I really have to stop reading the newspapers and watching newsfeeds from mainline media websites, particularly on my day off. I feel like I wandered into a science fiction movie in which everyone but me is a space alien who took over a human body. The pod people are everywhere. They smile, they nod politely, they say “Good morning” just like real people, but, and here’s the key, they don’t get my jokes — that’s how you can tell they’re aliens. I learned this truth from the opening sequence of “Men in Black,” in which Tommy Lee Jones as an agent of an ultra-secret agency accosts what appears to be an illegal Mexican alien, exposing him as an illegal extraterrestrial alien. “Tell ‘em jokes. See if they laugh. If they don’t, they probably just beamed down.” Anyway I digress…I have to stay away from my computer on my day off. It has once again sucked me into the far left zone where thinking logically, sanity and wisdom are as alien as Tommy Lee Jones’ detainee.
I am of course referring to the news this morning that in light of the tragic murder of the abortionist George Tiller the US Attorney General's office has dispatched U.S. Marshals to abortion clinics across the country .
“U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder dispatched the U.S. Marshals Service to protect appropriate people and facilities around the nation” in the wake of the killing Sunday morning of late-term abortion provider Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, Kan.
Likely top candidate for federal protection: Boulder physician Warren Hern, believed to be the last remaining doctor in the world to provide late-term abortions. Hern, director of the Boulder Abortion Clinic, told The Colorado Independent that Tiller’s assassination is the “absolutely inevitable consequence” of decades of anti-abortion fanaticism. “The anti-abortion movement message is, ‘Do what we tell you to do or we will kill you,’ and they do.”
Amanda Marcotte, a columnist for Reproductive Rights web sight calls us, the pro-life , crisis pregnancy movement “wacky, fanatical, ignorant, full of terminal silliness and sheer smallness, foolish, bitter, shrill & silly, circus sideshow, anti-choice nuts, dogma-spouting automatons and a hodge-podge of superstitious nuts.” Other feminists groups are saying this morning that we are “ well-organized, strong, and just as poisonous as ever”…..that we are an extremist movement not just at its extremes, but at its very center.”
The pod people are everywhere!
This is that point in time, when we are being vehemently attacked , ridiculed and hated, when we must recognize that the truth we claim to know matters, even if that truth is unpopular, and even if the propagation and celebration of that truth may put us at odds with those persons and centers of influence and power that dispense prestige and authority in our culture.
As someone much more expressive and moving than I, once said :
“There was a time when the church was very powerful in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society.( italics are mine) Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators." But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often even vocal sanction of things as they are. But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth [and twenty-first] century.”
Those are the challenging words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Of course, now it is up to us... we need to believe that we are a thermostat that can transform the mores of society, ... we need to act like it, and then work to ensure that our culture reflects it . Are you…am I , God-intoxicated?
Well, my fellow warriors and intoxicated ones….the world “out there” will still be wild, mad, wearisome and wonderful, tomorrow, but “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” For today, my eyes are on my boys and the girls they love, and my girl and the boy she loves and my heart is really too full of maternal pride, faith-filled gratitude and all of the usual flurry and activity of summer reunions and weddings to be further disturbed by the aliens around me.
Thank you for keeping the battle weary ( our volunteers and board members) and the harvest( the many lives we are touching each month) in your prayers and on your monthly giving radar. As always, our need is great, but we are confident that He supply is even greater!
Remaining undevourable!
Kathy
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
WALK WITH US!
We are on the threshold of the 2009 Alpha Omega LIFE WALK . The walk is 9 AM on Saturday May 16th with registration at 8:30 am in the parking lot at St. Anthony’s Church. We are asking everyone to step up to the plate and be 'sacrificial givers’. The poverty stronghold in this county must be broken and giving is the best way to defeat it! Amen? Amen!
“Oh, yeah, I’m believing with you! Oh how our Lord delights in taking care of His Bride! And you are soooooo right about breaking the spirit of poverty. We have given more from faith than from abundance throughout the years and we are seeing God bring release to us in the area of finances. It has been my dream, my hope, and my vision to give to Alpha Omega on a regular basis and I see Him bringing us into a place to do that. Blessings!” P.M.
We are so very grateful for dedicated and faithful supporters like P.M . and her family. Will you join her? Will you WALK WITH US? If you have not received a Walker’s pledge collection form in the mail or at your church please contact the Alpha Omega Center 517.437.702. We will get one to you immediately.
With the recently announced cuts in government spending the Human Services programs in Hillsdale County are taking a deep cut. The services offered at Alpha Omega will be more sought after now than ever before. Already we are seeing a huge jump in our numbers. These are desperate times and yet they are tremendously exciting times as we see the hand and the provision of a magnanimous and enormous God.
WALK WITH US! Through this ministry comes the hope and desire to walk alongside, encourage, disciple, and support young people and families throughout our county as they hear God's voice and realize that He is giving THEM vision - He is giving THEM desire - He is giving THEM hope! WALK WITH US!
As I reflect on the word WALK I see hundreds of feet pounding the streets of Hillsdale to show support and raise the desperately needed funds to keep Alpha Omega open. All those feet are “shod” . I doubt if anyone will show up for a 2 mile walk in bare unprotected feet. To 'shod' means to 'shoe', which is a durable covering for the foot. The Bible tells us to “shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” . We are to cover our feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Our feet are to be covered as we go to war against the enemy. Bare feet are fine if you stay hidden away, secure in the proverbial box of comfort and ineffective for the Kingdom of God. But the mere fact that God tells us to shod or cover our feet tells us that we should be prepared for confrontation. No soldier would wear flip-flops to war, leaving the top of his foot exposed ans vulnerable. A flip-flop is not sufficient protective covering as one goes traipsing through the muck and mire of the lost and oppressed as we seek to plant seeds and win souls. A proper shodding or covering for combat has a sturdy leather shank to provide ankle support and protection as one marches through rough terrain. Likewise spiritual support and protection are provided through the preparation of the Gospel, as we face our daily battles to be fought. The hard toe of the warriors boot protects the toes which provide balance to the whole body. Just a physical balance is necessary for physical health and mobility, spiritual balance is required for one's walk with the Lord. Lastly the soles of the a warrior's boot is thick and strong. Thick spiritual soles, just like the physical counterpart of the shoe, aid in warding off offenses that Satan attacks us with as we go through the day. Whereas the thick soles of the boots provide the bottom of the foot with protection from sharp objects that can cut through the skin, the spiritual sole represents our "thick skin" with which we fend off verbal and emotional attacks and abuses that no matter where we walk, the sharp barbs of the enemy cannot penetrate us. Sole up and come WALK WITH US!Soul up and WALK WITH US through this hurting world as Alpha Omega reaches those whose pits seem too deep and too dark to escape...whose pain seems too massive to heal. WALK WITH US into a vision , into a mission, into a daily working and into the victorious ability to obey Him and serve Hope and Healing to a lost and desperate world.
PLEASE WALK WITH US!
Monday, March 30, 2009
HEADLINE: Pro-Abortion Feminist Call for National Protest Day against "Fake" Pregnacy Resource Centers and Clinics.....
"Fake"=designed to deceive or cheat; not real; counterfeit.
"Clinic" =a place, for the treatment of nonresident patients, sometimes at low cost or without charge. Or a class or group convening for instruction or remedial work or for the diagnosis and treatment of specific problems: a reading clinic; a speech clinic; a summer baseball clinic for promising young players. (It would be helpful to note that although many “clinics” are medical the term itself does not denote exclusive “medical” services. )
What is a “fake clinic” ? If a clinic is a place for treatment, instruction or remedial help for a specific need sometimes given at low cost or without charge as described in Webster’s dictionary then a “fake” or “counterfeit” clinic would be a place where none of those things occur. What then are we being accused of?
Are we not a place of “instruction”? If you would talk with any one of the hundreds of women and men who have graduated from our Earn While You Learn Parenting classes
you would hear about the lessons on bonding with your newborn, First Aid, Infant massage, and how to baby–proof your home. They would tell you about the hours of instruction and videos and books made available to them on discipline, toilet training , baby’s sleep habits and more! They would share with you about the loving mentors who have become life friends who walked with them through their pregnancy, delivery and sleepless nights with a newborn.
Our clients receive “instruction” on many things while they are in our clinic. Instruction is offered on fetal development, prenatal care, abortion procedures, adoption options, post abortion and miscarriage grief and support groups. They are offered instruction and information on STIs , the ingredients of healthy relationships…sexual wholeness…and the value of life
Are we not then perhaps meeting a specific need? We specifically offer “free pregnancy tests” and when a women steps through our doors and requests a pregnancy test there is no deception or counterfeit or "unreal" gimmick offered to her. She is offered a hospital grade diagnostic tool for the quantitative determination of hCG to aid in the early determination of pregnancy.
Are we not then perhaps meeting our clients needs for material assistance? I think not. Over 75 women each month receive free diapers , formula, wipes and clothing from our center.
What then are we being accused of by the Feminist Majority Alliance?
That we are ..gasp!!! Anti-abortion?! You betcha!! But Anti-choice? Puh-Leaz!
What's so anti-choice about Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center’s work to promote holistic, woman-centered solutions - including material assistance , education, caring friendship and hope?
AOWCC is all about choices - so that no woman feels that she has no choice but abortion.
Which choice is it that FMA doesn't support? Marital parenthood? Partnered parenthood? Single parenthood? Or the various adoption options that birthmothers choose as best for themselves and their children?
No, FMA, we are not anti-choice. We are all about choices, and trying to marginalize our work to address the unmet needs of women and the "rest of the choices" by slamming the dedicated work of the more than 3,000 Pregnancy Care “clinics” across this nation as somehow fake and unsavory is just par for the Feminists Pro-abortion course.
Invitation
To: all Feminists Majority Members
When: April 13th
Feel free to show up and protest at the
“For Real” Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center
We’ll have enough home-made Chocolate Chip Cookies,
hope and joy for everyone!
Kathy Beckwith / CEO
Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center
46 S. Howell St.
Hillsdale, MI.
"Fake"=designed to deceive or cheat; not real; counterfeit.
"Clinic" =a place, for the treatment of nonresident patients, sometimes at low cost or without charge. Or a class or group convening for instruction or remedial work or for the diagnosis and treatment of specific problems: a reading clinic; a speech clinic; a summer baseball clinic for promising young players. (It would be helpful to note that although many “clinics” are medical the term itself does not denote exclusive “medical” services. )
What is a “fake clinic” ? If a clinic is a place for treatment, instruction or remedial help for a specific need sometimes given at low cost or without charge as described in Webster’s dictionary then a “fake” or “counterfeit” clinic would be a place where none of those things occur. What then are we being accused of?
Are we not a place of “instruction”? If you would talk with any one of the hundreds of women and men who have graduated from our Earn While You Learn Parenting classes
you would hear about the lessons on bonding with your newborn, First Aid, Infant massage, and how to baby–proof your home. They would tell you about the hours of instruction and videos and books made available to them on discipline, toilet training , baby’s sleep habits and more! They would share with you about the loving mentors who have become life friends who walked with them through their pregnancy, delivery and sleepless nights with a newborn.
Our clients receive “instruction” on many things while they are in our clinic. Instruction is offered on fetal development, prenatal care, abortion procedures, adoption options, post abortion and miscarriage grief and support groups. They are offered instruction and information on STIs , the ingredients of healthy relationships…sexual wholeness…and the value of life
Are we not then perhaps meeting a specific need? We specifically offer “free pregnancy tests” and when a women steps through our doors and requests a pregnancy test there is no deception or counterfeit or "unreal" gimmick offered to her. She is offered a hospital grade diagnostic tool for the quantitative determination of hCG to aid in the early determination of pregnancy.
Are we not then perhaps meeting our clients needs for material assistance? I think not. Over 75 women each month receive free diapers , formula, wipes and clothing from our center.
What then are we being accused of by the Feminist Majority Alliance?
That we are ..gasp!!! Anti-abortion?! You betcha!! But Anti-choice? Puh-Leaz!
What's so anti-choice about Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center’s work to promote holistic, woman-centered solutions - including material assistance , education, caring friendship and hope?
AOWCC is all about choices - so that no woman feels that she has no choice but abortion.
Which choice is it that FMA doesn't support? Marital parenthood? Partnered parenthood? Single parenthood? Or the various adoption options that birthmothers choose as best for themselves and their children?
No, FMA, we are not anti-choice. We are all about choices, and trying to marginalize our work to address the unmet needs of women and the "rest of the choices" by slamming the dedicated work of the more than 3,000 Pregnancy Care “clinics” across this nation as somehow fake and unsavory is just par for the Feminists Pro-abortion course.
Invitation
To: all Feminists Majority Members
When: April 13th
Feel free to show up and protest at the
“For Real” Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center
We’ll have enough home-made Chocolate Chip Cookies,
hope and joy for everyone!
Kathy Beckwith / CEO
Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center
46 S. Howell St.
Hillsdale, MI.
Monday, March 2, 2009
They are so afraid of us and the impact we are having on their cash cow they have organized a day against us. It would be funny if it weren't so sad.
Feminist Majority Network (FMN), a pro-abortion organization has launched an effort called the "Campaign to Expose Fake Clinics."Their goal is to shut down Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) and prevent them from advertising on college campuses. Simply put, they are afraid of the knowledge CPCs offer women. They don't want word to get out that abortion kills children and harms women.FMN posts on their website about CPCs: "Some fake clinics coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and prevent women from receiving neutral and comprehensive medical advice. They are typically run by anti-abortion volunteers who are not licensed medical professionals."Now, they have declared April 13th National Crisis Pregnancy Center Protest Day.Crisis Pregnancy Centers need you to fight back and be their voice on campus!Take Action Now! - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54106684874&ref=mf1) Organize a group to volunteer for your local CPC on April 13th. .2) Advertise the resources your local CPC offers at your school.3) Bring the director of your local CPC to campus as a speaker.4) Defend the right of CPCs to advertise on at your school.
On April 13th spread the word...Abortion is the problem NOT the answer!!
Feminist Majority Network (FMN), a pro-abortion organization has launched an effort called the "Campaign to Expose Fake Clinics."Their goal is to shut down Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) and prevent them from advertising on college campuses. Simply put, they are afraid of the knowledge CPCs offer women. They don't want word to get out that abortion kills children and harms women.FMN posts on their website about CPCs: "Some fake clinics coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and prevent women from receiving neutral and comprehensive medical advice. They are typically run by anti-abortion volunteers who are not licensed medical professionals."Now, they have declared April 13th National Crisis Pregnancy Center Protest Day.Crisis Pregnancy Centers need you to fight back and be their voice on campus!Take Action Now! - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54106684874&ref=mf1) Organize a group to volunteer for your local CPC on April 13th. .2) Advertise the resources your local CPC offers at your school.3) Bring the director of your local CPC to campus as a speaker.4) Defend the right of CPCs to advertise on at your school.
On April 13th spread the word...Abortion is the problem NOT the answer!!
John Ensor in his book Answering the Call wrote the following:
“Every church in America can and should be partnering with its local pregnancy resource center. While many other arenas cry out for action and attention, this should be first on the list.
There are two reasons I suggest this. First, all abortion is local; it befalls one woman at a time. Frightened mothers who are planning to abort their babies tomorrow are agonizing tonight in their homes in our neighborhoods. Second, the Great Commandment calls us to love our neighbors. A woman in an unplanned pregnancy is truly frightened and feels that her life is ending…not physically, but emotionally and spiritually; her life as she had projected it seems threatened. Strange and perverse as their end is, abortionist parrot the same message that Christ offers to those in trouble: ‘Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you…’ ( Matt 11:28-29) Abortionist promise deliverance, but the ‘rest’ they provide is death itself.
We have a special duty as the Christian community to refute the false mercy of the abortion industry, especially, and primarily in our neighborhoods. We know the TRUE Rescuer, the TRUE Savior, The One who gives life and nourishes it, and the One who is eminently trustworthy to provide daily bread as well as forgiveness of sins. We , in His name, should be broadcasting in every neighborhood across the land, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened ( by an unplanned pregnancy). Take my yoke (the Way ,the Truth and the Life I have found in Christ)and learn from me, for our God is gentle and humble in heart ( neither harsh nor condemning) and you will find rest for your souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light’ .”
In practice the best way to bring this wonderful message and winsome invitation to the abortion vulnerable women in Hillsdale County is to partner with the Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center. Day after day we provide mothers in pregnancy distress the support they need to prepare for parenting or adoption . We saw more than 80 clients last month and gave away over 2,000 free diapers and close to 100 baby outfits. But statistics tell us there were still 4.5 babies in Hillsdale who lost their lives on an abortionist’s table last month . With a little more help we could reach those women. With a few more Adopt A Day Partners, with a few more churches giving from their mission’s budgets every month , with a few more volunteers ready to mentor, raise funds and serve on the board we can reach those women caught in the most traumatic time of their life.
As someone who has served in this ministry for 23 years I can assure you that for those churches and individuals who break their silence and put neighborly love into action they will discover that the old truism is still true “There is joy in serving Jesus”
“Every church in America can and should be partnering with its local pregnancy resource center. While many other arenas cry out for action and attention, this should be first on the list.
There are two reasons I suggest this. First, all abortion is local; it befalls one woman at a time. Frightened mothers who are planning to abort their babies tomorrow are agonizing tonight in their homes in our neighborhoods. Second, the Great Commandment calls us to love our neighbors. A woman in an unplanned pregnancy is truly frightened and feels that her life is ending…not physically, but emotionally and spiritually; her life as she had projected it seems threatened. Strange and perverse as their end is, abortionist parrot the same message that Christ offers to those in trouble: ‘Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you…’ ( Matt 11:28-29) Abortionist promise deliverance, but the ‘rest’ they provide is death itself.
We have a special duty as the Christian community to refute the false mercy of the abortion industry, especially, and primarily in our neighborhoods. We know the TRUE Rescuer, the TRUE Savior, The One who gives life and nourishes it, and the One who is eminently trustworthy to provide daily bread as well as forgiveness of sins. We , in His name, should be broadcasting in every neighborhood across the land, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened ( by an unplanned pregnancy). Take my yoke (the Way ,the Truth and the Life I have found in Christ)and learn from me, for our God is gentle and humble in heart ( neither harsh nor condemning) and you will find rest for your souls. For His yoke is easy and His burden is light’ .”
In practice the best way to bring this wonderful message and winsome invitation to the abortion vulnerable women in Hillsdale County is to partner with the Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center. Day after day we provide mothers in pregnancy distress the support they need to prepare for parenting or adoption . We saw more than 80 clients last month and gave away over 2,000 free diapers and close to 100 baby outfits. But statistics tell us there were still 4.5 babies in Hillsdale who lost their lives on an abortionist’s table last month . With a little more help we could reach those women. With a few more Adopt A Day Partners, with a few more churches giving from their mission’s budgets every month , with a few more volunteers ready to mentor, raise funds and serve on the board we can reach those women caught in the most traumatic time of their life.
As someone who has served in this ministry for 23 years I can assure you that for those churches and individuals who break their silence and put neighborly love into action they will discover that the old truism is still true “There is joy in serving Jesus”
UPDATES and NEWS:
*The Alpha Omega 2009 Walk for Life will be Saturday May 16th. ( the Saturday after Mother’s Day)
Volunteers are needed to: Serve on the Organizing Committee
Walk/ Collect Sponsors
Pledge Monies/Be a Sponsor ( Corporate/Business as well as Individual)
Act as a Liaison to involve your church
Call the Center at 517.437.7020 to volunteer or get more information
*The Lobby at the Center is getting a new look. Thank you to Mark and Vickie Marino ( Lakeview UB) Steve Wismar ( Bird Lake Bible) and the Goal ,Soar, and Students for Life at Hillsdale College for getting all the old paper stripped off.
*The CATS team has 4 presentations scheduled so far this spring. The available slots are filling in quickly. If you would like a CATS (Concerned About Teen Sexuality) presentation at your school/church or Youth Group activity please call the Center 517.437.7020
*THANK YOU to the Lakeview UB church and Pastor Steve for editing and printing our new Earn While You Learn brochures. The new updated, brightly colored , appealing brochures may be one reason why our EWYL numbers have taken a big jump this past month!
*Congratulations to the volunteers who made it through the Orientation and Training Seminar on Feb 7th. They represented Hillsdale City Church , St Anthony’s and Lakeview UB. There will be another Orientation and Training day scheduled in April. We will get the date and time posted as soon as the information is available.
*Announcing the creation of an Alpha Omega Auxiliary operating on Hillsdale College Campus. This will be primarily a vehicle to educate and involve Hillsdale College students in the activities and mission of the Center. Thank you to Hannah Faldorf ( Countryside Bible Church) for her vision and tenacious leadership in getting this going.
l Please Pray:
For the health of several of our counselors/volunteers
For Emily and Josh Cook and their daughter Aggie
For direction , courage and stamina for our Board and their upcoming vision meeting
For “Elaine” who has made the loving decision to investigate the Adoption- Option for her baby.
For our continuing need for more board members and finances
Thank you for your dedication to life and your commitment to be “undevourable” with us!
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Friday, February 13, 2009
With tomorrow being Valentine’s Day, I thought it would be appropriate to put out an alternative message on the most romantic day of the year; the message, which we work hard to proclaim at the Alpha Omega Women’s Care Center; the message of abstinence and purity. Our current culture fosters strong hostility to this message of traditional values and it has produced shocking statistics regarding the state of our youth.
· Each day, some 8,000 American teens are infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Moreover, two-thirds of the 10 million new cases of STD’s this year will be among the 14-25 years old age group.
· Early sexual experience will result in more than 1 million teenage girls becoming pregnant this year. From this group, many will choose to have an abortion. Some 20 percent of the 1.3 to 1.5 million abortions in America each year are performed on teenagers.
· According to the CDC, the most common sexually transmitted disease called human papilloma virus is not being stopped by condoms. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in females and can cause cancer in men’s genitalia as well. Chlamydia and herpes only have a 50% rate of protection with correct condom use during every sexual act.
· Condoms offer no protection if the infection (STD) is located outside the area covered by the condom. (CDC, 2004)
· Four out of 10 teenage girls are infected with at least one STD the first time they have sex. (Ed Oliver, “Parents are Well Equipped to Protect Kids from STD Epidemic,” MassNews.com, April 16, 2003)
· CDC estimates that 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24. (Weinstock H, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004;36(1):6-10.)
· IN HILLSDALE COUNTY BY 11TH GRADE 49.4% OF ALL OUR TEENS ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE!
The message that the Alpha Omega Center’s CATS (Concerned About Teen Sexuality) team takes to the schools, youth groups and camps is that practicing abstinence-until-marriage is the ONLY 100% effective way to avoid all these negative consequences. CATS is an abstinence education program that reaches our area teens and teaches the healthiest choice for anyone is abstinence-until-marriage. Only abstinence guarantees that you will avoid unwanted pregnancies, STI/STDs, and the heartache of casual sex.
Unfortunately, our teens have grown up in a “Sex and the City” culture which preaches that as long as there is mutual respect they can fulfill their own desires anyway they choose. The new God is named “Pleasure” and many respected educators and health professionals are touting its doctrine by teaching that it's unhealthy to restrain ourselves and deny the sexual desires that we have for each other. We should indulge in what feels good and live our lives for ourselves.
This is of course contrary to all that Jesus Christ teaches us about life. The scripture teaches us in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I, who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
We must live our lives for Christ and not for ourselves or for our selfish desires. Many of us forget this principle when it comes to our physical relationships, but truly unhealthy behavior is living our lives for ourselves, including engaging in sexual activity outside of the covenant of marriage. We all know that there are so many pitfalls to promiscuous sexual behavior such as STDs, unwed pregnancies, heartbreak and brokenness. The world seems to try so hard to come up with false hope and protection from these dangers, but the answer is simple.
If we truly act in love and treat sex as it was intended, then we can avoid these dangers along with a need for false safety nets. If we truly act in love we can experience sex in the way God intended it, which is the most beautiful expression of our love to each other.
Happy Valentines Day!
· Each day, some 8,000 American teens are infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Moreover, two-thirds of the 10 million new cases of STD’s this year will be among the 14-25 years old age group.
· Early sexual experience will result in more than 1 million teenage girls becoming pregnant this year. From this group, many will choose to have an abortion. Some 20 percent of the 1.3 to 1.5 million abortions in America each year are performed on teenagers.
· According to the CDC, the most common sexually transmitted disease called human papilloma virus is not being stopped by condoms. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in females and can cause cancer in men’s genitalia as well. Chlamydia and herpes only have a 50% rate of protection with correct condom use during every sexual act.
· Condoms offer no protection if the infection (STD) is located outside the area covered by the condom. (CDC, 2004)
· Four out of 10 teenage girls are infected with at least one STD the first time they have sex. (Ed Oliver, “Parents are Well Equipped to Protect Kids from STD Epidemic,” MassNews.com, April 16, 2003)
· CDC estimates that 19 million new infections occur each year, almost half of them among young people ages 15 to 24. (Weinstock H, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health 2004;36(1):6-10.)
· IN HILLSDALE COUNTY BY 11TH GRADE 49.4% OF ALL OUR TEENS ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE!
The message that the Alpha Omega Center’s CATS (Concerned About Teen Sexuality) team takes to the schools, youth groups and camps is that practicing abstinence-until-marriage is the ONLY 100% effective way to avoid all these negative consequences. CATS is an abstinence education program that reaches our area teens and teaches the healthiest choice for anyone is abstinence-until-marriage. Only abstinence guarantees that you will avoid unwanted pregnancies, STI/STDs, and the heartache of casual sex.
Unfortunately, our teens have grown up in a “Sex and the City” culture which preaches that as long as there is mutual respect they can fulfill their own desires anyway they choose. The new God is named “Pleasure” and many respected educators and health professionals are touting its doctrine by teaching that it's unhealthy to restrain ourselves and deny the sexual desires that we have for each other. We should indulge in what feels good and live our lives for ourselves.
This is of course contrary to all that Jesus Christ teaches us about life. The scripture teaches us in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I, who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
We must live our lives for Christ and not for ourselves or for our selfish desires. Many of us forget this principle when it comes to our physical relationships, but truly unhealthy behavior is living our lives for ourselves, including engaging in sexual activity outside of the covenant of marriage. We all know that there are so many pitfalls to promiscuous sexual behavior such as STDs, unwed pregnancies, heartbreak and brokenness. The world seems to try so hard to come up with false hope and protection from these dangers, but the answer is simple.
If we truly act in love and treat sex as it was intended, then we can avoid these dangers along with a need for false safety nets. If we truly act in love we can experience sex in the way God intended it, which is the most beautiful expression of our love to each other.
Happy Valentines Day!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Opportunities and Challenges for 2009
As we stand on the threshold of a new year we wonder, what is in store for us in 2009? What will be our opportunities, our blessings and our challenges?
To demonstrate the opportunities within this ministry and the many blessings that have been realized, here are some interesting statistics:
Over 40,000 people have walked into our center since our doors opened in 1986.
Nearly 24,000 of these people have been unchurched
Clearly we work with a large group of people who deal with some serious problems. We try to help them with their problems, but the real benefit of this ministry is found in the sharing of the Gospel with them. For instance, we provide free pregnancy testing, but we also tell them about the free gift of salvation already won for us through Jesus Christ. We provide pamphlets on fetal development but also hand out the New Testament. We show compassion to those who are scared or confused but we also share the comfort and hope that is found in Jesus Christ.
We recognize these tremendous blessings, but at the same time are aware of current and future hurdles to overcome. For example, a free pregnancy test is no longer as appealing as in the past since every pharmacy and dollar store now sells them. In order to survive, our center had to make adjustments. Now, in addition to free pregnancy tests, we offer free clothing, diapers, cribs, and formula to assist women . We also offer mentoring and parenting programs. These added programs offer practical assistance and build relationships in the process. When you consider that 2 in 3 of our visitors are non-Christians, one recognizes the importance of this ministry and the opportunities we have to continue reaching out and blessing others with the precious Gospel.
The beginning of a new year is also a challenge. We instinctively desire to believe the New Year will bring opportunities that will grow into new prosperity, new health, and a revitalization of all that has become old and tired. But the hard boiled pragmatist in all of us urges us to be cautious and not expect too much. As Christ followers involved in a ministry that requires 110% and at times can be heartbreaking and emotionally and financially draining, how do we straddle the gap between the pragmatist and the enthusiast? I say we do it with one wild ,arm flailing , “Geronimo” shouting, jump into our supply!
Phil. 1:19 “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
The challenge for 2009 is to tap into our supernatural Source of Power. Rick Renner in his book Sparkling Gems from the Greek tells us the word “supply” in that verse is the Greek word epichoregeo. It is an ancient word that literally means on behalf of the choir . Initially this sounds peculiar and a strange choice of words. However the meaning behind this phrase makes this verse very exciting!
As Rick Renner explains “ Thousands of years ago in classical Greece, a huge choral and dramatic company practiced endlessly for a huge important theatrical performance. After they put in a great amount of time, effort, energy and practice it as finally time for the show to go on the road. But there was one major problem…..they ran out of money!
These people had given up their lives to this production. They had committed all their resources to making sure the performance succeeded. But because they ran out of financing it meant the show was over…finished! They were washed up before the show ever officially got started. From all appearances, it was the end of the road for them and their dream.
At that exact moment, a wealthy man heard of their crisis, stepped into the middle of their situation and made a huge financial contribution on behalf of the choir. This contribution supplied all they needed to get back in business again! In fact, the gift the man gave was so enormous that it was more than they needed or knew how to spend! This man’s contribution was excessively large, abundant, overflowing and overwhelming”
This is the “supply” that Paul is referring to in Philippians. This means, when the pragmatist says I am out of steam; I’ve given all I can give; the resources are completely drained; we need to accept the reality of the situation…….that is exactly the moment that Jesus Christ becomes our personal benefactor! Like the wealthy man in the Greek story, Jesus steps into our circumstances to donate a massive, overwhelming, generous contribution of the Spirit’s power……and guarantees that it will be more than enough to get the show on the road and keep the show on the road! Our prayer and our confession in 2009, for the AO Center and for everyone associated with the Center is that in Christ we will find a supply so large we could never even begin to use it all! That all of us are refilled and recharged with the Spirit of God; that there is no lack of strength in us because Jesus continuously provides a huge supply that empowers us to achieve everything we need to do. There are no excuses for us to fail or stop short of the goals God has given us because in the Spirit of God there is enough supernatural strength and power to energize us to accomplish our divine assignments!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Phil. 1:19 “For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.”
What we are believing God will supply for the AO Center through your prayers and His supply:
Volunteer counselor/helpliners and receptionists for our clinic as well as help with data entry, filing, mailings, and special events.
Board Members with a passion for the ministry of Alpha Omega and a strong work ethic.
An ultrasound machine ($25,000-$30,000)
A Medical Doctor who will volunteer to be our Medical Director with oversight for the limited ultrasounds we perform
The additional finances needed ( $2,000 /month ) to add free STI testing to our services ( currently STI is offered at the Health Dept. where there is a Planned Parenthood office in the same building)
$1,000 gift to finish the lobby facelift
More churches and individuals who will partner with us as monthly supporters or as Adopt A Day Sponsors
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