoking it! It's absurd to me how people will try to make you feel like what you believe in is the craziest, dumbest thing they have ever heard. They can believe whatever they want, but you can't think for yourself. Unless your opinions match, you are the stupid one. I swear I feel like I'm in highschool again but on a much grander scale. It's like our generation thinks it's "cool" to be controversial. It's trendy to be an Existentialist. You can't make up your mind on what you believe in so you're just going to say "I don't believe in anything"? That's a cop-out not to mention lame.


The saddest part is those who think that this life is all there is. If I truly believed that, then I would probably be acting like so many of them do...not caring whatsoever about decisions I made because if what they believe is true....what's the point? What a heartbreaking life without hope. But thankfully I have found the hope of knowing that there IS a God who loves each of us and has created a place for us so that we can live in his love forever! And that is the only reason I am passionate about life issues. Because what we do here on earth DOES matter. We could be leading others to the Lord or we could be the very reason they turn from Him all by our actions and words. That is the whole purpose of us being here to begin with....to seek out those who are lost and help them to be found. This life is NOT all there is. Think of Heaven as a huge party where you want to invite all of your friends. How you invite them is by telling them the Who, What, When & Where...

Who: Jesus wants YOU!
What: Join him in celebrating God's love
When: Starting now, today, and forever
Where: The ceremony is in your heart with a reception following in Heaven! :)

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.