Are We Being Good Stewards???

With the unveiling of the new Coverboy, the Target same-sex bathroom disaster, and the Starbucks supporting of gay rights, it's pretty clear that the country is in a downward moral spiral. 

My question at this point is are we as believers still going to support these businesses knowing full well everything these businesses stand for?  We know that Starbucks supports gay marriage.  We know that the Covergirl makeup line now promotes guys wearing makeup, and we also know that Target has made it clear they are fine with allowing men to go into women's bathrooms and dressing rooms.  These businesses openly support God-defying movements, and yet Christians are still supporting them. 

I've always been kind of confused by the amount of Christians that I know support businesses like these. I never understood why a Christian, who is supposed to want to honor God through their actions and decisions, would knowingly support a business that is so proud to voice it's stand against our Bible and our God.

I wonder if these people just haven't thought about the stewardship of their money as they support these businesses, or if they are making these decisions with their eyes wide open?  Maybe their argument would be that withholding their money won't make a difference.  Maybe they think that Christians need to show Christ's love to these God defying businesses and continuing on in their support is one way they feel they are doing that.  I actually think that these businesses are very interested in money.  If Christians across this nation would let their voices be heard by how they steward their money, these businesses would take note, and we might see change across America.

The Bible talks about stewardship and how we will be held accountable. 

Luke 16:2- And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

1 Corinthians 4:2- Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man may be found faithful.
While this verse is talking about stewardship as a pastor, and being trustworthy and faithful, my observation is that we can use this same principle with how we as believers use our money.

Romans 14:12- So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Luke 16:11- If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

What about the issue of causing others to stumble by supporting these businesses?  I know I have stumbled over seeing people that I know love the Lord support businesses like these. 

 1 Corinthians 8:13- Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

To me personally, it seems pretty clear through God's Word that we are to be good stewards of what He has given us; not to mention the fact that we will give an account for everything we have done in life. With that in mind, who wants to stand before God one day and explain that they wanted something so badly that they chose to support businesses that openly defied His ways and His Word to get it?   

 

The fact is that when we support these businesses with our money, we enable and allow them to continue on in funding and promoting these movements that go against God and His Word.  We are to be trustworthy and faithful stewards of what God has given us, and not cause our brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble. To me, that means not supporting businesses that are loud and proud of their God defying decisions and movements.   

I don't want to stand before my Master and say that I supported something that went against Him.
I want to be a good steward... Will you join me?

Walking In Grace,

Abby

Are We Gonna Stand Up And Fight?

This past Friday, I had the amazing opportunity to go to the College of the Ozarks to hear several amazing speakers talk about the faith of our founding fathers and religious liberty. The campus was beautiful, the speakers awesome, and I loved that we were able to go. 

One of my favorites I listened to was Dr. Ben Carson as he urged people to vote, and told us point blank that, "Our rights won't be taken away from us by an outside force, our rights will be taken away from us by us just handing them over."  He also brought out that he hears many people today talking about not voting because they would be voting for the lesser of two evils. As true as that is, he went on to say that we choose between the lesser of two evils everyday because we live in a fallen world where there is no perfect way or choice this side of heaven. He compared it to a paper cut vs. losing both legs.  They are both bad, but when we have to choose, we would obviously choose the paper cut.  The next president will have a huge influence on future generations in regards to our religious freedoms, especially given the fact that he or she will surely be appointing new justices to the Supreme Court.

I also was very interested in Mr. Kelly Shackelford, as he presented a very thought provoking, and somewhat scary thought.  He said, "If we lose religious freedom, we will lose all freedoms." He also very clearly stated that, "If they take away religion;  they can't hire enough police."  He spoke about what the First Liberty Institute does every day in defense of religious freedom and gave examples of how they are fighting hard to ensure that future generations enjoy the freedoms that we do.

Another one of my favorite speakers was Mr. Abraham Hamilton III. He told the crowd that we have the ability to change America, but asked if will we accept the challenge.  He also brought to our attention that we have the amazing opportunity to tell the government what we think. It's by the people, for the people, and that the government works for us.  He also said that, "If the light leaves the scene; there is no other choice but for darkness to take up that space, and invade."

And last, but certainly not least, LTG William Boykin spoke. He was a very challenging speaker, and reminded us that Christians cannot just sit back and say that God's in control as an excuse to do nothing about the state of this nation. He went on to say that a soldier doesn't fight because they hate what's in front of him; he fights because he loves what's behind him. He sent us off by reminding us that it will take courage to stand against the movement that threatens our freedoms.  He said it will take courage.  He said we may get wounded.  He then asked, "Who will take a stand against evil?  If not the church, then who?"

They all challenged us to get up, get out, and stand for what and Who we believe. Like Mr. Boykin said," Its gonna take courage." And like Mr. Hamilton said," We have the ability to change America, but will we accept the challenge?" And like Mr. Shackelford said," If we lose religious freedom, we will lose all freedoms." This is the time for Christians to stand up. To fight for our nation. If God is for us, then who can be against us?!

Walking In Grace,
Abby

P.S. There is a nation-wide call for Christians to come together in worship, hearing the Word, and a question and answer time happening October 18th hosted by Kirk Cameron. The following trailer explains the details.  Please spread the word and join me in praying for this election, and the protection of our religious liberties.

King Of The World

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to go to Life Action Camp to serve. I had expected for God to do something great, but I had no idea how He would blow me away with Himself.

I had been struggling a good part of the summer with not feeling close to God. Like when you pray, and you feel as though your prayers are just hitting the ceiling. It was awful, and I wanted it to be over so so bad. I had been asking God to reveal whatever it was that was keeping me from Him, but I never felt any closer to Him despite my prayers.  The last week at camp I had the opportunity to work what is called "Seek Week". It is when the staff from all 3 branches of Life Action Ministries come together for prayer and teaching.  They had several sessions throughout the week with some amazing speakers, and I was super excited to get to go to a few.  The session that I attended started with worship.  The lyrics in the song grabbed my attention.  "Heaven looked away."  "The Son was laid in darkness."  Then, "The ground began to shake."  "The stone was rolled away!"  "His perfect love could not be overcome!"   "Now death where is your sting?  Our resurrected King has rendered you defeated!"  A video clip of Mary seeing Jesus alive for the first time after the resurrection was playing on the overhead screens.  The awe she must have felt as she saw Him for who He really is was playing out in my own heart as well.  I was reminded of who God really is.  I had unknowingly forgotten how awesome our God is.  I had brought Him down to my level.  I had lost sight of the power and majesty my God possesses. I tried to wrap my mind around a God that made my mind. 

After realizing what I had done,  and asking forgiveness,  I felt a peace in my heart that I had been missing all summer.  I am so thankful that God showed me what I had been doing, and helped me see the true awesomeness of Himself. These Scriptures really capture the incredibleness (if that's even a word) of our God!

1 Chronicles 29:11- Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and Thou art exalted as head above all.

Jeremiah 10:6- Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; Thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

Psalm 136:4-To Him who alone doeth great wonders: for His mercy endureth forever.

Isaiah 40:26- Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names of greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.

Jeremiah 32:17- Ah Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee.

Psalm 108:4- For Thy mercy is great above the heavens: and Thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Jesus: Fact or Fiction?

A young college student decided he would do everything he could to disprove the Bible once and for all.  A committed atheist and God-hater; he was adamant about doing whatever it took to prove that God did not exist. Many people have tried to prove the Bible wrong. I've even read that when people set out to accomplish this impossibility, that one of two things happens, they become a Christian or they go mad.

Our Bible is true from beginning to end.  I was watching a documentary not long ago about an archaeologist trying to prove that he had found the remains of an ancient biblical site. This man was not a believer, but he used Scripture for his source time and again when he needed the most trustworthy information.   

When people come against Christianity, one of their arguments is that  "you can't prove it scientifically."   "Scientific fact is based on showing that something is a fact by repeating the event in the presence of the person questioning the fact."- Josh McDowell.  
We cannot repeat history, so we cannot prove history scientifically. One example of this is: We can't prove that George Washington ever lived, but we don't doubt that he did.

Another point they tend to bring up is, "Jesus was just a good moral teacher, He couldn't have been God." Please allow me to share C. S. Lewis' opinion on this.
"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him; 'I'm willing to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic- on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg- or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse."

He goes on to say:

"You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us, He did not intend to."

Yet another point they come at Christians with is," Jesus was a liar, He couldn't have been the Son of God." I am going to share another quote on this subject.
"How in the name of logic, common sense, and experience, could an imposter-that is a deceitful, selfish, depraved man- have invented, and consistently maintained from the beginning to end, the purest and noblest character known in history with the most perfect air of truth and reality? How could he have conceived and carried out a plan of unparalleled beneficence, moral magnitude, and sublimity, and sacrifice his own life for it, in the face of the strongest prejudices of his people and age?" -Philip Schaff

My goal through this post is to remind all of us that we do not have a blind faith, but a faith that is based on fact.  People will continue to reject Jesus and who He is, but we can live confidently in the knowledge that He is who He says He is and the Bible is true from beginning to end. 

The young college student I told you about in the beginning... well, he tried to disprove the Bible, and failed, but became a Christian in the process! The proof was too much to not believe. His name is Josh McDowell, and now he is a well known author and speaker who loves the Lord and is a committed believer.  One of his books, More than a Carpenter, is an awesome book that I loved reading because of all of the facts he includes about the evidence proving the Bible to be true.

Go get the book today!!

Walking In Grace,

Abby

Mother's Day

It's the weekend to celebrate moms everywhere.  Now let me just tell you my Mom is amazing. She has taught me what a Proverbs 31 woman is and also how to follow Christ with all my heart. She has always been there when I needed a shoulder to cry on, and also there to bring me back into reality (which I sometimes need).  From the time I was a toddler and shoved her wedding rings in my VCR... to spilling paint on her bedroom carpet.....to finally being taller than she is and curling up in her lap when I've had a hard day, (which is more difficult now than it used to be), her love and patience never cease.  Mothers are incredibly special, and one of my favorite stories in the Bible is one that concerns a very special Mom.

John 19:25-27:
Therefore the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, "Woman, behold your son!" Then He said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother!" From that hour that disciple took her into his own household.

When I started thinking about these verses, I was amazed. If we think about it, Jesus is on the cross dying in the most torturous, humiliating, and painful way while still thinking about His mother. He is telling John, the disciple whom He loved, to take care of His mom, and telling His mom that she will live with John. This obviously shows the deep love and concern that Jesus had for His mother, so shouldn't we strive to show love and care for our own mothers?

My Mom means the world to me, and I don't know what I would do without her. I can't imagine doing life without her, and I am thankful for her everyday. So this weekend, let's show our moms some gratitude and love, and follow Jesus' example for treating our mothers in a loving and caring way.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Mrs. Barbara Dodson

I was 12 years old the day I walked up the front steps to the house where my piano lessons would be held. My sister Ruthie and I were nervous about starting lessons.  As we walked into the room filled with pianos and music, I met my teacher Mrs. Dodson for the first time.  

For a girl who didn't even know anything about music except how to play it on the radio,  this was quite scary and stressful. I messed up Mary Had a Little Lamb no telling how many times.  I would get put out, and then Mrs. Dodson would say," Let's try again."  She never gave up on me, even when I would have given up on myself. She always pushed me to do better.

Skip ahead about 3 years, and now that same nervous, scared, stressed girl loves to play piano! Earlier this year, I started writing songs, excited to play them for Mrs. Dodson every week.   She loved to help me with my pieces, and would tell me to keep changing things up, and to keep making them my own when playing a piece she assigned me.  Hymns are my favorite songs to play and she figured that out early on.  One day she threatened to take my hymn book away if I didn't start  practicing my assigned pieces.  Boy, that got my attention!    

One Monday morning, I was excited to play What A Friend We Have In Jesus for Mrs. Dodson.  I was excited to show her what I had done to add my own special twist to it.  I played the song and then looked over to see her eyes all watered over. (Mrs. Dodson was not the kind to show a lot of emotion. This was a very big deal to me.) I loved her encouragement and her belief in my ability to play piano.

Mrs. Dodson passed away Saturday, April 9th. She was 80 years old, and had been teaching for 65 years. It was kind of abrupt for me. I wasn't expecting that at all.  I will miss Mrs. Dodson very much, but I am so thankful for the years I had the privilege of learning from her. The past three years have been a blast, and I will miss those times forever. I never told Mrs. Dodson that I loved her, or appreciated her while she was still alive. I regret that now.

What about you?  Are there people in your life that need to hear how much you appreciate them or love them?  Would you join me in learning how to appreciate those that God has placed in our lives and let them know how much we love them? 

Walking in Grace,
Abby

Am I Really Saved?

"Am I even saved?"

This was a question that was on my mind a little over 2 months ago.  My Bible study friends and I had been going through "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. We began to be challenged to do something for God and others, but little did I know that as a result of that great work that God was doing in my heart, I was in for a spiritual battle that God would use for good while Satan meant it for evil.

Let me explain.  Around this time I began to question my faith. It was very strange and came about all at once. I KNOW that I am saved, but this little seed of doubt seemed to be planted in my mind... and it was growing. I talked to my Mom about it, tossed and turned over it, and was really struggling with it for about a 2 week period. I have been very blessed to have grown up with Christian parents and siblings, godly friends, and an amazing church family so I could totally see myself being that kid who just "went through the motions" because that is what you do. I had also recently met a friend who had grown up in a church who had to do a lot of "works" to be considered a Christian, and it started me wondering if I had false assurance. I began to use this opportunity to examine my heart and find out what was going on.  So I started using the tests the Bible gives us to examine our hearts like the ones in Galatians 5:22-23 and 1 John 2.

Galatians 5:22- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I John 5:1a- Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

I John 5:10-11- The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself...and the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Romans 10:9- That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

John 6:47- "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."

John 5:24- "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come in to judgement, but has passed out of death into life."

Romans 8:38-39- "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else is all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 10:13- for whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.

2 Timothy 2:19- Nevertheless, the firm foundation of the Lord stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His,"  and,  "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness." 

I John 2:3- By this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 

I John 4:7- Beloved, we should love one another, because love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

I examined my heart throughout those weeks, and found peace in the fact that I am indeed saved. I also began to notice the enemy's arrows that were being shot at me, keeping me wrapped up in doubt and not useful for ministry. I have never sensed a battle so hard with Satan as I did in those two weeks.

About a month later, I felt comfortable sharing this experience with some friends.  I ended up finding out that another friend had gone through a similar experience!  I love how God does stuff like that!! Just when you think you are the only one going through a certain struggle,  He let's you know that you aren't.

I was able to get involved in the ministry we started with confidence.  We have had opportunities to witness like we've never had before. I  see why Satan wasn't wanting this to happen... He knows that great things for God are being done.

I KNOW that I am saved, but whenever I feel doubtful or scared,  I look at these tests, examine my heart, and make sure that everything is right with God and me. It's through times like these that we grow in the Lord, and even though I didn't like the seed of doubt Satan planted... I am glad for the growth I experienced.

In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul instructs us to test ourselves to see if we are saved.  If you aren't sure if you are saved or not, please don't take this lightly. This is a matter between life and death. You will either spend eternity in Heaven with Christ, or in hell with Satan.  Examine your heart, and make sure things are right between you and your Heavenly Father.



Walking In Grace,
Abby


P.S. Happy Easter!!!

Arkansas TeenPact 2016

I had the incredible opportunity this past week to go to a TeenPact class at our very own state capitol. At TeenPact, I learned everything from how bills are passed, to judicial review, and (my personal favorite) political communications. We also got to do prayer walks around the Capitol which gave us a chance to pray for all the Arkansans that serve our state. In our political communications class, we were given tips and tricks to communicating what we think and what we believe. The tips given included making eye contact, using facts, being personable, etc.

I started thinking about communication and how important it is to know how to share my thoughts and beliefs about whatever I may be asked about.  More importantly though, it's important that I know how to communicate my faith.  1 Peter 3:15 says, "Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 

If you asked me about the presidential election, Ben Carson, or an event in history I could probably talk with you at length about all the information I have learned to this point.  But if you asked me where a verse was in the Bible, I might have to pull out my handy-dandy iPhone to tell you. That's sad, and I know it. It's awesome to be involved in politics and history and have lots of knowledge about lots of things, but if I am more involved in these things than in the knowledge found in God's Word, something is wrong.

Jesus used the Word constantly; which is what I need to do, but in order to do that I need to know the Word... and that's where the challenge comes in!


A great example of someone who was always ready to give an account for what God had done in his life was Paul. Paul was a former murderer of Christians that became a Christian himself. He was ready to tell people of the hope he had in Christ, and he did a great job communicating this. One example of his readiness to give an account for his beliefs is found in
Acts 26. Paul was relaying everything God had done in his life to King Agrippa, and was very passionate in doing so. He told the king about his killing of the Christians before God entered his life on the road to Damascus, his repentance to God, and about the masses of people that had repented and trusted Christ. He was used by God so much,  and possibly because he was not only willing, but ready. 

Are you like me? Do you feel lacking in this area as well? We can work on this together, and pray for one another. Let's be knowledgeable about the Word, and to be ready to communicate the gospel message wherever and whenever God directs us to.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

I Am A History Nerd...

I once heard a sermon about Josiah, the man who became king at 8 years old, and how he turned his country around by looking back at the history of his father and grandfather (Found in 2 Kings 22 and it's joint passage 2 Chronicles 34). He did the right things, and made the right decisions for Israel that his forefathers didn't.

Now I am a total history guru. I love everything about it. While some people may think that it is boring, I think it is the most interesting thing ever. My love of history is right up there with my love for politics. And the two work hand-in-hand, together. The reason I love history so much is that it gives me a clear view of the past. Like Josiah, you and I can look back at mistakes leaders and others have made, as well as the great decisions they made that shaped their lives, and the lives of the people around them through the centuries. This gives us a clear view of what we should and shouldn't do as a country and a people.

Well King Josiah looked at history for answers, and found many of them. He realized that his fathers didn't follow the law of God, and that his fathers did things that were totally against God's will. This pushed Josiah into action. He realized what he hadn't been doing, what he should be doing, and made the changes necessary to be obedient to God. 

History shows us so much, and teaches us more. I find comfort in knowing that the problems we face today have been experienced by people all the way back to the fall. I wonder what Josiah initially thought when he learned from God's Word all that he should be doing.  Was it elation?  Was it shock?  Was it confusion wondering why his ancestors had not followed God's instructions?  Was it all of that combined?  We don't have to trip through life as if we were in the dark.  We can learn from others, the good decisions and the bad ones, but more than that, we have God's Word to lead us.  How great His love for us to give us His Word.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Lottie's Big Entrance!!!

It was 8:30 P.M. on February 5, 2016.  That date might have not meant much to me before last night.

While me and my friends were at Bible Study, we got a call that my sister Lindsey, and her husband Ethan, were on their way to the hospital to deliver their little girl. Well you can imagine the excitement I felt as we rode all the way to the hospital!  We got to the hospital and rushed into the room to begin to prepare ourselves for the delivery ahead.  I was responsible for taking the birth pictures so I was in the delivery room when Lottie was born.  I was so excited when Lindsey took me up on my offer to do that, but very nervous at the same time.  

I have never witnessed something as beautiful as the birth of one of God's children. 

It was amazing. Seeing a baby be born is a testament to God's amazing power, and perfect planning. I will never be able to figure out how a person can look at a baby being born, and say that they're just tissue.  Life is the showcase of God's amazing and miraculous wisdom.

Psalms 148:5- "Let them praise the name of the Lord: for He commanded, and they were created."

Revelation 4:11-"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."

Psalms 102:18-" This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord."

Lottie's birth blew me away with God's amazing power and majesty, and to think that God ( the Creator of life) created us to have a personal relationship with Him.... Wow

Walking In Grace, 

Abby

The 2016 March for Life

The Annual March for Life was a few Sundays ago in Little Rock. My family, and many people from our church try to go every year. Today we got there apart from the others so we went ahead and climbed the capitol stairs so we could watch the people come in.  I had no idea what God was about to blow me away with.

We watched as masses of people flooded into the capitol grounds and up the steps. My eyes were welling up with tears as I watched so many Arkansans standing up for life. I believe that God put me on the steps of the capitol before the people came in because He knew that I needed to be encouraged by seeing and hearing all that was being done to stop abortion. 

So many awesome speakers spoke at the March for Life. The speakers included Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchsinson, Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, and Representative Bruce Westerman,  not to mention the many heart-wrenching stories that were told by women who have had abortions in the past, as well as other women whose mothers chose life for them.



                                                                                     


Psalm 139:13-" For you have formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother's womb."

Jeremiah 1:5a-"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; ."

Proverbs 24:10-12- "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, "Surely we did not know this," does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?"

Matthew 18:10-"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven."

Proverbs 31:8-"Open your mouth for the speechless, and the cause of all who are appointed to die."

Deuteronomy 30:19-"I call heaven and earth as witnesses again today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;"

1 John 3:18-"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."

The over 11 million babies that have been brutally and heinously killed, I believe, are in heaven, but the blood of those lives are on America's hands, and America will answer to God for what we have allowed for 41 years.  Please pray with me that abortion will one day be illegal.

Walking In Grace,
 Abby

The masses of people at the March!

"We hold these truths to be self evident:- That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." -Declaration of Independence

The Little Rock Capitol Building where the March for Life was held.

The many pro-life supporters that came !

Stop Abortion Now

David Livingstone

He wandered through hundreds of miles of tropical rain forests, he ran for his life from cannibals, he fought off numerous diseases that would kill the average human being, and he did it all in the name of Christ. Africa, the Dark Continent, was unexplored back in these times. No one knew of the sickness and disease that rampaged the continent, but one man was willing to risk everything to witness to the unknown people group of Africa.

David Livingstone was a English man who explored the continent of Africa, he was actually the one who discovered Victoria Falls and Lake Victoria, named in honor of his Queen. He was an explorer both of geography and souls for Christ. His adventures go from almost being killed by cannibals, to crossing the beast infested land, to even being attacked by swarms of mosquitoes which plagued him with malaria on many occasions.

 At the time that Dr. Livingstone was traveling and teaching in Africa, the slave trade was going on as well. Men would come upon the land of Africa to take the natives and sell them to wealthy men and women for slaves. David Livingstone made this quote," Cannot the love of Christ," he asked," carry the missionary where the slave trade carries the trader?"

He had complete and utter reliance and trust in God. I wish I had such a characteristic!

David Livingstone eventually died in Africa, doing what God had called him to do. His heart was buried there in the African jungle, and his body in the Westminster Abbey in London, England.

To me David Livingstone was a patriot for obeying God's command, and not only obeying but doing it well. He was willing to go into a land where the very people he tried to help would try to kill him in return.  He lost his wife in Africa and suffered great tragedy throughout his life....yet never stopped witnessing and sharing the love of Christ.

Wow...I sit pretty much speechless thinking of his heart for the lost.  This year I pray that I will have more of a passion to reach those that need Christ that I come in contact with. 

Walking In Grace,

Abby