Category: Adoption

Children Conceived In Rape Have Potential

SherryAnnLeave a comment

 

much-potential

As I watched the video from Mia Love giving her speech at the March for Life 2017, I was touched, but at the same time, I had many thoughts going through my mind.

In Mia Love’s speech at the March for Life 2017, she mentioned that “each child born and unborn has the potential to open up our world. She also mentioned that “each child maybe come a lawyer, a doctor, a person who can cure cancer, a person who can cure Alzheimer’s.” She then mentioned that “every time we kill a child through abortion we kill our potential. We can not except what might have been, but focus on what is to come.”

As I thought about what she said, I took her what might have been to what could have been and to what should be. In the pro-life movement, we have had many laws that have protected the unborn, except those conceived from rape, incest, and life of the mother.

Let me ask Mia Love and the Pro-Live movement? What could have happened if these bills that were passed did not have the exceptions in them? Could it have been possible that abortion would be illegal? Could it have been that these babies that are forgotten bring their mother’s healing or placed with couples who can not have children? Could it be possible that babies conceived from rape/incest or the life of the mother have potential?

The Pro-Life movement has much to learn from Mia Love’s speech. If the Pro-Life movement plans to focus on what is to come, we must not forget the lives of those conceived in rape/incest or the life of the mother are also worthy of the right to life. Children conceived in rape/incest should be allowed to have the right to life and live to their fullest God-given potential. They should be allowed to give their mother healing or allow the mother to place their child in a home where the child is cared for, accepted, and loved.

I was conceived in rape and placed for adoption. Since finding out that I was conceived from rape I have talked with others who were conceived from rape as well, and we are lawyers, firefighters, doctors, ministers, nurses, and so on. Who knows if the child conceived from rape/incest is protected just like anyone else maybe they can be the one to cure cancer, cure Alzheimer’s and become who God created them to be.

To the Pro-Life politicians, I urge you the next time you vote on a pro-life bill don’t exclude the exceptions but include them. After all, we are exceptional people who have potential.

sherry-photo2

Sherry Hensley is a  Pro-Life Speaker in Maryland. Conceived in Rape, saved from an illegal abortion. Sherry is married to a Minister and I enjoy inspiring others by sharing her story and sharing her faith.

Conceived From Rape Saved From An Illegal Abortion At Planned Parenthood

SherryAnnLeave a comment

Baby Photo1

It was in early 2008 that I found out I was conceived from rape and became very upset, but prayed and chose not to allow anger and bitterness take root, and I opted to forgive my birth father because Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins as well as the sins of my birth father.

My birthmother’s aunt wanted her to have an illegal abortion. I am so grateful that my birth mother did not give into the pressure of her aunt. 64% of abortions happen because of family and friends urging the woman to have an abortion. I am grateful that my birth mother chose life, and I was not one of the statistics of the 64%.

Last Summer when the Center for Medical Progress released the videos of exposing Planned Parenthood to very wrong and illegal practices I found out that my life could have ended at a Planned Parenthood facility before abortion became legal in the state that I was born in. When I saw the video of the 19-week baby in what I call the mixing bowl, I cried because it could have been me. I cringe when I talk about Planned Parenthood because I know that had my birthmother given into that pressure my very life would have ended at a Planned Parenthood facility.

Knowing what I know about my beginnings to life gives me a much greater appreciation for life. I am so thankful that my birthmother chose life and made the best decision and placed me for adoption.

Sherry3a3

Sherry Hensley is a Pro-Life Speaker in Maryland-Conceived in Rape, saved from an illegal abortion. She is married to a Minister and enjoys inspiring others and sharing her faith.

America, What Has Happened To Integrity

SherryAnn2 Comments

Integrity

One of the definitions of Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. Another definition for Integrity is the state of being whole and undivided.

I have been talking with some of my friends about this upcoming election, and it breaks my heart that these friends of mine want to vote for someone who absolutely has no integrity about him. After talking with these friends, I ask myself this question, Whatever happened to integrity?

America was founded on the Word of God and a country that once had moral principles and moral values and uprightness, but we are now a country that is divided on many issues. America, we have lost our integrity.

Just recently I heard about an interview on the Today Show that if Donald Trump is elected President he wants to change the GOP platform to promote abortions in cases of rape. That is a slap in the face to those who were/are conceived from rape. I was conceived from rape, and this election is very concerning to me.

For a minute put yourself in the shoes of someone who was conceived from rape. How would it make you feel when reading news like this? How would it make you feel to be told you should be dead, your an evil seed, your the rapist child, your the monsters child, a gob of goo, a disgusting abomination, and the list goes on.

I am grateful for people like Lila Rose, president and founder of the pro-life organization Live Action, told LifeNews.com she takes issue with Trump on supporting the aborting of babies not conceived lovingly.

“Rape and incest are horrific injustices, and those who commit these acts should always be punished to the full extent of the law. U.S. law forbids the use of the death penalty as a punishment for rapists, yet current law permits killing the innocent preborn children conceived in rape.  Abortion should not be held up as a pathway to healing from rape or incest, as it doesn’t undo the crime; it just adds more violence to what the survivor has already endured,” Rose explained.

Rose continued: “If you are pro-life, you can’t say certain lives are less worthy or don’t deserve protection because of how they are conceived.  To say children conceived in rape are somehow less human and shouldn’t be allowed to live is a grave injustice.  Survivors of rape and incest and their children must be shown compassion and be supported by their communities.  While some mothers choose to keep their children, adoption is the option for those who don’t.”

For me, I am so very grateful for my birthmother who gave me life and placed me for adoption and trusted God to take care of me. And that he has.

I am aware of the many issues that we face in our nation today, but if we want to see these problems fixed we are going to have to make a change and once again vote for people who have integrity and who stand on the Word of God and Godly principles and once again become a nation that is undivided and a nation that has strong moral principles and moral uprightness.

Sherry3a3

 

 

 

 

Sherry Hensley is a Pro-Life Speaker in Maryland-Conceived in Rape, saved from an illegal abortion. She is married to a Minister and enjoys inspiring others and sharing her faith.

The Blessing Of Adoption

SherryAnn3 Comments

 

When the world tries to make adoption look like a bad thing I want to tell you that Adoption is a blessing. My Life has been blessed by adoption. I am the adoptee. To give you the short version of the story my birthmother was raped and her aunt wanted her to have an illegal abortion and could have arranged it. She told her aunt no and because of her circumstances she made the selfless decision and placed me for adoption. Even in the middle of adversity she saw me as a gift from God, and she felt blessed. She felt blessed back then because she knew that there where couples out there who could not have children. She felt blessed and shared that gift from God with a couple who could not have children.

 

Adoption is a very loving option. Adoption is not rejection, but it is giving the gift of family to a child who needs a family. When a birthmother chooses adoption for her baby, she is putting herself last and putting the needs of her baby before hers. She is making a selfless decision. When my birthmother chose adoption for me, her only request was that I be placed in a strong Christian home. Yes, adoption is a very difficult decision. Back when I was placed for adoption most adoptions where “closed.” Thinking about my birthmother I truthfully don’t know how she did it. She is a very strong woman and a hero in my life. God blessed my birth mother with one week to care for, love and hold me. She and I were released from the hospital on the same day. I know it was hard for her that day, but I also know she felt at peace because she put her faith and trust in God that he would take care of me.  As I write this, I think about the song by Avalon. There are No Orphans of God. “There are no strangers, there are no outcasts, there are no orphans of God.”

 

Growing up my parents told me from a very young age that I was adopted. As I grew older, I wondered if my birthmother ever was able to have a baby girl.  When I decided to search for my birthmother, and she gave her permission to have contact with me I found out that she was able to have her baby girl. My Birthmother and her husband adopted her. So my Birthmother is also an adoptive mother. She knows about the blessing of adoption.  When I met my step-sister, I told her I had always wondered if my birthmother was ever able to have her baby girl. I went on to say that I am so glad that you are her daughter.

 

When I talk about adoption, I always say that Adoption saves lives.   I am grateful for the home that I was raised in. I had a normal life and truthfully to me being the adoptee it didn’t feel any different.  The reason it didn’t feel different is because my adopted family will always be my family.  Adoption truly is a blessing, and it is also the blessing of life!

Sherry Hensley Blogger (2)

Sherry Hensley is a Pro-Life Speaker from Maryland. She was conceived in rape, saved from an illegal abortion. She is also a Blogger for Save the 1.  She is married to a minister and enjoys inspiring others and sharing her faith. Her website is thevalueoflife.net

 

God Uses Rape Conceived Baby In The Womb To Bring Healing To Mother

SherryAnnLeave a comment

 

baby in womb

Life is a precious gift given to us by our master creator Jesus Christ.

This past Tuesday night I had the privilege to watch Ted Cruz on Fox News so profoundly stand up for the right to life. He included the exceptions. He did not leave anyone out, and I am so proud of the stand he took.

I was conceived from rape, and I am so grateful and proud of my birth mother, and I love my birth mother. I am so blessed and thankful that my birth mother did what was right, had she gave into the pressure from her aunt my very life would have ended at a Planned Parenthood Facility.

When I got in contact with my birth mother, she said I have always loved you, and you were the beginning of my healing process. The words beginning of my healing process has been going through my mind lately since Ted Cruz profoundly took the stand to include all life.

There are women in this world that get raped. Rape is horrific and traumatic. When a woman gets pregnant through rape, she is scared and pressuring the woman and forcing the woman to have an abortion after rape only adds to the trauma. Instead of pressuring for abortion lets love her and her baby. We should not be punishing the baby, but punish the rapist.

What goes through my mind when a woman gets pregnant through rape, yes she is dealing with many difficult emotions, but what is God doing?  God is creating a life in the midst of the womb for his plan to be fulfilled in that life. The very first plan that God does with this life is in the midst of the womb that baby is being used by God to help begin the healing process for the mother. When I thought about this, I thought even before I was born, even before I took my first breath outside the womb, even before I could understand things in the midst of the womb the very first plan the God had for my life was to help begin the healing process for my birth mother.

This year is a very pivotal year in the United States of America. We will be electing a new president. America needs God to heal our land. For that to happen as a nation, we need to repent and ask God to forgive us. When we go to vote, let’s pray and ask God, who do you want to be the new president of the United States of America. I know who I want God to place in the office. I want someone who will stand for Life, someone who will protect all life from conception to natural death.

When we destroy the life of the baby conceived in rape/incest, we are destroying the very first plan that God wants to use, and that is for the baby to begin the healing process for the mother and a life who has the right to life.

Sherry3a3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sherry Hensley is a Pro-Life Speaker in Maryland-Conceived in Rape, saved from an illegal abortion. She is married to a Minister and enjoys inspiring others and sharing her faith.

Created In God’s Image, Not A Gob Of Goo

SherryAnnLeave a comment

gods_workmanship062710

It has been awhile since I have had a discussion about the “Hard cases.” The hard cases are the babies who are conceived in rape/incest or have problems in utero. Today was one of the days where the subject was taking a stand against abortion and supporting adoption.

I decided to jump in on the discussion because the topic of rape was brought up. I decided to share the short version of my story. There were those who supported me, and there were those who had their negative junk today. Well, there was a guy who in a round about way referred to babies conceived in rape as a microscopic gob of goo. Did it surprise me that this was said? No. People conceived in rape/incest we are considered the lowest of lows in society. We are deemed to be worthless and that our lives have no value.

I am so thankful that Jesus Christ does not see us as worthless. God uses those that are of low decent and rejects, and those who are nothing to be a witness and to spread the gospel and to educate others so will come to know the truth.

Conceived in Rape 6c

I Corinthians 1:28 in the Holman Christian Standard Bible says “God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world–what is viewed as nothing–to bring to nothing what is viewed as something,”

I Corinthians 1:28 in the Aramaic Bible in Plain English says “And he has chosen those of low descent in the world and the rejects and those who are nothing, to nullify those who are,”

Since I have been sharing my rape conception story, God has been opening up doors for me to reach people and to let them know that I am created in the same image of God as anyone else. I am not a thick messy substance, but a person who was conceived in rape created by God to fulfill his purpose in my life. God chose my parents for me and long before I was adopted in the city of Racine, Wisconsin my parents heard my current Pastor preach at a very young age. God ordered my steps, and many years later I met my husband, and we attend Bethel Apostolic Church in Maryland. It was in the church in August of 2014 that God spoke to me in a very profound way to share the story.

Being conceived in rape should not matter what matters is that people will understand that the raped conceived are created in the image of God just like anyone else, and God is fulfilling his plan and purpose in their lives.

Sherry Hensley Conceived in Rape

 

 

 

 

 

Sherry Hensley is a Pro-Life Speaker in Maryland-Conceived in Rape, saved from an illegal abortion. She is married to a Minister and enjoys inspiring others and sharing her faith.

A Year Of Blessings…Looking Ahead

SherryAnnLeave a comment

conceived in rape_2c but i am loved 2

 

As 2015 Comes to an end, I am thinking about the blessings of God. Little did I know the position that I would be in at the end of this year. In August of this year, I met with the Greater Baltimore Right to Life, and we were talking about Fundraising ideas, and they asked me if I had any ideas and I did not have any at the time. Well on the way home or the next day the Lord spoke to me in a very profound way and told me to write it and get it out there. Well, I had no idea as to where this would lead. I ended up writing a small book “Conceived in Rape, But I am Loved”, and I am so blessed as to what God is doing just through that. I have decided to buy the books myself, and I have set a donation price of 5.00, and the proceeds go to help the Greater Baltimore Right to Life.

I have been helping with the Greater Baltimore Right to Life, and they have asked me to be the President of the Greater Baltimore Right to Life. I have accepted the position.

Also, this year my story was featured with many different organizations and the one that is precious to me is in November it was published in the Pentecostal Herald. The Pentecostal Herald goes all over the world, and every licensed minister in the United Pentecostal Church receives the magazine.

So many, many blessing, but I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do in 2016.

Let me say while there is so much darkness in this world, The Light of Jesus Christ shines brighter and the darker it gets, the closer we are to going to our eternal home. Where every knee shall bow, and everyone will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!!

Rejected But Accepted

SherryAnnLeave a comment

Rejected

Based on Mark 12:1-8

As we read these verses, we read about Jesus telling the story about the man who planted a vineyard. We see where the man sent out his servants to collect the harvest, but the farmers killed the servants. So the man then sent out his son thinking to himself they won’t kill my son. Well, the farmers did kill his son. Let us take our focus to the part of verse 10. It says, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

As I sit here this morning, I being an adopted child have struggled with being an adopted child and have felt rejection so many times. About seven years ago I met my Birth mother for the first time, but before she accepted to have contact with me during the waiting time for me, it seemed like forever. Finally, the day came when the case worker called and said my birth mother was ok with having contact with me.

Adopted children struggle with the feelings of rejection. A minister came to our church one time, and he sat and talked with me and said I struggle with two things, and one of those things was the feelings of rejection.

Jesus had to feel rejected by the way that people treated him, but because he was God manifested in the flesh he accepted and loved the people that rejected him.

We are human, and we all probably have felt the feelings of rejection, but we have to realize that Jesus won’t reject us. He loves us. When we come to him we become part of his family he adopted us. He gave us his name. It’s just like when I was born my birth mother gave me a name, but when I was adopted my parents changed my name. When we become part of the family of God not only does he give us his name but we begin to change because he changes us.

So when you feel like people have rejected you, remember that Jesus has accepted you, and he loves and he wants to change you.

 

Written by Sherry Hensley

Jesus Our Redeemer and Savior

SherryAnn1 Comment

 

turn-to-God

I am so blessed to have been raised in the home that I was raised in. Being adopted gave me the opportunity to know Jesus Christ in a powerful way. Jesus Christ the Creator of the world is also God who is our Redeemer and Savior.  It was in the middle of a Chapel Service at School that I received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the age of 7.  The spirit of God filled my life and life more abundantly. Lets look at scripture where God is our Redeemer and Savior and Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Savior.

God our Redeemer and Savior

Psalms 78:34-35 ” When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.”

Isaiah 47:4 “ As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 44:6 “Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.”

Isaiah 43:3-11 ” For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. 8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.”

Isaiah 45:21 ” Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I theLord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”

Isaiah 49:26 ” And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.”

Psalms 106:21 “They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;”

Luke 1:46-47 “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”

Jude-1-25-To-The-Only-Wise-God-Our-Saviour-yellow-copy

Jesus the Redeemer and Savior

I John 4:14 ” And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”

I Peter 2:21-24 ” For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Acts 20:28 ” Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”

Galatians 3:13 ”  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:”

Luke 24:21-29 ” But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. 22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; 23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. 24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. 25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.”

Luke 2:10-11 ” And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

John 4:40-42 ” So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his own word; 42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Philippians 3:20 ” For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”

I Timothy 1:1-3 ” Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,”

I Timothy 4:10 ” For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

Titus 1:1-4 ” Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

I Peter 1:10-11 ” Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.”

Jude 25 ” To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”