1/11/15 "Pastors Abortion Confession Motivates Action and Offers Hope" -Pastor Shane

Westside Christian Fellowship ^ | December 22nd, 2014 | Pastor Shane

[Morgana]

“Why didn’t someone do something?” Those five words still haunt my thoughts today. Sometime ago, I sat speechless as I listened to a man recount his trip to a holocaust museum with his young daughter. As they walked by photos of the death camps and gas chambers, his daughter silently contemplated the horrors that were unfolding before her eyes.

When the tour ended, they drove home without saying a word. The father wondered if she truly understood the significance of the event. Was she too young to view such depravity? Was she too fragile to cope with the truth of the holocaust? Would it make a negative impact on her life? Would it leave her fearful and wounded? Would she begin to doubt God?

His questions were answered nearly two hours later when his daughter finally spoke. She looked at her father and asked, “Daddy, why didn’t someone do something?”

Will we hear those same haunting words from our children and grandchildren? Yes! If we fail to contend for what is right, we may see a time in our history when our children will ask, “Why didn’t someone do something?” Sadly, we may not be able to answer.

My Abortion Decision

Approximately 23 years ago, as a prodigal, I conceded to my girlfriends request to abort our child around the 5th week of conception. The pain of that decision still haunts me today. What would they look like? Was it a boy or a girl? I can picture walking and talking with my child…watching his or her first steps…holding them when they cry and rejoicing with them when they succeed. But these are just dreams in my mind; dreams that often leave me heartbroken. Regret is one of the hardest pains to deal with because it is a constant reminder that we failed…failed God, others, and the aborted child.

Groups such as Planned Parenthood say that there are little, if any emotional scars for the women involved…the baby is just tissue. This is very deceptive—the emotional scars can last a lifetime. And it’s not just women who feel the pain, the men often carry tremendous guilt as well.

This article was extremely difficult for me to write—I shed many tears, contemplated deleting it, and prayed diligently for direction. But I cannot, and will not, remain silent. There is a reason why “mother,” “baby,” and “abort” have been changed to “a woman’s right to choose”; it’s a marketing ploy designed to hide a brutal practice. The graphic description of an abortion is heart wrenching and soul searching and would require a WARNING for the graphic content if I included it. Life is precious. We must fight for it: “From the formation of a child’s first tiny cell to life’s final breath, all life has dignity and value because each and every one of us is made in the image of God” (Focus on the Family).

Hope For The Hurting

[Watch the short video, Abortion – Hope for the Hurting: http://vimeo.com/114443592]

How can we undo the emotional pain that we experience from abortion? First, don’t allow past brokenness to cause future pain. We are to forget those things that are behind us and focus on those things ahead (Philippians 3:13). You can’t change where you’ve been, but you can change where you’re going. Abortion is not the unpardonable sin. Christ died for every sin, including abortion.

Second, realize that there is hope for those who have participated in, or who have had an abortion. If this is you, I encourage you to read Psalm 51 often. God’s unfailing love and compassion will see you through. We lean on His strength for the future not on our failures from the past.

A few years ago, with my wife’s support, I was able to locate the woman who had the abortion. I apologized and asked for forgiveness. She did the same. This one act of forgiveness brought tremendous closure and peace.

John 10:10 says that Jesus came to give us life, freedom, and a relationship with Him. He is our only hope…the only source of true peace. Are you experiencing this peace? If not, that can change if you trust in Him as Lord and Savior…repent and turn to Him: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

The Pastor’s Responsibility

Although my confession was not intended for publication, the need to address silence in the pulpit about abortion outweighs the pain of releasing it. World Magazine featured an article in their January 25th, 2014 edition entitled, Still-silent Shepherds, which motivated me to move forward with it.

Pastors…make no mistake about it: we play an enormous role in shaping the direction of the country. We can no longer remain silent while silent screams go unheard. Deep repentance must take place at the individual and national level; our consciences have been seared. Our job is to preach the totality of God’s word, including those things that are hard to hear, so that both conviction and comfort take place. When human life is devalued, atrocities such as the holocaust, slavery, sex-trafficking, and abortion occur. God help us when we ignore our calling to confront evil. Pastors are to be pillars who support truth.

Today, the truth is often neglected, watered-down, or avoided altogether in the hope of not offending and building an audience. Abortion is rarely mentioned so repentance is rarely sought and hope is elusive. We want to build a church rather than break a heart; be politically correct rather than biblically correct; coddle and comfort rather than stir and convict.

With rapid fire changes in a culture saturated by political correctness and relativism, we are inclined to ask, “Is there any hope for America?” If we continue down this slippery slope, there is little hope. Apart from a national spiritual awakening, it will be difficult to turn the Titanic around—the vessel has been struck. But if God brings revival…if we once again set our hearts and minds on Him…there is tremendous hope.

As the moral and cultural war rages between our shores, the need to be awakened from our spiritual slumber has never been greater. “Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is tested” (Martin Luther). This battle is for the very soul of our nation. It’s our choice—stand or fall.

​

[Watch the short video, Abortion – Hope for the Hurting: http://vimeo.com/114443592]​

*More info can be found at www.wcfav.org or www.ShaneIdleman.com. View the trailer for pastor Shane’s book here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDZxrO6FbVI

*LIKE us on Facebook for weekly sermon videos and articles: https://www.facebook.com/confusedchurch​

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his 7th book, Desperate for More of God. Shane’s sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at www.WCFAV.org. Follow him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/confusedchurch.​​

[Guenevere]

Bttt

[Carl Vehse]

In the Abstract to his paper, "Nuremberg and the Crime of Abortion" (University of Toledo Law Review, Vol. 42 Winter 2011, p. 283-394), Prof. Jeffrey C. Tuomala states (p. 283):

"The Nuremberg tribunals generally limited their jurisdiction over crimes against humanity to offenses committed during wartime. The post-WWII doctrine that high-level government officials are liable for massive human rights violations committed against their own citizens in peacetime has become widely accepted and has major implications for international criminal law."

In his conclusion, Prof. Tuomala states (p. 394):

"The prosecution’s theory that the German government unlawfully encouraged abortion by providing or funding abortion services directly applies to the U.S. government’s practice of providing abortion services in federal facilities and providing funding for abortions. The prosecution’s theory that the German government committed crimes against humanity by prohibiting Polish courts from punishing abortion is analogous to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, which effectively prohibited states from protecting unborn children.” “Abortion was one face of Nazi genocide. It was a face unashamed of its purpose-to reduce the growth in populations that the Nazi elite ‘did not want to have too many of.’ [Chief U.S. prosecutor at Nuremberg and SCOTUS] Justice Jackson had hoped that the people of Germany and of the world would be so moved by the spectacle of these atrocities that they would collectively resolve ‘Never Again!'”

Three years ago on her pro-life blog, Jill Stanek, a nurse turned pro-life speaker and columnist, also asked the question:

Can you foresee a day when Democrats like Sebelius, Spitzer, and even Barack Obama are brought to justice in a fashion similar to the Nuremberg Trials, when Nazi collaborators were prosecuted?

Let's also not forget to include the fifth-column media collaborators.

[VerySadAmerican]

“Why didn’t someone do something?” My kids won’t be asking that question. They’re all in for abortion. When one parent has them 4 days out of the month and no authority and the other one has them 26 days a month and calls all the shots, guess who has the most influence.

[Morgana]

“when one parent has them 4 days out of the month”

Better make those 4 days count. Take them to church, teach them about God, teach them right from wrong. Okay so the other parents goes against you. In the end they will remember what you said if you practice what you preach.

[metmom]

Shane Idleman is an awesome preacher.

I’ve listened to some of his stuff on the internet and it’s great. No holds barred.

[metmom]

Ping

[metmom]

Pray, pray more and above all, pray.

God will honor that and can protect their minds from the enemy of their souls.

We don’t war against flesh and blood and the weapons of our warfare are not physical ones.

Prayer can and will make a difference.

[Grateful2God]

Pray, pray more and above all, pray.

God will honor that and can protect their minds from the enemy of their souls.

We don’t war against flesh and blood and the weapons of our warfare are not physical ones.

Prayer can and will make a difference.

Very well put!

[CynicalBear]

Wow! What a powerful article. Thank you for posting that.

[Elsie]

As they walked by photos of the death camps and gas chambers,...

Seen any lately??

[Elsie]

Prayer can and will make a difference.

It's been 40+ years now!

[Grateful2God]

Prayer can and will make a difference.

It's been 40+ years now!

God will eventually answer, however He chooses to; right now we just need to keep praying. "But Thou, oh Lord, how long?" Nobody knows. We just need to persist in prayer and trust in God, in His Wisdom...

[Elsie]

...right now we just need to keep praying.

WRONG!!!!!

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways; ,

then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.

[Grateful2God]

With prayer, all things are possible! We must pray for the conversion, the change of heart, for those in favor of abortion; those who have had, or who are contemplating abortions, as well as those who assist with them. Look at this: Norma McCorvey

[Salvation]

Good and true video.

[Grateful2God]

Good and true video.

Thank you! What a wonderful miracle!

[redleghunter]

Well written article. May God have mercy on the USA. May He raise up godly leadership to end the American holocaust.

[Elsie]

Tomorrow, over THREE THOUSAND unborn children will DIE!

[Elsie]

I'd like to thank the United States Government for protecting me and my kind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You see, 40 years ago, my odds of making it out of the egg, alive, were very poor; about 80% of us died. 

 (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=rachel-carson-silent-spring-1972-ddt-ban-birds-thrive)

 

 

But a lady discovered our plight and wrote a book that addressed our problem,

and, in 1972, a law was ammended protecting us even further. (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/protect/laws.html)

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I find strange is that the same government passed a law the very next year that allowed for killing

of unborn, and apparently unwanted, humans.  Little ones still nestled safely in their Mother's womb.

Around 25% of them are dying before birth - on average nearly 3,300 - every day of the year.

 

 

I hear that by now, somewhere around 55 MILLION of them have perished.

Wouldn't that kind of mess up the humans plans for growth, and welfare, and

retirement?

 

 

 

 

 

Strange birds; these Homo Sapiens.  Perhaps they'll come to their senses

before they are ALL dead!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'd like to thank the United States Government for protecting me and my kind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You see, 40 years ago, my odds of making it out of the egg, alive, were very poor; about 80% of us died. 

 (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=rachel-carson-silent-spring-1972-ddt-ban-birds-thrive)

 

 

But a lady discovered our plight and wrote a book that addressed our problem,

and, in 1972, a law was ammended protecting us even further. (http://www.fws.gov/midwest/eagle/protect/laws.html)

 

 

 

 

 

 

What I find strange is that the same government passed a law the very next year that allowed for killing

of unborn, and apparently unwanted, humans.  Little ones still nestled safely in their Mother's womb.

Around 25% of them are dying before birth - on average nearly 3,300 - every day of the year.

 

 

I hear that by now, somewhere around 55 MILLION of them have perished.

Wouldn't that kind of mess up the humans plans for growth, and welfare, and

retirement?

 

 

 

 

 

Strange birds; these Homo Sapiens.  Perhaps they'll come to their senses

before they are ALL dead!