This past Monday, March 4th, 2019, I was given the honor to speak at the MD March for life non-denominational service. My Pastor spoke at this service last year and was asked to speak at this service again this year. I was very honored, nervous, surprised, and humbled that he would give me the opportunity to speak instead.

While one of the other speakers did have a chance to view my speech, the rest of the speakers had not. I think one of the coolest things I saw that night, aside from the amount of people there, was the theme of most of the speakers was either validating one another and/or building upon one another without collaboration. It was totally a God thing. I have no doubt that God was sharing His heart at this rally. I feel God was saying that He desires for His church to be united, loving, compassionate, safe, and not waging war against other human beings. I feel He wants us, people who claim they are Christians, to self evaluate and see where our intentions are, where our heart is, as well as how we treat others and represent our Lord. We aren’t to judge and attack others, but rather give love, show mercy, and offer grace.

I feel He was also saying the church needed to rise up and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Slave labor, abortion, sex trafficking, racism, physician assisted suicide, suicide, molestation within the church, etc… is silent and/or covered up, not addressed, and/or diluted at many/most pulpits. And that needs. to. change. We. need.to.change.

I wanted to share my speech on my blog. I pray we, Jesus followers, can start a movement that speaks louder about what we are for rather than what we are against. Do we need to stand up for injustice? Absolutely! But we need to speak the truth in love with humility and brokenness for those who are enslaved to darkness.

I pray we begin to show we are the hands and feet of Jesus who are no longer complacent, but taking positive action to instigate change and see a revival in our country. Rise up Christian and do something! Let’s do something radical and love when love isn’t deserved, give mercy when mercy isn’t deserved, and show honor and respect when it isn’t deserved either. The difference between Believers and non-Believers is we accepted the gift of our sin being ransomed. We don’t deserve the grace, love, mercy, and death of Jesus for our sins. But that’s how well He loves us. And He offers it to all those who would believe. It’s our job to spread the word.

Here’s my speech (minus my introduction of who I am. You already have that on my welcome page. 🙂 )

March for life – March 4th, 2019

I would like to address anyone here that may not know Jesus. Or maybe you have heard of him. Or maybe you have experienced a scenario where someone claimed to be a follower of Jesus, and you said to yourself, if that is following Jesus, I don’t want anything to do with that dude.

My husband and I went to Mexico a few years ago and the sunrises on the beach were magnificent. The sun would come up over the water, the warmth of the sun would dance with the breeze across my face. I could smell the salt water and hear the waves. I felt the sand beneath my toes and a sense of peace that is beyond words. One of the mornings, I tried to take a picture of this magnificent moment but the picture just didn’t do the moment justice. You see, for me, the picture was able to give me something to look at but it couldn’t capture the experience of the moment. What I am trying to say is, experiencing Jesus through someone else is like experiencing him in a picture – it just doesn’t do him justice – and some people are really bad photographers 😉 . But experiencing Jesus in person is far more magnificent than a million sunrises on the beach. If you haven’t experienced the love of Jesus for yourself, I encourage you to not waste another minute. He, Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth, lived a perfect life, died on the cross bearing yours and my sin, and rose again defeating death and sin. Sin always comes with a price, Jesus paid it for you, you only have to receive his gift.

Now, I’d like to address myself and anyone who says they are a Jesus follower… I feel the pro-life movement and the church are often known for what we are against. But I want to begin and/or join a movement that shows what we are for. I want to show that we are followers of Christ by the way we love each other and others.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr stated, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” I think while we still celebrate and honor Dr King Jr, we have forgotten the meaning behind his words and the passion of his heart.

Ephesians 6:12 states, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” May we stop waging war against people, flesh and blood, and start waging war against the devil, his minions, and his schemes! The evil in people is the evidence of the darkness they are enslaved to.

Imagine chains around them, weighing them down. You have the key to their freedom! The gospel of Jesus Christ is what sets the captives free! May we fall to our knees in brokenness and genuine, humble, prayer for our nation, our leaders, and our world. We need to combat the evil of this world with the love of God and the good news of Jesus Christ! We need to live out John 13:35 and be Jesus’ hands and feet who are showing and demonstrating love so they – those who are trapped in darkness – will know we are His disciples.

When we focus on all we are against and the darkness of the world, it’s easy to get despondent. I urge you to grieve and have a righteous anger for the atrocities our world is facing. I urge you to allow that anger to generate positive action: love, compassion, and zealousness within you for the people who are trapped in darkness.

I believe we can see change in our lifetime. We can see a revival in our country if we truly get back to the church God designed us to be. United, loving, taking care of our widows, our orphans, our homeless. Taking care of the weak, devalued, enslaved, and the unwanted. A place of safety, a place where we are governed by the authority and statutes of God. We as the church need to rise up and be the church God has called us to be. We as the church need to step up and stop handing over our God given responsibilities to the government.

We need to aim big but start small. Starting small means leading locally. Starting with today’s March and voicing prayer to the Lord. And tomorrow and beyond it means sharing God’s love with loved ones and our neighbors. Rolling up our sleeves to volunteer with the Pregnancy Clinic, serve our church, and serve our community. We need to put aside our complacency and pray that the Lord would use us to bring about change in our country and our world.

I urge you to march today in humility, love, and brokenness for those who are lost and enslaved to the darkness. I urge you to speak up and use your voice to love, cherish, and respect all human life and the government authorities God has established as Romans 13:1 tells us. And to use your voice in prayer for our country, our government, and our world. I urge you to use your right to vote! I urge you to volunteer at your local pregnancy clinic. I urge you to not let your stand end once this march is over, but I pray you will get involved beyond the march. Start a movement of love, peace, and one that demonstrates what the church is for!

Remember the words of Dr Martin Luther King Jr – “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Let’s get back to the passion of Dr King, Jr’s heart. To drive out darkness with the light of Jesus Christ, and to drive out hate by the way we love.

Father God, you are the Creator of life. You have declared us valuable. You give us our identity. We are all created in your image, God. What an awesome thing to ponder. Please God, create in us a new heart. Revive your people. Wake up our stagnant and dry souls. Make us burn with compassion for the people you left your throne to die for and save. Raise up your church, Lord. Unite us. Give us the strength to love. Give us the courage to be your hands and feet. Give us boldness to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ! God, please soften the hearts of those trapped in the darkness. Call them by name in to reconciliation with you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Will you join/start a movement with me? #whatwearefor