Todo niño merece ser amado

Todo niño merece ser amado

Romanos 12:9b and Psalm 147:3

What happens to us as we get older and we mature and change our minds regarding abortion? Growing up I never imagined I would have an abortion. At a young age, I always loved children and took care of them because I was the oldest granddaughter on my mom’s side of the family. She is one of 10 siblings. My relatives would say, “Toni, go take the kids and play.” I even dreamed of becoming a teacher someday. That’s how much I loved children. Entonces, I ask myself the question, why did I terminate the life of my first baby? Why did I allow the enemy to lie to me? Why didn’t I have the courage to admit to my parents that I had made a mistake and ask them for help? Why? These questions continue to plague me. The only response I can give right now is that I am trying to put all the pieces together to figure out the answers. I must revisit my childhood to identify the key moments in my life that led me astray. When did I start making decisions for myself—very bad ones—that would have long-lasting repercussions to endure for a lifetime?

My granddaughter, who is 8 años, asked her mother about a huge billboard sign she saw on her way to school. The billboard read “Vote Pro-Life 2020” and showed a picture of a baby. My daughter briefly explained the issue of abortion and how the procedure leads to the death of the baby. My granddaughter was horrified. She could not believe a mother would kill her child. She wanted to know how the baby dies, but my daughter responded, “You don’t need to know that right now.” My granddaughter could not understand why a mother would take the life of her own child? They hugged one another and wept bitterly. After crying for a while, my granddaughter became angry and said, “How can our country allow this to happen?” She’s only 8. Yet, she knows that this is wrong. It breaks my heart. My granddaughter and I are extremely close. Entonces, it saddens me to know that one day I will have to tell her that I had an abortion.

We have murdered over 60 million children in this country through abortion procedures. Do we need to mourn the loss of those children? Shouldn’t we all cry like my granddaughter cried when we hear such tragedy? How did each of us become so cold and disconnected from our very own child?

Where did the lie begin? When did abortion become an acceptable option? How did we transform from life-affirming children into post-abortion women? What a long and broken road we’ve walked. Let us unpack the truth and expose the reasons why we chose abortion?

I truly believe that if we had an encounter with the One True God, the Creator of the universe, engaged in a personal relationship with Him as children, teens and young adults, we would have chosen to give life to our babies in most instances. I would like to go one step further by highlighting the reality that many Christians have abortions as well. If we could only believe the truth that God loves and cherishes us and that He has a beautiful plan for our lives, we would make better decisions in this life. We were all raised in homes with some degree of dysfunction. Some were abused in their homes while others were neglected, or both. Every child deserves a safe home in which to experience love and be nurtured. Anything less is an injustice, which breaks my heart and God’s as well.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread. The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.” I believe our need for love has made us vulnerable to many kinds of evil and forms of abuse, especially you precious ones who were abused as children. When I see such evil being committed by those who have rejected Christ and remain unrepentant, the one thing that gives me peace is to know that God will bring them to justice. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romanos 12: 19b)

Fear of rejection stems from another lie we have believed about God. The Lord, in His Word, reminds us numerous times, “I will not leave you.” Perhaps He knew this would be one of our greatest areas of pain and loneliness. He knew the enemy would use this lie against us as he has already done in the lives of so many others. The fear of man, miedo al rechazo, fear of abandonment and the fear of being judged harshly cause us to doubt God’s promises and His goodness. By fearing God more than fearing man, perhaps we would have had the courage to choose life.

It’s important to return to the memories of our past so that we can move forward. That doesn’t mean we camp out there and remain stuck in our pain. We just need to visit long enough to get understanding. In order to be healed, we must come to Jesus in our present condition and humble ourselves before Him. We can then trust Him to walk with us in the hidden places of our minds and hearts. It is only then that we can be healed and truly set free.

Entonces, tell me your story. When did you think abortion was your only option?

What were the lies you believed that caused you to choose abortion in the first place?

Did someone force you to abort your baby?

God is with you dear one. He is close to the brokenhearted, and He heals your wounds. (Salmo 147:3)

Will you trust Him today to exchange your ashes, your abuse, your abortion, your sins for His love, forgiveness, peace and true joy?

 

Bendiciones,

Toni

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Mis mecanismos de afrontamiento poco saludables

Mis mecanismos de afrontamiento poco saludables

Coping mechanisms are defined as techniques we use to help us manage the stress and pain in our lives. Common coping mechanisms are evitación y aislamiento, negación, busyness, rationalization y control. From my childhood, I learned evitación y aislamiento para mantenerme a salvo de personas o situaciones no saludables. Running and hiding became my usual reaction to problems as a small child. Into adulthood, I continued to use those tactics until I began my recovery journey and learned new healthy coping mechanisms. Alabado sea el Señor! Instead of avoidance, God gave me a voice, and I learned to communicate my likes and dislikes. I never developed a voice growing up. Sin embargo, once I put up boundaries, Usar mi voz era necesario para comunicar esos límites a los demás.. Conforme el tiempo fue pasando, Me sentí más cómoda compartiendo mi corazón con los demás sin miedo al rechazo.. Dios también me dijo que dejara de correr y esconderme y que le dejara el resultado a Él..

I had huge blind spots as a post-abortion woman when it came to my parenting. Regarding my children, I became extremely sensitive and overprotective. I parented out of fear. I didn’t want them to feel the pain that I had experienced. I thought if I could control them, perhaps I could prevent them from experiencing what I did. Ahora, I know that was wrong thinking. Yo estaba en negación until I realized two things: I cannot control another person, and doing anything out of fear never has a good outcome. Entonces, I have learned to apologize to my children for my overprotective parenting leaving the all-powerful God to change the heart of others. When I feel powerless, I remember to relinquish control to God to create a change in others or situations. I was living in denial due to my fear of rejection from my parents and spouse. Como resultado, I obeyed ridiculous rules in order to be accepted and loved by others. Truthfully, that never worked. When I finally received the love of Jesus into my heart, I had the courage to stand on my own without fear of rejection because I knew God would never leave me nor forsake me.

Ocupación was a tool the enemy used for many years so that I would not have time to recognize my dysfunctional life and work on myself. In the year 2010, God told me to stop serving. I couldn’t believe He wanted me to do that. What will other people think? Asking this question led me right to the answer—you need to work on yourself because you are one sick puppy. I responded in obedience and took time to work on my own healing from 2010-2012. Durante este tiempo, God took me to a desert place with Him so He could dispel all the lies I had believed. By focusing on His truth, I could be healed and finally set free. Although God had called me to this ministry back in 2006, He was finally able to equip me once I slowed down and put my focus solely on Him.

I had racionalizado my abortion because I believed that since I was doing so much heavy drugs and drinking while smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day, my baby would be severely deformed. I felt that my parents would reject me and would be extremely disappointed in me. But looking back on these 40 años, I wish I had the courage to tell them I made a mistake and ask them for help. No puedo cambiar mi pasado. All I can do is learn from it and share my experience, strength and hope with others. Hopefully, those I reach with my testimony can make healthy choices knowing all the information beforehand.

Control was another tool I learned to use at a very young age. I honestly believed I could control how others feel and what they think in order to determine the outcome of a situation. That was all a lie. No tenía control sobre ninguna de esas cosas.. I tried to control how people reacted and behaved toward me. I tried to control what others saw in me by hiding behind a mask. I also tried to control how much I weighed by taking speed and diet pills and by purging after I ate too much. God showed me that by relinquishing control to Him, I can be set free from these obsessions and this bondage.

I am so grateful that today I have been set free from all my unhealthy coping mechanisms. I have learned new skills to help me cope with the pain and trauma from my past. Tuve que entregar completamente todo y a todos a Dios.. I no longer held onto my children so tight. Ya no me importaba lo que los demás pensaran de mí.. No obedecí reglas ridículas por miedo a ser rechazado.. I now had a voice, and God has taught me how to use it to express my feelings in a healthy, godly way. Ya no estoy esclavizado por mis viejos pensamientos y mis viejos patrones de comportamiento.. En romanos 12:2, the Bible says “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Daily time spent with God in His Word and listening to the Holy Spirit have helped me to move out of the chaos, dysfunction and misery into a peaceful, orderly and fulfilling life.

What unhealthy things have you used to help you cope with the trauma from your past?

What are some healthy ways you cope with things now?

Reach out and get the help and encouragement you need. We are here ready and waiting to serve you and help you to become the woman God created you to be.

Bendiciones,

Toni

 

 

 

—Toni

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Libertad en Cristo

Libertad en Cristo

John 8: 31-32, 34-36

Entonces Jesús dijo a los judíos que le creían.. “Si permanecéis en mi palabra, ustedes son mis discípulos en verdad. Y conoceréis la verdad y la verdad os hará libres”. Jesús les respondió, “Seguramente, te digo, Quien comete pecado es esclavo del pecado.. Y un esclavo no permanece en la casa para siempre., pero un hijo permanece para siempre. Por lo tanto, si el Hijo te hace libre, seréis verdaderamente libres”.

Gálatas 5:1 Estad, pues, firmes en la libertad con la que Cristo nos hizo libres., y no estéis otra vez sujetos al yugo de servidumbre.

Cita de Ravi Zacarías, “El pecado te llevará más lejos de lo que quieres ir, Mantenerte más tiempo del que quieres quedarte, y le costará más de lo que quiere pagar”.

Todos nacimos con una naturaleza pecaminosa., por la caída de Adán y Eva en el jardín, cuando Eva tomó el fruto y lo comió y se lo dio a su marido para que comiera también, Fue entonces cuando el pecado entró en el mundo.. El pecado es destructivo y todos somos siervos del pecado.. Debido a nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa estamos orgullosos, egoísta, mentirosos, desobediente, borrachos, y asesinos, etc.. No tenemos la capacidad de detener este ciclo destructivo hasta que encontremos al único que nunca ha pecado., Su nombre es Jesús nuestro Salvador y Redentor..

¿Qué significa la libertad en Cristo?? La libertad en Cristo significa que ya no pertenezco a Satanás y ya no soy esclavo del pecado., haciendo cosas que son impías. tengo una nueva naturaleza, la biblia dice cuando me confieso y me arrepiento (doblar) de mis pecados y creo en mi corazón que Jesús es el Hijo de Dios, que he nacido de nuevo. Ahora nazco del Espíritu de Dios. Soy adoptado en la familia de Dios.. Cuando nazco de nuevo, el Espíritu Santo ahora mora en mí.. Ahora tengo la capacidad, con la ayuda del Espíritu Santo, de tomar buenas decisiones que glorifiquen a Dios..

La muerte de Jesús en la cruz pagó mi deuda de pecado., él fue mi propiciación, mi sustituto, Él pagó la pena por todos mis pecados y los pecados del mundo entero cuando murió en la cruz. 2000 hace años que. Por su muerte por mí, Ahora soy irreprochable ante Dios, Mis pecados han sido cubiertos por la sangre del Cordero., Todo lo que Dios ve es la justicia de Cristo.. Dios me rescato de las garras del diablo, quien una vez me mantuvo cautivo, y me puso en la palma de su mano. ahora pertenezco a dios.

Como creyente en Jesús tengo libertad del juicio del Gran Trono Blanco., que es para aquellos que no conocen a Jesús como su Salvador personal. Hay un lugar literal llamado infierno que fue creado para el diablo y sus ángeles.. Al Padre le entristece que alguno esté en el infierno.. Esta es la razón por la que estoy compartiendo esto con ustedes hoy., es el deseo de Dios que nadie perezca sino que todos tengan vida eterna, Te estoy dando esta información ahora, así que si no estás seguro de tu relación con Jesús, ahora es el momento de asegurarla.. estoy disponible para hablar, por favor envíeme un correo electrónico a arwsg4u2@gmail.com, y discutiremos esto más a fondo para que puedas estar seguro de que tienes vida eterna y que cuando mueras estarás en el cielo con Jesús..

Si eres creyente estás ante el tribunal de Cristo., el asiento bema, eres juzgado en base a las cosas buenas o malas que se hacen en la tierra. Recibirás recompensas o te las quitarán.. Tienes garantizado un hogar en el cielo para siempre.. Un lugar donde no hay más pena ni muerte ni llanto, donde Dios enjugará las lágrimas de nuestros ojos.

Tengo libertad para vivir mi vida de una manera nueva.. En lugar de ser egoísta y orgulloso soy un siervo de Dios., Yo soy sus manos y pies en este mundo., para ministrar su amor, gracia, y compasión hacia todos los que me rodean. Ahora estoy más preocupado por las necesidades de los demás que por las mías.. Lo mínimo que puedo hacer es servirle por lo que Él ha hecho por mí.. Tengo una nueva vida, un nuevo propósito, una nueva familia y un hogar en el cielo cuando muera. Yo también vemos a mi dulce José, mi hijo que aborté. 40 hace años que. ¡Qué dulce día será ese!, No puedo esperar para besar la mejilla de mi hijo y abrazar su cuello..

 

Preguntas de discusión

¿Alguna vez te has confesado y arrepentido? (se alejó) de tus pecados a Dios y ¿crees que Jesús es el Cordero de Dios sin pecado que murió en la cruz por tus pecados??

Si no estás seguro de tu relación con Jesús, por favor envíeme un correo electrónico para que podamos hablar con mayor detalle.

 

Dios lo bendiga,

Toni

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El corazón de nuestro Padre Celestial

El corazón de nuestro Padre Celestial

Lucas 15:10-24

Many have called this “The Running Father” instead of “The Prodigal Son” because it’s the actions of the father in these Scriptures that give a glimpse into the very heart of God our heavenly Father. Primero, we see the father is looking for his son and spots him afar off. I can imagine every day, the father looking to the horizon for a glimpse of his son returning home. And every day losing hope that he would return.

Let’s put ourselves in the shoes of the prodigal son. Didn’t we run away from the homes that God had given us to explore the world with riotous living? All the while our heavenly Father was watching and looking for us to return home to Him. How it must have broken His heart to see the destructive ungodly choices we made. And yet, He loves us with an everlasting love and yearns for us to come home to Him. (Jeremías 31:3b-c)

Además, a man during this time in history would never been seen in public running through town. (which would have required him to girt up his loins by tucking his robe into his belt). I read that the son could be banned from the town or humiliated publicly, because he dishonored his father and their town with his sinful actions. This likely would have been another reason why the father ran to his son; he wanted to protect him from the humiliation and judgement of others.

Can we see how God sent His Son to die for us so we could be set free from the judgment we deserved because of all our sins? I love the correlation between the prodigal son’s father and our heavenly Father. Jesus became sin for us (2 Corintios 5:21a) and was naked and beaten, was crucified, and died for us. He was humiliated and tortured for me and you. When I think of what Jesus did on the cross for me, I am overwhelmed with gratitude because I know I don’t deserve it, but I humbly receive this precious gift of salvation that cost God the most precious thing He had, His Son.

Por último, we too were once dead in our trespasses and sins against God, (Efesios 2:1b), but when we confessed our sins, like the prodigal son, we were welcomed into the family of God. There was a celebration in heaven the day you received Christ as your Savior (Lucas 15:10). God has clothed you in a beautiful white robe (Revelation 7:9) and put a ring on your finger and has adopted you into His Holy Family (Romanos 8:15b-c). One day we’ll all be together for the great feast in heaven, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). Hallelujah, Thank you Jesus!!

Gracias, Father, for the gift of adoption into your family. I am no longer an orphan, a stranger, an outcast, I am yours forever.

What is your relationship with your earthly father like?

Do you see God as a good and kind Father?

Do you truly know how much you are loved by God?

If you are not sure, just look to the cross where Jesus died, that’s how much God loves you He gave His Son.

 

Bendiciones,

Toni

Menos control & Más confianza

Menos control & Más confianza

Proverbios 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

Who or what are you trusting in: yourself, another person, an institution, or God?

I learned at a very young age to take control of every area of my life, that unfortunately was not a good thing. A 12-year-old is not mature enough to take on such a responsibility. I controlled my voice, I did not use it, I controlled how I performed in school, sports, and in anything I set my mind to do by practicing until I could do something perfectly. When I was older, I controlled my weight by taking speed and diet pills and exercising excessively. I controlled what others perceived about me by wearing a mask to hide my true feeling and identity.

Relinquishing control was not a comfortable thing for me, because I didn’t trust others not to hurt me. I became very self-sufficient and proficient in all I did. I had a huge wall around my heart that no one was going to penetrate, not even God. I grew up with a distorted view of God; He was angry and He would punish me if I was out of line, this is what I heard and saw as a child. Church was dark, they spoke in another language, it was not warm and welcoming. Entonces, I attributed these attributes to God. I felt He was dark and harsh and unloving; nothing could be further from the truth.

I had everything under control so I thought, until my life and health started spiraling out of control, I couldn’t stuff anymore and my health was failing, my marriage was on the brink of divorce, and I didn’t know what to do. I was plagued with suicidal thoughts because I just couldn’t deal with my depression and self-loathing anymore. This was not a life it was a prison; I was just surviving I needed someone to take my pain away, someone I could trust to love and accept me for who I was. Did such a person exist?

Dear One I want you to know that there is such a person, His name is Jesus, He is the only one who will love you right where you are, He will never hurt you or force you to do something against your will. He is kind, cariñoso, dependable, faithful, merciful, forgiving, and He is your Savior and friend. Why not relinquish control of your life to God, honestly what do you have to lose at this point?

mateo 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.

 

Bendiciones,

Toni

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