Staff Commentary: The Value of Life

Recently I've been pondering the fact that I'm prolife.  Of course, I'm pro-life.  I'm a Christian. 

But after months of letting some facts about the depravity of man and the theological truth of the sovereignty of God roll around in my head and mingle with thoughts about the wisdom of the providence and plan of a wise Creator and the grace and mercy of the Sustainer, I realize I've got more questions, not more answers.

Only this time the questions are different....

They're not about facts.  They're about application.

They're questions about whether I really get it.

Like I said...I'm pro-life. I would not be able to bear the thought of murder or violence, but until recently I've not so deeply understood what I believe God means his image bearers to be when they say they're pro-life.

In the midst of all of this pondering on such a deep thought and all of its implications not only on my personal life, but also the ministry at Vision of Hope, I ran across a blog (http://www.prayforian.com/) that literally .... well, let's just say, completely flattened me. 

I believed the truths about being pro-life, but would I live it as such a sacrifice as do Ian and Larissa on this blog? 

As I read the unfolding story of Ian and Larissa I find myself questioning at what sacrifice I would live out my Savior's theology of caring for each other in this life-affirming way.  Do I so believe that God is the author of life and the sustainer of my days, that I am willing to completely sacrifice myself to serve another person without a guarantee of a positive return or an improvement in the situation?

In all of my pondering on this issue, like I said previously, I find myself living in a land of questions.  Do I have that kind of life-affirming faithfulness?  Do I practice it even now in my work and in my home?  Do I sacrifice to serve?  Do I trust....simply trust...with no promise that the stressful circumstances will be altered?  Do I get involved with life-giving works based upon my faith in a life-giving Saviour?  Do I parent in a life-giving, redemptive story kind of way?  Am I a wife that is so committed to life in my marriage that I refuse to even use a tone of death in my communication toward my husband?  Do I foster deepening life in my relationships with my friends, based on my sacrificial service for their good?  Do my parents and siblings look at the way my life is lived and remark that they've never felt so alive as they do when I am serving them?

Ian and Larissa, you put me to shame!  Yet I am grateful for the opportunity to be gently and sweetly broken through your story.  I am grateful for a Saviour who decided that it would please Him to give me life and who daily sustains me, even when I don't really get it.

Breaking News!: Job Openings at Vision of Hope

Tell your friends...shout it out. There are several job openings at Vision of Hope. Follow this link for more info. Please share this with anyone who you think may be interested!

Education Update: "Right Thinking: Changing Thoughts that are Hateful"

Today’s class in the Right Thinking series was titled “Changing Thoughts That Are Hateful”.

Approaching this topic one may assume they know all they need to know on the topic of hate. However, after listening to this class with the residents, Pastor Viars has helped us all re-evaluate any evidences of hate in our lives.

Although most of us oppose hate, this lesson helps us greatly understand the true ramifications of hate. 1 John 2:8-11 and 3:11-17 make it clear that a person who hates walks in darkness and abides in death.

We may be tempted to think this is not an area of struggle for us until we examine characteristics of hate. One example is having an indifference to the example we set for others. Pastor Viars asked, “Are you concerned about how your lifestyle affects those around them?”

This led to a great discussion about how our influence on others in our lives can have a very negative influence on them – and that is an example of hate.


--submitted by Heather Starkweather, Social Worker

Staff Commentary: Crimson

Crimson

Don’t cry
Don’t let the tears fall
They only prove you weaker than you’re
Already thought to be
Hide it.
Smile.
Pretend everything’s fine
Maybe you’ll convince yourself
Finally.
Or maybe you’ll sink deeper into the rabbit hole
And drown a slow, painful death
You don’t deserve to die quickly
You deserve every scratch
Every cut
Every bite
Every drop of crimson blood
Trailing down your arm

Sometimes it's really hard to watch the residents we love so much hurting so deeply.

However, one of the things we believe is that Romans 8:18-19 is true. It says that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. II Corinthians 4:16-18 says that these earthly trials are working for our eternal good, and that makes the suffering of our life bearable.

Our prayer for our VOH girls who are suffering is that they will learn to walk with their hand in the hand of the Father who wants them healed and whole more than they do. As they learn to walk with God, they will learn to trust his goodness and put their hope in his sovereign plan.

Our prayer for the girls that are thinking about coming to VOH but haven't talked themselves into it yet... "God, help them suffer enough to figure out that they need you. Then don't let them stop looking until they find You! If you can use VOH in the process to help that hurting girl get the answers she needs, please make it happen in your sovereign plan for her good and your glory."

Resident Reflection: Always

Always

My child, he says gently
I love you as high as the highest star
My child, he said
I will carry you as far as you need
And then I will set you down and
Walk beside you
My child, he says
I forgive you
As far as the east is from the west
On one can out love me
No one can defeat me
I am the victory in you battle
I am the only light to guide you through the dark
I am the only strength you need to fight
And my child, I will
Never
Leave you
Nothing you do or say will scare me away
Nothing that happens
Is too much for me to handle
For I am the creator of the
Sun and the
Stars
And I hold all of them in my
Hand
And you, my little child, are safe with me
In my arms

Always.