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Saturday, June 12, 2010

Back again to surrender

It's Saturday morning and when I pull up my computer I get the latest Yahoo news. 
One of the stories that caught my eye tells of a 16 year old girl from California 
who was rescued at sea last week.
Her parent approved attempt to sail around the world alone non-stop was interrupted by the weather.
Family spokesman, Jeff Casher said her vessel was so badly damaged, her attempt to circle the globe was over. "This is the end of the dream. There's no boat to sail," he said.


Many times in our lives we do things on our own, without God and we fail miserably. 
We make choices that can't be undone and we have to live with the consequences of those choices for the rest of our lives. 
And often, instead of allowing God to restore us and be the undeniable center in and of our lives, we believe that our vessels are so badly damaged that any attempt to live for God is impossible. 
And so our journey of being a woman that says Yes to God is interrupted all because we swallow every bite of lies our enemy spoon feeds us that this is the end and there's no boat to sail. 



But what if we stopped believing the smooth talking father of lies and took God at His own Word? 
What if we accepted His offer of grace and forgiveness and made Him the Captain of our wrecked lives? 



I have taken a break from hosting blog book/Bible studies, but now feel the time is right to do another book.
The book chosen for this next study won't be for all of us. 
And honestly, I hope you won't have any reason to join me in this study. 
I hope it's one thing we don't ever have in common. 



The subject matter is one that if we are against it, it is okay make a sign,stand on the corner and let others know your strong beliefs. 
But if you have done it, shame on you and to avoid judgement just keep it quiet and just move on. 


The problem I have with keeping it quiet is that how the heck are we supposed let God use us to help others who may be leaning toward making the same choice you did? 
Because what if our testimony is what gets them to change their mind and choose life over death?

So July 6th I welcome back YES to GOD Tuesday's
 where we meet here every Tuesday to discuss a book 
and the next study is...
a book by author and speaker 

Recently, two young ladies I know made a choice.
Miles apart in different states both were pregnant. 
One I didn't know of her pregnancy until later, one I knew of right away.
One chooses to end life and now cannot bear the consequences of her choice. 
The other one is leaning toward the same choice. 
The one who chose to end life messages the other not to do this and shares her story. 
The mother of the pregnant young lady tells me, "I am desperate to save this baby".
On behalf of her desperation to save her grandchild, the throne room was flooded with prayers 
from all over the country.
Truth of after-horror is shared from women who aborted with the young lady still pregnant.  
Hoping something said would change her mind and heart.


And our God.
He was not unmoved. 
Not by the young lady who chose to abort and now cries to her Savior 
and not by those interceding for the baby still alive.
The pregnant one has made her choice.
She will start off 2011 with changing the diapers of her little one!
And the one left with regret praises God alongside other post-abortion women 
all wishing they had made the choice of life.



Please know that I am not telling you to stand up in church on Sunday and say, 
"Hello, I am So and So and I had an abortion".
But what I do encourage you to do is allow God to use your choice of regret 
to glorify Him instead letting Satan shame you. 
Over and over again.
Perhaps joining this study is exactly where God wants His work to begin in you.
The young lady who aborted never knew my story.
But what if she had...would she have shared with me her fears and 
by hearing of my regret, not made the same choice that I did? 



Here is a description of the book from the author's website:
Many women hide the secret of abortion deep in their hearts, and they are suffering severe consequences. They carry a great burden of shame and failure afraid to reveal their hidden pain, and by doing so are forced to endure the long-lasting effects in isolation. Surrendering the Secret will allow women to release this burden and find freedom through 'redemptive community' while experiencing hope and joy as shame and failure are replaced with beauty.
IT'S TIME TO HEAL THE HEARTBREAK OF ABORTION. 



I will not be leading this study alone. 
I asked my friend Jennifer, author of the blog Spirit of the Truth to join me because her passion for post abortion women is such a threat to the kingdom of darkness. 
She has led many groups through this book in person and at the time of asking her I had no idea of that.
But God knew exactly who we need to help us through this journey.
Learn more about Jennifer here in a very touching blog post called LifeSong.
What I didn't know until after she said "yes", is that she works for the ministry of the author of this book!
Before I e-mailed Jennifer, I had e-mailed Pat asking if she thought this was a book appropriate to do as a blog study or if it had to be done in a group setting in person. 
She said it has never been done before on a blog before but that she thought it was a great idea.
We have her blessing and prayers and she is very excited about it. 



What I love about a blog study is you can participate from the comfort of your own home. 
You can join in and if you have something you want to share except for your identity then you can sign in under "ANONYMOUS" and nobody will have a clue to who you are except your Creator.
If you have any questions regarding a YES to GOD study, on the right side of my blog there is a square button you can push that has all the answer's to FAQ's you can think of. 
Unlike the other studies I've hosted there will not be a sign up for this study.  



Please think about joining Jennifer and I for study and discussion of one chapter each week of 
Pat Layton's book 
Surrendering the Secret. 

Meet here Tuesday, July 6th and have chapter 1 read and ready to discuss.
Invite anyone to join that you know has been down this road before. 
Let your women's ministry at church know. 
You do not have to have a blog to join in.
You never have to join the discussion if you don't feel comfortable. 
But if this study will help you or someone you know please join us.
And watch the message below from Pat Layton and other post-abortion women.

To order your book, click here so you can join us with 
chapter 1 on JULY 6th!

If you need to e-mail me with any questions, you can do so at chealey5@yahoo.com or if you have specific questions regarding the study since she is a leader and is familiar with it, please contact Jennifer at jenniekitt@mac.com


10 comments:

Jennifer said...

YAY!!!! I am so excited for this! God is going to show up BIG TIME!!! He is going to "set the captives free"!!!


Praying for all of the women who will walk this road with us.

Rebecca Jo said...

that is awesome you are taking something people hide & a something that people feel so judged about - something that women have to live with the consequences forever... & you are speaking God's words into it. May God bless you & Jennifer & all who participate in this.

Tammy said...

This is so needed. When the "secret" is hidden we can not live the life that God has intended for us.

I pray that God will bless you and protect you through this time.

Oh by the way, I'm Tammy and I had an abortion 21 years ago but have been set free because I surrender the secret!

love and hugs~Tammy

debbie g said...

This is not a journey I can join you on, but I am praising God with you at the way He orchestrated the whole thing. Lives will be changed, untold numbers probably, and women will be set free. May God bless you as you set out...you will be a thorn in the side of Satan and I pray that God send special protection as you set out on this journey of healing for Him. (I like to say if you are flying so low that Satan can't detect you, you need to fly higher.)

Liz said...

I will certainly be praying for this journey even thought I am not walking it. I will be praying for the freedom of Christ, protection from the enemy, and those who struggle - that they will fully realize they are also covered in God's grace, like those of us who have sins of different sorts.

SimplyDarlene said...

Indeed, this study is a blessing. And isn't it amazing how God weaves us together for the creation of a beautiful healing tapestry? All will be blessed by Jennifer's part in this study.

I made my abortion know at the beginning of the year.
http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2010/01/healing-hearts-part-4.html

And He put this ministry on my heart to start.
http://healingheartsrenewingminds.blogspot.com

Jennifer is one of my Sisters. Sister in Christ. Sister of my heart. Sister of my secret.

May God bless you all. I will be back!

Blessings,
Darlene
aka A Simple Country Girl

Darlene said...

Here I am again, writing from the ministry this time...
just in case someone needs extra hugs, encouragement, Truth, and love. Please come over for a visit. I would be glad to hold your hand and point you to the only One who can heal your heart & renew your mind.

Blessings,
Darlene

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

I'm with Liz in that I am praying for you as you walk this journey. It is a big issue..surrender...no matter the sin we are dealing with. You are a gifted leader and I know God will do mighty things through this study Lelia. Let me give you my memory verse for this week...it is very fitting!!

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever,” (Psalm 73:26).

Love you!

Believing Him~Pamela

Runner Mom said...

This is going to be a great study, sweet friend! I will be praying for you and Jennifer and the girls taking it. Wow!
Love you!
susan

Pat said...

Lelia,
I am so blessed and honored but mostly EXCITED!!! God is going to use your surrender and obedience to heal and restore some sisters. You, sweet friend, are going to be part of a miracle!!
I will be with you each step of the way!
xoxox
Pat