God, again, saved a baby!

On Thursday, December 2, Ginger and I were at Planned Parenthood to witness God doing what only God can do.

Sometimes we begin to think that our words, tone, mannerisms and techniques are essential for this work. I learned again with Pablo and Kim a week before Thanksgiving, as I hoped in my compelling speech and despaired in what seemed to be a lack of response; only to rejoice in God's great mercy and power to save.

I don't remember speaking in particular to this couple as they went in. Suddenly, though, they came out. It was too early for them to come out after an abortion. They didn't seem to be coming out for a smoke. As they came away from the door, the man put his arm all the way around the woman and snuggled her, almost protectively in his body. I thought he intended to protect her from us, because he looked at us, then walked through the gathering of guard and escorts. As they walked the length of the parking lot to their car, they walked with a peculiar spring in their step.

Ginger said that she thought he sneered at the escorts as he went by, while I thought he sneered at us. Ginger thought they changed their minds, while I was skeptical.

As they drove past us, we intended to try to get them to roll down their window, but it was already down. The man, grinning from ear to ear was hanging out the window as he came to a stop near us. I said, "You guys didn't..." He said, "We are not going to do it!" We gave him our pamphlet anyways, and said if they need anything, to give us a call, and they drove away!

We don't know how or why; we don't know their names or circumstances. God did what He does, and showed us His power and glory.

Pray that this couple will humble themselves before God, that they will seek Him, and that He will draw them to Himself, granting them repentance and faith.

God, the Father to the fatherless, is able to do abundantly more than we could ask or imagine!

Yesterday, at Planned Parenthood, God was pleased to save a little baby, and bring his father face to face with his sin, his past, his future, and his responsibility.

The man came there, not sure if this was his child, and therefore unwilling to protect it. God put him in the position of father to this fatherless child.

Unwilling to speak a word of defense for this child, God convinced him to give the child a chance, and yes, the ultrasound revealed to him, that God indeed made him this child's father. The family walked away: mother, father, and this little woman's fourth child.

Alive, and together; thank God, they have a long row to hoe.

They know they don't have to go through it alone.

Belated Birthday

Some time ago, I turned fifty. I'm fine with that. I look back over the last fifty years, and I see so many ways that God has blessed me when He was justified to curse me; preserved me when He was justified to destroy me; comforted me when He was justified to condemn me. Beside, all the people my age are turning fifty now!

I have gotten many birthday cards over the years, but I was most delighted with a couple that I got from Lydia this year. She made them herself, and here they are:




















This one was such a delight to me, and told me so much! I says, "Mom! You're always there when I need you..." When I opened the card, I saw illustrated many things I have told Lydia repeated, because I thought she didn't hear me.

The inside caption, "and when I don't need you!" tells me that she heard me. She heard me say these superficial tidbits that she included in this card, and she heard also other things.

This card, said one of those things, that this mother needed to hear. Yes, I needed to hear this. Thanks, Lydia.



















Father, I thank you for the blessing of daughters. I thank you for your mercy. Thank you that you remember not the sins of my youth. Thank you for making me a happy mother of children. Thank you for being Strength in my weakness. Thank you that you are sufficient to redeem the years that the locusts have eaten. Thank you, Father, thank you.

EARTHQUAKE!

I think I just experienced my first earthquake.

I was sitting here at my computer, checking out some stuff, when it seemed like one of the dogs started scratching. Sometimes when they scratch, they will be up against a wall or door, and they will make something vibrate.

Then I realized that the shaking was happening to everything, and not just one particular wall. The things on the shelves in the kitchen were rattling, and in the living room, and everywhere!

I was standing, when I realized this, because I was going to get the scratching dog so she didn't wake anyone else up; so I went down on my knees. I guess I was thinking that if the ceiling fell, it would be better if it didn't knock me down, I suppose.

While I was on my knees, I remembered Who holds my life in His hand, Who provides me with the roof over my head, and Who will sustain it and me, if He so decides.

The rattling subsided, but the house continued to vibrate. One neighborhood dog had started to bark with a frightened tone. I looked out the front window, and everything seemed normal, except that there are no cars in my neighbor's driveway.

I went to Lydia's room to get one of the dogs, and found her up gathering her birds back into their cage. The quake had frightened them. By the time I was done there, the quake seemed to be completely done.

Glen slept through it.

Thank you God, for this reminder of Your great power. Thank you for life and love, our home, and for all that You provide and require of us. In Christ name, Amen.

A Bridge Collapsed in Minnesota

I first heard about this on Albert Mohler's blog. I appreciated Mr. Mohler's sensitivity and focus during this disaster.

Pray with me for God's people in this tragedy. Pray for His church, that she will be a place of comfort, mercy, and refuge. Pray that souls will seek God's solace during this time, and that He will be glorified.

Go here for more details and pictures.

Psalm 57

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam . When he had fled from Saul into the cave. ^[a]

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me,
for in you my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

2 I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me.

3 He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me;
Selah
God sends his love and his faithfulness.

4 I am in the midst of lions;
I lie among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.
Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.

8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.

10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.