Be the Pro-Life Church (Part 2 of 2)

This is Focus on the Family, I'm Jim Daly, and in a moment, we'll be hearing from Emily Colson and a special story about her son, Max, really to highlight the value of all human life. But first, I want to draw attention to something important that happened last week in our nation's capital. On the phone with me is the president of Students for Life, Kristen Hawkins.

Kristen, thanks for joining me on Focus on the Family. Thanks for having me today. All right.

A couple of weeks ago, two young people from Students for Life of America were arrested for writing a message in chalk, which my kids have done many times, by the way, on sidewalks. But they did it in front of a Planned Parenthood clinic. What was their message and what happened?

Sure. We went out to write Black Preborn Lives Matter in front of the Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood. We felt like at this point in our nation's history, we were having this very important conversation. We really need to start talking about Planned Parenthood's past, but also present racism. And we wrote the city a letter. We informed the mayor that we were planning on going out there to paint black freeborn lives matter on the street because she had opened up the streets for free expression by writing Black Lives Matter and then also allowing protesters to add thief on the police without a permit and impermanent paint. We got a permit to assemble. We promised to stay six feet apart. And we went out there. We never really heard from the mayor's office. The police department called us and asked us to bring temporary paint, which we did. But when we got there at 4:00 a.m., there were six squad cars waiting for us and threatened arrest if we attempted to paint. And then when we started sidewalk chalking, something that happens every Saturday on the public sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. That was our backup plan to chark our message. That's when our students were arrested.

I mean, to me, it's so ridiculous. And I'm grateful to African-American leaders in the Christian community. People like Benjamin Watson, Alveda King and others who are making this proclamation. Yes, black preborn babies matter. And it's such a right thing to say in the culture right now and hear your people getting threatened by the police. What was the encounter about? The police showed up. They were there to meet you, obviously, by the mayor's decree. I would think. What did they say?

The police are very respectful. I want to make this very clear. We were glad the police were there. We knew the police would protect us. They protected us. And many times in the past and we went up to the officers and we said, what is this about? Yeah, we've spoken to the special events team. They told us to bring the temporary paint. We've done that. And, you know, we ask them who they were reporting to. An officer at the scene, Charge said directly he was reporting right to the mayor until when our students began to shock. They threatened arrest. We said this is unbelievable. I mean, clearly what's happening here is viewpoint discrimination. It's unconstitutional. But this is crazy. I mean, five year olds chalk on sidewalks all over Washington, D.C.. And so they threatened arrest. Our students continue to chalk and two of them were arrested and taken to jail.

What's the plan as you move forward? Again, I hope people will pray for you and, you know, stay close to this story because it's so important to our freedoms. But what's the plan? Are you going to take up a loss here?

Yeah, we're working with our good friends at Alliance Defending Freedom. They help us a lot on college campuses where what they cly of there is, as you can imagine on college camera, is the First Amendment cases. They're helping us identify criminal defense attorneys for the two students who were cited with misdemeanors for public destruction of public or private property for sidewalk chalk.

Think of that, everybody. That's crazy. Given the environment we're in, it's absolutely crazy.

We're going to go further. We're going to launch a federal First Amendment lawsuit as well. We're working with our friends at the Frederick Douglass Foundation, led by the Reverend Dean Nelson, because they were co-sponsors are bad because what happened was the city chilled everyone's speech. Everyone who was there that day was told that the mayor was practicing viewpoint discrimination, that she's a good friend of Planned Parenthood. She's been honored guests of theirs many times, and that she was choosing to allow certain groups to paint certain messages on streets, but not others.

Well, and it gets down to this. Kristen, when you look at it, the mayor has her brute squad doing her bidding. And I think that's not the country we want to live in. We want to be a country of law and order. And you just can't call up the police to go get your political enemies. That's not the country we have or should have. Kristen, we wish you the very best as you assert, your First Amendment rights will certainly ask people to pray for you. Thank you for highlighting the story for us. And please keep us informed. Thanks for having me. Let me truly encourage you to pray for students for Life of America. And we want to also ask that you stand up for the preborn child by joining Focus on the Family in our online event on September 26. It's. Called Sealife 2020. And we'll have special speakers and music. And we'll feature a 4D ultrasound of a baby in that third trimester. So we can show the world with the baby in the womb. Looks like encounter people who want to take that precious life. Also, you can sign our pro-life pledge and get all the details about sealife 2020 at our Web site, Focus on the Family dot com slash broadcast.

Today on Focus on the Family, we're returning to a powerful conversation with Emily Colson. She's the mother of Max and he has severe autism.

I cannot tell you what an extraordinary journey this has been. I mean, the highest highs. You know, John, and the lowest lows. But I would not trade this for anything. And I've never actually met a family that would trade it.

Now we want to raise a couple of days. Anybody feel that way about life? We were just like the bigger racer. And let's just forget about that part. Right.

But what God has given me, the beauty that he's given me, I think is so much brighter because it's been so difficult.

Well, we have more. As I said from Emily Colson today, your host, his focused president and author Jim Daly. I'm John Fuller.

John, we shared last time how Emily Colson is not only a wonderful mother to Max, she's also a pro-life advocate. She's challenging our culture today to not ignore or devalue people who don't look like you or me, who may have mental or physical limitations. And they might not even be born yet, but they've been created in the image of God. And that's what we need to remember. That's why Emily joined us in Tampa, Florida, for a pro-life event last fall with a large crowd of Focus fans and friends. We had a great time together as we reminded everyone about the sacred value of human life. If you missed our program last time, download it, get a copy or get our broadcast app so you can listen on the go. It was inspiring and challenging for all of us in the Christian community about how to live out our pro-life convictions.

Every day we have the entire conversation. In case you missed part one of the discussion with Emily, including what we're going to share today, along with her book Dancing with Max, a mother and son who broke free. Just check the episode notes to find out more. And last time we shared how Emily has been a single mom to Max for more than 26 years, and she has a very familiar last name for some folks.

Here's part two of the conversation with Emily Carlson on Focus on the Family.

Many of you, if not all of you, remember Chuck Colson, he worked in the Nixon administration, he was one of the attorneys in there. But what was his official role?

Special counsel to President Nixon. Yeah, there you go.

And so hard charger. He was a Marine.

The Marine, I mean. Yeah. You never stop being a Marine.

This I know it in that context. You wrote in your book about how much he at the beginning, how your dad struggled to connect with Max. Describe that. And that really is going to help many of us men.

Right. And he was so transparent about it when he wrote about it. When we came together to be on the program, that was so special. And he was very transparent about that early struggle and not really understanding what do I do? Here's this super type. A guy in incomes, super type a autism grandchild. Right. Like, they're both out. I'm tell you, they both have the same level of energy. It's just that my dad went in a straight line. Max L'Amour's the exact same energy.

But I think in their early, very early years, my dad kept trying to teach Max. I think he thought that was his opportunity was to impart his great wisdom. And, you know, who wouldn't want one on one teaching time with Chuck Colson?

Well, Max, not what I wanted in time. Well, juggles it.

And it wasn't until my dad got sick.

He had the flu. We were down there visiting. And all he could really do was sit on the couch in and observe. And in that, it really changed his perspective and his understanding.

I remember we went back to the airport after that visit and we had this wonderful deep talk about Max and why would God bring this child into our lives. And I remember it was the first time my dad realized this was an opportunity for him to learn about sacrificial love and the sanctity of human life in a deeper way.

What I love a lot about my dad, but one of the things I love is that when he had one of those aha moments, he didn't just write it in his journal and move on. He changed his behavior. He changed the way he lived when he had one of those Aha. Moments. And so he ended up every time we'd come down to Florida for a visit, he would clear his schedule and we came down to visit a lot and we would just do everything Max loved to do.

And my dad was just present with Max instead of trying to pull Max into his world.

He entered in with Max. They became the best of friends.

And I I think I think now how often my dad would say that Max influenced him more than anyone else in his life. Wow. More than someone in the halls of power in the White House. More than the great theologians that he rubbed elbows with. But his grandson with autism who struggled to speak. How remarkable of God to send such a mentor for my dad in the second half of his ministry year. Is that.

Think of that. But the point of that is for him to understand the humility that God absolute that Max had the greatest influence on him. That is profound.

Knowing him, it, knowing him, you know, the intensity of my dad and all he had on his list to accomplish.

And he always had three by five cards in his wallet that he'd pull out. And that was his to do list and people he was praying for.

He was the most organized, efficient person who was so mindful of every minute.

And he knew that the most important thing he could do was to be present with his grandson, with him.

And looking over those eight years, how has Max handled his homecoming to heaven? How how does Max think of your dad, as far as you can see?

Well, he asks about grandpa. He'll say sometimes, is grandpa still in heaven? He still to this day sleeps with with his grandfather's picture under his pillow. It's so sweet. He loves him very, very much.

I think about the impact.

My dad had on Max, and probably the most profound impact is that when Max was 13, he gave his life to Christ.

No.

One of the most beautiful moments of my life is was watching my dad baptized Max in the little swimming pool beside my dad's house. I remember how moved Max was. He was so he was so quiet and pensive. And as that moment happened, I thought of all the things the world says my son cannot do.

He can give his life to Christ. Nothing more important to.

God's God's goal for Max is not that he become more like other young men. God's goal for Max is that he become more like Jesus.

Very, very different goal. And that's truly the goal for all of us. Right. Same goal for all of us.

And what I love is that for the past 16 years, since Max was baptized, every time he gets in the water, whether it's a hot tub or the ocean or a pool, he reenacts his baptism.

He was his hand up like my dad had his. He puts his hand on his cheek and he says, Because you love Jesus, I baptize you in the Holy Spirit, shoots himself down and comes up the house.

I got baptized. All right. I want to explain this challenge that you have for today's churches. We've got to get to some practical things that we can do in the culture today. We have about 10 minutes to get this done. Will the church be able to defend life if we're not willing to sit beside that same wife that is challenged in the ways that you've described? Max, for an hour on Sunday. I mean, that's one of the one of the most difficult things. And you've had some horrific experiences. I'm sorry to say this, but in churches where Max has been a little disruptive. And what are some of the things that people have said to you?

Well, I have to say, Max absolutely loves church, but he also comes with a lot of unbridled enthusiasm.

He's excited about the way he is.

His faith is so big and just squirts out. It's unmistakable and it's contagious.

But there are people who have this sense.

The church is designed for those with the spiritual gifting of sitting still and being quiet.

Right. Do not have you know. No. Which you know, there's a place for that. I get that there is absolutely. I want to spend in that time, too. Yes. There is a time and a place for it.

Absolutely.

But there was one particular church that we visited and Max's joy was coming out and he's yelling in anticipation, we're going to sing God's praise.

Woman came over and whispered to my friend in front who was with us. She said, he doesn't belong.

Isn't that something? He doesn't belong. It strikes me as how little they know, really, especially given what we just talked about. Where's your dad? Oh, yeah. He doesn't belong. They're missing the opportunity to learn such a vast statement.

He doesn't belong. My friend thankfully defended Max and simply said, all are welcome.

All are welcome.

And we stayed in that church. We stayed in that church. And we worshiped in a way that I'm not sure that church has ever experienced before.

There was a Robeck, I will say that, but glorious.

But there are so many families who have that very same experience with church where they're they're either asked to leave, they're told, we're sorry, we don't have a place for you here. They're shushed out of the sanctuary or for the most part, our families just never dare cross the threshold yet.

Let me ask you, because I understand that balance. My brother's a pastor. We're sitting here in Mission Hills Baptist Church in Tampa.

Pastor Paul Purvis is right in front here he is the head pastor. It's a tough job.

I mean, he's got to maintain some decorum in the assembly and we're talking about the word of God. So don't be too harsh. But what are some things that churches could think about to help the plight, John? Thinking of a single mom with an autistic child like you. What are some practical things that would help you?

I think what families need to know is that churches will work with us to try to find some creative solutions so that the body is whole in the church. A friend of mine said, if. If.

Yeah. Thank you. Cut it loose.

We don't want to be leaving out a body part from the church because our churches are will then be disabled. We need the whole body in the church.

Now, Max does not sit through the service. He doesn't really want to sit through our pastor speaking. He's not offended by it.

Now, unfortunately, I don't want to offend any pastors, but there's some able bodied people that have that same.

Max is ahead of the curve.

But we need creative ways so that families, first of all, know their remember they're thought of when we're driving to church.

I guarantee you we are passing by homes where families are staying home on Sunday morning like we did for five years because I couldn't figure out how to do it. I just couldn't figure out how my wiggly, loud child would be in a church. And we are passing by those homes where those families are looking out the windows saying, I wish I could go to church. I wish the church knew I was there. So I think it's first looking at our congregations. Who is in the church? Who do we have there? How can we better serve them? It starts with asking. Right. It's this really complicated thing. You ask, how can we be there for you? How can we make this work for you?

What might work for your child? For Max? He comes and he serves. So he's not coming to church to be taken care of. He comes to church to serve, which is glory. Yes. I mean, it's just made this huge debt messy, too, though.

It's messy. Always very messy.

Well, in fact, you had an observation with Max where the what you called the grunt crew or the cleaning crew. They were busy stacking chairs and vacuuming. And you noticed one of the guys said to Max, they want to help us. Oh, yes. He loved it. Right.

All that was the best moment. So we'd been home for five years from church, couldn't figure out how to get back.

Max had been baptized. I thought, I can't not have Max in church.

He can't be home. He's given his life to Christ. So I thought, we've got to go back to the one thing Max loved about church when he was young and he loved it to be over. So we went with churches over. And one of the men asked Max to help stack chairs, invited him as we're leaving, put his hand on his shoulder as if he were knighting him and said, Max, we could use you on the grunt crew. That was the cleanup crew. That one invitation and one minute out of this man's life to invite Max and say, Max, you're indispensable, you're needed, radically changed our lives. We came for six years to what we called backwards church. We showed up for the worship at the end. And so that Max could serve on the cleanup crew. Oh, that is great. Isn't that a.

That shifted into Macs, then becoming a grieder a few years back and serving at the welcome center, and I want to tell you, I wish you could come to our church and be greeted by Max because he's leaping and dancing.

And I watch people come to the door of our church and they're carrying all their burdens and the weight of the week. And I watch them meet.

Max is joy. And it says if all their armor just drops right off and they're ready for worship, has beauty, its glory. Yeah, that's a real gift, isn't it? It's an extraordinary doesn't take anything except a little space. That's exactly it.

I think what I've seen with our church, with Max, is that with each step he takes.

They just breathe a little deeper and make room for everybody. Make room for him. And people are genuinely on the edges of their seat.

I am usually on the edge of my seat knowing I might need to chase or grab or do something quickly.

But there on the edges of their seats waiting. What is Max going to say? How is he going to delight us so glorious? That is so good.

Emily, you have said it and said it so well. Thank you for being with us. My pleasure. Thank you for being such a great witness.

We need to be present as the church.

We need to be bold. We need to be stepping in with families with disabilities. We need to be stepping in to hospice. We need to be going in to nursing homes.

We need to be present as the body of Christ. This is our privilege. This is our honor.

Yes. And you model it so well. Tampa, let's thank Emily Coalson.

John, it's my prayer that Emily's witness for life has inspired all of our listeners. I know it's inspired me. We want you to stand with us in this battle to transform hearts and minds across North America and literally around the globe. On Saturday, September 26, we will declare this pro-life message that abortion is a terrible evil. That must end because every heartbeat is of great value to our heavenly father. And that's why we're urging you to sign our pledge hashtag love every heartbeat. And by signing that, you agree to pray for a reawakening in our culture today, that we human beings are created in the image of God and that you'll support men and women facing an unplanned pregnancy and rescue babies who are at risk of abortion. And then help us spread the word to our churches, communities and our national leaders, sharing your pro-life beliefs and encouraging others to embrace them as well.

It's all part of our sealife. 20/20 online event that's coming up on September twenty sixth. And we've got details when you call 800, the letter A and the word family. Eight hundred two, three, two, six, four, five nine. Or stop by the episode notes to learn more.

The Christian community can not afford to ignore this issue of life. We have an obligation to protect and advocate for those who are the least of these in today's society. Sealife 2020 will help you do that. And I hope you'll join us in about six weeks for this powerful online event. And please sign the pledge. It's important. We want the whole world to see that every human life is precious in God's eyes.

And when you get in touch with us, let me also recommend that you check out Emily's book, Dancing with Max. A mother and Son Who Broke Free. I really appreciate the book. And we can provide a copy to you when you make a gift of any amount to focus on the Family today. They'd be our way of saying thank you for joining the support team and helping us protect and advocate for life. Our number is 800. The letter A. in the word family were stopped by the episode. Notes for more.

Well, we hope you have a great weekend with your family and your church family as well. And then on Monday, planning to join us for some insights about prayer from Elisa Morgan.

So I find myself kind of tug of war between this is what I want. God, an honest kind of a prayer and. But what do you want? God, I'm more yielded abandoned kind of prayer.

I'm John Fuller. And on behalf of Focus President Jim Daly and the entire team. Thanks for joining us today for Focus on the Family.

We'll invite you to join us again Monday as we once more help you and your family drive in Christ.