July 18, 2019
Dear friends,
We live in a world of great contrasts, including differences between wealthy and poor and educated and uneducated. Tonight, Karen and I went to see “Unplanned,” which tells the true story of Abby Johnson, who was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, Texas. Ed Hoyer, who is one of the people whom God used to motivate me to serve the Lord in full-time service, sent us an email about this film recently and last Friday, on our way to visit family in Connecticut, the news on the radio included a story of people protesting the showing of this movie in the West Island of Montreal.
Here is what Ed sent in his email: The movie “Unplanned” will be showing from July 12th-18th, in theatres across Canada: CANADA | Abby Johnson | Unplanned Movie. It’s about Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic, now a strong pro-life activist. You can see Abby Johnson’s testimony before the Kentucky Senate this past February 14th at Abby Johnson Kentucky Senate Testimony February 14, 2019. Below is a brief synopsis of the movie:
Unplanned is the inspiring true story of one woman’s journey of transformation. All Abby Johnson ever wanted to do was help women, and she was involved in upwards of 22,000 abortions and counseled countless women about their reproductive choices. Until the day she saw something that changed everything, leading Abby Johnson to join her former enemies at 40 Days For Life, and become one of the most ardent pro-life speakers in America. Unplanned is the most important movie you’ll ever see on the most controversial issue of our time. No matter which side of the fence you’re on, no one will leave this film unmoved by Abby’s journey.
It is hard to imagine the grief that Abby and millions of women in America (and around the world) experienced after having an abortion and realizing that they had been carrying a baby in their womb. One of the many positive messages in the movie is that the people who gathered to pray and speak to the young ladies who are about to enter the clinic learn that their prayers have made a difference and that the clinic in Bryan, Texas will be closed.
Do you sometimes wonder if your prayers for family and friends are making a difference? The Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We may not see “results,” but we can place our confidence in God, as did the author of Psalm 71.
Scripture for the weekend: “For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, Thou art my confidence from my youth. By Thee I have been sustained from my birth; Thou art He who took me from my mother’s womb; my praise is continually of Thee.” Psalm 71:5-6 (NASB)
Thought for the weekend: “If Jesus really was raised from the dead, then the only possible, intellectually honest conclusion one can reach is that he really is who he claimed to be … the Son of God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the Way, the Truth, the Life, and the Wisdom of God, just like he said. And if that’s true, then it makes sense (doesn’t it?) that he probably knows what he’s talking about, and therefore, we ought to listen to him.” – Greg Gilbert (from his book “Why Trust the Bible?”)
By His grace,
Steve