Last September, I began my position as national director, taking over most of Dr. Lamb’s day-to-day administrative duties. While he continues to serve as our executive director, this change allows him to focus on what he loves—and what he is best at—serving LFL and our Lord of Life through his proclamation in written word and from the pulpit. Dr. Lamb now has more opportunity to share the message of the sanctity and value of ALL human life.
As a newcomer to Lutherans For Life, I consider it a great honor to be able to share with you this message of Easter joy and triumph. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die’” (John 11:25-26a ESV). These were Jesus’ words to Martha when He came to raise Lazarus (Martha’s brother) from the dead. We Christians know the rest of the story. Yes, Jesus miraculously raised Lazarus, but Jesus Himself was raised on Easter morning proclaiming His victory over sin, death, and the power of the devil and assuring believers of their own resurrection and everlasting life with Him.
On Good Friday, Jesus died. Mary, John, and several others wept over His death as they placed His lifeless body in the borrowed tomb. There was sorrow and mourning among Jesus’ mother and friends. But the world was changed on Sunday morning. Sorrow was turned to joy, the darkness of Good Friday was replaced by the brilliant light of Easter morning, death was defeated by life. God’s creative, regenerative, and restorative powers were never more evident than when Jesus rose from the dead!
Easter offers a great parallel to what we do at Lutherans For Life because God’s restorative, life-giving power is at work every day in the mission of Lutherans For Life!
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Only through His Gospel message of forgiveness may a post-abortive woman truly find complete healing and comfort.
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Only through God’s wisdom and power may a young woman make the right decision regarding an unexpected pregnancy.
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Only through the healing and comforting love of God may an elderly man realize that his life still has purpose and that he is still precious to God.
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Only in the loving arms of God may someone considering suicide be led from the brink of disaster.
I just want you to know that what God does through LFL touches real people with real problems. It brings restoration, hope, and life.
For example, we touch nearly 300 lives every month through our Word of Hope post-abortion hotline (888.217.8679). We have received numerous positive responses to our end-of-life Life Sunday materials this year and how they helped people deal with difficult situations. One man commented, “You made me rethink how I view these issues. Thank you.” A teen shared how he used a simple LFL bracelet, that Dr. Lamb handed out, that says “Created – Redeemed – Called” to help a friend considering suicide to see his value through the eyes of God.
Easter is about restoration and Life, but it is also about proclamation. Can’t you just imagine the joy and excitement that Mary Magdalene was experiencing as she ran to tell the disciples that Jesus was alive? I picture a scene in which her feet just couldn’t move fast enough to get back to Jerusalem. Mary had to have been practically bursting with the good news.
We have equally good news to proclaim to those who are experiencing a crisis of some sort. That Gospel message of life, forgiveness, healing, and comfort is the Good News that we are bursting to share with everyone who has ears. We each have a call to proclaim that news.
There are millions of Lutherans who haven’t made the connection between this Gospel message and the life issues. At Lutherans For Life, we are making an intentional effort to reach out to ALL Lutherans and help them make this connection. Whether they have been personally affected and need to hear the message of comfort and forgiveness or if they want to be voices to share that news with others, we can help.
And we need your help. We need your prayers to open hearts to be receptive to this message. We need prayers for strength and commitment to continue to proclaim this message in an increasingly hostile culture. We need you to speak out on the value of ALL life in your vocation and in your congregation. We would be glad to help you.
We also need your help in funding the work of Lutherans For Life through a special financial gift. Sharing the Gospel message with all Lutherans is a little more complicated than when Mary Magdalene ran to Jerusalem to find the disciples locked in the upper room, but that is what God calls us to do.
With your help, Dr. Lamb spoke to almost seven thousand people last year and will be traveling more than ever to get the message out. Laura Davis, our director of Y4Life, is doing wonderful things to get the younger generation involved. She is leading two servant events this year involving up to 50 teens and college students. She traveled with several youth to the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Laura is using social media to get the message of Life out to the world. She is also establishing relationships at the Concordia campuses and secular universities to build the foundations for Life Teams and other activities. God has richly blessed Lutherans For Life through Laura’s efforts with Y4Life.
I will be sharing the message of Life as well primarily to the newer Lutheran denominations. In the next few months, I have invitations to Texas, South Carolina, and several other locations to preach, present, and display information about Lutherans For Life. We have several other things in the works that will help our volunteers at all levels to get the message out.
This message of forgiveness, comfort, and healing is needed in our culture and the Lutheran landscape has changed so that we have a wider audience than ever. Please consider prayerfully how you might help us equip ALL Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices For Life.
God bless you during this Easter season and throughout the year. I look forward to continuing our relationship as, together, we serve our Lord of Life.