Explaining What We Do To The World

WEBVTT100:00:00.600 --> 00:00:06.320I Am Yours, I am yours, I am yours and me. Welcome200:00:06.360 --> 00:00:09.830to the Gospel Center pro life podcast. Have you ever been in that awkward300:00:09.830 --> 00:00:13.390situation when someone asks you what doyou do and you have to explain to400:00:13.429 --> 00:00:17.269them the ministry on the sidewalk?This episode, Viki now talk about those500:00:17.269 --> 00:00:23.699awkward situations and how to honor Godthrough them. Stay with us. I600:00:24.059 --> 00:00:35.380felt show passish touts your use mehe they're. Welcome to the Gospel centered700:00:35.500 --> 00:00:39.729pro life podcast. I'm Vicky,I'm Hereriet, I'm Daniel. Daniel.800:00:39.969 --> 00:00:45.609Yeah, and this is a podcastthat, as many of them do,900:00:46.490 --> 00:00:51.560came to mind because of real lifesituations that I know many people in our1000:00:52.280 --> 00:00:58.840ministry or our type of ministry,deal with the inevitable question in a social1100:00:58.920 --> 00:01:02.560situation. Yeah, with often peopleyou don't know at all. You don't1200:01:02.640 --> 00:01:07.150they're not necessarily believers. Oftentimes they'renot. Maybe neighbors work something where they1300:01:07.150 --> 00:01:11.989say, so, what do youdo? Yeah, and I don't know1400:01:11.109 --> 00:01:15.989about how most people respond when theyhear that question in their life, but1500:01:15.109 --> 00:01:19.939when I hear that question, myheart sinks, I start to sweat hard1600:01:21.060 --> 00:01:27.500palpitations. I mean, I knowI am about to endure a very socially1700:01:27.540 --> 00:01:38.049awkward moment. Yeah, because itjust is not generally a well accepted work1800:01:38.170 --> 00:01:41.250that we do, even among we'vetalked about that in many podcasts, even1900:01:41.290 --> 00:01:44.930among Christian circles. Yeah, wedid a podcast couple of weeks ago about2000:01:44.930 --> 00:01:48.200dealing with criticism. Right, sothis is kind of along those same lines.2100:01:48.280 --> 00:01:52.959It's kind of that that social,I guess, view of what we2200:01:53.040 --> 00:01:57.680do right. And yet talks specifically, yeah, from maybe it mays book2300:01:57.760 --> 00:02:00.000right, maybe the differences in inthat last podcast. So those are people2400:02:00.040 --> 00:02:02.989coming to you while you're doing whatthey know what you do. There they2500:02:04.069 --> 00:02:07.430come and talk to you as you'redoing it in general and then they're expressing2600:02:07.510 --> 00:02:12.069the criticism. In this case theseare people. Usually it's like I was2700:02:12.189 --> 00:02:15.780telling you earlier before we started this, it was neighbors. We met across2800:02:15.819 --> 00:02:19.659the fence for the first time andwe're exchanging, you know, just summaries2900:02:19.699 --> 00:02:22.699of our lives and then they saidso what do you do, Vicky?3000:02:23.379 --> 00:02:30.210And it had often so light andcheery and and really nice interaction. And3100:02:30.530 --> 00:02:35.689when I said that first sentence ofwhat I do, I'm on a sidewalk3200:02:35.729 --> 00:02:39.689in front of an abortion center.And I encourage the women to choose life.3300:02:40.409 --> 00:02:46.280Dead Silence. Yeah, awkward,Dead Silence, eyes averted, you3400:02:46.400 --> 00:02:49.960know, people looking everywhere. Yeah, how do we get out of this?3500:02:50.280 --> 00:02:53.120And that is often the point atwhich, certainly in my past,3600:02:53.599 --> 00:02:59.110I would just change the subject,move on. Sure, St Start talking3700:02:59.150 --> 00:03:04.270about other things, my children,my dog, anything. But but I'm3800:03:04.310 --> 00:03:06.909not. I don't do that somuch anymore. Yeah, I kind of3900:03:06.990 --> 00:03:12.270I I've come to a different senseof what I should do with that question.4000:03:12.310 --> 00:03:15.580Yeah, you know, personally,as I shared with you, and4100:03:15.699 --> 00:03:19.219you guys probably, if you've beendoing this or any amount of time,4200:03:19.219 --> 00:03:23.580you know exactly what we're talking about. Right, you're at a social function4300:03:23.620 --> 00:03:25.259or something, that's like one ofthe first questions that people ask you.4400:03:25.460 --> 00:03:29.289Exactly what do you do? Yeah, right, because we as a society,4500:03:29.889 --> 00:03:32.370we like to define people by bytheir vocation. Right, is not.4600:03:32.650 --> 00:03:36.409You know, I ask the question, what do you do to try4700:03:36.449 --> 00:03:40.210to get a feel for that person? Yeah, yeah, and so my4800:03:40.370 --> 00:03:45.879response actually, I told you,I kind of I gage whether or not4900:03:45.960 --> 00:03:50.520I have enough time to explain whetheror not I want to really go there5000:03:50.919 --> 00:03:53.800at this point. So sometimes,Daniel, we never want to go there.5100:03:53.800 --> 00:03:59.870Let's well, sometimes I do.Sometimes I feel inclined to go there5200:03:59.949 --> 00:04:03.150and kind of explain and really givean apologetic I guess, yeah, for5300:04:03.590 --> 00:04:06.789why we do what we do atall on all of that. But you5400:04:06.870 --> 00:04:09.830know, if I'm in a hurt, in a hurry and I don't really5500:04:09.870 --> 00:04:13.379want to deal with the explanation becausethis is not a vocation, this is5600:04:13.500 --> 00:04:15.540not a ministry. I mean,if you're a pastor, you caxam a5700:04:15.540 --> 00:04:18.899pastor of a church, people knowexactly well all that that entails. Not5800:04:19.100 --> 00:04:23.779all of it, but they understandwhat you're talking about and other things.5900:04:23.819 --> 00:04:27.089And even if you said you're I'ma missionary, right, you could say6000:04:27.129 --> 00:04:29.889that. Yeah, but people knowwhat that means. You don't have to6100:04:29.970 --> 00:04:33.490give a long explanation or whatever.But with this, you know, you6200:04:34.449 --> 00:04:39.319you might say all for help andhope in the name of Jesus, at6300:04:39.319 --> 00:04:44.040an abortion center, but what theyhear is I yell at people at an6400:04:44.040 --> 00:04:46.720abortion clinic and and Harrass and judgingcondemn. Yeah, exactly, they're.6500:04:47.040 --> 00:04:53.589They're not. I don't think ofthose other fields of work. The misconception.6600:04:53.829 --> 00:04:57.550Yeah, absolutely, whereas there isyeah, and so we do.6700:04:58.269 --> 00:05:00.189When I get in those situations whereI I don't really feel like going into6800:05:00.189 --> 00:05:04.310a long explanation, and I thinkI'm a cop out in this area.6900:05:04.430 --> 00:05:08.459I agree. I will say somethingto the effect of I work for a7000:05:08.579 --> 00:05:13.339nonprofit that helps women in crisis pregnancysituations, right, right, and I'll7100:05:13.339 --> 00:05:16.939get into that. That's basically myexplanation. Yeah, and I don't really7200:05:16.939 --> 00:05:20.180have to get into details on that, right. So I'll tell you that.7300:05:20.569 --> 00:05:24.730That is what I you. Idon't know if I stated it that7400:05:24.850 --> 00:05:28.610way, but something that was kindof hedge. Yeah, that's what you7500:05:28.730 --> 00:05:31.370used to say before you grew abackbone. Exactly kind to say. So7600:05:31.449 --> 00:05:33.730you're trying to say I need togrow back, I think. So.7700:05:33.930 --> 00:05:40.639Here's here's well, I had arecent experience that actually prompted this podcast and7800:05:41.759 --> 00:05:46.360I thought, since we are aGospel centered prolife podcast, that maybe we7900:05:46.439 --> 00:05:51.389should start the reason for why Ifeel like there's been a shift in me.8000:05:51.709 --> 00:05:58.189Okay, with some verses from firstPeter Three, okay, wellknown versus.8100:05:58.350 --> 00:06:00.990Yeah, a lot of you haveheard these verses, but these verses8200:06:01.189 --> 00:06:08.699call out to me and tell meI need to tell people what I do8300:06:09.300 --> 00:06:14.139and not just give that one sentence. That is going to make them all8400:06:14.740 --> 00:06:17.569run from me? Yeah, butto actually expand upon it in a way8500:06:18.490 --> 00:06:26.129that God is glorified, magnified andadvancing his kingdom, and I believe really8600:06:26.810 --> 00:06:30.250that question that I used to lookat with dread, and I'd be lying8700:06:30.329 --> 00:06:32.079if I said I don't feel dread. I do. Every time I hear8800:06:32.120 --> 00:06:40.000it, I feel sent of dread. What do you do right? Oh,8900:06:40.120 --> 00:06:44.839it's awful, it's awful, butI think I want to I'm kind9000:06:44.879 --> 00:06:48.189of turning it around in my heart, as it's an opportunity. It has9100:06:48.230 --> 00:06:53.110become an opportunity. Do you wantto share this? This verse? You9200:06:53.189 --> 00:06:58.029read it all right, it's firstPeter Three versus fifteen and sixteen. But9300:06:58.310 --> 00:07:02.620sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense9400:07:03.019 --> 00:07:08.980to everyone who asks you to givean account for the hope that is in9500:07:09.139 --> 00:07:14.180you. Yet with gentleness and referenceand keep a good conscience, so that,9600:07:14.379 --> 00:07:17.329in the thing in that you areslandered, those who revile your good9700:07:17.410 --> 00:07:21.730behavior in Christ will be put toshame. Yeah, my goal is not9800:07:21.810 --> 00:07:26.009to put anyone to shame, butthere is no doubt that what we do9900:07:26.170 --> 00:07:31.279is lander. Yeah, in media, in just in people's hearts and minds10000:07:31.560 --> 00:07:35.279this. They they don't know whatwe do and they they look at it,10100:07:35.360 --> 00:07:40.560it in general, in a verynegative light. Even Christians, I10200:07:40.959 --> 00:07:44.470find I'm hard pressed to find peoplethat will say wow, that is really10300:07:44.509 --> 00:07:48.269yeah, wonderful. Almost never.Yeah, yeah, well, I will10400:07:48.350 --> 00:07:54.670say in my defense. Okay,this is me twisting scripture a little bit10500:07:54.790 --> 00:07:58.110to make myself feel better. I'mnot twisting it, I'm taking it for10600:07:58.230 --> 00:08:01.500what it says actually, but sanctifycrisis Lord in your heart, in your10700:08:01.540 --> 00:08:07.579heart. Yeah, always being readyto make a defense doesn't say always making10800:08:07.620 --> 00:08:11.019a defense. Okay, I justso, I'm ready. How about that?10900:08:11.300 --> 00:08:13.689I'm always ready. Okay, Ican make a good defense and what11000:08:13.810 --> 00:08:16.250I do and why I do whatI do. Yes, I don't mean11100:08:16.370 --> 00:08:20.850always have to defend what I doright. I mean, though, I11200:08:20.009 --> 00:08:24.050really have to to share. Well, every time someone asks me to deal11300:08:24.170 --> 00:08:26.800with God, okay, about that, leg got to do with me that11400:08:26.920 --> 00:08:31.240issue, and God will got todeal with you. So, so we've11500:08:31.240 --> 00:08:35.879all been there, and so letme. I'll tell you about my experience11600:08:35.200 --> 00:08:39.559and then you can tell me ifit's right or wrong or how I dealt11700:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.950with but I learned a lot ofthings in this I mean there's been many,11800:08:41.990 --> 00:08:46.590many times that I've dealt with thisquestion, but it happens specifically when11900:08:46.629 --> 00:08:52.990I was getting new classes just acouple weeks ago. Yeah, and the12000:08:52.230 --> 00:08:58.779person who does all the tests beforethe optician gets me is someone I have12100:08:58.899 --> 00:09:03.259a relationship with. We have beenfriends should because I've been going to the12200:09:03.299 --> 00:09:05.779side doctor for years. She's she'sremained the same. The eye doctor has12300:09:05.820 --> 00:09:09.009changed, other staff have changed,but she's remained the same. So she12400:09:09.169 --> 00:09:15.250knows what I do. She's abeliever. She's very supportive of what I12500:09:15.409 --> 00:09:20.690do and we have talked about itbefore. So we finish all the eye12600:09:20.769 --> 00:09:24.960test I go in and get theexam from the optician. I forget if12700:09:24.960 --> 00:09:28.039it's the optician or ophthemologist, butanyway I don't know. And then I12800:09:28.120 --> 00:09:31.600go out to go pick out theglasses and I haven't gotten glasses in years.12900:09:31.759 --> 00:09:33.360I don't like glasses, I don'twear glasses. They're back up,13000:09:33.879 --> 00:09:37.759but I figure if I'm going tospend all the money for a glass glasses,13100:09:37.799 --> 00:09:41.429I should get a nice one.So it was closing time. There's13200:09:41.470 --> 00:09:46.470like four or five employees all gettingtheir starting to clean up and close up.13300:09:46.149 --> 00:09:50.710And and I go over to pickout the glasses and I said,13400:09:50.710 --> 00:09:54.340I have no idea. What couldthey said something. Well, what are13500:09:54.379 --> 00:09:56.860you looking for? Well, andI said, I have no idea,13600:09:56.940 --> 00:10:00.419I just don't know. And soall five of them, including the OPTICIAN,13700:10:00.539 --> 00:10:03.700gather around. It was fun.They're picking out all these different frames13800:10:03.740 --> 00:10:09.649and and they pick out a beautiful, wildly colored just they you, they13900:10:09.649 --> 00:10:13.289were obviously even me, with notaste, could tell these were pretty controversial14000:10:13.330 --> 00:10:18.250kinds of glasses. And and andshe handed it to me, my friend,14100:10:18.250 --> 00:10:20.799and said, oh, but thesewould probably be a little too wild14200:10:22.080 --> 00:10:26.080for the work that you do,maybe too happy. Okay, the work14300:10:26.159 --> 00:10:31.320that you do. And I'm likealready starting to sweat thinking here it comes14400:10:31.639 --> 00:10:39.789at explain and and one of theother employees had what what does she do?14500:10:39.509 --> 00:10:43.830And she said well, Vicky,why don't you tell us? So14600:10:45.029 --> 00:10:48.830here we go and again my firstresponse was to do what you do,14700:10:50.340 --> 00:10:54.940just deflect, yeah, and andgive some kind of noncommittal general answer.14800:10:56.659 --> 00:11:01.820But I thought I can't do that. I I need to tell them what14900:11:01.899 --> 00:11:05.009I do. So I said,you know, I'm I'm CIBOT, counselor15000:11:05.049 --> 00:11:09.169in front of an abortion center andI offer hope and help to women who15100:11:09.169 --> 00:11:18.409are going into abort their child.And and that's about it. Yeah,15200:11:18.799 --> 00:11:26.720and instantly predictable response. Their facesfall immediately, because I've been doing this15300:11:26.799 --> 00:11:31.559a long time and you develop sixthsense of people and their responses and why15400:11:33.230 --> 00:11:37.750kind of they've got their response.I could tell to the women had had15500:11:37.750 --> 00:11:41.909an abortion. I felt almost beyonda shadow of a doubt. They looked15600:11:41.909 --> 00:11:46.070away and you could see shame.Yeah, you could just I don't know,15700:11:46.230 --> 00:11:48.779I can't define it, but Icould tell there was guilt, there15800:11:48.860 --> 00:11:56.740was shame and and a wall wentright up. Yeah, and maybe that's15900:11:56.779 --> 00:12:01.179what bade me soldier on, becauseI was thinking I can't leave it there,16000:12:01.490 --> 00:12:09.490right, because it already is aguilty, silent thing. that their16100:12:09.970 --> 00:12:16.559burden. Yeah, they're carrying andmaybe God had engineered that moment for me16200:12:16.679 --> 00:12:24.960to somehow lift that burden. Yeah, so I decided to go on to16300:12:26.080 --> 00:12:31.830explain more right and and in myhead is the thought there are post abortive16400:12:31.870 --> 00:12:39.669women hearing this. So the firstthing I said is no one wants to16500:12:39.789 --> 00:12:43.909get an abortion, no one wantsan abortions. Could what I was hoping16600:12:43.070 --> 00:12:50.019to do with that was kind ofdispel the lie that abortion is normal and16700:12:50.220 --> 00:12:56.220good, right, but also tospeak to them. I know you didn't16800:12:56.259 --> 00:12:58.929want that abortion. Yeah, andI know there is a not a victim16900:13:00.009 --> 00:13:05.210movement and I agree with that inpart, but I think that in many17000:13:05.250 --> 00:13:09.250of the women coming for abortion they'renot victims in the true sense of the17100:13:09.330 --> 00:13:13.919word. Right, but I thinkin many cases if they didn't feel they17200:13:15.679 --> 00:13:20.840if there was another choice that tothem was, I say, easier,17300:13:22.000 --> 00:13:26.519but but would keep them from havingto do it. I don't think anyone17400:13:26.679 --> 00:13:31.549goes there with joy, right,saying I can't wait to get an abortion.17500:13:31.629 --> 00:13:37.230Yeah, right, yeah, Iagree. So and then I then17600:13:37.269 --> 00:13:41.620I described that what we're there offering, that were offering the hope and love17700:13:41.700 --> 00:13:45.220of Jesus. You all know,if you've heard the podcast, you know17800:13:45.299 --> 00:13:48.899the sorts of things that we offer, but all the resources. Talked about17900:13:48.940 --> 00:13:54.899a little bit about the truth,about the development of the baby, and18000:13:54.100 --> 00:14:01.129and then as I'm listing off allthe things that we do, including the18100:14:01.210 --> 00:14:05.610baby shower, the optician chimed inthen and said, so you don't just18200:14:05.889 --> 00:14:13.000tell people don't do this, youtell them don't do this and will help18300:14:13.159 --> 00:14:18.159you. Yeah, I loved that, how she summarized it that way,18400:14:20.120 --> 00:14:26.470because I that's what I love aboutour ministry. Yeah, is is that18500:14:26.950 --> 00:14:37.269we aren't just protesting abortion or offeringhelp and solutions so that people feel less18600:14:37.350 --> 00:14:39.860inclined, yeah, to have anabortion. You know, I think in18700:14:39.980 --> 00:14:45.659one sense, we did do apodcast about this some months ago, well,18800:14:46.059 --> 00:14:50.740year ago maybe, about do wereally need to meet their needs,18900:14:52.059 --> 00:14:54.250or able to meet their needs,in order to be in front of the19000:14:54.289 --> 00:14:56.090abortion centers telling them not to killher children? And, of course,19100:14:56.970 --> 00:15:01.809if we had nothing to offer them, if we had no resources, no19200:15:01.889 --> 00:15:05.769baby showers, none of that stuff, we could still, we would still19300:15:05.769 --> 00:15:09.720be perfectly justified into and saying don'tkill your child. Right, right,19400:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.639because, after all, it ismurder. Yeah, it's like when someone's19500:15:11.639 --> 00:15:15.879about to kill they're two year old. You don't have to be willing to19600:15:15.919 --> 00:15:20.519adopt the two year old in orderfor them to to listen to what you're19700:15:20.519 --> 00:15:22.070saying, right, and you'd beable to be justified in telling them not19800:15:22.110 --> 00:15:24.870to kill their two year old.So in the same way, however,19900:15:26.389 --> 00:15:31.190it does really help in these conversations, and maybe it's maybe it's I don't20000:15:31.230 --> 00:15:35.509know, a fig leaf that weused to make ourselves look, I guess,20100:15:35.629 --> 00:15:37.220better in their eyes. So Iguess we need to examine our hearts20200:15:37.259 --> 00:15:41.220on that level. But what itdoes do, I think, is it20300:15:41.340 --> 00:15:45.659dispels this notion in these lies.It's kind of like that first Peter's scripture,20400:15:45.820 --> 00:15:48.139so that we're not slandered, becausewe're slandered as saying your pro birth,20500:15:48.620 --> 00:15:52.850yeah, right, that's the slandersaccusation. Your pro birth, yeah,20600:15:52.009 --> 00:15:56.090when these resources and things that wegive after they're born proves that to20700:15:56.169 --> 00:16:00.529be wrong. So it's not justa fig leaf, it's it's a reality20800:16:00.649 --> 00:16:03.799too. As believers in Jesus,we are not called to only speak the20900:16:03.879 --> 00:16:07.600truth, you know, John SaysFirst, John Says, if you love21000:16:07.720 --> 00:16:12.240your brotherren word only, but notindeed, then it's not true love.21100:16:12.559 --> 00:16:15.519Right. So we're supposed to loveindeed, and we that's part of these21200:16:15.600 --> 00:16:19.590resources and all of that. Yeah, loving these these babies, yeah,21300:16:19.629 --> 00:16:26.309these maps as well. You makessuch a good point and and you,21400:16:26.830 --> 00:16:30.830you were the first person that Ithink, I probably ever heard that stated21500:16:30.470 --> 00:16:37.539so well. That made me reallythink about he's right. They don't.21600:16:37.700 --> 00:16:41.940It is why I'm attracted to nowlove life ministry is because we do offer21700:16:41.220 --> 00:16:48.049resources in addition of the Gospel.But I have come to feel very strongly21800:16:48.250 --> 00:16:52.970that if I had nothing to offer, say I was traveling and all I21900:16:52.090 --> 00:16:56.690could offer with Jesus was Jesus andhis truth in his word, I I22000:16:56.889 --> 00:17:03.079should and I'm definitely justified in doingthat. But our ministry, Biblically,22100:17:04.640 --> 00:17:08.559I believe, offers resources. Theparable of the Good Samaritan. Yes,22200:17:08.640 --> 00:17:17.109our guiding principle. Well, that'snot just sharing God, that's finding someone22300:17:17.150 --> 00:17:22.069who's wounded and dying and on apath of destruction and getting them out of22400:17:22.109 --> 00:17:26.549that ditch. Yeah, and andhelping them and providing tangible help. So,22500:17:26.829 --> 00:17:33.099and in fact, what I didnext was tell that parable. I22600:17:33.259 --> 00:17:37.500said this is what our ministry isbased upon. Yeah, and and resent22700:17:37.259 --> 00:17:41.380not knowing with ours talking to believersor not. And I mean most people22800:17:41.420 --> 00:17:44.609have heard that parable, but thereare people that haven't that I've come across.22900:17:44.690 --> 00:17:48.490And I told that parable and andexplained each section of it and how23000:17:48.609 --> 00:17:52.009it relates to what we do outthere on a sidewalk. And as I'm23100:17:52.089 --> 00:18:00.480sharing that, I was beginning tosee a transformation in my audience because they're23200:18:00.799 --> 00:18:08.200I think they began to see thatexactly what you said. Being a Christian23300:18:08.480 --> 00:18:15.990is not just saying thou shall not, but then offering help in the name23400:18:17.029 --> 00:18:22.430of Jesus and showing the love ofGod tangibly through how we help others.23500:18:23.069 --> 00:18:27.740And I think that's a that's areally a positive picture. Yeah, that23600:18:27.900 --> 00:18:36.700you're painting at that point. Sothey they started to clearly, I think23700:18:36.819 --> 00:18:41.299they were listening. They're leaning inand those women who weren't looking at me23800:18:41.339 --> 00:18:45.849are now looking at me and whatI could kind of feel going through their23900:18:45.970 --> 00:18:52.730head was maybe if someone had offeredhelp to me, maybe I might not24000:18:52.849 --> 00:18:56.680have done it. Yeah, Ihave heard that. Yeah, have you24100:18:56.680 --> 00:19:00.599at the that I've heard that specifically, but I have at one point.24200:19:02.000 --> 00:19:06.000One story that comes to mind.I was I was in the barbershop and24300:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.720get my hair cut. Is ActuallyWalmart, I guess, the barbershop and24400:19:07.759 --> 00:19:11.910Walmart in this young lady was cuttingmy hair and she asked me the question.24500:19:11.990 --> 00:19:15.789I may even had cities for lifeat that time, t shirt own24600:19:15.829 --> 00:19:19.150or something like that. Yeah,and I there I am in the Barber24700:19:19.230 --> 00:19:23.299Chere. You gotta really are rightand take that long to cut my hair.24800:19:23.380 --> 00:19:26.819But okay, I had some timeand they're sort of a captive audience24900:19:26.859 --> 00:19:30.859and I'm going to pay the moneyto do this anyway, so they have25000:19:30.940 --> 00:19:33.019to listen to what I have tosay. So she asked me what I25100:19:33.059 --> 00:19:37.650do and I shared with her whatI do and she she broke down right25200:19:37.730 --> 00:19:41.289there in the barber shop. Sheshared about how she'd had an abortion.25300:19:41.650 --> 00:19:45.849Wow, like eight years ago.Yeah, like eight years ago. Yeah,25400:19:45.170 --> 00:19:48.890at that point in this was acouple of years. So anyway,25500:19:48.130 --> 00:19:52.359and she said specifically she had achild after she had the abortion, but25600:19:52.519 --> 00:20:00.079she said she's still grieves over thatbaby that she killed and she still sees25700:20:00.160 --> 00:20:03.720that empty spot at the table.So she said specifically. And what that25800:20:03.880 --> 00:20:10.069did? Was it opened for youor for anyone who takes the plunge in25900:20:10.190 --> 00:20:15.950these conversations to then share healing.Yeah, yeah, it's absolute it.26000:20:15.109 --> 00:20:21.029It created an opportunity that you wouldotherwise never have had. Yes, that26100:20:21.150 --> 00:20:22.619woman, and would anyone have had? You know, it seems to me26200:20:22.740 --> 00:20:26.299like a really divine appointment. Iwas absolutely a divine appointment. I got26300:20:26.299 --> 00:20:30.460two minister to her. Yep,I think she had become a believer,26400:20:30.619 --> 00:20:33.339which is why she was so openabout it. For again, it's been26500:20:33.380 --> 00:20:37.130some years since that situation kind ofplayed out. Yeah, but from what26600:20:37.170 --> 00:20:41.329I recollect she had become a believerin Jesus, which is why she was26700:20:41.450 --> 00:20:45.130really open about it and really sharingright there in the barbershop. And there26800:20:45.130 --> 00:20:48.849are other people around and all ofthat. Are they all listening to?26900:20:48.369 --> 00:20:52.039I mean, I'm sure they listening. So I mean there you've got it.27000:20:52.319 --> 00:20:56.079Your your you're not only ministering toher, your ministering to the whole27100:20:56.119 --> 00:21:00.640group of people that are listening.Yeah, and and learning, which is,27200:21:00.960 --> 00:21:07.950I think, another really important point. When these opportunities arise, don't27300:21:07.750 --> 00:21:12.990shrink from them, don't shrink back, because you never know where it might27400:21:14.029 --> 00:21:18.900lead. An earlier conversation that veryday in that office, which I was27500:21:18.019 --> 00:21:23.660not a part of this group offive, but when I was talking about27600:21:23.700 --> 00:21:27.819my work and someone did same thing, said she had had an abortion.27700:21:29.140 --> 00:21:33.650She still regretted it and the sorrowand and I talked about where to find27800:21:33.690 --> 00:21:37.930healing, first in Christ and thenthe program some programs where you could find27900:21:37.930 --> 00:21:47.200healing again. Never would have hadthat conversation if someone didn't ask me what28000:21:47.359 --> 00:21:49.640it is that I do. Yeah, and I wasn't able or willing to28100:21:51.680 --> 00:21:56.559respond fully or even with just thatfirst response, which was pretty straightforward.28200:21:56.599 --> 00:22:00.799But had I ended there, andthat was one of the points I wanted28300:22:00.799 --> 00:22:03.869to really make in this podcast,if I had ended with that first sentence,28400:22:04.710 --> 00:22:11.309with their faces fallen, they clearlyjust felt nothing but hostility and shame,28500:22:11.630 --> 00:22:18.140grief whatever. If I had leftit there, think of the repercussions28600:22:18.180 --> 00:22:25.539of that as opposed was to whatdid happen. Yeah, so then,28700:22:26.220 --> 00:22:34.970after talking about the parable of theGood Samaritan and and the optician making her28800:22:36.130 --> 00:22:41.089point, you you help them,then they, the two who had backed28900:22:41.130 --> 00:22:45.440off, started handing me glasses totry on and saying tried these, these29000:22:45.480 --> 00:22:48.599would go well with your work,and it was like they had come full29100:22:48.720 --> 00:22:52.480circle to let's even help her.Right. Yeah, so it was.29200:22:52.559 --> 00:22:57.559It was really it'll bet you therewe was after you walked out of the29300:22:57.589 --> 00:23:02.789door, their magical conversations. Imaginethe discussion after I walked out the door.29400:23:03.630 --> 00:23:11.869So it was such a wonderful experience, which these conversations don't always end29500:23:11.910 --> 00:23:15.900there. No, oftentimes they don't, but in in that case it opened29600:23:15.940 --> 00:23:22.420up so much that it really mademe glad that I had told them what29700:23:22.579 --> 00:23:26.220I what. I really what Ireally do. I do. Sometimes what29800:23:26.339 --> 00:23:30.369can happen, and I'm sure I'vedone this. I can't think of particular29900:23:30.410 --> 00:23:34.490situation when I have. But whenwe try to like, well, I30000:23:34.569 --> 00:23:40.410guess I'll say when we have togive a defense, we actually, instead30100:23:40.410 --> 00:23:41.680of that, kind of go onthe offense, you know, because it30200:23:41.720 --> 00:23:47.039says here we should be ready tomake a defense and out of our own30300:23:47.079 --> 00:23:51.960kind of, I guess, Idon't know, anxiety over trying to explain,30400:23:52.039 --> 00:23:55.910we'll go into offensive mode rather thandefensive mode where we'll just come right30500:23:55.910 --> 00:23:57.750out of the gate. And whatdo you do? Well, people are30600:23:57.789 --> 00:24:00.670murdering their children. So, youknow, we kind of go on the30700:24:00.750 --> 00:24:03.269offense and just go after and justgo after every objection they might have.30800:24:03.470 --> 00:24:07.269Yeah, when in reality they're justasking what we do. So one of30900:24:07.309 --> 00:24:11.140the things we don't want to doin these situations, because it's about being31000:24:11.180 --> 00:24:12.579a witness for Jesus, right,is it? We don't want to just31100:24:12.779 --> 00:24:18.980unload on people and just unload,you know, all of the numbers and31200:24:18.140 --> 00:24:22.700Statistics and all of that. Ithink you can, you have provoke a31300:24:22.779 --> 00:24:27.369really good conversation and give a reallygood defense and be willing and able and31400:24:27.529 --> 00:24:32.529ready to share those numbers and Statisticsand all that other stuff. But we31500:24:32.609 --> 00:24:36.130don't want to kind of get anoffensive Moor. We just unload on someone31600:24:36.690 --> 00:24:38.920when they ask what we do exactly. Be kind of almost like this,31700:24:41.519 --> 00:24:45.279I don't know, this kind ofpsychological thing, even our own mind out31800:24:45.279 --> 00:24:48.759of our own anxiety and we don'treally want to share what we do,31900:24:48.920 --> 00:24:52.079but let's just go ahead and getit out there. Well, we've been32000:24:52.119 --> 00:24:56.150attacked for it so many times asidewalk and so we're it's kind of a32100:24:56.190 --> 00:25:00.230natural response. But you sparked theactually where it where it ended that I32200:25:00.750 --> 00:25:03.750forgot about. The very ending ofthat discussion then, was I shared a32300:25:03.910 --> 00:25:07.539story, which we shared, Ithink, on our last podcast, about32400:25:07.539 --> 00:25:12.579the grandma who returned eight years afterher grandchild had been saved from abortion at32500:25:12.619 --> 00:25:17.380the at that very abortion center andcame back to tell us and to thank32600:25:17.460 --> 00:25:21.529us and just to say that kidin the back seat wouldn't be here today32700:25:21.529 --> 00:25:23.769if you guys hadn't been there.That was when they started handing me the32800:25:23.849 --> 00:25:30.769glasses. I forgot about that.But having a story that demonstrates than the32900:25:32.049 --> 00:25:37.759results. Yeah, of what you'vedone can really be very powerful. Yeah,33000:25:37.839 --> 00:25:41.799absolutely. Yes, stories, peoplecan connect with stories. You can33100:25:41.880 --> 00:25:47.319give a defense all day long withstatistics and all that other stuff, and33200:25:47.960 --> 00:25:52.029I'm not saying that's not good,but really, people's hearts connect with stories.33300:25:52.269 --> 00:25:56.789Yeah, and that's a biblical concept. I actually you see Jesus,33400:25:56.190 --> 00:26:00.430he doesn't just give numbers and Statisticsand just rebuke the Pharisees right out.33500:26:00.549 --> 00:26:04.980He does that for sure, buthe'll give a story that kind of shows33600:26:06.019 --> 00:26:08.900the hypocrisy of the Pharisees or whateverother point he's trying to make. You33700:26:08.980 --> 00:26:12.500know, sewing seed. He givesa story of the sower of seeds,33800:26:12.539 --> 00:26:18.369right. Yeah, so sharing reallife stories or even personal testimonies. I33900:26:18.369 --> 00:26:22.369mean you have a personal testimony inthe area of abortion. Yeah, I34000:26:22.450 --> 00:26:26.769have a personal testimony in the areaof unplanned pregnancy, right. Are Quote,34100:26:26.809 --> 00:26:30.049unplanned pregnancy? Yeah, and soI'll share that. I'll share the34200:26:30.170 --> 00:26:36.200story of me being seventeen, mygirlfriend fifteen and just the blessing that our34300:26:36.200 --> 00:26:40.559daughter is and how I couldn't imaginewhat if we'd would have aborted, like34400:26:40.640 --> 00:26:44.279I certainly, yeah, had thatin my mind and thank God we didn't34500:26:44.279 --> 00:26:48.750go that direction. Yeah, andso kind of equating that with the people34600:26:48.789 --> 00:26:51.589that we encounter, were able tominister. One of the things I'll share.34700:26:51.589 --> 00:26:53.630I'm able to minister to those youngmen, my wife is able to34800:26:53.710 --> 00:26:57.470minister to the those young ladies.And, of course, sharing about the34900:26:57.509 --> 00:27:02.259mobile Dr Soun you is really powerfultoo, because people don't imagine, because35000:27:02.299 --> 00:27:06.180they do have this this vein,it's a vein imagination in their minds when35100:27:06.180 --> 00:27:08.299you tell them you go out toan abortion center, here's yelling at people35200:27:08.339 --> 00:27:11.420and all this. So when Ilay out all the resources and the fact35300:27:11.420 --> 00:27:17.210that we park a mobile pregnancy centerin front of the abortion center, it35400:27:17.329 --> 00:27:19.329lets people know, like we're seriousabout this thing. This is just some35500:27:19.450 --> 00:27:23.970Ragtag Group of people, but thisis a serious, concerted effort to really35600:27:25.009 --> 00:27:27.769help these these women and save babies. Yeah, and bring the Gospel,35700:27:27.849 --> 00:27:32.920yeah, that place of darkness.Yeah, and then talking about, depending35800:27:32.920 --> 00:27:36.079on the amount of time you have, but but that the church is being35900:27:36.160 --> 00:27:40.359mobilized and being this is not justthe efforts of people out on a sidewalk,36000:27:40.799 --> 00:27:48.309but whole churches who are now steppingup to support women who would ordinarily36100:27:48.349 --> 00:27:52.869run to the abortion center. Andhopefully now will turn to the church,36200:27:52.990 --> 00:27:56.069and the church is saying we willno longer because I think we have in36300:27:56.190 --> 00:28:03.299the past just condemned, but wewill offer hope, help and love.36400:28:03.740 --> 00:28:07.619Yeah, and and embrace you.Yeah, and help to not that we36500:28:07.700 --> 00:28:11.890want to leave you as someone whothinks sex, high side of marriage or36600:28:11.890 --> 00:28:17.490abortion are either valid choices for aChristian. They should not be. But36700:28:18.849 --> 00:28:23.529hopefully the love and fellowship and embracingby the Church will lead them to a36800:28:25.049 --> 00:28:30.799greater relationship with God and in obedienceto God. Yeah. So, so36900:28:30.839 --> 00:28:34.000there were some things that I thoughtof as I was like recapping in my37000:28:34.039 --> 00:28:37.480mind that story, because it wentwell. Yeah, and so I do37100:28:38.480 --> 00:28:42.549always try to analyze, not onlywhen things have gone terribly. What did37200:28:42.549 --> 00:28:47.630I do wrong? What could Ihave done better, but I also was37300:28:47.869 --> 00:28:52.269thinking about, well, what weresome things that I did this time that37400:28:52.789 --> 00:28:56.700maybe I don't always do when thesekinds of stories don't end as well,37500:28:57.140 --> 00:29:00.660right, and and so I wrotedown some bullet points. But the the37600:29:00.819 --> 00:29:04.180first one was just to be boldand confident. I, like I said,37700:29:04.180 --> 00:29:07.059I felt trepidation when I started.I was like, Oh, brother,37800:29:07.220 --> 00:29:11.769here we go again. But whenI started speaking honestly, the Holy37900:29:11.809 --> 00:29:17.930Spirit does take over, but alsoI believe in what I do. I38000:29:18.130 --> 00:29:25.839believe what we do is so importantand valuable and God ordained and we should38100:29:25.839 --> 00:29:30.480express that. We should, insteadof apologetically or, like in the point38200:29:30.519 --> 00:29:34.480you made, angrily answering the question, just with bold confidence, the same38300:29:34.480 --> 00:29:40.349way we counsel the MOMS. Goforth with with bold confidence. Yeah,38400:29:40.950 --> 00:29:48.309I purposely did not use the wordmurder because I knew that that's an inflammatory38500:29:48.349 --> 00:29:52.630word, right, and that thatmight right away put up a wall in38600:29:52.829 --> 00:29:56.619what they were able to hear fromme. So I softened it, right,38700:29:56.900 --> 00:30:03.900and I use the word abortion asopposed to kill your baby. Then38800:30:04.900 --> 00:30:12.410talking about what we do in termsof the resources, right, and presenting38900:30:12.529 --> 00:30:19.130those so that they say they they'relooking at us in a more compassionate light.39000:30:19.609 --> 00:30:22.359Right. Yeah, it's certain thingsright, like they actually are,39100:30:22.480 --> 00:30:26.640like we're out there out of compassion, just out there to be judging and39200:30:27.200 --> 00:30:33.079condeming people or angry protesting or whatever. Right. Yeah, that was to39300:30:33.119 --> 00:30:37.990spell those false notions, right.Yeah, using the biblical support. As39400:30:38.069 --> 00:30:41.269you're talking, you may or maynot be talking to Christians, right,39500:30:41.509 --> 00:30:45.789but it is an opportunity then togive the reason for the hope that is39600:30:45.910 --> 00:30:52.539in us like that. Those versesin Peter talked about that. And it's39700:30:52.660 --> 00:30:57.140the Gospel, it's Jesus and sharingthe truth of why we're doing there from39800:30:57.180 --> 00:31:00.940a biblical perspective. Right. Yeah, even if you don't. My sister39900:31:02.099 --> 00:31:03.769is not a believer, but sheknows that I do it out of a40000:31:03.890 --> 00:31:10.250conviction, that I've been biblically commandedto do what I do, and she40100:31:10.529 --> 00:31:15.650really respects that, that I'm followingmy convictions biblically, and I think that's40200:31:15.690 --> 00:31:19.960true of some people anyway that youspeak to. If you give the biblical40300:31:21.200 --> 00:31:25.559reason and you might be planted.You definitely are planning seeds every time you40400:31:26.440 --> 00:31:33.190use biblical support. Yeah, so, and then the the specific stories that40500:31:33.430 --> 00:31:40.029like what you said, telling astory that shows the positive work that we40600:31:40.150 --> 00:31:45.869do is really important. Remembering alsowhat I recognized early on, which I40700:31:45.990 --> 00:31:48.420don't know that people who aren't ona sidewalk would recognize this, but that40800:31:49.460 --> 00:31:56.220so many of your audience are postabortive and and speaking with the gentleness and40900:31:56.380 --> 00:32:02.970compassion at that, you would towardsanyone who is struggling with something they've done41000:32:02.970 --> 00:32:10.089in their past which I believe everyabortion minded or post board of woman is41100:32:10.369 --> 00:32:15.839is struggling. Those were kind ofthose were some of the major things that41200:32:15.720 --> 00:32:22.119came to me that I felt hadprobably made that conversation go better than it41300:32:22.319 --> 00:32:28.559always does. Yeah, maybe it'llguide others when they're tackling these conversations.41400:32:28.720 --> 00:32:31.069Yeah, absolutely. I think oneof the things that I would mention here41500:32:31.309 --> 00:32:36.509is the the scripture. You youkind of base this thing on which is41600:32:36.630 --> 00:32:38.990give a defense for the hope thatlaws in us. Yeah, is not41700:32:39.269 --> 00:32:45.059just in these conversations, giving adefense for our pro life convince actions,41800:32:45.299 --> 00:32:50.019or giving a defense for the workthat we do or are, what our41900:32:50.059 --> 00:32:52.859job or vocation is. Yeah,but really giving a defense of the Gospel.42000:32:52.900 --> 00:32:57.019Right, right, because why wedo what we do is because we're42100:32:57.059 --> 00:32:59.970born of God. If I wasnot born of God, I could care42200:33:00.009 --> 00:33:04.250less about, you know, otherpeople, especially unborn children, people I42300:33:04.329 --> 00:33:07.089can't see. Yeah, it's becauseof the power of the Gospel, and42400:33:07.210 --> 00:33:10.490so I think taking the opportunity,whenever you are able to and you have42500:33:10.609 --> 00:33:14.759the time to do it, toshare the Gospel, to share what Jesus42600:33:14.799 --> 00:33:17.759Christ is done, to share abouthis death, Bury and Resurrection, just42700:33:17.880 --> 00:33:22.240the Plain Gospel and then, especiallyif you've got people that are post abhorative,42800:33:22.519 --> 00:33:27.789yeah, to share with them thehope that they can have in Jesus,42900:33:28.109 --> 00:33:30.750right, and so taking the opportunityto share the Gospel, letting the43000:33:31.029 --> 00:33:36.430work that we do be a SpringBoard for the Gospel, is a powerful43100:33:36.430 --> 00:33:38.549way to kind of turn this wholething around, right, and give us43200:33:39.589 --> 00:33:45.339even more opportunities to share even beyondthe sidewalker. Yeah. Yeah, so43300:33:45.460 --> 00:33:51.099I hope and I believe that wehave kind of made a case for don't43400:33:51.180 --> 00:33:55.089shrink away right there. Right,so these from these questions, drink away43500:33:55.210 --> 00:34:01.009like I do sometimes. I truthfully, I do shrink away sometimes. Say43600:34:01.089 --> 00:34:06.369they're there is discernment and wisdom.There are. There are definitely times when,43700:34:06.769 --> 00:34:09.440no, it is just not appropriatefor you to be going into a43800:34:09.480 --> 00:34:14.400very long defense, yeah, ofwhat you do, but I think more43900:34:14.480 --> 00:34:19.679often than not there is an opportunityand I just am a little bit afraid44000:34:19.719 --> 00:34:23.000of of entering. Yeah, yeah, we don't want to do is fall44100:34:23.079 --> 00:34:27.789into the trap of the fear ofMan, right, we want to fear44200:34:27.869 --> 00:34:31.309the Lord First. Yeah, butthen even within that, use wisdom.44300:34:31.750 --> 00:34:35.829I mean, you're checking out inthe grocery store and somebody ask you about44400:34:35.829 --> 00:34:38.619your t shirt, right, youcan't give a quick little plug. Yeah,44500:34:38.900 --> 00:34:42.219what you do, but you wantto get in this long I mean44600:34:42.260 --> 00:34:45.619you don't not be holding up thewhole line behind you. People taked off44700:34:45.699 --> 00:34:47.900at you right as your start.Even Genesis one one, and we're gay,44800:34:47.900 --> 00:34:52.730exactly revelations. Use Wisdom, Y, bold, be confidentiss in the44900:34:52.769 --> 00:34:58.449work that you do on the sidewalkis life saving work. Yeah, who45000:34:58.489 --> 00:35:00.530will stand in the gap? You'vesaid you will. You've stood in that45100:35:00.610 --> 00:35:05.610gap on that frontline. You've likelylearned, with some of the friction and45200:35:05.730 --> 00:35:08.960some of the tension that you getout there, that you can actually stand45300:35:09.159 --> 00:35:13.679bold, you can be strong andcourageous in the power of the Holy Spirit.45400:35:13.719 --> 00:35:15.840You can do that on the sidewalk. And, if so, you45500:35:15.880 --> 00:35:17.719can do that, yeah, atthe barbershop, at the hairdresser. That's45600:35:17.760 --> 00:35:22.510a grocery store. optician. Havethe optician. Yes. So, guys,45700:35:22.670 --> 00:35:25.190we want to encourage you again.The work that you're doing is life45800:35:25.309 --> 00:35:30.750saving. It's soul saving. Goduses you to save souls and two saves45900:35:30.829 --> 00:35:36.739lives. It's amazing. It's anamazing privilege. You have no reason to46000:35:36.860 --> 00:35:40.579be ashamed at all at what youdo. Should be very happy that the46100:35:40.699 --> 00:35:45.940Lord has privileged you with this chargeto be a voice for the voiceless.46200:35:45.380 --> 00:35:50.769So keep that up, guys,and if you need further encouragement, I46300:35:50.929 --> 00:35:53.809encourage you to reach out to us. Daniel Love Life Dot Org. Vicky,46400:35:53.889 --> 00:35:58.570I love Life Dot Org. We'dlove to share with you any other46500:35:58.730 --> 00:36:01.730pointers or tips or our experiences ifwe're able to. We're pretty busy these46600:36:01.769 --> 00:36:05.039days, but we certainly try toget back to you. If you shoot46700:36:05.039 --> 00:36:07.800us over an email. If you'vegot other subjects, that would be a46800:36:07.840 --> 00:36:09.519blessing for us to cover for you. We'd love to do that as well.46900:36:09.599 --> 00:36:14.199So shoot us over an email.Leave us a review. Please leave47000:36:14.239 --> 00:36:19.590us some good reviews in whatever podcastservice that you use, and we'll be47100:36:19.710 --> 00:36:22.389thankful for that. But with thatwe're going to wrap this thing up.47200:36:22.510 --> 00:36:31.230So God blessed guys, God blessby Bay. Give me our love for47300:36:31.469 --> 00:36:44.699love, give me our love forgratitude. I know it will cost me47400:36:44.900 --> 00:36:52.570my life. Nothing's too precious.And some met you