How do you handle hate like Jesus? Are you nervous about sharing the Gospel with people who hate you, hate Jesus, or maybe just hate when beliefs are brought up? With Roe v Wade overturned and the decision back with the states, there are a lot of people even more angry at Christianity than usual. Abby Johnson KNOWS about engaging with hardened hearts and drops a ton of knowledge for us this week.
GUEST INFO: ABBY JOHNSON
Abby’s desire to help women in need led her to a career with Planned Parenthood, our nation’s largest abortion provider. It is also that desire—coupled with growing unrest and an ultrasound-guided abortion where Abby witnessed a 13-week baby fighting for it’s life—that caused her to flee the organization. She is the author of the nationally best-selling book, Unplanned, which chronicles both her experiences within Planned Parenthood and her dramatic exit, and travels the globe sharing her story, educating the public on pro-life issues, advocating for the unborn, and reaching out to abortion clinic staff who still work in the industry. She is the founder of And Then There Were None, a ministry designed to assist abortion clinic workers in transitioning out of the industry. To date, this ministry has helped over 630 workers leave the abortion industry. Abby lives in Texas with her husband and eight precious children.
VERSES FROM REACHING HARDENED HEARTS
Psalm 139, Jeremiah 16:12, 18:12, Isaiah 6:10 & Matthew 13:15 & Acts 28:27
TOPICS DISCUSSED
- How do we get through to hardened hearts—and now, hard and furious ones?
- How do we counter feelings to harden our hearts against people who seem so opposite of us?
- What is the Church doing that more of the Church can do to love those who are hurting?
QUOTES FROM TODAY’S EPISODE
“In order to change a heart, we have to look different. Sometimes people fight vitriol with vitriol, I’m going to just say it that 100% of the times doesn’t work… If you are going to change culture, then you must look different than the culture!… It means that when you confront, when you speak hard truths, it looks different… cause when you have Jesus it still looks like love!”
Abby Johnson, The Pantry Podcast, Reaching Hardened Hearts
“Where does culture change? It changes in the home!”
Shea Watson, The Pantry Podcast, Reaching Hardened Hearts
“Love and kindness haunt people, a lot more than your rudeness does.”
Michelle Watson, The Pantry Podcast, Reaching Hardened Hearts
“There are three things I believe Christians need to be doing every day, reading the Bible, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers.”
Abby Johnson, The Pantry Podcast, Reaching Hardened Hearts
TOPICAL TIMESTAMPS
00:54 – Intro: Pro-life and Abby Johnson
02:40 – Reaching Hardened Hearts
06:20 – Good Things yet Neglectful
11:16 – They Don’t Understand!
12:40 – God does the real work
15:02 – Changes in the Home
16:40 – Answering with a question?
21:30 – Loving those who oppose
26:05 – Social Media doesn’t change minds
30:02 – Disarming
30:55 – What should our Churches do?
38:55 – Reaching more people
43:03 – Training your Children up
44:58 – Outro
