Actor Jack Nicholson’s Big Pro-Life Surprise

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

For You To Think About

Jack NicholsonThree-time Academy Award winner Jack Nicholson (b. 1937) is a living Hollywood legend, known for his work as an actor, writer, director, and producer. Nicholson’s twelve Oscar nominations make him the second most-nominated actor of all time.

Yet in a departure from the widespread Hollywood mindset, Nicholson is staunchly pro-life. His mother, a showgirl, became pregnant with Nicholson as a teenager. Although her pregnancy was 75 years ago, she was encouraged to have an abortion. Instead, she chose life for her son. Nicholson was raised by his grandparents. It wasn’t until he was in his mid-thirties that Nicholson discovered his “sister” was actually his biological mother.

“I’m very contra my constituency in terms of abortion because I’m positively against it,” said Nicholson. “I don’t have the right to any other view. My only emotion is gratitude, literally, for my life.”

It may be a surprise that a Hollywood icon so boldly expressed this kind of gratitude and courage. Nicholson’s sentiment reveals a deep respect for the gift of life. At the same time, the actor demonstrated courage taking a stand so contrary to Hollywood’s unrelenting endorsement of choice.

God’s truth is stronger than the illusory power of the world’s institutions like the movie industry. That truth has prevailed in the issue of life for Jack Nicholson.

For You To Pray

Loving Father,
Thank You for Your truth: life is precious. Move in not only the movie industry, but also the rest of our nation, to value life and appreciate it. Give both celebrities and the not-so-famous the courage to stand for life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More Pro-Life Celebrity Stories

All-Star Player Supports Pregnant Teenager

Star Trek Captain Shares Her Story as a Birth Mom

Superstar Tenor Shares His Story to Encourage Birth Moms

 

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All-Star Player Supports Pregnant Teenager

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

A generous man will himself be blessed. (Proverbs 22:9)

For You To Think About

Mike Sweeney and family

Mike Sweeney and family

Nineteen-year-old Virginia Hansen was pregnant. Family, friends, and even the father of her baby turned on her. She didn’t know how she could put food on the table and support her son, so she scheduled an abortion. However, on the way to the clinic, she pulled over to the curb crying, knowing she had to save her child.

Virginia ended up speaking with a volunteer named Shara at a pregnancy care center and made the courageous choice for life.

Shara and her husband, Kansas City Royals captain and Player of the Year Mike Sweeney, not only supported Virginia throughout her pregnancy, but also honored her with their foundation’s first Life Award. Virginia received gift certificates, baby items, and a $5,000 check to purchase a car.

Supporting Virginia “is probably one of the greatest things that I have done in my life,” said Mike Sweeney, named five times to the All-Star team.

For You To Pray

Lord of life,
Thank you for caring people like the Sweeneys who support those who face an unplanned pregnancy. Please continue to raise up those with a passion for life to become Birthmothers Friends.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More Stories of Support

Katey’s Story: “Support Gave Me Options”

Alanna’s Story: “Support Helped Me Choose Life”

Rebecca’s Story: “People Supported Me. I Wanted to Give Back.”

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Loneliness Puts Pregnant Women At Risk

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

Love one another deeply, from the heart.
(1 Peter 1:22)

For You To Think About

lonely womanPsychologists cite three primary sources of loneliness. Pregnant women are significantly exposed to all three.

1. Situational loneliness: driven by outward circumstances – the discovery of an
unplanned pregnancy, for instance

2. Developmental loneliness: driven by the struggle to balance independence and intimacy. A pregnant woman may grapple with defining her relationship with the birth father or her parents.

3. Internal loneliness: driven by feelings, such as low self-esteem and vulnerability.

A lonely and isolated woman is at greater risk for choosing abortion than a woman who has a strong support system.

You can’t change a woman’s circumstances. You can’t define her relationships or remove her shame. But you can show her love … and let her know she is not alone.

For You To Pray

Heavenly Father,
Give me the opportunity to show a pregnant woman love and acceptance.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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A Friend Loves Long-Distance

Posted on June 21, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

A friend loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17)

For You To Think About

One-on-one pregnancy support can be long-distance.

Jocelyn’s family wanted to keep her pregnancy a secret. They pressured her to get an abortion. Because Jocelyn was isolated, she had no one to talk to about her struggles. She found Birthmothers online and was connected with a Friend who supported her by email.

Karenna was pregnant and incarcerated. She could communicate with others only by snail mail. She was matched with a Friend who wrote to her twice a week, providing support and practical help.

Brooke worked 60 hours a week and was raising her first child when she found out she was unexpectedly pregnant. There wasn’t time to meet face-to-face with someone for support, but she texted and talked on the phone with her Birthmothers Friend every day.

Today’s technology allows Birthmothers Friends to provide support by phone, email, and texts. In many cases, Friends and their matched women lives hundreds of miles apart. A Friend loves at all times … and in all places.

For You To Pray

Gracious Father,
Your love never fails. Thank you that a pregnant woman can experience the unconditional love of a Friend no matter where she may live. Move women to seek to be matched for pregnancy support.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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What NOT to Say to a Pregnant Woman

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:3, NIV)

For You To Think About

woman on smartphone“I’m pregnant and I think I am going to have an abortion.”

Figuring out what to say in response may be a lot easier than knowing what not to say.

One temptation you may face with those in crisis is the desire to jump in and “fix” her problem. You may use words like “You should …” or “I know how you feel …”

Neither statement is true, no matter however well-meaning. “Shoulds” are blanket solutions that may or may not be right for everyone. And while you may know why she has certain feelings (you may relate from personal experience), you cannot thoroughly know what she is experiencing. Both these sets of words are shared from your point of view.

When emotions are high, a woman’s greatest needs are to be heard and to feel heard. Use words that approach her situation from her point of view instead, not yours.

Let her be heard. Reflect back to her what she shared. “I hear you saying … Did I understand you correctly?”

Let her feel heard. Acknowledge her feelings as consistent with the situation. “I can see why this is overwhelming … It is a difficult situation for sure …”

This kind of language focuses on the effect of the situation on her. She will feel she is heard when you affirm what she has expressed.

For You To Pray

Heavenly Father,
Give me words to say to a pregnant woman that affirm her and her feelings. Set a guard over my mouth when I may be tempted to use words that share my point of view. Let me focus on her needs.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More Words That Speak Life

Affirmation: Your Words to a Pregnant Woman are a Prized Treasure

The Power of Positive Adoption Language

Do You Speak Life Into Her Life?

 

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Power of Positive Adoption Language

Posted on June 14, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

For You To Think About

2 people talkingThe words we choose when communicating about adoption carry a great deal of weight. If we use positive adoption language, we communicate that adoption is a positive way to build a family. These kinds of words offer support to adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. Negative language tears down the adoption process, but even more so the people involved.

Some examples of sensitive language

Take, for instance, the phrases, “place a child for adoption” versus “give up a child for adoption.” Placing a child involves a thoughtful, deliberate process in which the birth parent evaluates all known factors before making an adoption plan.  In our culture, by contrast, to “give up” is to admit defeat.

Likewise, it’s not uncommon to hear the term “real parent” when referring to a child’s birth parent or biological parent. Yet that term invalidates the very special – and very real – role that a birth parent fills.

Positive adoption language can also stop the spread of misconceptions and educate others about adoption. Even more, we show respect for adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families by using positive adoption language.

For You To Pray

Gracious Father,
The tongue can speak life and truth when governed by You. Let me to use positive language to support adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. Let the words of my mouth build up others and help them understand adoption in a more complete way.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Affirmation: Your Words Are a Prized Treasure

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. (Luke 2:19, NKJV)

For You To Think About

woman in shadowMary’s pregnancy and the birth of her first-born Son were controversial. She endured whispers behind her back, wagging tongues, and even a leader who sought to murder her infant.

Yet there were also those in her life who celebrated with Mary: Elizabeth, the shepherds, and the Magi. After she had given birth and the visitors had left, we’re told that “Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Some translations say “Mary treasured these things,” meaning she prized them. In the best of circumstances, encouragement and affirmation run in short supply. During a time of challenge they may be nonexistent. A show of support in the wake of an unplanned pregnancy is highly valued.

Mothers and mothers-to-be gain great encouragement in reviewing the shows of support they receive, no matter the source. As “Mary kept all these things in her heart,” she could review the Elizabeth’s affirmation, the shepherds’ wonder, and the Magis’ reverence.

Reviewing words of affirmation gives courage to press on.

Elizabeth, the shepherds, and the Magi affirmed Mary’s role in bringing a life into the world. How could they know they were giving a woman who faced an unplanned pregnancy a long-lasting fodder to persevere?

When you affirm and encourage a pregnant woman, you do the same.

For You To Pray

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of life. Give me an opportunity to affirm a woman or man who faces an unplanned pregnancy. Let that encouragement be long-lasting inspiration to press on.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Thank You to All the Birth Dads Out There

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Twisk

For You From The Word

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children.
(Malachi 4:6)

For You To Think About

Dad holding baby sitting outsidePosted on an online adoption discussion board.

“I feel birth dads are very much ignored in the adoption equation. I am an adoptive dad and know the adoption process is as sacrificial for the birth dad as for the birth mom. Our daughter’s birth dad has been very involved in the adoption process – as much as all the other parties. As a matter of fact, he will be spending this weekend with us. Our daughter is very excited.

“I want say thank you to all the birth dads out there.”

For You To Pray

Gracious Father,
Move birth dads to choose life. Encourage these men to take a responsible and loving role in their birth children’s lives.
Amen.

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The Origin of Father’s Day

Posted on May 31, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

Honor your father and your mother. (Exodus 20:12, NIV)

For You To Think About

dad, kids, grand kidsSonora Smart Dodd was one of six children raised by her father, a widower and Civil War veteran named William Jackson Smart. The family lived in Spokane, WA where Smart was a farmer.

In 1909, Sonora heard a sermon about the newly-recognized Mother’s Day. Dodd’s own mother had died 11 years earlier, and her father had raised their six children alone. Sonora felt moved to honor her father, and fathers everywhere, with a special day as well. She proposed her idea to local religious leaders and gained wide acceptance. June 19, 1910, was designated as the first Father’s Day.

Over time the idea of Father’s Day became popular and embraced across the nation. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday of June each year.

Today we celebrate fathers and fatherhood thanks to Sonora, who chose to honor her father publicly.

For You To Pray

Loving Father,
Thank you for fathers and fatherhood. Show each of us how to honor the men that have given us life.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

More Devotions about Fathers and Fatherhood

Honor Your Heavenly Father on Father’s Day

One Dad’s Story: Mentor Helps Troy Break Absentee Dad Cycle

One Dad’s Story: “I Needed Support and Found It”

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Cyber Support During an Unplanned Pregnancy

Posted on May 17, 2017 by Kathy Widenhouse

For You From The Word

A trustworthy man keeps a secret.
(Proverbs 11:13)

For You To Think About

woman's hands on computer keyboardIf you (or someone you know) face an unplanned pregnancy and you’re worried about privacy, you can get confidential support – online.

  • Discussion boards let others who have been in your shoes to share experiences and advice anonymously. You can select from dozens of discussion threads, start your own, ask questions, and comment.
  • Facebook pages show you that others have been through what you’re going through. You can privately message those who post.
  • One-on-one email and instant message support allows you to have a Friend walk with you confidentially online.

Technology can be a tool to use to get support during an unplanned pregnancy and make the best choices possible.

For You To Pray

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the miracle of technology. Use it to help those who face an unplanned pregnancy get confidential support.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How Technology Helps Us Serve Women

Phone Prayers Help Birth Mom Yield to God

Ways Pregnant Women Find Birthmothers

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