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August 2015 Prayer Letter
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![Healing Hearts Ministries Internaional [LOGO]](https://www.healinghearts.org/nimages/HHLetterhead_Web700.png) Dear Friend,  A special message from Healing Hearts' Camille Cates(as recently posted on The Gospel Coalition website) When the first video came out exposing Planned Parenthood's senior director of medical services, Dr. Deborah Nucatola, discussing the sale of aborted babies' body parts, I was deeply saddened. My thoughts immediately turned to the abortion clinic I'd walked into as an almost-19-year-old. I began to wonder, Did that clinic sell my baby's body for profit? As my sadness turned to anger, I fumed, "I can't believe abortion clinics aren't only making money off people by ending the life of their children, but they're doubling down by turning around and selling the bodies of these slain innocents!" Similar thoughts churned in my mind until the second video appeared (and now subsequent videos), exposing yet another Planned Parenthood executive discussing the sale of aborted babies' body parts. After this video I sensed God reminding me of my responsibility and blame in having an abortion. Taking responsibility for sin wasn't a new biblical principle to me. Nevertheless, in light of all the focus on Planned Parenthood my own sin of abortion had seemed to fade into the background. I Can't Just Blame Planned Parenthood Ever since the fall in Eden, men and women have sought to shift the blame for their sin onto someone else's shoulders. In Genesis 3, we see Adam shift blame to his wife, Eve, and even to God himself. Likewise, Eve shifts blame onto the serpent. Neither takes responsibility for his or her own actions; instead, they simply act as if their sin is someone else's fault. In the years immediately following my abortion, I shifted the blame too. I blamed my baby's father. I blamed my parents who took me to the clinic. I even blamed God. I knew about his sovereignty over all creation, including a baby's development inside the womb (Ps. 139:13-16). I knew he could've prevented my pregnancy. I knew he could've changed the circumstances surrounding my decision to have an abortion. But when it came right down to it, I was the one who decided to have sex outside of marriage. I was responsible for committing the act that resulted in my pregnancy, as well as the act that would end it. While my child's father, my parents, and the abortion clinic staff and doctors all share responsibility in my abortion, that doesn't mean I blameshift it onto Planned Parenthood or anyone else. I could've said "no" to the pressure my parents were placing on me. I could've walked out of the clinic. I could've made an adoption plan for my baby. I was guilty of the sin of abortion because I chose to go through with the abortion. Hope and Healing Await I realize some of you reading this email may have also participated in an abortion in one way or another. Perhaps you drove her to the clinic. Maybe you pressured them to abort because you sincerely thought it was the best option for them. Perhaps you fathered the child and abortion was your way to "fix" how you misled a young woman to have sex in the first place. Maybe you're the one who chose to have the abortion, ignoring all the counsel you received from those telling you not to. While confessing the sin of abortion may seem like it heaps more judgment and condemnation on you, God's Word reveals something entirely different. When we turn to Jesus Christ in our conviction of sin-instead of shifting blame over it, justifying it, or simply ignoring it-we find hope and healing in the one who bore God's wrath for sin on the cross. Look at what God's Word declares is available to us through Jesus's finished work on the cross-when we confess and repent:
There Can Be Beauty From Ashes God encourages us to turn to him in the darkness of our sin so that we can find the light of his grace. If you cannot say you've been truly healed by Christ from your part in an abortion, I want to encourage you to not simply put it in your past-locked away as something never to be spoken of again-but to reach out to Jesus, the ultimate healer, who wants to bring beauty from the ashes of your sin (see Isa. 61:1-4). God desires to do a mighty work in our hearts and our world by helping the brokenhearted find healing in him. Keep Sharing the Good News!  In the aftermath of these Planned Parenthood videos, you may find new opportunities to talk about abortion. As we talk about the shocking revelations surrounding the abortion industry let us not miss the opportunity to talk about the even more shocking revelation of a loving God who paid the full price for our sins. Let's lead the brokenhearted to Jesus.Both the "Binding Up the Brokenhearted" and "Wounded Warrior" studies are designed specifically for women and men struggling with the weight of their abortion experiences and can be completed in small groups or online. Visit our websites Get Help Now page for more info. For more perspective on how you can love and minister to pre and post-abortive women in light of the recent Planned Parenthood videos, listen to Healing Hearts' recent appearance on ACBC's "Truth in Love" podcast: "Helping Women Considering An Abortion". Thank you for being part of bringing God's message of hope and healing to a world that desperately needs to hear it. We would not be here if not for your faithful support. As you continue to give faithfully, would you also consider any friends you may know, who would like to support this mission with a one-time or monthly gift of $25, $50, $100 or more? In His Love,  Camille Cates Director of Youth Ministries |
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To Make a DonationYou may use the donation form on our website to make a donation, or you may also submit your check to the address provided below. Healing Hearts Ministries is a federally registered non-profit corporation, all contributions are tax deductible. One hundred percent of all contributions made to Healing Hearts go directly toward supporting the various aspects of our ministry no "administrative fee" is collected by a fund-raising service. All donations and expenditures are internally and independently monitored and audited. Annual financial statements are available upon request. We thank you for considering contributing to our ministry. Your contribution will enable us to reach out and touch individuals who need the hope and healing message that only Jesus has to offer. To donate online click this link: https://www.healinghearts.org/donate Send checks to: Healing Hearts Ministries PO Box 44670 Rio Rancho, NM 87174 phone (505) 355-6922 |