Empowering Vs. Enabling (Part 2) - Ministering to Abortion Minded Women

WEBVTT100:00:00.560 --> 00:00:05.799I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours. Send Me,200:00:06.160 --> 00:00:10.990Lord, I am Your Welcome tothe Gospel Center pro life podcast. This300:00:11.150 --> 00:00:15.150is part two of a two partepisode we're doing called empowering versus enabling.400:00:15.550 --> 00:00:18.829This is an important subject. Wehope you're blessed by part one. We500:00:18.949 --> 00:00:24.379know you'll be blessed by part Ti. SI, stay too. I felt600:00:24.820 --> 00:00:36.490show passish, touch your heart.Use Welcome back to the Gospel Center pro700:00:36.570 --> 00:00:42.609life podcast. This is part twoof a two part podcast that we're doing800:00:43.570 --> 00:00:50.719called empowering versus enabling and focused onreaching abortion minded women. But I really900:00:50.719 --> 00:00:54.679feel like these principles that we're talkingabout can go across the whole spectrum of1000:00:54.719 --> 00:00:58.079Christian Ministry. Right, I agree. I agree, and so even if1100:00:58.280 --> 00:01:00.759you know, maybe you're in prolife ministry, whatever, and you have1200:01:00.840 --> 00:01:03.320friends that are in other ministries,hey share this with them. I think1300:01:03.320 --> 00:01:07.189it'll be helpful. I think thescriptural principles, I don't think we're that1400:01:07.310 --> 00:01:10.109smart. Actually, we have God'sword that's a lot smarter than we are1500:01:10.549 --> 00:01:12.189to tell us these principles. Butthere's time for that. Yeah, Amen.1600:01:12.310 --> 00:01:15.469Amen, because if we were stuckwith our own wisdom, word we'd1700:01:15.469 --> 00:01:23.060been we'd be in deep due doright. But here we are talking about1800:01:23.219 --> 00:01:27.019before we kind of laid out abiblical understanding, a Biblical case and and1900:01:27.180 --> 00:01:30.900again we're going to share some scripturesin this because we just can't help it,2000:01:30.939 --> 00:01:34.849because God's words so full of examplesand so full of wisdom that we2100:01:34.930 --> 00:01:38.049want to bring those into it.But there's an article that you mentioned and2200:01:40.090 --> 00:01:45.010that gets some really practical things toconsider as you're considering whether or not you're2300:01:45.010 --> 00:01:49.840enabling or empowering someone. Yeah,and that article, which will link in2400:01:52.280 --> 00:01:53.879in this article, because we talkedabout before how we're going to put this2500:01:55.079 --> 00:01:59.040article on the sidewalks for life site. So they'll be a link to that2600:01:59.239 --> 00:02:01.549article. So the article in sidewalksfor life will be linked in the show2700:02:01.629 --> 00:02:05.790notes here in the podcast. Okay, and then this article will be linked2800:02:05.790 --> 00:02:07.789inside of that article. wowactly,great. Yeah, not confusing at all.2900:02:08.270 --> 00:02:12.550So let's jump into that article.There's five points into this. And3000:02:12.629 --> 00:02:17.620what's the title the Article? It'scalled practicing boundaries, love versus enabling and3100:02:17.740 --> 00:02:21.900in the author is John Townsend.Okay, so you can look that up3200:02:21.900 --> 00:02:23.500if you guys want to read thisorder and it's biblical. Yeah, it's3300:02:23.500 --> 00:02:32.449a biblical article. So so theauthor poses five questions, okay, that3400:02:32.569 --> 00:02:38.370we can ask ourselves to biblically discern. Are we acting in love? Compassion,3500:02:39.689 --> 00:02:46.960empowerment? He doesn't use the wordempowerment, but but I think that3600:02:46.159 --> 00:02:51.919is what he means. Yeah,versus enabling. Yeah, I like the3700:02:51.960 --> 00:02:55.039fact that he uses love versus enabling, because you know love, as we3800:02:55.080 --> 00:02:59.349talked about the previous podcast, canbe quite do with enabling and its not3900:02:59.509 --> 00:03:01.750at all. I might feel enabling, might feel good and you might feel4000:03:01.750 --> 00:03:05.310like you're doing the loving thing.Reality is, you know, I'm sure4100:03:05.349 --> 00:03:07.990Rebecca, as we mentioned before,felt like she was doing the loving thing4200:03:08.150 --> 00:03:13.020to but Jacob in a position wherehe can get the blessing right, but4300:03:13.379 --> 00:03:19.099she was not loving him actually,because he was leading him and enabling destructive4400:03:19.139 --> 00:03:23.139behavior. Rights feature, enabling unrighteousness, which which that that First Corinthians Thirteen4500:03:23.219 --> 00:03:27.810passage tells us we should not do. That's not acting in love. Okay.4600:03:27.849 --> 00:03:34.530So the the first question, aswe try to discern are we enabling4700:03:34.569 --> 00:03:40.599or loving and loving properly, isare they unable? And Okay, are4800:03:40.680 --> 00:03:46.800they? Are they unable? AreThose who we are helping unable to do4900:03:47.120 --> 00:03:52.719whatever it is that we're helping with. Okay, and he in that article5000:03:52.960 --> 00:03:59.629he talks about that. It's importantto contrast with that unable versus unwilling.5100:04:00.030 --> 00:04:03.870Okay. So are they unable atthis moment to work? For example,5200:04:03.870 --> 00:04:10.020a new mom with a brand newbaby and five other children and child cares5300:04:10.099 --> 00:04:15.900a thousand a month, she mightbe unable at that period when she meets5400:04:15.939 --> 00:04:20.420us to hold down a job.Yeah, or does she have child care5500:04:20.899 --> 00:04:27.370through? You know, there areall kinds of childcare programs and and she's5600:04:27.410 --> 00:04:30.290not going to have that baby foreight months. She's newly pregnant, she's5700:04:30.290 --> 00:04:34.329got tons of family support. IsShe just didn't want to work? So5800:04:34.689 --> 00:04:40.480is she UN unwilling? Yeah,so the fur wait. First of all,5900:04:40.560 --> 00:04:44.759we are commanded, and we'll reiteratesome of the some verses that talk6000:04:44.800 --> 00:04:48.439about that. We are commanded tolove and to carry each other's burdens.6100:04:48.480 --> 00:04:53.990Here's a great one that says that'sspecifically Galatian six. To carry each other's6200:04:54.069 --> 00:04:58.910burdens, and in this way youwill fulfill the law of Christ. Yeah,6300:04:58.949 --> 00:05:00.790and the Law of Christ is love. Anytime you see even the New6400:05:00.829 --> 00:05:03.269Testament where it talks about the lawof Christ. WHAT'S THE LAW OF CHRIST?6500:05:03.550 --> 00:05:09.420The Law of Christ is to love, love one another and to love,6600:05:09.939 --> 00:05:13.459to love God. Yeah, yeah, so, and in doing so6700:05:14.939 --> 00:05:17.579the way we do so, accordingto this verse, we carry each other's6800:05:17.699 --> 00:05:21.970burdens, but we have to becareful that the burden that we're carrying is6900:05:23.170 --> 00:05:27.250one that they are truly unable.Yeah, that it's truly actually even a7000:05:27.329 --> 00:05:30.410burden. I mean it might notbe a burden, you know, like7100:05:30.850 --> 00:05:33.689your example, with you finding ajob. Yeah, that's you know,7200:05:33.769 --> 00:05:36.959that's an important part, yeah,of providing for a families, having a7300:05:36.959 --> 00:05:42.399job and all the other thing.But we've encountered women who simply just don't7400:05:42.480 --> 00:05:45.240want to work who, yeah,you know, could hold down a decent7500:05:45.279 --> 00:05:47.519job. Yeah, and could evenget benefits, but they know that they7600:05:47.560 --> 00:05:51.470could do, I can do medicateand food stamps and therefore, even though7700:05:51.470 --> 00:05:56.110I have this skill set right,I'm not going to employ it for for7800:05:56.310 --> 00:05:59.870the benefit of my family. I'mjust gonna yeah, and then that gets7900:05:59.910 --> 00:06:01.910into a whole other can of wormsthat we are not going to get into.8000:06:02.389 --> 00:06:06.459But you know, does the government, in their assistance programs, are8100:06:06.579 --> 00:06:13.779they are they enabling or empowering.We've certainly said I've seen both. I8200:06:13.860 --> 00:06:17.420don't I've seen the effects of governmentprograms. That of I'll see whole fans.8300:06:17.459 --> 00:06:20.889Sometimes I'll go to these mom's homesto do a baby shower or visit8400:06:20.930 --> 00:06:27.730or whatever, and I'll see fiveor six able bodied men just hanging around8500:06:27.850 --> 00:06:32.199during day hours and it and andI'm like your game, how how cold?8600:06:32.279 --> 00:06:35.240How can this be? How theyhave a home, they have food.8700:06:36.199 --> 00:06:40.199Where is that money come from?Nobody's working while the money is coming8800:06:40.600 --> 00:06:45.120from an enabling program yeah, andof course we've seen we've seen the other8900:06:45.279 --> 00:06:48.269where, you know, Medicaid programsand and even food stamp programs can actually9000:06:48.389 --> 00:06:51.910empower people. Right. Yeah,and to get into position, I a9100:06:51.990 --> 00:06:55.670lot of it depends on what wetalked about before, the condition of the9200:06:55.790 --> 00:06:59.110heart, and you know the waythe heart, the disposition of the heart.9300:06:59.149 --> 00:07:00.660Is this one where I want tojust be enabled, or is this9400:07:00.779 --> 00:07:04.779one where I need some stepping stonesthat will empower me to get into a9500:07:04.860 --> 00:07:09.300better place? And of course that'sthat's ultimately where the Biblical Truth and the9600:07:09.420 --> 00:07:13.100Gospel comes in, where these womenare empowered by the Gospel to have a9700:07:13.139 --> 00:07:17.129change of heart and then these thingsthat could be used to empower or enabled9800:07:17.129 --> 00:07:20.529are actually used to empower. Right. Yeah, so, you know.9900:07:20.730 --> 00:07:27.769So in in interviewing, and wedo kind of interview the MOMS that we10000:07:27.889 --> 00:07:30.519work with to get a sense ofwhat their needs are, this would be10100:07:30.560 --> 00:07:32.879an important first step. Yeah,what are they unable to do? That10200:07:33.000 --> 00:07:36.720truly is a place of need.What are they unwilling to do that we10300:07:36.800 --> 00:07:43.680may need to help them to takemore self responsibility? Really good point is10400:07:43.720 --> 00:07:46.509it's the next point. There thesequestions that we would ask ourselves if,10500:07:46.670 --> 00:07:48.910Hey, am I enabling and myempower? Yeah, yeah, and that10600:07:49.029 --> 00:07:51.829sort of thing. Okay, thesecond one is are you resourced? In10700:07:51.949 --> 00:07:57.189other words, do you have theresources to meet whatever the needs are?10800:07:57.430 --> 00:08:01.339Yeah, of that mom. Sothe example that this author gives is if10900:08:01.860 --> 00:08:07.980he's talking about personal ministry, assupposed to a ministry like ours, like11000:08:07.139 --> 00:08:11.819cities for life, but personally,if it results in the inability to feed11100:08:11.889 --> 00:08:16.769your family helping someone else will,then you're disregarding one of God's clear principles11200:08:16.850 --> 00:08:20.449that you are to take care ofyour family. You know, ministries like11300:08:20.569 --> 00:08:24.490cities for life are made up ofindividuals and a lot of our sidewall counselors11400:08:24.850 --> 00:08:28.120make, I mean all of themmake sacrifices to be out there, and11500:08:28.240 --> 00:08:31.240that's one of the things that I'lltell because, dealing with the issue of11600:08:31.240 --> 00:08:33.759abortion, there a lot of peoplethat God gets a hold of their heart11700:08:33.759 --> 00:08:37.639and they're very passionate about this thingand they're like, well, I'm going11800:08:37.679 --> 00:08:39.840to come out Monday. When youwhat day you want to come out?11900:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.950Oh, I'll come out Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and12000:08:41.990 --> 00:08:43.509Saturday. Or are they open Sundaytoo? Because I'll be out here there.12100:08:43.750 --> 00:08:46.710And it's like, hold on,wait, wait a second. Your12200:08:46.789 --> 00:08:50.990homeschool mom of three kids or forkids, or you're you're a dad that12300:08:52.029 --> 00:08:54.309has to provide for your family.Put the brakes on for a second.12400:08:54.629 --> 00:08:58.980Your first ministries to your family,and so'll you our sidewalk counsel make sure12500:08:58.980 --> 00:09:03.220they understand if you're if you gota neglect your minister, your first ministry12600:09:03.259 --> 00:09:07.139to your family in order to dothis ministry doesn't mean you don't mean need12700:09:07.179 --> 00:09:09.850to make sacrifices. You might missa soccer game for one of your kids.12800:09:09.889 --> 00:09:13.289You know I've missed some soccer.Is from some softball games for some12900:09:13.409 --> 00:09:16.250of my kids because I have tobe out there on Saturday because there's nobody13000:09:16.250 --> 00:09:20.889else going to be there. Ihad to make sacrifices like that. But13100:09:20.929 --> 00:09:24.200I gotta make sure I'm not neglectingmy family and make sure I'm not taking13200:09:24.600 --> 00:09:30.360you know, just a practical exampleof we've had sidewalk counselors take women who've13300:09:30.399 --> 00:09:35.200chosen life into their homes and youreally got to make sure that's something that13400:09:35.720 --> 00:09:37.990God is in, that you're notdoing it based on guilt and that you're13500:09:39.029 --> 00:09:41.750not in this person. Maybe theycould stay with a family member rather than13600:09:41.789 --> 00:09:45.509stay with you, because that's abig sacrifice and it introduces a lot of13700:09:45.750 --> 00:09:48.629other things rather than just a practicalof having somebody else in your house.13800:09:50.070 --> 00:09:52.299But there's other risks that are involved. You know, a boyfriend who might13900:09:52.299 --> 00:09:56.259be abusive might come over to theHouse one day and that puts your family14000:09:56.299 --> 00:10:00.259a jeopardy. So, anyway,we need to make sure we have the14100:10:00.379 --> 00:10:03.179resources in the ability and then we'renot doing something outside of the scope of14200:10:03.340 --> 00:10:07.970what what we're really enabled by Godto do right, empowered, I'll say,14300:10:09.250 --> 00:10:13.330empowered by God exactly. And sothe scripture that he, the author,14400:10:13.409 --> 00:10:16.129puts in. There's a good one. First, Timothy Eight. Anyone14500:10:16.210 --> 00:10:20.330who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household,14600:10:20.610 --> 00:10:24.919has denied the faith and it's worsethan an unbeliever. So that's pretty you14700:10:24.120 --> 00:10:28.519know, x, I think youcan James Jusus infidel and a fidel.14800:10:28.919 --> 00:10:33.039Yeah, that's interesting. It's reallyimportant and implying that, I kind of14900:10:33.080 --> 00:10:35.549took it a step further, thinking, well, how would this principle be15000:10:35.629 --> 00:10:41.509applied to a ministry as opposed toa family? And all ministries, I15100:10:41.070 --> 00:10:48.909almost without exception, are strapped forfinances and Resources and volunteers. And if15200:10:48.990 --> 00:10:52.940a single mother, for example,in our ministry and a Pro Life Ministry,15300:10:52.179 --> 00:10:56.259is sapping all of our strength,all of our volunteers, all of15400:10:56.340 --> 00:11:01.340our resources, yeah, that's probablya dangerous balance. Yeah, we'll.15500:11:01.379 --> 00:11:05.490Practically speaking, as far as we'reconcerned, you know our ministries to abortion15600:11:05.610 --> 00:11:09.409minded moms and that's you. Wehave our baby shower ministry and it's sort15700:11:09.409 --> 00:11:11.289of a supplemental ministry because we haveother ministries that do that, but we15800:11:11.370 --> 00:11:16.450do through baby showers on a regularbasis and we have donations that are given15900:11:16.490 --> 00:11:18.720to us. People give us clothesand all these other things, and I've16000:11:18.759 --> 00:11:22.799had, you know, the pastyear or so or more, we've had16100:11:22.879 --> 00:11:26.639women that have come to us becausea friend of theirs had chosen life.16200:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.919We give gave them a baby showerand they come to us and say,16300:11:28.919 --> 00:11:31.799well, I'm not really abortion minded, but I need some baby items,16400:11:31.080 --> 00:11:35.389and we have met some of thoseneeds. But we have to be careful16500:11:35.470 --> 00:11:41.070because if our resources, if we'refocused on abortion minded women and we give16600:11:41.230 --> 00:11:45.789a resources that we would otherwise giveto abortion minded women who might come along16700:11:46.110 --> 00:11:48.940in needing we give those two womenwho are not abortion minded, then we're16800:11:48.940 --> 00:11:50.779sort of missing what God has calledus to do. Like there are other16900:11:50.860 --> 00:11:54.460men industries that can do that,and we need to do our best to17000:11:54.539 --> 00:11:58.980stay in our lane, even though, you know, I feel sort of17100:11:58.059 --> 00:12:01.129bad. Turnam my mom. Yeah, idea to you, but yeah,17200:12:01.610 --> 00:12:05.330but we still, you know,we only have so many resource right,17300:12:05.690 --> 00:12:07.809right. That's the reality. Yeah, and to use what God has given17400:12:07.850 --> 00:12:13.210us as with good stewardship. We'reto be good stewards of what he's given17500:12:13.210 --> 00:12:16.720to us and to keep our focuson where he has directed as our purpose.17600:12:16.759 --> 00:12:22.679Yeah, so, okay, thethird principle that he's or question to17700:12:22.799 --> 00:12:26.840ask yourself. Do they have skinin the game? Okay, and what17800:12:26.919 --> 00:12:30.750he means by that is the personwilling to be a part of the solution.17900:12:30.789 --> 00:12:35.789Are they going to help yeah,in in solving their crisis and solving18000:12:35.830 --> 00:12:41.029their problems and making better choices whatever, or are they just going to sit18100:12:41.149 --> 00:12:45.620back, refuse to be a partof it and just let you shower them18200:12:45.740 --> 00:12:50.659with all the resources? And theauthor makes the point that if that person18300:12:50.740 --> 00:12:58.179that you're helping refuses to help herself, then you are likely prone promoting what's18400:12:58.179 --> 00:13:03.610called learned helplessness, and that's whensomeone has learned to let over, others18500:13:03.809 --> 00:13:09.450take over without offering any help forthemselves. They can become passive and give18600:13:09.490 --> 00:13:11.610up, and I tell you,I've seen that. I have definitely seen18700:13:11.690 --> 00:13:16.919that. Not only do they becomepassive, but they then sometimes be gone.18800:13:16.080 --> 00:13:20.480Become almost as though you owe thisto me. You told me,18900:13:20.519 --> 00:13:26.429I have heard this many times,that you said that if I chose life,19000:13:26.870 --> 00:13:31.789you would help me. And ifwe don't keep helping them, they19100:13:33.389 --> 00:13:39.110perceive that as a as that welied. Yeah about that we would help19200:13:39.149 --> 00:13:41.740them, and so this whole guiltthing comes in and you have to really19300:13:41.779 --> 00:13:46.379analyze. Well, I did saythat, but at what point is it19400:13:46.659 --> 00:13:50.620truly not help? Yeah, itis. It is helping them to learn19500:13:50.779 --> 00:13:54.539how to become dependent on someone elsewhen they really need to be first dependent19600:13:54.580 --> 00:13:58.009on God. But they also needto be responsible. Yeah, and we19700:13:58.090 --> 00:14:01.370always do make sure that when wesay we're going to help them that we19800:14:01.970 --> 00:14:07.129pretty well define what we're talking about. We're not talking about buying everything you19900:14:07.250 --> 00:14:09.769ever need in your entire life.We're not talking about, you know,20000:14:09.159 --> 00:14:13.399sending your kid to college. Youknow, what we're talking about is helping20100:14:13.480 --> 00:14:16.440meet your immediate needs. Here's howfar we give them with the baby shower20200:14:16.480 --> 00:14:18.000ministry, to make sure they know, hey, we want to give you20300:14:18.320 --> 00:14:22.279up to two years of what youneed for your baby, but that doesn't20400:14:22.320 --> 00:14:24.549include diaper exs, you know.Number one, that just being possible,20500:14:24.710 --> 00:14:26.950right. Number two, even ifwe did give you two years, where20600:14:26.990 --> 00:14:31.149the diapers, you couldn't keep goinganything where yours. Yeah, but also,20700:14:31.230 --> 00:14:35.990you know, it's that would beagain, that would be a financial20800:14:35.190 --> 00:14:41.659and logistical positive impossibility. That's right. It goes right. So and the20900:14:41.740 --> 00:14:46.580scriptural support, so that you know, maybe we shouldn't feel so guilty when21000:14:46.620 --> 00:14:48.700it's not. It's not the scripturethat everyone quotes. God helps those that21100:14:48.779 --> 00:14:52.090help them so, which is notscript it is nicely, let's good.21200:14:52.570 --> 00:14:56.490No, it's second Thessalonians, threeand ten. Okay, the one who21300:14:56.529 --> 00:15:03.250is unwilling to work shall not eat. There is the principle that, you21400:15:03.370 --> 00:15:05.450know, don't work, you don'teat. Done, and you know,21500:15:05.730 --> 00:15:07.720to have skin in the game.Yeah, you got have skin in the21600:15:07.759 --> 00:15:11.240game, and I hear this alot. Well, if you just,21700:15:11.600 --> 00:15:16.879you know, just sit there andlet God let go and yeah, let21800:15:16.919 --> 00:15:20.759me. Well, that doesn't meanthat that you do nothing. Yeah,21900:15:20.080 --> 00:15:24.029God, God does give us body. It's like when you when you need22000:15:24.070 --> 00:15:26.389a job, it's like, yeah, I'm waiting on God to leave me.22100:15:26.590 --> 00:15:28.149Yeah, have you feel that?Any applications for job? No,22200:15:28.429 --> 00:15:31.070no, I'm letting go and lettingGod. I'm putting this in God's hands.22300:15:31.429 --> 00:15:33.669Well, no, God's putting itin your hands to get off your22400:15:33.669 --> 00:15:37.659couch and get make some phone calls, right, looking for a job or22500:15:37.980 --> 00:15:41.419or whatever exactly. I'm also,you know, this kind of this skin22600:15:41.539 --> 00:15:45.379in the game principle is is thisidea of you know, we have this22700:15:45.980 --> 00:15:48.700you within our ministry, and I'msure other ministries have this where they have22800:15:48.740 --> 00:15:52.330the network of ministries, other otherministries that can meet needs and all of22900:15:52.409 --> 00:15:56.690that, and we don't need tobe responsible. We sometimes we can make23000:15:56.730 --> 00:15:58.809the phone calls and that sort ofthing, but we don't need to be23100:15:58.889 --> 00:16:02.649responsible for making every connection and makingevery phone call. You know, we23200:16:02.730 --> 00:16:04.639have a little resource God that wecan go in and we can circle.23300:16:04.720 --> 00:16:07.679Hey, if this is your Nie, call these people, you call these23400:16:07.720 --> 00:16:11.600people now. Some of those ministrieswe actually have to call ahead of time23500:16:11.639 --> 00:16:14.759because we have the connection and theywant to hear that list. is a23600:16:15.000 --> 00:16:18.230legitimate need that I met. Butwe need to kind of put some it23700:16:18.350 --> 00:16:22.070up, some of it off onthem, and they used to take some23800:16:22.190 --> 00:16:25.350initiative, and I think when wedo that, this is really ministry again.23900:16:25.389 --> 00:16:26.909When you when you do that rightaway, when you just ride away24000:16:26.950 --> 00:16:29.950put forth this idea that we're goingto meet all your needs, want to24100:16:29.950 --> 00:16:33.860do everything for you, then you'realready opening in the door for this enabling24200:16:33.019 --> 00:16:36.820thing. Yeah, but if rightaway you start telling them, okay,24300:16:36.980 --> 00:16:38.139here's the things that we're going todo and here's the things that I need24400:16:38.220 --> 00:16:41.740for you to do. What that'lldo? This is an important point.24500:16:41.779 --> 00:16:45.419So what that will do is thatwill give you a gage where they're at.24600:16:45.019 --> 00:16:48.610It'll also let them know where you'reat and that you're not just going24700:16:48.649 --> 00:16:53.570to be be taken advantage of.And you know you'll find sometimes that if24800:16:53.610 --> 00:16:59.370they won't do their part and you'vedone your part, then you just leave24900:16:59.409 --> 00:17:00.799the ball in their court. Likehere it. We've done our part,25000:17:00.879 --> 00:17:03.079so that I don't kind of,I don't want to say give you an25100:17:03.200 --> 00:17:07.119out, but at least again givesyou a gage of where they're at and25200:17:07.200 --> 00:17:10.480whether they're going to be one ofthose people that's just going to try to25300:17:10.519 --> 00:17:15.079suck resources out rather than actually dothey actually want to be empowered. Yeah,25400:17:15.079 --> 00:17:17.950and it's also it's also protective offew, because I know as a25500:17:18.069 --> 00:17:19.789new counselor, I tried to doit all. Yeah, and I did25600:17:19.990 --> 00:17:23.950enable. I'm very certain I enabled. I made all the cause I would,25700:17:25.109 --> 00:17:27.630I would drive hours to go makesure that I got them to wherever25800:17:27.670 --> 00:17:33.299they needed to be, and Iwas burning out because no one can do25900:17:33.539 --> 00:17:37.460that, not for very long andnot at not as soon as you start26000:17:37.500 --> 00:17:41.539following more than one or two women. Yeah, so. So it protects26100:17:41.779 --> 00:17:45.849us if they have skin in thegame, but it also protects them.26200:17:45.930 --> 00:17:48.569Yeah, it does it. Itis again, this is about real love.26300:17:48.650 --> 00:17:52.809This is about loving people to theLord, right, loving people in26400:17:53.009 --> 00:17:56.849such a way where they learn notto come to you but to go to26500:17:56.970 --> 00:18:02.480the Lord. Yeah, exactly.Okay. So number four, and this26600:18:02.640 --> 00:18:07.319is the one we probably struggled withthe most. Ye, like said right26700:18:07.400 --> 00:18:10.680that. So let's talk about becauseit I think there is some validity and26800:18:10.920 --> 00:18:15.430in what he's saying here. Willyou feel cheerful or will you feel reluctant26900:18:15.710 --> 00:18:19.509or under compulsion in your giving?And so this question, let me just27000:18:19.670 --> 00:18:25.309preface that, is based on thisscripture from Second Corinthians seven. Each of27100:18:25.390 --> 00:18:30.140you should give what you have decidedin your heart to give, not reluctantly27200:18:30.180 --> 00:18:34.779or under compulsion, for God lovesa cheerful giver. Yeah, and you27300:18:34.859 --> 00:18:38.339know, I guess I'm just notnot crazy about the the language. And27400:18:38.660 --> 00:18:41.609how do you feel about this?This is not really because we talked about27500:18:41.609 --> 00:18:47.170that previously. It's not really abouta feeling. It's about loving people and27600:18:47.289 --> 00:18:51.529not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling. But the point here is that God27700:18:51.609 --> 00:18:55.369loves a cheerful giver and this shouldflow out of our heart, our desire27800:18:55.529 --> 00:19:00.039to love God and to love ourneighbor. And you know, we don't27900:19:00.079 --> 00:19:03.480want to have this reluctance in becausebecause here's what will happen. Sometimes,28000:19:03.759 --> 00:19:07.880when you give reluctantly and you pullyourself out in certain ways, in a28100:19:07.960 --> 00:19:11.509reluctant way, you end up gettingburned and you want to end up getting28200:19:11.589 --> 00:19:15.670burned out and and it doesn't helpyou and it doesn't help the person that28300:19:15.750 --> 00:19:18.990you're trying to empower. Yeah,yeah, I think, and I think28400:19:19.069 --> 00:19:26.460one of the points that I reallysummarized what this author had said when I28500:19:26.539 --> 00:19:29.500wrote the article and as I'm speakingyou all. But I think one of28600:19:29.660 --> 00:19:34.180his points that he expanded upon isif you're feeling reluctance and you know that28700:19:34.339 --> 00:19:38.569you're a giving person, you youlove the Lord and you you're involved in28800:19:38.650 --> 00:19:42.250ministry that gives to others, butyou're feeling this reluctance in your spirit,28900:19:42.289 --> 00:19:45.849yes, you should check your heart. Maybe it is something that's wrong in29000:19:45.930 --> 00:19:51.089your heart, but it could bethat you are over extending and God is29100:19:51.210 --> 00:19:56.000giving you that sense of reluctance becauseyou're doing too much yeah, for for29200:19:56.119 --> 00:19:59.200that person and you need to backoff. And and it might be,29300:19:59.400 --> 00:20:03.000it might be, yeah, somethingthat's saying you're enabling rather than empowering.29400:20:03.119 --> 00:20:06.759Yeah, maybe, you know,we're going to get on to the next29500:20:06.799 --> 00:20:10.990point. Five, maybe a sixpoint, or maybe for B or for29600:20:11.230 --> 00:20:14.470a in this point would be,you know, talking to other people,29700:20:14.950 --> 00:20:18.549especially people in your family's and hey, you feel like I'm enabling this person.29800:20:18.710 --> 00:20:22.779Yeah, so you know, otherpeople can help you and their emotions29900:20:22.819 --> 00:20:26.140and their feelings that you're sharing thisstory. Yeah, can help them say,30000:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.900Hey, listen, you're going toofar with this person, you're being30100:20:27.980 --> 00:20:33.299taken advantage of. Right, andyou know, I know I shared in30200:20:33.420 --> 00:20:40.890the previous podcast about uncle's that inmy family that you have been enabled and30300:20:41.289 --> 00:20:44.650it's like I've talked to US familymembers and like hey, listen, don't30400:20:44.650 --> 00:20:48.170you see you're enabling this person,like you're not helping out this person.30500:20:48.210 --> 00:20:51.440Yeah, all of us had familymembers, probably right, who have been30600:20:51.480 --> 00:20:53.599enabled by other people and you feelit's all because of guilty. He's my30700:20:53.920 --> 00:20:56.880he's my uncle, he's my brother, he's musts and where she's my sisters.30800:20:56.880 --> 00:21:00.680Your family said exactly. Tell usthat. Yeah, yeah, and30900:21:00.799 --> 00:21:03.960we're not supposed to enable, we'renot supposing able, and so, you31000:21:03.039 --> 00:21:07.230know, getting other people's take onit, yeah, can help as well.31100:21:07.390 --> 00:21:08.829Hey, sharing the story with them, you know, obviously not getting31200:21:08.869 --> 00:21:11.349into gossip Ville, but sharing thestory with them. Hey, what do31300:21:11.430 --> 00:21:15.950you think about this? Am Ienabling him and empowering you know, I31400:21:15.029 --> 00:21:21.339would say, even, especially inthis context, to talking to your pastor31500:21:21.539 --> 00:21:23.420and saying hey, because you knowthey have the these experiences as well.31600:21:23.660 --> 00:21:27.140Say Hey, your pastor, soown. So I'm helping this mom and31700:21:27.700 --> 00:21:30.500you know I've done this, donethat, and yet she's asking me to31800:21:30.539 --> 00:21:33.650do this and I don't really knowif I should. I feel guilty for31900:21:33.769 --> 00:21:36.890not, but you know, andthat that would be helpful as well,32000:21:37.250 --> 00:21:40.490if you're something I thought of asyou were talking, because I think this32100:21:40.650 --> 00:21:44.569again, has been true of meat times, is if you're sacrificing your32200:21:44.609 --> 00:21:47.599own health. Yeah, you're notsleeping, you're not eating, you're not32300:21:47.680 --> 00:21:52.200taking breaks, you're consumed all thetime. That's that's not good. Yeah,32400:21:52.599 --> 00:21:56.200you know, you do need tolove yourself if you're going to be32500:21:56.279 --> 00:22:00.440able to adequately love your neighbor.You've got at least be alive. So32600:22:00.640 --> 00:22:02.589take care of right, take careof your health, or you may be32700:22:02.670 --> 00:22:06.029over extending. Yeah, absolutely,okay. Number five, I thought was32800:22:06.109 --> 00:22:08.150the best one, and that wasthe last one in this article. Is32900:22:08.269 --> 00:22:18.180the outcome gratitude and autonomy or entitlementand dependency? Yeah, and that really,33000:22:18.259 --> 00:22:22.140that point really speaks to the wholething what were even talking about?33100:22:22.339 --> 00:22:26.980It sure does, it sure does. So and I again, I have33200:22:27.180 --> 00:22:33.130seen so many times in the womenI've worked with that ultimately I guess I33300:22:33.289 --> 00:22:38.849had enabled them is they don't saythank you and they'll say you told me.33400:22:38.970 --> 00:22:41.730I think I made that point earlier. You told me you would help.33500:22:42.049 --> 00:22:45.640Yeah, and and then you haven'tdone anything. And someone said that33600:22:45.759 --> 00:22:49.880to me once and we had literallyhelped with thousands of dollars worth of so33700:22:51.079 --> 00:22:53.400yeses, and when she said thatI was just taken aback and that was33800:22:53.480 --> 00:22:59.549the point at which I realized maybewe need maybe we're enabling. Have I33900:22:59.630 --> 00:23:03.309remembered the story correctly, because Iknow the story you're talking about is you34000:23:03.430 --> 00:23:06.309called her out on that. Idid. I did, man, I34100:23:06.470 --> 00:23:11.309listed hi because actually it made meangry. I hope it was that righteous34200:23:11.309 --> 00:23:14.500saying gright. I didn't scream ather, but I, you know,34300:23:14.700 --> 00:23:18.579at I felt at first as atinge of guilt, and then I thought,34400:23:18.019 --> 00:23:22.539wait a minute, and I startedlistening from the moment we had met34500:23:22.619 --> 00:23:26.539her to to that moment, allthe things that we had done, and34600:23:26.329 --> 00:23:33.769she actually graciously then said, you'reabsolutely right, I'm sorry, you guys34700:23:33.849 --> 00:23:37.410have helped me a lot. I'mjust feeling really desperate. Yeah, and34800:23:37.609 --> 00:23:41.210then we were able to have aconversation of how she could help herself out34900:23:41.210 --> 00:23:47.400of that, that desperate place.Yeah, but the scripture they he provided35000:23:47.599 --> 00:23:51.960was matthew eighteen. A good treecannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree35100:23:52.359 --> 00:23:56.029cannot bear good fruit. In otherwords, if you've planted good things,35200:23:56.430 --> 00:24:06.069you have been net you have promotedautonomy and and helped them to to do35300:24:06.309 --> 00:24:11.099for themselves in a godly manner,you're going to see good fruit. Yeah,35400:24:11.180 --> 00:24:18.180if all you see is is ingratitudeand dependence and increasing dependence, then35500:24:18.460 --> 00:24:21.019that's bad for yeah, that's yeah. I mean one of the things is35600:24:21.259 --> 00:24:26.490to you that mean this is thisis like key. But we live in35700:24:26.930 --> 00:24:32.769an entitlement generation and people think they'reentitled to things. People think that,35800:24:33.049 --> 00:24:36.089you know, even like the governmentyou know, when they get assistance from35900:24:36.089 --> 00:24:40.119the government, like the government owesme and in that you know, I'm36000:24:40.319 --> 00:24:42.920do this, I'm do that.Mentality is hard to cut through. It36100:24:44.160 --> 00:24:48.519is really very cultural. Yeah,now, of course the Gospel can cut36200:24:48.640 --> 00:24:52.240right through that garbage. And youknow, we've seen women's lives transform.36300:24:52.480 --> 00:24:56.710You heard here testimonies of people who'vebeen transformed from this entitlement mentality to an36400:24:56.750 --> 00:25:02.069intial mentality of empowerment by the powerof the Holy Spirit. Yeah, you36500:25:02.150 --> 00:25:03.630know, Yeah, God can doit. Yeah, kind of one of36600:25:03.710 --> 00:25:07.619the I can't remember if it washis point of mind point, but it's36700:25:07.619 --> 00:25:12.579a good point whatever it is.Yeah, that if if the woman falls36800:25:12.660 --> 00:25:19.420into destructive choices, that's key,that again, she falls back into destructive36900:25:19.460 --> 00:25:25.609choices, then the help being offeredhas become a source of enaplement. Yes,37000:25:25.730 --> 00:25:27.970that's kind of a clue freeze,good gage for yeah, all right,37100:25:27.970 --> 00:25:30.769well, let's jump into this.This is going to kind of this37200:25:32.009 --> 00:25:37.319is about for us capping our ourpodcast on this subject. But okay,37300:25:37.359 --> 00:25:44.279so it's the I thought it wasjust a really great biblical passage of of37400:25:44.559 --> 00:25:49.950doing it. Well, yeah,of doing figuring out whether I'm empowering or37500:25:51.029 --> 00:25:55.910enabling. And our hero is Peter. Yeah, in this passage, and37600:25:56.109 --> 00:25:59.390it's act three. So maybe isthis is just to set the stage and37700:25:59.430 --> 00:26:03.190then you can take over with that. Peter is he's a man who has37800:26:03.230 --> 00:26:07.579been lame from birth and who askedPeter for money. Yeah, and and37900:26:07.180 --> 00:26:11.220and to receive all and he's beengetting heat since birth. He's been lame,38000:26:11.259 --> 00:26:15.539I believe, and so he's beenand he's a man now, and38100:26:15.660 --> 00:26:21.970so he has been requesting funds,money for his entire life. And so38200:26:22.529 --> 00:26:27.450Peter shows us what it means toempower, the goal of empowerment and how38300:26:27.650 --> 00:26:32.609to empower. Yeah, yeah,and in the Scriptures is acts, chapter38400:26:32.809 --> 00:26:37.680three, and it says this manwas here. It says a certain man,38500:26:37.720 --> 00:26:40.440lame from his mother's womb, whichhe was lame from birth, right,38600:26:40.839 --> 00:26:45.079was carried and he was late atthe gate, beautiful name of this38700:26:45.359 --> 00:26:48.869gate, apparently, and he wasasking alms from those who entered the temple38800:26:49.349 --> 00:26:52.390and in verse three, who,seeing Peter and John About to going to38900:26:52.430 --> 00:26:56.390the temple, asked for arms.He was asking for for some money.39000:26:56.390 --> 00:27:00.990Yeah, and it says, andfixing his eyes on him with John,39100:27:00.349 --> 00:27:03.420Peter said look at us. Soit's like, Hey, I'll look like39200:27:03.539 --> 00:27:06.940you know, I think it,boy, that sometimes like you're asking me39300:27:07.019 --> 00:27:11.059for money, I'm broker, youare you know. Seems like maybe that's39400:27:11.059 --> 00:27:14.019what he's like. Really, Imean, look at look at it.39500:27:14.059 --> 00:27:17.250Yeah, that's right. I've actuallytold the homeless people that before, like39600:27:17.410 --> 00:27:22.609I don't have any moneyless I goteight kids somewhere's all these kids out of39700:27:22.650 --> 00:27:26.170the mouth? Yeah, yeah,anyway, that's a little bit funny there,39800:27:26.170 --> 00:27:29.690but let's keep on going. Andso he gave them his attention expecting39900:27:29.849 --> 00:27:32.319receive something. So he's like,look at us, Hey, we don't40000:27:32.359 --> 00:27:37.640have anything. And so he turnsto him and it says Peter said silver40100:27:37.720 --> 00:27:40.440and gold. I do not have. What I do have, I give40200:27:40.480 --> 00:27:42.960you in the name of Jesus Christof Nazareth, rise up and walk.40300:27:44.589 --> 00:27:45.710And he took him by the righthand and lifting him up. Immediately,40400:27:45.750 --> 00:27:51.309his feet and ankle bones receive strengthand he we had a leap and stood40500:27:51.309 --> 00:27:55.430up and walked, and it wentto the temple with them and it says40600:27:55.430 --> 00:27:57.740all the people saw him walking andpraising God and they knew it was him40700:27:57.740 --> 00:28:02.059who sat bagging alms at the gatebeautiful. And ultimately what happens in this40800:28:02.339 --> 00:28:06.140scenario is this man is praising God, the miracles just been done in the40900:28:06.180 --> 00:28:11.259name of Jesus, and the Pharisees, the rulers, are not so happy41000:28:11.380 --> 00:28:15.210be at what's going on here.Now the part that we're really pointing now41100:28:15.329 --> 00:28:18.930this guy's asking for money. Yeah, but what would have Peter and John41200:28:18.930 --> 00:28:22.529Do? It's like, we don'thave money, HMM, but what we41300:28:22.609 --> 00:28:26.970do have we give you. Andultimately, was he do say look how41400:28:26.049 --> 00:28:30.359great we are? You know hehe could have done that. Let Mean41500:28:30.400 --> 00:28:34.000Peters Healing this guy who's been lamefrom his mother's womb rose up. Well,41600:28:34.039 --> 00:28:37.000he didn't do that. Yeah,he says, in the name of41700:28:37.119 --> 00:28:40.839Jesus, Christ of Nazareth, riseup and walk. And then later on41800:28:41.039 --> 00:28:44.309in the story, as this guy'spraising God and they're being accused by the41900:28:44.349 --> 00:28:49.430Pharisees of wrongdoing or whatever, he'susing it as an opportunity for the Gospel.42000:28:49.470 --> 00:28:55.029He goes later on in the neckin the preceding verses, talking about42100:28:55.069 --> 00:28:59.619Jesus, pointing him to the Gospeland pointing to what, pointing them to42200:28:59.700 --> 00:29:02.980what Jesus had done, and he'ssaying, you know, don't look at42300:29:02.980 --> 00:29:07.380us, this was done because ofJesus, because what Jesus has done his42400:29:07.539 --> 00:29:11.890power working through them. Yeah,and he ends that with therefore, repent42500:29:11.049 --> 00:29:15.289and return so that your sins maybe wiped away in order that times of42600:29:15.369 --> 00:29:18.289refreshing may come from the presence ofthe Lord. So he closes with a42700:29:18.369 --> 00:29:23.640full kind of Gospel invitation. Yeah, absolutely. So there is a lot42800:29:23.720 --> 00:29:27.359of principles when I was reading throughthis that I was thinking of. Wow,42900:29:27.440 --> 00:29:37.839this is really good in helping meto discern between Enablementon and actually biblical43000:29:37.000 --> 00:29:41.150love. But one of the thingshe says, but what I do have,43100:29:41.829 --> 00:29:44.630I give to you, and thatreally jumped out of me when you're43200:29:44.670 --> 00:29:48.190reading it, because we can't givewhat we don't have, right. Yeah,43300:29:48.269 --> 00:29:55.700you say that a thousand times toour our volunteers. That what all43400:29:55.740 --> 00:29:59.900of us should have. We maynot have material wealth, we should have43500:30:00.619 --> 00:30:04.859the Bible stored in our heart.Yeah, and and a rich reservoir of43600:30:06.059 --> 00:30:11.210understanding scripture that we can then offerto those in need. Yeah, and43700:30:11.490 --> 00:30:17.369and, and God had never asksus really to give what we don't have.43800:30:17.970 --> 00:30:19.329This is one of the things thatI say often times. I say43900:30:19.369 --> 00:30:22.759God never asked if you more thanyou can give. He's not an Egyptian44000:30:22.759 --> 00:30:26.960task master. Ask and you makebricks without straw, right, but what44100:30:26.119 --> 00:30:29.599you do, what you are ableto give, God will ask for.44200:30:29.640 --> 00:30:32.920Yeah, he asked for us tomake sacrifices, right, we understand that,44300:30:33.000 --> 00:30:34.519but I never going to ask youto give more than you can actually44400:30:34.599 --> 00:30:37.549give. And so again that youknow those principles before. If you're taken44500:30:37.549 --> 00:30:41.109away from your family, if you'reneglecting that, if you're neglecting your own44600:30:41.109 --> 00:30:45.390health, if you're neglecting sleep orwhatever, then God's not asking for you44700:30:45.910 --> 00:30:48.470more than you can actually give,if he's not stretching you so thin that44800:30:48.549 --> 00:30:52.099you're going to break right. Andand to that point back earlier, do44900:30:52.180 --> 00:30:56.819you feel reluctance? Well, Ifeel joy when God asks something of me45000:30:57.339 --> 00:31:02.059that I know I've got inside ofme. Or maybe it is a resource,45100:31:02.180 --> 00:31:04.049but usually it's something inside of me. I know I've got that to45200:31:04.170 --> 00:31:07.730give to them. It's like youcan't hold me back. I'm filled with45300:31:07.849 --> 00:31:12.730choice and if it's a sacrifice,it's still it's joyfless joyful sacrifice. So45400:31:14.690 --> 00:31:19.160so I wrote out what I thoughtwere the the principles of compassion versus,45500:31:19.200 --> 00:31:22.519enabling love versus and really it comesright out of this, this passage,45600:31:22.759 --> 00:31:26.880that right from this passage of scree. Yeah, let's touch on those real45700:31:26.920 --> 00:31:29.400quick and then we'll get this andthen we'll wrap it up. All right.45800:31:29.519 --> 00:31:32.319So, give what you're able togive. We just said get.45900:31:32.480 --> 00:31:34.869got. God is only going toask you to give what he has enabled46000:31:34.950 --> 00:31:40.750you to give. Yeah. Secondly, determine what are the desires of the46100:31:40.829 --> 00:31:45.910one you intend to help and discernwhat are the true critical needs. Yes,46200:31:45.269 --> 00:31:48.539do. They might have some sortof surface level like his was a46300:31:48.619 --> 00:31:52.660surface level need money, whenever,really, the deep need was if he46400:31:52.779 --> 00:31:56.380could have strengthen his feet in hisankles, he could walk and he could46500:31:56.380 --> 00:32:01.450actually work. And you be likegiving somebody efficient lessons rather than giving them46600:32:01.490 --> 00:32:07.690a fish. Absolutely. Yeah.Yeah, number three, sometimes what is46700:32:07.890 --> 00:32:12.730asked for is not healthy and shouldnot be indulged. Yeah, you know,46800:32:12.849 --> 00:32:15.799when we meet a mom on thesidewalks, we one of the first46900:32:15.839 --> 00:32:19.519things we do is say, whateveryou face, we can help you.47000:32:20.079 --> 00:32:22.440Now, we're not going to slopeverything, but we can help. And47100:32:22.759 --> 00:32:27.319but sometimes when they come and theystart listing their obstacles, some of what47200:32:27.480 --> 00:32:30.390they face that they have listed fornot as an obstacle that they want solved.47300:32:30.390 --> 00:32:37.829It's actually not a healthy need ordesire. And is it enabling or47400:32:37.069 --> 00:32:40.390love thing? Yeah, to tosay yes, we can meet that need,47500:32:40.549 --> 00:32:44.460that need that you shouldn't have andshouldn't express, because it's not of47600:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.980guy like you know, example,you know, you know, I'm pregnant,47700:32:46.019 --> 00:32:50.140but a smoke and I need apack of cigarette. That's an extreme47800:32:50.220 --> 00:32:52.740example, but I'm not going tohelp. But that needs. Matter of47900:32:52.779 --> 00:32:54.859fact, it's not that you need. Yeah, again, that's an extreme48000:32:54.900 --> 00:32:59.210example. I don't think we've everfaced that, but well, I that48100:32:59.450 --> 00:33:01.890actually, yes, I have actuallyfaced that, okay, where there was48200:33:02.250 --> 00:33:07.410asked for money for cigarettes. Yeah, specifically. Yeah, it's like no,48300:33:07.369 --> 00:33:10.250you're pregnant, number one. Numbertwo, cigarettes are horrible, even48400:33:10.289 --> 00:33:15.559if you're not pregnant. This isa really important one, probably the key48500:33:15.960 --> 00:33:20.960point, I think, in thispassage. All love and compassion should ultimately48600:33:21.039 --> 00:33:27.039result in the person turning not toyou but to God. Yeah, yeah,48700:33:27.349 --> 00:33:30.230yeah, I think we've we've seizonedthis whole thing with that, that48800:33:30.430 --> 00:33:32.869point that it needs to be notcities for life. That's meeting your needs.48900:33:32.950 --> 00:33:36.829Right, it's the lore. Yes, it's God, it's God through49000:33:36.869 --> 00:33:38.910his people, right, but it'sGod ultimately. You right coming to yeah,49100:33:39.470 --> 00:33:43.500and that's awesome that Peter, ofcourse, full of the Holy Spirit,49200:33:43.619 --> 00:33:45.980does that points them to Jesus,not to himself, not to John,49300:33:46.140 --> 00:33:51.180not to you know anything, butbut to Jesus. Yeah, exactly.49400:33:51.220 --> 00:33:54.539Yeah, and so the last twopoints really kind of relate to that.49500:33:54.769 --> 00:34:00.730You should give all glory to Godfor anything offered to others. Again,49600:34:00.970 --> 00:34:04.210it's not me, Vicki, thathas helped anyone. It's the Holy49700:34:04.250 --> 00:34:08.170Spirit living within me and he's usedme. Yeah, but ultimately the glory49800:34:08.409 --> 00:34:13.599all goes to God. And oneof the just kind of a side note,49900:34:13.679 --> 00:34:16.880one of the struggles, I thinkof any anyone in any ministry.50000:34:17.400 --> 00:34:22.400But I do think in in atough ministry, like being in front of50100:34:22.440 --> 00:34:27.989an abortion center, for example,trying to convince abortion determined women that they50200:34:28.030 --> 00:34:30.869shouldn't kill their babies, there canbe a lot of discouragement and a lot50300:34:30.949 --> 00:34:36.030of what looks like failure. Yeah, I talked to a woman a couple50400:34:36.389 --> 00:34:42.139yesterday, a full hour, awhole hour. My voice was was breaking.50500:34:42.340 --> 00:34:45.820I was I gave everything I hadand they ended up going in.50600:34:45.099 --> 00:34:47.940Yeah, and it now they actuallyhad if you have a good reason,50700:34:49.019 --> 00:34:51.860which I don't think there is agood reason, but it was a pretty50800:34:51.900 --> 00:34:54.250compelling reason to a board. Itwas. I got it, I understood50900:34:54.289 --> 00:34:58.489it. Yeah, I still disagreedwith it. Yeah, but I you51000:34:58.530 --> 00:35:01.489know it. I think it's almostimpossible for US humanly to not feel like,51100:35:02.130 --> 00:35:05.849what could I have done? Ihave failed. But I think this51200:35:06.050 --> 00:35:10.880principle. All glory goes to Godin the victories, but really all glory51300:35:12.000 --> 00:35:15.480goes to God in what is perceivedas a failure as well. It's not51400:35:15.559 --> 00:35:20.280us. Yeah, he empowered usto do whatever we did and if we51500:35:20.400 --> 00:35:24.989did it to the best of ourability, he's he's the one that's responsible51600:35:25.110 --> 00:35:29.630for the results. Yeah, andultimately, when it what looks like whin51700:35:29.710 --> 00:35:32.630or loss, we know God isglorified one way or another, maybe even51800:35:32.670 --> 00:35:37.820in just how we comported ourselves.Yeah, in that interaction. Yeah,51900:35:37.059 --> 00:35:42.699and then the last one. Yourcompassion should be a testimony to others of52000:35:42.820 --> 00:35:46.699the power, love and hope ofGod. Yeah, and and I think52100:35:46.739 --> 00:35:52.090a nice closing verse, Matthew.Thirty one. So the crowd marveled as52200:35:52.170 --> 00:35:58.530they saw the mute speaking, thecripple restored and the lame walking and the52300:35:58.650 --> 00:36:04.010blind scene, and they glorified theGod of Israel. Yeah, and all52400:36:04.090 --> 00:36:09.719those acts of compassion. The endresult was that the people glorified God.52500:36:09.960 --> 00:36:14.320Yeah, yeah, yeah, it'sa good way to end. So hope52600:36:14.400 --> 00:36:17.829this podcast was a blessing to you. Guys. If you have any questions52700:36:17.949 --> 00:36:22.150about anything we've talked about and andwant to connect with us, you can52800:36:22.150 --> 00:36:27.670always connect with me, d parksat cities for Lifecom v Cassi, Oregon52900:36:27.789 --> 00:36:30.829cities for lifecom. If you wantto connect with Vicky, go to our53000:36:30.869 --> 00:36:35.659website. Will have a link inthe show notes of this article on the53100:36:35.699 --> 00:36:40.179sidewalks for life site and you'll beable to reache this article yourself and I53200:36:40.260 --> 00:36:44.300think it'll be a blessing to you. If you have any suggestions for other53300:36:44.380 --> 00:36:46.289podcasts, any subjects you'd like forus to cover, you know we focus53400:36:46.409 --> 00:36:50.929on sidewalk counseling a lot because it'swhat we do, but we also hope53500:36:50.929 --> 00:36:53.090it can be broad enough. Thethings that we talked about can be broad53600:36:53.090 --> 00:36:59.170enough to speak to pregnancy center workersand directors and speak to people and whatever,53700:36:59.289 --> 00:37:02.320Pro Life Ministry or just prolife peoplein general. If you're if you're,53800:37:02.840 --> 00:37:06.679you know, just thinking about prolife stuff, hope these are these53900:37:06.719 --> 00:37:08.679are a real blessing to you.So share them with other people. Share54000:37:08.719 --> 00:37:12.559them with people in your circle,sharing with people on facebook. You know,54100:37:12.719 --> 00:37:16.150you can grab a link from itunesor from the PODCAST APP. If54200:37:16.190 --> 00:37:20.949you're using apple and other podcasts,you can get a link. There's a54300:37:20.949 --> 00:37:22.989share button somewhere. We can geta link and you can share that on54400:37:23.030 --> 00:37:25.590facebook and say, Hey, thispodcast was a blessing. Check it out,54500:37:27.150 --> 00:37:30.260because the more people that get thisinformation, you know, I believe,54600:37:30.260 --> 00:37:34.380the more people be blessed and beempowered to empower other people to ultimately54700:37:34.500 --> 00:37:37.860bring glory to God, because that'swhat it's all about. It's about glorifying54800:37:37.980 --> 00:37:40.579Jesus, about drawing people to him. It's not about us, it's not54900:37:40.659 --> 00:37:45.409about cities for life or any otherministry. It is about the Lord Jesus.55000:37:45.809 --> 00:37:47.889And so with that in mind,we appreciate all those who listen and55100:37:49.050 --> 00:37:58.369we appreciate you time and and untilnext time, God bless me, ove55200:37:58.570 --> 00:38:09.840for love, give me our liftfor gratitude. I know it will cost55300:38:09.920 --> 00:38:17.949me my love. Nothing's too precious, and some you