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

Life Action... The Great Commisson

While I was at Life Action Camp, I worked in the kitchen... I prepared the meals that were fed to the many campers that came. Now... before I ever got to the camp I told my family..." I do not want to be in the kitchen..." And there I was.  I think God was teaching me that I can (and will) serve Him wherever He wants me too.  Surprisingly,  I had a great time in the kitchen! I met a ton of new people from so many places. We laughed and really just had a blast! I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else.  David Livingston once said,  "If a commission by an earthly king is considered and HONOR, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a SACRIFICE?"  Now I know that what I did in the kitchen may have not been a "big deal"... I just cut up stuff,  served it,  and cleaned a lot!  To some it might seem a pretty silly job, but I was doing for my Heavenly King so it was an honor.  I have to admit... if the President of the United States had asked me to work in his kitchen I may have been more excited in the beginning, but Our God is so much more amazing than any president.  He is holy, mighty, all powerful, Redeemer, and so much more than we can even imagine!

 Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.


So... next time I get kitchen duty, or any other job that might not be very appealing, I just have to remember that its a honor to serve my King.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Life Action...What I Learned

I recently got back from Life Action Camp in Buchanan Michigan, and it was an experience that I will never forget! We got there July 12th, and left July 26th.  I'm so glad God allowed me the opportunity to go.    

One of the things I learned about was the power of prayer.   I had been praying day after day for a friend that I knew needed to know the Lord.  Turns out, the whole camp had been praying for this person!  Our prayer was answered and our friend came to know his Creator and Savior!

The Great Commission was the subject for this summer at Life Action, and I also got a really deep conviction about living out Jesus' great commission! Matthew 28:19-20- Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

I learned so much from Life Action, and I will have more stories to come these next couple of weeks!

Walking In Grace,
Abby

1 Peter 2:21

Have you ever had to deal with a difficult person?  I know I have.  It can be over the littlest things too!  I have to deal with a difficult person almost daily.   I am not always proud of how I respond.  Sometimes I respond quite well under the circumstances... but sometimes I kinda-maybe-end up blowing up.  Another thought I need to consider is what if I am the difficult person someone else has to deal with?  

Scripture talks a lot about the difficult people that Jesus had to deal with.  I mean, He had to deal with Judas, the high priests, and all the people that didn't believe He was who He said He was.  If anyone in the history of forever had the right to blow up at someone, it was Jesus. 

So even though we all have those people that are hard to get along with... we need to do what Jesus would do and treat them with love, respect, and show them who Christ followers are.

1 Peter 2:21- For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, that ye should follow His steps.

P.S. This song is by Sidewalk Prophets. Live Like That

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Forgiveness

There has been a lot of discussion lately about Josh Duggar and the past molesting of his sisters.  Now I know that many people have their own ideas about Josh Duggar, and what should happen to him.  I also know that he was a minor, and not a Christian at the time.  He asked forgiveness from God,  his sisters,  and his parents.  I know what He did was wrong, but he made it right by the people that he needed to.  If his sisters,  his parents,  and his God can forgive him... why does the American public feel like they can withhold forgiveness?  This is what can happen to a teen that doesn't have Christ in their lives.  If God can forgive us for all our sins, then who are we to not forgive someone who's a sinner just like us?  For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23  That is why God sent His Son to save us. 

Colossians 3:13- Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Ephesians 4:32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

I'm so thankful for the forgiveness we have in Christ,  aren't you?

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Clear The Stage

Last night, I attended a Bible Study with some of my close friends... and boy was it convicting. We have been going through a series called," Behold Your God."  It's about looking at God for who He really is, and treating Him like He deserves.  Last night's session was about idols.  I had always thought that idols were anything you put before your God in importance, but it's more than that.   It's anything that you put before your God, anything that you can't stop thinking about,  and anything that you love with all your heart as well.  I learned so much as all I could think about were the many things that came to mind immediately that could be classified idols in my life.  Two that came to mind right off was sleep and my phone.  For some it might be clothes and shopping.  For others it might be certain foods or maybe a relationship.  I left realizing how easy certain things or people can become idols and thinking about how hard I'm going to try to keep Christ first because nothing and no one is better than Him.

This song by Jimmy Needham, was a song that one of my friends shared last night and it s message went right along with what we studied.  It's called," Clear The Stage," and I hope that it speaks to you as powerfully as it spoke to me.

P.S. His testimony is also inspirational!  If you YouTube "Jimmy Needham Testimony" you will find it.

Walking In Grace,
Abby

Throwing A Tantrum

I spent some time at my sister's house today.  My nephew Jack had to sit in his playpen... and he was definitely showing us that he wasn't going to have any of that.  I have seen Jack angry, but I have never ever seen him like he was today.  He cried, and screamed, and cried some more... but eventually he calmed down, and started to play with all his toys.

It reminded me how I am when God puts me in a place that I don't like.  When my dog Hobo died... I wasn't happy.  When my grandma was sick and dying... I didn't enjoy that.  When daily disappointments come my way,  I sometimes act like Jack did today.  What's so neat about God is that He doesn't do what is right in man's eyes... but in His eyes.  He knows what is best for us. 

Psalm 46:10- Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations I will be exalted in the earth.

Whenever I am sad, or mad, or am just having a bad day... this verse reminds me that I need to just let go and let God . Be still and know that He is God! So if you aren't having a great day, or are going through something hard like a death or a disappointment... Just stop, look to God, and listen for His guidance.


Walking In Grace,
Abby