Rachel's Vineyard

When the podcast topic is abortion, you might be tempted not to listen, thinking it either depressing or not applicable to your life.  Instead, Deacon Tim manages to highlight God's grace in the midst of this ugly topic.  First, he shows us that the effects of abortion are insidious and pervasive, crippling to the women involved and the people who love them.  But there is hope.  An amazing organization, Rachel's Vineyard, offers healing after an abortion, even years later, to women, men, grandparents, whomever.  Here's their website: Rachel's Vineyard.  I hope you'll send this podcast to someone you know who has participated in an abortion, or if you don't know anyone, please pray that this podcast will be sent to those who need it.  Please pray for the ministry of Rachel's Vineyard, and even consider a charitable contribution to this ministry of hope!

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To download save this link: Download 042_rachels_vineyard.mp3

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[Bob Cleveland]

About 20 years ago, a friend wrote a poem about a man who had a dream about heaven. In it, he saw thousands upon thousands of infants marching through heaven singing “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know”. The man instantly knew they were the souls of aborted babies, and he awoke immediately. He then woke his wife and told her “Honey .. call the doctor and cancel the appointment .. that’s not a fetus, it’s a child.”

I had previously counseled with a young lady who had an abortion several years before, and I could feel the heartache as she talked. I was moved to write a poem about the thought that those who choose abortion just don’t know what they will one day face, as a result thereof. During a slack time at the office a few hours later, I turned to my computer and began typing this poem. I called it “They Just Didn’t Know”, but as the lines poured out, a very dark mood enveloped me. Several times over the course of an hour or so, I saved the work and tried turning to some other things in the office that needed doing. But the dark mood would not go away and I could not think of anything but the burden of the poem. So I finally gave in and typed and pondered until it was done, about 45 minutes later. Not until the last line came forth, did I know what its title would actually be.

One of the evidences of inspiration, to me, is that I have a hard time remembering what I write. This one took 3 weeks to memorize. I suggest the reader contemplate it prayerfully.

IN DARKNESS SO STILL

The clinics were filling with souls gone astray
As the sadness of badness was having its way
The wealthy, the learned, concerned but with pleasure
Had multiplied misery to heights beyond measure

The masses raised glasses to self and to friends
Concerned with the moment, availing all ends
To serve but themselves, with never a thought
Of the millions of murders, and what they had wrought.

But what of that young one, confused and forlorn ..
Who hears mostly "worldness", shouldn't we warn
That should she die, having salvation received
In heaven she may face that soul she conceived

But killed, by means of abortionists' tools
And thus joined the ranks of those Godless fools
Who elevate mankind and pleasure on earth
At the cost of most everything of heavenly worth

And what of the seemingly intelligent mass
With doctoral credentials and worldly class
Who'll stand before God some day and explain
Why such agony, misery, anguish and pain

Were dealt out in measure unknown by the world
As satan's great plan to destroy us unfurled
And they, in their "wisdom", shed innocent blood
Tearing out children, in that terrible flood.

Who knows what to do and yet does it not
Is guilty of sin ... yet we know that a lot
Of good souls detesting such abomination
Have never submitted to Christ's domination

Else all that we do, and all that we say
Would speak volumes against those events of this day
That cause those who look on this product of woe
To know with a certainty that satan's the foe.

So sadness envelopes us all, without choice
For those who raise not a protesting voice
And all those who face not the fruit of their acts
And doctors who kill despite biblical facts

Will all face a judge asking why, in this life
We did what we did, whether with word or with knife
I know I'll plead Jesus as my only answer
But yet I'm not happy, in the face of the cancer

Of ungodly clinics, and churches that never
Cause comfortable members to be driven to sever
Those clandestine footholds the enemy will hold
In lives that won't do what the Bible has told.

Oh God, may I ask; make me up to the task
As a witness to all, whether they ask
Or silently march to those clinics to kill
Your innocent children ... in darkness so still.

[Deacon Tim]

That is very powerful, Bob. Thanks for sharing your poem with us. In 1990, I pulled up to a traffic light here in Tulsa, and somehow I experienced the shrill, primal scream of all the oppressed, starving and abused people in the world. Aborted babies were screaming with them. God was screaming, too, but not with pain. He was screaming with rage at the way we lived, at our inaction in the face of so much pain. This experience made me beg for mercy. It's so amazing that God, who is enraged, is also so tender with those who come to him seeking healing and forgiveness.

[Bob Cleveland]

Tim: You're gonna get a ton of comments if many Baptists read this. God revealing things to Catholics? Wow.

There may be some substantive issues on which SBC (and a bunch of others) differ with Catholics but I think that's a lot like the SBC-Calvinism Conference I went to last week. Side A's biggest beef with Side B is normally what Side A SAYS THAT Side B says. When they do something radical like sit down and talk, it's almost always different from that.

My personal opinion is that none of us gets it quite right. Something about a dark glass, I think.

Anyway, thanks and God bless.

[Cyndi]

Bob,
I believe, too, that we Christians are often professing the same concept, yet our language confounds us and makes us perceive that we differ. I have had numerous conversations with Baptists about the faith vs. works issue, and Catholics and Baptists really believe the same thing: Jesus saves, and works will inevitably follow when we are following Jesus. Yet, many Baptists think that Catholics believe that it is our "works" which save us. No, that isn't what actually saves us; Jesus saves, but the charitable works will follow.

More importantly, though - your poem pierced me. Thanks for sharing your Divine inspiration.

Peace be with you, Bob Cleveland, and thank you for all you do for the Kingdom.
Cyndi

[Tom Cubbage]

Thanks for this podcast. It reminded me of a woman I sat with many years ago who told me of her abortion experience and the grief she was living with. I could feel her pain, (it was palpable) and I could also understand the helplessness she felt that led her to that decision. It was not my place to judge her; only to incarnate Jesus for her so she could tell him about her actions and her sorrow. Remembering that day now, I am reminded to remember her in my prayers.

Perhaps if he women who live with the pain of their decision(s) need to learn how to make a descansos. Maybe that could be a podcast topic.

[d]

I am growing to really be annoyed by religious people. all this does is alienate others. you always act like you are so special. how does that invite others to participate in your religion? it doesnt. all this religious talk just sounds like code. or another language. what are you talking about?