Making the Right Choice

  About unPlanned:

unPlanned is the story of former Planned Parenthood director, Abby Johnson. It begins with her background of growing up in a small Texas town with two loving and supportive parents. Her journey takes a dramatic turn with college life, her first pregnancy and abortion. Before long, Abby gets drawn into a passionate career with Planned Parenthood in the hopes of helping women. A rising star in the organization, she becomes the director for the abortion facility. In the meantime, family and the workers at Coalition for Life are in continual prayer for Abby. A hard look at abortion procedures brings Abby to the truth of the organization she had dedicated her life to.

My Thoughts:

There could not have been a more appropriate time to watch this documentary than on Mother’s Day weekend. I sat with my mom and heard Abby’s story for the first time. I was struck by Abby’s strong spirit and desire to make right choices.

Focus on the Family (in association with Tyndale House Publishers and Franklin Films) presented both sides of the story well, staying with facts. I found it ironic that the frivolous lawsuit by Planned Parenthood is what brought Abby’s story to the attention of the mainstream media.

Mama:

My mom felt inspired by this story in that we should never give up hope, never stop praying for the ones we love. She was also encouraged that Coalition for Life is propagating the pro-life movement with love and compassion, not judgment. This is critical in all witnessing efforts. God is love. And He loves those behind that “iron curtain” as much as He loves anyone.

Recommendation:

This is one amazing story, and I highly recommend everyone to sit down with the family and watch it. (Parental discretion advised)

Drawing:

Leave a comment on this review and you'll be entered in a drawing for a copy of this DVD, unPlanned. I’ll announce the winner at the most appropriate time: Mother’s Day.

Deadline for comments is Sunday 12 p.m. CST

Wrap Up:

Abby experienced a life-changing event. I pray God will use it to save lives.

Watch the Trailer:

Note: Tyndale House Publishers provided me a complimentary copy of this DVD to review.

Kittens and Prayers

       I’m not much on the forwards that inundate my email inbox, but this was too good to pass up. And it provoked some interesting thoughts which I’ll get into after you read:

 

The Pastor’s Cat

     Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, but the kitty would not come down. The tree wasn’t sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten.

     That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car. He figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little forward, the rope broke.

     The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight.

     The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No, nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,' and went on about his business.

     A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. Everyone knew this woman was a cat hater, so he asked her, 'Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?' She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her daughter, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.'

     She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.'

>>>

      After some doubled over laughter, I thought, “True story? Yeah right.” It’s too bizarre. Too outrageous. Too unlikely. Yet how many things like that have I experienced? My life is a beautiful example of just how far God will go to ignite joy in His children’s hearts.      Maybe the story is true, maybe it isn’t. But why am I so quick to doubt? Instead, I should pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” and trust Him with the rest.      So the next time you pray, look up. You never know when God may send the answer in the form of a kitty flying over your fence of doubt.

Mine

       One year ago today, we laid my Papaw to rest.

     I remember at the hospital, holding his hand, praying, and preparing to say the final goodbye, though I knew my words only reached his spirit. Long hours passed, and I kept turning his life over in my mind. Specifically, his part in mine.

     The prior year, his words of encouragement about my writing touched me in a way no one else could. He wasn’t one to hand out compliments, just not his style. I knew he meant them from the depths of his heart most people never saw.

     Through the process of funeral preparations, I knew I had to write something special. I’d promised him as much.

     I hope this is an encouragement to you. Maybe help you cry a few tears you’ve suppressed too long.

     “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:4 NKJV

 

Mine

Everyone needs a cowboy in their life to tell the stories of riding the range. Tall tales of the way things used to be with just enough truth to reserve a memory in one’s heart.

Everyone needs a cowboy. You were mine.

Everyone needs a comic in their life to bring bright rays of light even in the saddest of times. One who, with a few words, can bring tears to your eyes from laughter.

Everyone needs a comic. You were mine.

Everyone needs a friend in their life to share an inside joke. A special thing that belongs to no other but you and him. Something that cuts an unusual path into your heart.

Everyone needs a friend. You were mine.

Everyone needs an elder in their life. Someone to remind of where you came from and of the heritage given you. One who will tell you, without words, to be proud of your Choctaw blood.

Everyone needs an elder. You were mine.

Everyone needs a loved one waiting for them on the shores of Heaven. Someone who will show you around the place when your time comes. One to reserve a spot for you close to the throne.

Everyone needs a loved one in Heaven. You are mine.

Everyone needs a Papaw in their life to love and be loved by. One to call you a corny nickname, and say you are gifted. A Papaw whose voice will ring true for all the years to come.

Everyone needs a Papaw. You are mine.

In Their Own Words

Book Review: The Portable Patriot

     The best way to learn about the founding of the United States of America is from the founders themselves. The Portable Patriot, edited by Joel J. Miller and Kristen Parrish, is filled with well known and lesser known tales that brought this country to its point of birth and beyond. From the witty writings of Benjamin Franklin to the solemn advice of George Washington, this book caused me to laugh out loud, share quotes of wisdom with friends, and ponder the present state of our nation.

     The courage, bravery, and sacrifices of these men and women made me want to cry. They not only wanted freedom for themselves–their plan was to insure it be passed down for generations to come.

     Be forewarned: The Portable Patriot is not a contemporary read. I found myself re-reading parts to comprehend the depth of meaning of some essays. Nevertheless, I preferred the original writings as they helped me understand the thoughts and paradigms of our founding fathers.

     Overall, I’d recommend this to everyone if for nothing more than to read the articles that shaped our country into one of the greatest in history–and perhaps help us find our way back to that place once again.

'Mine'

  Tribute to my Papaw

'Mine'

   Everyone needs a cowboy in their life to tell the stories of riding the range. Tall tales of the way things used to be with just enough truth to reserve a memory in one’s heart.

   Everyone needs a cowboy. You were mine.

   Everyone needs a comic in their life to bring bright rays of light even in the saddest of times. One who, with a few words, can bring tears to your eyes from laughter.

   Everyone needs a comic. You were mine.

Everyone needs a friend in their life to share an inside joke. A special thing that belongs to no other but you and him.  Something that cuts an unusual path into your heart.

   Everyone needs a friend. You were mine.

   Everyone needs an elder in their life. Someone to remind of where you came from and of the heritage given you. One who will tell you, without words, to be proud of your Choctaw blood.

   Everyone needs an elder. You were mine.

   Everyone needs a loved one waiting for them on the shores of Heaven. Someone who will show you around the place when your time comes. One to reserve a spot for you close to the throne.

   Everyone needs a loved one in Heaven. You are mine.

   Everyone needs a Papaw in their life to love and be loved by. One to call you a corny nickname, and say you are gifted. A Papaw whose voice will ring true for all the years to come.

   Everyone needs a Papaw. You are mine.

Papaw

August 29th, 1930 ~ April 1st, 2010