Dear Deacon,
David Bereit, the 40 Days for Life national director,
and I are in Iowa today -- celebrating the closure of
TWO Planned Parenthood abortion centers that have been
the sites of 40 Days for Life campaigns.
One of the reasons 40 Days for Life has such an impact
in communities is because of strong leadership from
local pastors.
I've seen a lot of courage this spring at kickoff
events I've spoken at, where pastors of Baptist,
Catholic, Presbyterian and many other Christian
churches shared the Word of God and challenged their
congregations to be part of 40 Days for Life.
Pastors don't hear it enough, but we appreciate YOU!
Thanks for all you do on behalf of God’s children.
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HARLINGEN, TEXAS
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Nancy says "folks are taking notice" of the 40 Days for
Life campaigns in the Rio Grande Valley -- "and the
campaign is still young."
This is the second 40 Days for Life in which Harlingen
is participating. "Harlingen support is booming
compared to last time as we now have Brownsville, Port
Isabel and South Padre Island folks joining us."
A particular boost came when Bishop Daniel Flores of
the local Catholic diocese went to pray at the vigil.
A number of people joined him -- and so did the media.
A KGBT news crew interviewed both Bishop Flores ... AND
the abortion center's owner. It was quite a contrast,
and brought quite a bit of attention to 40 Days for Life.
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SAN FERNANDO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA
-------------------------------------------------------
At a recent vigil, there were more than 100 people on
the sidewalks outside the abortion center. "By far,
our best ever," said Patti, the local 40 Days for Life
coordinator. "God really blessed us with many new people
coming out for the first time," she said.
"We had great support from passers-by, including a
young girl and her mother who brought freshly-made
empanadas," Patti said. "Then a young man who lives
across the street and really appreciates what we're
doing brought us five dozen fresh-baked bagels."
To see a picture of the 40 Days for Life vigil in
California’s San Fernando Valley, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2805
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EUGENE, OREGON
-------------------------------------------------------
You don't always get to see God’s hand in action. But
sometimes, He permits a glimpse.
A man walked up to Lynda in at the 40 Days for Life
vigil in Eugene and asked her if she wanted to meet
one of the women the volunteers had prayed for.
"I dropped everything and followed him to meet his
daughter and her two beautiful kids,” she said. "Such
beautiful miracles -- another testimony of answered prayer!"
Lynda said she just wanted to pass this blessing along
"for encouragement to others that prayers are being
heard and answered!"
Today's devotional is from Georgette Forney of
Anglicans for Life ...
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DAY 10 INTENTION
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May those who hold life as trivial realize that we
live because God wills it so.
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SCRIPTURE
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Who among all these does not know that the hand of the
Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every
creature and the breath of all mankind.
-- Job 12:9-10
------------------------------
REFLECTION by Georgette Forney, Anglicans for Life
------------------------------------------------------
Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and
tribulation. He had everything taken from him,
including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule
and judgment from his friends.
Everyone gave him advice about his situation,
questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's
circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why?
Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life."
Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and
purpose, regardless of the circumstances.
In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth;
every life is made and allowed to live by God's
sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on
our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging
our dependence on God.
From our creation, when we were knit together in our
mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear
that "in His hand is the life of every creature and
the breath of all mankind."
It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to
recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back
to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why?
Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are
dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting
desperately.
Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of
what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His
wisdom and mercy will redeem it.
How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's
sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God
instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he
does, God restores all that Job had lost.
In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew
and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.
------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life
and every life. Please give me, and the society in
which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life.
Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge
that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in
response to all the blessings you bestow freely. In
the name of Jesus, Amen.
------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2012day10print.pdf
------------------------------
Please pray for a change of heart for all those who
work or volunteer for abortion facilities, their
financial supporters and political advocates, and
their customers.
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: What's the latest news about 40 Days for Life in
your community? If you have stories to tell, please
respond on today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2805
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
