"Behold, children are a heritage frm the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 127:3

I love bringing forth children... and this is my journey in training them for the King

Sunday, January 22, 2012

The Lord Speaks Again... So Why Am I Afraid To Obey?

*Deep heavy sigh* "Why am I so afraid to say it?", runs through my mind over and over again. And then the Lord says, "Do not be afraid. I am with you." This is a spiritual battle I have been fighting all week (and longer really)! It exhausts me; I feel defeated when I don't obey; I try to occupy my mind with other things so maybe those feelings will escape, but each morning the Lord keeps bringing me back to the same issue. He's giving me another chance to obey Him. So I am here at the computer... typing... fighting internally. I desire to be obedient, but honestly, I'm afraid of the backlash I may have to face as a result!!

So here goes...

Have you ever done something in your life thinking there was nothing wrong with it (even for a prolonged period of time), only to later find out just how ignorant you were to what the Lord said about the issue? I have (and I'm sure to some extent still do at times).

Go back with me, if you will, about 5 years...

I'm overwhelmed with joy that we FINALLY have a baby! I'm sleep deprived because of the night feedings, and frankly, I'm exhausted from the constant crying my son does. (The Lord knew I needed Corbin first. If I would've had a 'non-colic' baby first I would've been out of my mind with him. But because I didn't know what colic even was, I continually reassured Dwight that there wasn't anything wrong with him... that's what babies do... they cry! Right?? Lol!)

Anyway, I go to the doctor for my six-week postpartum check-up and the Dr. asks me if I want to get back on birth control. "Of course I do! I mean I don't wanna find myself in this situation again within a year... that'd be a nightmare!" (Yes, this really was my attitude. And after all the crying, Dwight was thinking the same thing.) So the doc recommended the mini-pill. He explained that it was called that because it only had the artificial progestin hormone and lacked the estrogen side like the 'regular dose' birth control pill. He explained that it was safe to take while nursing. And that was it. No warnings, no side effects, nothing more. Of course, I didn't ask any of those questions because I was young and completely ignorant to 'self research'. I have always been pretty naive!

Now fast forward about a year and a half...

My crying infant is now a very busy, very handsome little blonde-headed boy who runs around the house with his sippy cup of milk and nothing on but a diaper. :) I am pregnant again, but this time around I desire to check into having a midwife because I just wasn't real happy with my 'hospital birth' experience. (This began my journey in learning how to do some research on my own.)

I find a wonderful midwife whom I love, and she begins teaching me all about what goes on inside our bodies during pregnancy, how the baby develops, and many great homeopathic methods to health, etc. One day we got on the topic of spacing between babies, and she tells me about this book "The Art of Natural Family Planning". It really peaks my interest so I go check it out from the library and begin reading about some VERY personal things about my body and how the Lord designed it to do certain things during certains times throughout each month.

Then I get to the chapter about the pill and IUDs.

I was reading along and WHAM! (my jaw about drops to the floor and the tears begin to flow). I found myself weeping on the floor, crying out to the Lord for forgiveness for all my ignorant, evil choices. "I promise I wouldn't have chosen those things if I had known...", I say over and over again. When Dwight came home from work that evening, I asked him to sit down so I could share my new revelation. I could hardly read without choking up. When I was finished I remember looking up at him with tear-filled eyes and said, "How many babies have we killed?!... I am SO ashamed!!" He held me while I cried, and that night we decided to (finally) turn to the Lord to see what He had to say about life and children. We found that He has MUCH to say about this topic, but for starters, He showed us Genesis 38:8-10 and used Onan as an example of what He thinks about deliberately thwarting His plan for offspring. (You should go read the passage for yourself, but in case you don't, please know that Onan's brother was dead when Judah gave him this message.)

"Then Judah said to Onan, "Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother." But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother's wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also." (emphasis mine)

If you are unaware of what I'm talking about and have been using either an IUD or taking birth control, please read the following with an open mind. I pray the Lord will soften your heart as you do and please keep in mind, the Lord knows we make 'ignornant' choices sometimes. Even in the Old Testament, the priests were to make regular sacrifices for the unintentional sins of the people... and Jesus gave His life as the ultimate sacrifice once and for all... Yes, even for our unintentional sins of ignorance! Thank you, Merciful Savior!!

I know it's widely promoted by doctors and physicians alike as a 'healthy alternative'. It is not preached out against in our churches. In fact, it's very common among our Christian friends...even our pastors and their wives. So there can't be anything wrong with using a form of regular contraceptive, right? Wrong.

God Almighty is the Author of Life... He LOVES life, and He takes great care in every detail leading up to it! Our enemy hates life. In fact, he comes to steal, kill, and destroy life any way he can (John 10:10). That's why God said what Onan did was wicked in His sight (Gen. 38). He gave men semen for the very purpose of bringing about life! When God ordained the very first union of marriage between Adam and Eve, what was the first commandment He gave them? "Be fruitful and MULTIPLY and fill the earth..."- Genesis 1:28 (emphasis mine). Malachi 2:15 reiterates this point regarding the purpose of marital union, "...And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring..."

Psalm 127 is one of my favorite passages. I often quoted verses 3-5, but when I found out the original word used for 'builds' in verse one, this passage took on a whole new meaning for me.

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain... Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."

'Banah' is the word used in the original Hebrew text and means to establish a family; bring about an increase of offspring. You see, God says if we aren't allowing Him to be the one to establish our family and decide when to increase our offspring, we labor to build our family in vain!

Society's ideas and views of children and family building are in stark contrast to God's Word. Sadly, even in some of our churches, children are viewed differently than God does... but they weren't always.

In 1922, Margaret Sanger became a common household name. She fervently championed for sexual freedom and its sisters- birth control, sterilization, and abortion. She organized the Birth Control League, the foundation for the later worldwide Planned Parenthood. Her ideas are (at least in part) now accepted without argument by non-Christian and Christian alike. Margaret Sanger didn't like Christianity and she despised every race expect the 'superior Aryan race'. She was quoted as saying, "Birth control appeals to the advanced radical because it is calculated to undermine the authority of the Christian churches. I look forward to seeing humanity free someday of the tyranny of Christianity no less than Capitalism." Sanger was used greatly by satan to infiltrate our thoughts, our homes, even our churches and change our ideas about the children given to us by the Lord. We've been trained to believe we can actually 'control' when and how many children we have as if we can phyically cause conception to occur or not.

However, even with birth control and IUDs, conception CAN occur! The Combination Pill stops this process most of the time, but studies reveal that about ten percent of the time, there is break-through ovulation allowing conception to take place. However, the Mini-pill generally doesn't suppress ovulation at all. So how does it prevent a baby from being conceived? There is another mechanism that takes place. The progestin in the combo and the mini pill cause the lining of the womb to become thin and shriveled, so when a newly conceived baby tries to implant, it can't because the endometrium is shriveled up. This causes the new little life to be aborted!

Oh, sweet mothers, if you're like me, this goes against everything in your heart! I know how devestated you can feel if this is the first time you're finding out this bit of information... how betrayed you may feel that no one has ever taken the time to tell you the affects these contraceptive methods can have on your sweet children! That is exactly why I needed to share my story. I would never want you to come to me later and say, "Why didn't you tell me?!"

If you have been using the Pill or an IUD unaware of its possible abortifacient affects, and the Lord has spoken to your heart, please take some time to repent of these unintentional sins. Remember, Jesus died to pay the penalty we deserve, and He's ready to forgive you if you will just repent before Him.

If you would like some more information about these methods and their potential destruction, you can check out:
 "Birth Control and Christian Discipleship" by John Kippley. It is available from The Couple to Couple League, www.ccli.org.
"Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?" by Randy Alcorn. It is published by Eternal Perspective Ministries and can be downloaded from www.epm.org/bcpill.pdf.
"Be Fruitful & Multiply: What the Bible says about having children" by Nancy Campbell. It can be purchased at www.aboverubies.org or www.visionforum.com.

Ok, so I've said what I felt I was suppose to say. I understand this information may not be well received by all of you, and I apologize if I have said anything in an unloving manner. My intention was not to be harsh, but boldly proclaim Truth... and for that I will not apologize! If you know this information already, and the Lord's been asking you to courageously share it with others... don't be afraid! I have stood by scared for too long. I hope my fear of sharing has not caused others to continue down this path and unknowingly abort their blessings from the Lord!

6 comments:

  1. I agree but people have to be seeking God wholeheartedly and asking Him to reveal his truth to them before they can embrace this truth. There are tons of Godly people that dont believe in family planning and a million other convictions but sometimes people dont pray in a direction because they are comfortable not knowing....knowing holds us accountable. This "revelation" is true in my heart and I pray daily the Lord blesses us despite our obedience but hang in there being patient with others. God has brought me so far and has taught me to live from conviction, not personal preference. But, there are other areas I know he hasnt revealed to me yet because he knows Im not ready to receive it and be obedient....thankful his timing is perfect! Love to you.

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  2. Thanks for your comment, Jennifer. I completely agree with your first sentence and that knowing God's direction for us holds us accountable! I do speak about this matter as a conviction for myself and my husband. One that I never even thought to ask God about before learning the destructive capacities my own choices could have. I am exceedingly thankful that others were willing to step out and share their knowledge about this so I could be made aware! I desire to share this with other women in a patient and loving manner, but that should in no way mean to sit on this truth quietly. I think if the Lord has revealed this truth to me and I don't share it, the blood would be on my hands for not warning others (Ezekiel 33:6-11). And I totally understand not living by personal preference and requiring others to also live by OUR personal preferences. However, when it's God's command, shouldn't it be a conviction for me? I trust the Lord will use my obedience in sharing this to touch the hearts of others when it is His timing. I am thankful for your friendship and willingness to sharing your thoughts! Love to you as well :)

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  3. Hey. Kate was talking to me the entire time I was commenting so maybe I didnt word it correctly. No way should we sit on our convictions! Im with ya, sister. My encouragement was suppose to be...dont get discouraged or frustrated when people dont get what you get. Been down that road and its easy to assume responsibilty for their response to our convictions when they have none about it. Hope that makes sense. Never will I ever think we should hide our convictions in fear of stepping on toes, discerning yes, sitting in disobedience...no. Sorry if I sounded anything besides encouraging.

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    1. Well, I admit, I was a little confused how to take your first comment. I read and reread it several times before I responded... and then I read my response several times before I posted it, lol. I'm sorry if I seemed snippy with my reply, but I just wanted to make myself clear that this was a conviction for me & it stemmed from God's Word... not my personal preference. :) Thankful for your encouragement!! It's refreshing to know I'm not alone on the topic! :)

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  4. What a GREAT post! I am so thankful to the Lord for your courage this morning! Scripture says in Hosea 4:6 "My people Perish for LACK OF KNOWLEDGE." Thank you for sharing this knowledge with your readers.

    This is a hard truth to hear for many, so I am praying for you, and for those who read. I am praying for those who are offended, not to be, and to do the research on their own...And I am praying that you will be bold and know that any negative backlash is not about YOU!

    When you walk in obedience to the Lord, and you do it with Love...the offense is with the Lord, not you.

    Love you!

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    1. Oh Katie... you have no idea how encouraging your words are to me this morning! I am SO thankful for your friendship... your love of Jesus... and your passion for the Truth of His Word! I cherish your prayers and I join you in praying for the readers. My desire is that they would take this info to the Lord & allow Him to bring them truth & conviction about His vision for family. I love you too!! :)

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