The Value of Life... and a giveaway!
Monday, January 24, 2011 at 11:05AM We feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity to be a part of Sanctity of Life Sunday at Pontiac Bible Church in Pontiac, IL! Pastor Brian Bill delivered a phenomenal message focusing on the marginalized in our society, including the pre-born, the orphan, and the widow.
The congregation was clearly moved as Rev. Bill focused on having controlled mouths, compassionate hands, and clean hearts... the entirety of James 1:27. So often we focus on the 'orphans and widows' portion of this verse that defines pure religion, but leave out the part about keeping ourselves 'unstained by the world'. Pastor Bill truly tied all three pieces of this verse together so beautifully as he challenged the listeners to put their faith into action!
An attendee commented by saying, "I think we may have just changed the future of our church!"
As a window into the plight of the orphan, this fantastic video on Ethiopia was shared -
Check out the audio version of this sermon here.... we pray that you are challenged and moved to action!
Leave a comment about what you, your family, or your church did to take a stand for life, advocate for the marginalized, or pray for the oppressed on Sanctity of Human Life Sunday... and we'll enter you into a contest for a FREE t-shirt! :)
Reader Comments (8)
I had the opportunity to watch a portion of the Life and Justice simulcast this weekend. I was really blessed by the testimonies of young women (and fathers) who were impacted by their local pregnancy care center in CO. I am thankful that God is rising up people who are choosing to show compassion and support for young people who find themselves in crisis. Each video testimony given said they truly felt that they treated with the love of God.
We heard a great message at church too -- you can listen to it at kenwoodbaptistchurch.com, then click on Sermon Audio. It was so inspiring, I could barely hold it together through the whole thing! Then we went home and contacted our state representative, who happens to be the speaker of the house, to encourage him to support a bill that would require doctors to show women their ultrasound before performing abortions. What a difference that would make!!!
My husband & I were there for Pastor Brian's sermon. It was so full of emotion. (the movie was heartwrenching) God has been speaking to me about adoption for some time now, but my husband did not feel the same way.....that is until church yesterday! I am so thankful that you & your husband shared your thoughts. He said that through Dan's song, he kept looking up at the screen and seeing the last resolve which was to consider adoption. I know he felt God speaking to him. Thanks for helping make a difference!
After listening to this sermon and watching the video I feel a renewed confirmation to pursue our fourth adoption. We don't know where yet but we are praying for guidence. Also this week my children and I will be making headbands to send to Kari Gibson,(mycrazyadoption) for the girls in Korah. I will contunue to pray for ways for our family to make a difference in a childs life.
Last Sunday we listened to a great sermon of human life. We were able to pick up baby bottles to fill with coins. The money raised benefits Care Net, a local place to help teenage girls make the decision to keep their babies. Also during this sermon, I wrote three pages in my prayer journal begging God to send a sign about adoption. While there was no neon sign, we are considering Ethiopia and a local domestic adoption of bi-racial children. We are in the process of making this life changing choice and it all came apparent on Sunday.
I was there for the wonderful video and your talk with Paster Bill, I can't wait until you bring my Grandchildren home.
Love,
Mom
While I had no idea that Sunday was "Sanctity of Human Life Sunday", I did have the opportunity to encourage and comfort a struggling 14 year old girl that my wife and I care for. She comes from a broken family and has lived with us for the past 2.5 years. She is a born-again Christian and she shared with us the struggles of feeling rejected by her family and yet encouraged by God to be a witness to them of His saving power in her life.
My wife and I were tired and frustrated when she knocked on our door wanting to talk, but we ended the evening humbled by God's goodness and His power to change a life and give hope.
Praise God for Jesus and Grace!
We just started the adoption process to adopt another little boy with special needs from China. He will be our 4th child, 3rd special needs adoption.
Our church had a special meeting (forum) of moms who had abortions in the past. They spoke about the lies they were told and how it has affected their lives.