November 1, 2010

I admit it; I sometimes covet. I covet the way other ministries can show a picture of a baby they saved or a child they fed or a missionary they supported or the church they helped build. Such pictures help supporters of these ministries see the results of their gifts.

Lutherans For Life is more than pictures. LFL equips Lutherans to be Gospel-motivated voices for life! Through the resources we produce, with your generous gifts, we can track how your voice is heard. 

For example we can tell how many of our brochures are ordered or how many schools are using our curriculum or how many churches are involved in Renewal for Life®. But we cannot always see the results in pictures. booking pont sportfogadás

Oh, we know there will be results! That’s because our materials are based on the Word of God and God’s Word does not return void!

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the things for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV).

“For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV).

As you consider a gift of $50, $75, $100 or more to help LFL equip Lutherans to connect the Word of God to the life issues, please remember that God promises to work through your gift to do more than support an organization. He will touch lives and change hearts.

I don’t always have pictures, but God is gracious and every once in awhile He allows us to see what His Word is doing in the lives of people. Allow me to share some stories with you.

Little things change lives and hearts
A woman came by the LFL exhibit and shared this:

“There was a poster of how babies develop and grow in the womb. A pregnant woman saw it and called the number on it to get more information. Because of that poster and call she decided to keep her baby instead of getting an abortion. Keep up your work to promote life. You never know who will see the resources you produce and share. tippmixpro hu sportfogadas

A pastor also shared this:

“A women saw a poster we advertised about life at our congregation when she visited for a wedding and later called the 800 number on the poster to ask for help. After that call she decided to keep her baby. She later told this pastor, ‘That LFL poster saved my child’s life.’”

Your gift of $50, $100, or whatever you are able to give, allows us to touch the lives of those who are pregnant and those who are considering an abortion. Join us in praying that more young lives will saved because of your gift.

Post abortive guilt and Lutherans For Life resources
One woman shared this:

“I had an abortion 15 years ago. For years I carried guilt, couldn’t forgive myself, and wouldn’t attend church. I didn’t think God would ever forgive me. Then I heard about a post-abortive Bible study a local LFL chapter was sponsoring in partnership with a local pregnancy resource center. I began attending this Bible study and heard of God’s love and forgiveness. It took time but I finally accepted the forgiveness that Christ offers me. That study transformed my life. Thank you for helping people find forgiveness and life!”

Families tell the next generation about life
At the recent LFL conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the question was asked during the Young Thinkers panel, “Why are you, as a young adult, so committed to life?”

Patricia Ballman, one of our new national Board members, responded:

“Because my family is for life and they taught me to understand that God is for life and I should be too.”

A grandma told us:

“My son and his wife have four children. They had a birthday party for their three year old. At the time this was their youngest child. That day they told my husband and I, ‘This is our last child.’ Then our daughter-in-law got pregnant again. When we asked if this was an accident our son responded, ‘God doesn’t make mistakes. This child, like all the other children, will be loved. He is special because God created him!’ Next week our family will gather together to celebrate this new grandson’s first birthday. My son knows, because we taught him, that God is For Life. LFL resources help us grow in our understanding about the Lord and life issues. Because of you we passed on these beliefs and values to our children. Thank God for Lutherans For Life!”

LFL resources
A church member had this to say:

“Recently my congregation heard a presentation entitled Biotechnology 101. It was a wonderful program and taught us so much. I am so thankful for the quality resources that LFL produces and offers to thousands of congregations throughout the United States.”

A teacher wrote:

“My 5th grade class recently used the new Teaching for Life® curriculum for the first time last year. It is an awesome resource. I have been waiting a long time for something like this for my students. Thank you for this resource.”

Kay Meyer, our Director of Development told the LFL staff:

“A Spanish worker dressed in her uniform walked up to the LFL exhibit at a large national convention with another co-worker and began pointing out the large posters which shared the development of a baby in the womb. I walked over to visit with them. The Christian woman told me she was going to read the information on the posters to her co-worker in Spanish. While she read it to her co-worker, I got them a card and pin with the feet of the 10 week old child in the womb. Later I gave the pin to them as a gift. They left. About 5 minutes later the same Christian worker came back with another co-worker. She did the same thing again. LFL resources are being used to share life in many and varied ways! Your gifts are making a difference for Life and are helping to change society.”

(By the way, look for new Spanish materials from LFL!)

A faithful volunteer said:

“Being a volunteer with LFL helps me meet so many great people. I regularly read the resources and they keep me updated on the myriad of life issues.”

Your gift of $50, $100 or more will help us continue to produce new resources and distribute them to thousands of people.

Difficult decisions related to life
A young mom said:

“When I was pregnant I was told our baby would have Down syndrome. Our doctor wanted my husband and I to get an abortion. We said ‘no.’ I cannot tell you what a blessing our daughter has been to us! We are thankful that Lutherans For Life encourages and supports us when we need to make difficult life decisions.”

End-of-life issues
A long-time supporter:

“We are so thankful that over the years we have learned about the various life issues through the publications of Lutherans For Life. Some years ago my mother, who was in her 90s, had an operation. She didn’t do well following the surgery. a kaszinó online film The doctor told us we should take her off life support and allow her to die. ‘After all’, he said, ‘she wouldn’t want to live this way.’ We prayed about this and decided to tell him ‘no.’ The day after our decision mom began to improve. Soon she was back in her home. She lived in her own home for six more years following this surgery. Now she is with the Lord. Lutherans For Life prepared us so that we knew how to answer when this difficult time came. Thank God for Lutherans For Life.”

So, you see, Lutherans For Life is so much more than an organization that produces facts and figures and keeps people informed on the latest life related news and political maneuverings. LFL is about speaking the truth of life—about Bringing Good News to Life. LFL applies the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the life issues, making Jesus known as the Son of God and Savior of all who can help and make a difference in people’s lives. 

May God continue to bless you and your family as together we promote life.

Your servant For Life,

Jim Lamb
Executive Director

P.S. Your gift of $50, $100 or more will help us continue to help people make decisions For Life even in difficult situations.