The Cry of Every Heart....

Excellent article from Lifeline Children's Services Joi Wasill.


His name is Malcolm.

I met him last Spring at an after school program where I was involved with a pilot teen mentoring project regarding sexual purity and teen pregnancy. This was our third afternoon together and I had just shared a very difficult section of the DCO program with these inner city kids: the impact of fatherlessness on children and our society. Realizing the fact that over 70% of African American  children live in mother-only homes, I knew that the majority of these kids were living the statistics we just covered. It is always hard sharing this information with a group of teens when you know that. In order for them to see the need to make changes in their own lives, however, the truth must be shared.

As I put my projector, laptop and materials away, Malcolm came back into the room. Before they leave the center, they are all fed a meal and he had his plate of spaghetti with him. He sat down. I wasn’t sure why he came in there with me as all of the other kids were eating out in the main room together. It was just me and Malcolm.

He said, “You know that stuff you said about kids not having a father?” I took a deep breath and said “yes”. “You are right. All I have ever wanted my whole life is for my dad to be there. I play football and I’m pretty good. He has never seen me play. He came around a little when I was a kid but I never see him anymore. I just don’t matter to him.” And then he began to cry.

I thought my heart would burst open. I sat down beside this big, strong, football playing child and hugged him real tight and told him how sorry I was that he was hurting. I prayed for him. We talked and then I left for the night. But Malcolm and I had shared a heart bonding experience that night. He would talk to me, help me carry things to my car and volunteer to do things with our project. His words forever etched on my heart: “I just don’t matter to him.”

Desire for a Daddy

As the director of the Decisions, Choices & Options teen education program for the past 11 years, I know all of the stats on fatherlessness, the impact it is having on our society and the horrible consequences it has for children. With over 41% of all children born in our country to unmarried mothers, it is a trend we must speak about, pray about and work to change. Every child across the globe shares the desire of Malcolm and his friends at the Boys & Girls club: they want a daddy. Every person created by our Sovereign God shares the desire to have a daddy, an ABBA, Father. Our first images and possibly lifelong impression of God will be formed by the impact of our earthly fathers. I thank God for my earthly father and how he taught me about God, showed me unconditional love and care and is a wonderful example of sacrificial fatherly love. But there are so many Malcolms out there. Both physically and spiritually their hearts cry out for Daddy.

“Fatherless No More”

As we seek to share the hope of the gospel, the benefits of adoption and the love provided by Christian families to children in foster care, may we seek God daily for his guidance, power, protection and wisdom. Malcolm and millions of orphans worldwide are depending on us to speak for them. We have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness by the marvelous grace of our loving, merciful Father. He longs to use us to help rescue children and families from the darkness of fatherlessness. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say that our world is “Fatherless No More”?

Oh, and l saw Malcolm a few weeks ago. We started our teen mentoring program again and he just happened to stop by that day. We shared a big hug. I pray that one day he will know his heart’s desire: the love of his Abba, Father.

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father”. Romans 8:15

What not to say about adoption

Honored to have a guest post on Jill Stanek blog.

from Jill Stanek.com

Guest post by Susie Allen, Pro-Life in TN

Statistics tell us that 50-55% of teens experiencing unplanned pregnancies choose single parenting, 30-35% choose abortion, and less than 1% choose to place their children for adoption.

These statistics are disturbing. What if we could reverse the statistics of abortion and adoption? With two million couples waiting to adopt, why doesn’t adoption seem to be an option on the radar screen of parents experiencing unplanned pregnancies?

One reason appears to be that even in well-written articles, adoption is framed in outdated and negative language. Even some professionals who deal with teens have an inaccurate view of adoption, perpetuated by made-for-TV movies showing adoption as it was in the 1970′s. Today, options aren’t so limited, with open, semi-open, and confidential adoptions.

The nonprofit educational outreach, Decisions, Choices and Options was founded by Tennessee teacher and mother Joi Wasill, with the goal of correcting inaccuracies surrounding adoption. The group offers a copyrighted curriculum now being presented in eight states by 52 trained agencies. Since its inception, this program has reached 55,000 high school students.


From the group’s website, some ideas of correct adoption language (click to enlarge):

Pro Life Blog Buzz 3-12-13

from Jill Stanek.com
by Susie Allen, host of the blog,Pro-Life in TN, and Kelli

We welcome your suggestions for additions to our Top Blogs (see tab on right side of home page)! EmailSusie@jillstanek.com.

At Life Training Institute, Jay Watts addresses the pro-choice argument of using abortion as a means of “self defense.”

At Catholic Vote, Michael New discusses the results of a recent poll showing that the majority of New Yorkers aren’t nearly as pro-choice as their governor. New also points out the under-reported demographics of the poll, which show strong trends toward the pro-life position.


Reggie Littlejohn of Women’s Rights without Frontiers spoke four times at the recent United National Commission on the Status of Women, calling uponChina’s incoming president, Xi Jinping (pictured left), to “abandon all coercive population control and to end this bloody reign of terror” wrought by the One-Child Policy.

Pro-Life Action Leaguerecommends hosting a Way of the Cross prayer vigil on Good Friday, in front of your local abortion clinic.

Stand True has an opportunity for spring/summer internships for adults aged 18-28. Travel, learn, and contribute to the pro-life cause with Stand True and Priests for Life’s youth outreach.

Reproductive Research Audit discusses the importance of closely analyzing the various surveys conducted on abortion view.

… [T]he composition of the sample – whether it is composed of only likely voters, the general population, etc. – can influence the results… [and] the structure of the specific questions can influence the results of a survey.


Suzy B applauds pro-life TN Rep. Diane Black (pictured right) for introducing legislation opposing the HHS mandate and the assault on conscience rights and religious liberties:
Additionally, more than 50 national and statewide groups have joined the recently launched Call2Conscience.com coalition to mobilize grassroots in response to the assault on conscience and religious liberty. Hundreds of thousands of Americans were mobilized last week to urge Congress to include language to defend conscience and religious liberty in any must-pass funding legislation.

Pro-Life in TN says Canadian Status of Women Minister Rona Ambrose finds herself in a difficult situation: she opposes gendercide, which is skewed toward females, but feels pressured to vote for the right of women to commit gendercide against their own daughters via abortion.

Reflections of a Paralytic addresses misconceptions about disabled people and sex, stating that “life with a disability is not as awful as it is made out to be.”

Secular Pro-Life provides their perspective on the case of the teacher at a Christian college who was fired for engaging in premarital sex and becoming pregnant, violating her teaching contract. What makes this case really shocking is the fact that the college then hired her husband – the man who got her pregnant – for her old position.

TN: Mother on trial for smothering twins following birth begins today

A trial that shocks the mind begins in Gallatin,TN today. 26 yr.old Lindsey Lowe is on trial for smothering her twin sons shortly after birth in the home she shared with her parents in September of 2011. The babies were full term. She confessed shortly after her arrest to police that she smothered them to prevent their cries and hid them in the laundry basket. Her father discovered the babies in the laundry basket two days later.
Amazingly, Lowe managed to hide her pregnancy from her parents, employer and friends including her fiance.  She even served as a bridesmaid in a wedding shortly before the birth.

 She was engaged to be married but the DNA results showed that the father of the twins was another man.  Lowe admitted having relations with another man who stated he was unaware of her pregnancy.

She is being charged with first degree murder but the defense will argue that she was at the time she killed her twins.





NewsChannel5.com | Nashville News, Weather

I’m not “giving up”

Statistics tell us that pregnant teen are choosing single parenting 50-55%, abortion, 30-35% and adoption is less than 1%.

Isn't this alarming?  Just imagine if we could reverse the statistics of abortion and adoption?  With 2MM couples waiting to adopt, why is adoption not even on the radar screen?

The reason appears to be that even in well written articles, we continue to frame adoption in outdated  and negative language.   Even  some professionals that deal with teens have an outdated,  inaccurate viewpoint of adoption generated by made for  TV movies that show anomalies or view adoption as it was in the 1970's.  Today we have open, semi open and confidential adoptions. Using negative adoption language contributes to this misrepresentation.

 A nonprofit Decisions, Choices and Options, was  started to correct these inaccurate views. This  copy written curriculum is now being presented in 8 states by 52 trained agencies. Since its inception by  Joi Wasill, an educator and mother by adoption in middle TN, this program  has presented to over 55, 000 high school students.

The next time you talk or write  about adoption, please consider the impact of your language.

Don't use Because Instead, say: Real, Natural parent Implies that adoptive relationships are artificial, tentative. Birth or Biological parents Own child Suggests that adoptive relationships are less important than biological relationships. Birth child, child by birth To keep Children are not possessions, and they need care, love, and commitment. It's not like "keeping" a thing. To parent Closed adoption Implies that the experience of adoption, rather than just contact between parents, is over. Confidential adoption Taken away, given  up Denotes that children are stolen or forgotten rather than adopted legally and with forethought. Birth parents always "keep" feelings for their children. Termination of parental rights Is adopted Adoption is a one-time event, not a definition of a person. Was adopted Available, unwanted Waiting children are wanted. The right family just has not been found, and they are not available to whoever is interested. In need of a family, waiting Adopted child, adoptive parents In most contexts, qualifiers are not needed. Adoption creates a full, permanent relationship. Son, daughter; or mom, dad Illegitimate Children born to unmarried parents should never be labeled or stigmatized. No replacement Give away, put up Does not accurately describe the birth parent's decision-making process and responsible choice. Make an adoption plan; choose adoption Hard to place Labels the child and unfairly places blame on him or her for needing an adoptive family. Child who has special needs, waiting child Foreign adoption While more acceptable in the past, today "foreign" has negative connotations. International adoption

Canada: Status of Women Minister opposes gendercide except in abortions....

Our neighbors to the north are very interesting to watch. They actually have a cabinet post called Status of Women Minister. They also have unrestricted abortionn as the law of the land. Here comes the contradiction that causes political maneuvering for the the best pol.  Don't you just hate it when the facts get in the way?

There is a proposal on the table condemning sex selection abortion or gendercide. What's a Status of Women Minister to do?  For starters, she explains that she of course is opposed to gendercide but will likely vote against the proposal because it speaks to abortion.  

Minister Rona Ambrose previously voted to open discussion on the 'thorny' issue of abortion but announces she will likely vote against the measure condemning gendercide, which she personally is opposed to, because  it may be divisive since it speaks to sex selection abortion.  

What to do....her whole job description is defend the rights of women but abortion on demand is the rallying cry of the abortion supporting feminists who got her the job in the first place.   

The commenter's hit the nail on the head.... 

The Pipe Padre

Raising taxes is a divisive issue. Are you saying that Parliament will only debate issues that don't get any one mad? Come on debate the important stuff. Life and death is important.


Mohogwash Al-Dandy

For supporters of unrestricted abortion, as is the law in Canada, there should be nothing wrong with sex-selective abortion because according to them, there's nothing wrong with abortion.

The criminal law definition of a human being, which was endorsed by vote by a majority of MPs earlier this year, including all NDP and PM Stephen Harper, says that the fetus becomes a human being only after it has completely exited the mother.

For supporters of abortion to be critical of sex selective abortion would be hypocritical.

Do you think the NDP, the Liberals, many Conservatives and PM Harper actually believe what they voted for?

No. They know abortion is killing humans, but they voted to allow the killing of humans to get votes from so-called 'feminists'. So they have clear consciences.

pix: National Post.com

Pro-life blog buzz 3-5-13

from Jill Stanek.com

by Susie Allen, host of the blog,Pro-Life in TN, and Kelli
We welcome your suggestions for additions to our Top Blogs (see tab on right side of home page)! EmailSusie@jillstanek.com.


Secular ProLife notes NARAL’s strong objection to a North Carolina bill which would add information on “the link between abortion and preterm birth” to school sex education curricula. Though even the pro-choice New York Times has reported on this link, NARAL has chosen to label it “propaganda.”


Down on the Pharm examines the case of Kristopher Del Campo, aDePaul University student who is facing expulsion for exposing the identities of 13 confessed vandals – all of them adults – who were caught on security cameras destroying an authorized pro-life club display. The student vandals (who have not been disciplined) were named in a report, which Del Campo then posted online.



While this year’s 40 Days for Life campaign faces opposition, prayer warriors have seen at least 245 babies saved from abortion. Participants at a Washington Planned Parenthood event said they were greeted by several pro-choice protestors – but their protest didn’t quite go as planned:
[One] prayer volunteer asked a group of about eight of them “what exactly they were protesting, since abortion on demand has been a legal reality for forty years…[.] Why should our prayers bother them? In my spirit I knew the real reason,” he said. “It is the shame and guilt that they are protesting.”
“One lady was yelling at us…. [T]hen I spoke with her and told her my abortion story,” said yet another vigil participant, who’d had an abortion at this facility a number of years ago. “She ended up taking one of our balloons and hugging me and crying and left with lots more information about better services.”


ProWomanProLife says a politician in Japan has suggested banning abortion in the country as a way to combat their national birth dearth and subsequent economic trouble.


Stand True documents the 14th known botched abortion since 2008 at Southwestern Women’s Options in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the “grossly negligent” late-term abortionist Shelley Sella practices her trade. Pro-life activists were able to confirm that on March 1, the clinic called an ambulance company instead of 911 for this emergency, despite the fact that this can cause delays and is supposedly against the clinic’s own policy.


Alveda King adds her own perspective on the recently-released studyshowing a large increase in breast cancer among young women.


Right to Life of Michigan posts a video from CNN on the hug that revolutionized the way hospitals treat premature infants:

Breast cancer triples in young women past 3 decades: "Don't know why"

Breast cancer triples in young women past 3 decades: "Don't know why"

Channel 17...Nashville....PP provides services to expectant parents!!! REALLY??

Okay, I read this part about the only TV station covering this was Channel 17 which does not surprise me but the last line about PP provides services to expectant parents!!!!! Come on..... I looked up  the website for Channel 17 and could not find the video anywhere. I searched and searched but not up yet.  I am sure you know that PP does not do prenatal care.  One legislator asked them that once and there response was we give a sample of prenatal vitamins to them. That is prenatal care!!! Look at the pics...this is the kind of prenatal care they give.....so interesting that the National Broadcasters Religious Convention is being held there. This is where they usually hold it but now that they are informed...will they continue????

CAP Nashville Day 1: Thumbs Up!

CAP signs on display at Marriott Opryland Hotel & Convention Center.

The Corporate Accountability Project (CAP) at Marriott/Opryland was a huge success on Day 1. Our team of volunteers displayed signs for about 6 hours, as scheduled, from about noon until dark. They were very enthusiastic about the experience, and most promised to return again to help as the picketing continues over the next 4 days.

We reached thousands of people, especially those lined up at the traffic light, waiting to turn left into the Opryland complex. Several people in the turn lane took pictures as they waited for the light to change. Friday is a huge day, because so many people arrive for their weekend stays. In this case, people were also arriving for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention.

We got many thumbs-up from passersby, but only one or two “flying buzzards.” (The difference between thumbs-up and the other finger is what we call the “digital divide.”)

Our presence was covered by WZTV-17, the local Fox affiliate. Their concluding remark was the biggest laugh-line of the day (if you are into macabre humor); they identified Planned Parenthood as an agency that “provides services to expectant parents.” Who writes this stuff? (Oh, yeah, Planned Parenthood writes it.)


CAP signs were visible to thousands of motorists entering and passing the Marriott Opryland Hotel & Convention Center.

Pro Life Blog Buzz for March 1, 2013

by Susie Allen, host of the blog, Pro-Life in TN, and Kelli

We welcome your suggestions for additions to our Top Blogs (see tab on right side of home page)! Email Susie@jillstanek.com.

Live Action comments on the recent Al Jazeera appearance of Lila Rose, who was the sole representative of the pro-life cause on the program. Rose was pitted against several abortion supporters, including Katie Stack (formerly of MTV’s “No Easy Decision”), who is now employed as a clinic escort yet seems to be both struggling with and seeking to justify her past abortion:

American Life League’s Judie Brown discusses the disregard for human life in the recent case of a pregnant New Jersey woman who ingested cocaine – passing the addiction on to her child – and was not found guilty of child abuse:

… [G]arbage is handled with more respect than human beings. We respect “mother earth.” We recycle to protect the environment and we process wet garbage to create compost that is then used for the farming of fruits and vegetables. But when we deal with inconvenient humans like preborn children, the disabled, or the dying, we disregard all manner of reverence for human life in favor of crass disdain.



Down on the Pharm memorializes Dr. C. Everett Koop, who passed away this week at the age of 96: Pro-lifers saw him as a man of conviction, driven by empathy for the sick and suffering.

It remains a mystery to most… that a man who opposed homosexual activity would be a staunch advocate for HIV research. Most of the media, when recounting the accomplishments of Dr. Koop, have been remarking on this as though it is somehow contradictory. The rest of us see no contradiction or anomaly. Helping the sick is the natural thing to do, regardless of how they acquired the illness.

Clinic Quotes posts a quote from Dr. John Fletcher in 1979 on sex-selection abortion – still very much an issue today:

"The existence of some trivial reasons should not deter us from the larger goal of protecting the right of women to make such decisions in the first place…. It is inconsistent to support an abortion law that protects the absolute right of women to decide and, at the same time, to block access to information about the fetus because one thinks that an abortion may be foolishly sought on the basis of the information."

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition links to an article by Wesley J. Smith which states that despite its illegality, Belgium has been euthanizing disabled children for quite some time – and is now looking to make the killing legal. Eugenics is alive and well.



The Leading Edge reports that during a membership drive week at Sydney University in Australia, LifeChoice Sydney’s booth was defaced with crude messaging (see right) which implied that free speech is only allowed if it doesn’t offend anyone else.


Fletcher Armstrong says the Center for Bio-Ethical Reform will be bringing graphic abortion images to Nashville today for the start of the National Religious Broadcasters Convention this week. Gaylord Opryland Hotel Resort & Convention Center, the host of the convention, is now part of Marriott International, which has acknowledged in writing that they contribute to Planned Parenthood and will continue to do so.

Bound4Life has an excellent analysis of Planned Parenthood’s claim that they deserve $542M/year because they are comprehensive health care providers. The fact is that every service PP offers is offered by other providers… except for abortion.

Culture Campaign points to the case of parents bringing suit against the school their transgendered child, Coy, attends. The school refused to allow Coy to use the girls’ restroom, instead offering a neutral restroom in the faculty area, but the parents were not pleased. In two different news accounts of this case, it appears that the child’s mother is quite vocal, while the father remains more passive.

NY: PP disaffiliated because they won't provide abortion services.....healthcare not enough for PP

If you want to be a part of us you must provide abortions. It's a requirement.  News item out of abortion friendly NY report. 

That is the A word that Planned Parenthood tries to downplay saying that they are in existence to provide women's healthcare services. Here in NY, this former Planned Parenthood facility did not provide abortions and would not start doing it. Not because of any objection to abortion per say but that abortions were already provided at several others facilities in the area. But in order to be a part of PP you must provide abortions. So they disaffiliated with PP and now are known as Family Planning of South Central New York. Same location and staff but different name, signs and facebook page.

So the next time you hear PP try to downplay abortion and say that most of their services are healthcare and family planning, ask them why they require all affiliates to do abortion. Because that is where the $$ is.