CONCEPTIONS: I Would NEVER Have An Abortion

This is a comment someone made on a thread on my Facebook wall with regard to my book "Conceptions" which is coming out in April (hopefully). I want to tell you, I don't think it was made purposefully to be hurtful, but I wanted to use it to teach ya'll something.

"I just want to say, I have had two unplanned pregnancies and I would NEVER have an abortion."

It was typed just like that... and like I said, I don't think the comment was meant to be unkind, judgmental or disrespectful but unfortunately, in my mind, this is the kind of statement that can make a person who HAS made the decision to abort (for whatever reason) feel very judged.

We need to remember that everything that comes out of our mouths has the potential to praise or pause a person. When we discuss touchy subjects, we need to remember that not everyone feels the same way we do. Or maybe, they do feel the way we do BUT had circumstances arise in their life that made them choose something they normally wouldn't have... and that hurts deeply.

Today is Good Friday 2016, the day we remember Jesus' sacrifice... His life traded for ours. His perfectness given for our imperfections. His anguish in exchange for our eternal pleasure in heaven. His gift of full forgiveness.

Some women who have abortions do not struggle over that decision... but many do. Many are deeply regretful and shamed to the point of it being THE secret of their life, forever tormenting them and keeping them from accepting the full forgiveness Jesus sacrificed for. When others intentionally OR unintentionally remind them of that shame through statements such as the one above, all it does is make them want to push that secret deeper within their soul in an effort to keep it hidden. A pain hidden in the dark festers and the longer is festers, the farther it becomes from the light.

If you are a Christian and believe that Jesus truly died for all of our sins... all people, all sins... please, be mindful with your words that they aren't pushing the shame of the sin deeper into the darkness, but instead shine love on the hurting so the light can bring them freedom.

Your opinion will most likely not change someone's heart but your love just might.

30 BELOW: Entirely Inappropriate

Here is a review I received today from a reader of 30 Below:
 
"I was unable to read this book as the sexual content was so graphic. The book opens with graphic sex when a "Christian" couple has sex on the first night they meet. I fast forwarded to close to the end. From reading reviews, I understand the author has the same couple abstain from sex, yet there are many lustful references and remarks that are entirely inappropriate. The "Christian" characters also used inappropriate language. I advise anyone who is seeking holiness and to please God to avoid this."
 

Here's what I have to say... in 1 Corinthians Chapter 9 Apostle Paul says this:


¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

As a Christian, I refuse to pretend people having sex the night they meet doesn't happen. It happens. Ignoring the fact it happens is one of the reasons our society has gone sex crazy. The reality of this makes me sad and it is exactly why I wrote this book, to tackle a tough subject and to explain the why to a world that doesn't seem to understand the why.

I write for God, I follow what He tells me to do.  Just as I can not be effective in a Spanish speaking country unless I speak Spanish, I can not be effective to my audience unless I am relateable. The people I am trying to reach with God's love smell judgment from a mile away and have no interest in becoming judgmental. Unfortunately, that's what Christians look like to a lot of people. 

Not everyone is going to like my approach and that is okay, I get it. But that doesn't mean it's bad. I'm trying to do something in an effort to help improve some of the societal problems that exist today instead of ignoring them and keeping God's goodness all to myself. God loves all of us. ALL OF US! Even people who use bad language and have sex outside of marriage. Does His love make it okay for us to do whatever we want... NO! But Jesus died to rescue ALL of us. I'm reaching with His hand in hopes to touching the pained.

Lastly... there was a very clear warning about this book. I'm sorry it was missed by this reader but this is what it said:

CONTENT WARNING: While this book is Christian in theme, it contains strong sexual content and language.

Oh - and I pray this reader doesn't even attempt to read Seeds... God help us all if she does.

Have a great night everyone!