GOD’s Grace and Mercy

I am so blessed that GOD led me to such a wonderful ministry. During my time here at Hope Clinic, I am so grateful that I am able to help clients walk through a crisis situation. I have always wanted to help others and I am so thankful that GOD placed me in this position. Each day, I am reminded of the grace and mercy GOD bestows upon his people. When I talk to clients, I realize that we all make mistakes in life and GOD gives us a second, third, fourth, fifth……….chance! I often meditate over the following verse:

1 Peter 5:10: And the GOD of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ. After you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong. (Today’s New International Version)

I am so empowered by the clients we see on a daily basis because it reminds me that this work is not just about “me.” It is about helping women, men and families walk through a crisis situation. The one value that I want to continue to strive for is being a living example of the Gospel by showing grace, unconditional love and mercy to our clients. Regardless of a client’s decision, we must continue to show unconditional love at all times.

Please enjoy this video. It really speaks to my heart and it is a great example of GOD’s grace and mercy. I also included the lyrics to the song! Enjoy!

Everything by Lifehouse

Find me here, and speak to me

I want to feel you, I need to hear you

You are the light that’s leading me to the place

Where I find peace again

You are the strength that keeps me walking

You are the hope that keeps me trusting

You are the life to my soul

You are my purpose

You’re everything

And how can I stand here with you

And not be moved by you

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms and you give me rest

You hold me in your hands

You won’t let me fall

You steal my heart and take my breath away

Would you take me in, take me deeper now

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

Would you tell me how it could be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

Would you tell me how it could be any better than this?

‘Cause you’re all I want, you’re all I need

You’re everything, everything

You’re all I want

You’re all I need

You’re everything, everything

Everything, everything

Ginger Harris M.A. is the Pregnancy Services Manager. She is passionate about working with young women who struggle with self-esteem issues. Ginger previously worked for Department of Children’s Services as a case manager for 6 years. Ginger started as an intern a year ago and has now been on staff since October 2011 leading the Bridge Program and also counseling clients.

Christ In Washington

Christ in Washington? Yes!!

When I was invited by Representative Marsha Blackburn to attend the 60^th Annual National Prayer Breakfast I went from surprised, to honored, to very curious. I really had no idea what to expect from this event. Well actually I did have some expectations and I am embarrassed to admit they were pretty low. I, along with many of my peers, had come to think of Washington with a sense of cynicism. In my defense, what I have been watching lately on the debates has not done much to increase my hopes in our future.

Then I went to Washington. I thought I would hear a lot about ‘God’ in very politically correct ways. I was expecting to hear more about politics and policies that would be veiled in phrases bookended by prayers to ‘God’. What I heard and saw was amazing. I heard everyone speak about being followers of Jesus of Nazareth. I saw Republicans and Democrats stand next to each other and share about their prayer time together…prayer time lasting for some over 20 years. I sat with people who were from Uganda, Bangladesh, Nairobi, and may other places. All of them talked about wanting to live more like Jesus. In a room of over 2,000 I caught a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Sure, after years in church leadership, I have been to conferences with thousands of believers, but this was different. This was people from over 150 countries with different lives and religious backgrounds with no common link; except that we were gathered together to pray for our world and pray in the name of Jesus.

There was the Democrat who talked with honesty and conviction. He encouraged us to continue to pray for our leaders reminding me of their humanity. There was little Jacki Evanko who really does sound like an angel and I am not sure how it could go up from here for her but I am sure God still has great things in store for her. I was challenged by Erik Metaxas who was the keynote speaker and plan on buying his two biographies of Bonheoffer and Wilberforce. I was excited to hear about the wives of the leaders who arrive 3 days in advance and retreat together to fellowship and pray.

The contrast of the level of acceptance and camaraderie I felt at the conference for two days and what I was reading on Facebook as people dissected the President’s speech from both sides was sad for me. Since I saw all the speakers, I am able to view the President’s speech from a different perspective. And well, he was only 100 feet away from me so I watched his body language the whole morning. I thought he was good. Other speakers moved me more, but that doesn’t take away from his words nor do I even think it is right to worry about how ‘authentic’ he was; that is between him and God. I am pretty sure there are times in all our lives that we say and do two different things. I am pretty sure his time with Billy Graham was authentic, and if Billy is going to show him the grace of God, who am I to do otherwise J?

I realize we are our own worst enemies. I am sad to say that I have seen narrow mindedness and judgment on BOTH sides of the political fence. No one is exempt. If I learned anything this week I learned that we can spend our energy focusing on our differences and why we shouldn’t work together, or we can spend our energy encouraging one another and finding some common ground. We can either speak words that edify or words that condemn. We can either hope, or we can give up. I choose to hope.

It is really pretty simple. I was taught from my cheerleading coach over 20 years ago to only cheer positively ‘FOR’ our team, and never negatively ‘AGAINST’ another team. That really holds true for me today. You won’t find me slamming any political candidate or anyone for that matter. Nothing good comes from it. I was reminded this week that we can only create real change with love and not hate.

Instead, we can choose to look to the One who can do the impossible. We can look to the One who was and is the Great I AM. Jesus came to us and walked this earth and lived through every emotion we experience. But he also lived triumphantly. He forgave people who betrayed Him. While hanging on a cross with very little to show or promise he got a thief to believe in Him. May I focus on Him and no one else. May I choose to live under His Lordship. May I pray my neighbor does the same. May I believe God is still in control and still in the business of creating miracles. Yes Jesus is everywhere. Even in Washington.

Renee Rizzo is President and CEO of Hope Clinic for Women. She feels passionate about helping all people; especially women who have been hurt or broken, realize there IS hope, and that God has a purpose for each one of us.

Hope, Not Politics

Politics. It seems my week has been full of political news. There was a major presidential primary on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Renee Rizzo, our CEO, headed to Washington D.C. to attend the National Prayer Breakfast a tremendous honor. Yesterday, the headlines announced that Susan G. Komen was suspending funding to Planned Parenthood and many took a hard look at how taxes were being allocated there as well. Supporters on both sides of the issue weighed in with emotional responses. Politics.

At Hope Clinic for Women, we leave the politics to others. We open the doors every day and serve the uninsured, underinsured, poor and yes even the wealthy without regard to their religious, political, or socio-economic group. We serve.

This week, I have been glad to be able to stay outside the debate, and focus instead on what I do…..raise awareness and support for our clinic that serves women, men and families with unplanned pregnancies, prevention, pregnancy loss and postpartum depression. I am not saying that the political debate is not important, even critical; I am just saying that our ministry depends upon our staying outside that arena. We strive to be the hands and feet of Christ to the hurting; offering grace and mercy. We serve with respect and confidentiality for all. Our clients count on us to focus on them, not an issue.

Beverly Rogers, Director of Advancement, has been with Hope Clinic for Women for almost two years and is charged with strengthening and building business relationships both with donors and the medical community and to raise awareness of the services available at HCFW, as well as the needs we have. She oversees 4 major annual fund raising events as well as church giving.