Dear Deacon, Chicago is the warmest location in today’s report!
Let's face it. It's cold in some of the 258 cities
participating in 40 Days for Life. To a Texan like myself, March weather means shorts and
80 degrees. But I've visited some of these campaigns
where many people are making huge sacrifices in
extremely cold weather. One thing weather hasn't
stopped is YOU ... and your prayers! Here's a big THANK YOU to all of you who are going out
at night, in the cold, in the wind and rain and snow.
Yes, it's a sacrifice. But it's necessary. And it's
worth it.
-------------------------------------------------------
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
------------------------------------------------------- There have been challenges, but also encouragement for
40 Days for Life volunteers in Old Town Chicago. The team had constructed a display with information
about local pregnancy resources. The display has been
kicked over -- and the signs have been stolen. Twice! "Signs can be replaced," said Darlene in Chicago. "And
it goes to show that we are making a difference!" On a more positive note, the youth choir from St. John
Cantius parish prayed outside Planned Parenthood from
10 pm to midnight. "Saturday nights in Old Town tend to be fairly hectic,
with lots of people patronizing the various bars in the
area," she said. "So it's really the perfect time for a
lively group of teenagers to bring their enthusiasm for
life to the vigil and show that our cause is young,
vibrant, joyful and loving." To see photos of the vigil in Chicago, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2869
-------------------------------------------------------
TERRACE, BRITISH COLUMBIA
------------------------------------------------------- Linda in Terrace sent a photo of another church youth
group. "They have signed up to hold vigil at our local
hospital for one hour each Sunday." She said she was
proud of them. "Don't let the shorts fool you," she said. "It's about
40 degrees F (6 degrees C) here in northern British
Columbia, but they are not letting the weather stop
them. They are strong young adults -- not only against
the cold -- but more importantly against the culture
of death." Terrace is not too far from the very southern tip
of Alaska. "I am such a firm believer in 40 Days for Life," she
said. "People have stopped by to talk to those holding
vigil at Mills Memorial and expressed their thanks,
not only on behalf of the unborn, but because we have
touched them in a profound way. Perhaps they had an
abortion and are looking for a shoulder to cry on and
they sense we are a soft place to land ... perhaps we
are just showing them that Christ loves them." To see photos of the vigil in Terrace, please go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2869
-------------------------------------------------------
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA
------------------------------------------------------- Speaking of Alaska -- the 40 Days for Life team in
Anchorage is doing door-to-door outreach. "We are going
out often, despite the snow and cold," said Haylee, the
local coordinator, "and getting a very positive
reaction to the campaign." She said the outreach participants gather at the Joy
Christian Center for prayer, then break into teams to
canvas neighborhoods. "What a great time to fellowship
and bring the message of the campaign to our city at
the same time." Haylee sent some pictures. If you look closely in the
background of the photo of the woman with the clipboard,
between the two trees -- yes, that is a moose. To see the pictures of Anchorage's outreach, please
go to: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2869
executive director of Lutherans for Life.
------------------------------------------------------
DAY 17 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------ May the Lord of Light and Life unite us, shine in us
and through us to make a difference in the darkness.
------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------ For at one time you were darkness, but now you are
light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the
fruit of light is found in all that is good and right
and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the
Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness,
but instead expose them. -- Ephesians 5:8-13
------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Dr. James I. Lamb, Lutherans for Life
------------------------------------------------------ For centuries physicists debated the nature of light.
Two theories surfaced. The "corpuscular theory"
maintained that light consisted of particles emitted
from a light source. This explained some properties of
light, but not all. The "wave theory" stated that light
emitted from its source as waves. Again, this explained
some properties of light but not all. So, the debate
continued. Did light consist of particles or waves? In the early twentieth century, Albert Einstein
answered the question-"Yes!" (And you thought Einstein
was complicated!) He showed that light consists of
"particles," little bundles of energy called "photons."
However, when all of these photons zip along together,
they behave as a wave. Sometimes pro-life Christians can feel like a photon,
a little particle of light, and we wonder if we can
possibly make a difference in a world of darkness and
death. The Bible, however, never talks about a "child
of light" only "children of light." When Jesus said in
Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world," "You"
is plural. When you and I shine in the darkness, others
shine with us. We are pro-life "photons" that form a
wave of light that can and does make a difference in
the darkness. We are compelled to do so. Jesus hung and suffered on
the darkness of the cross and paid the bloody price for
our sins. Now the light of His empty tomb shines upon
us through His Spirit cleansing us and declaring us
"children of light." But we are called to be more than
"glow in the dark" children of light. We are to "walk
as children of light" and take no part in the
"unfruitful works of darkness." But it does not stop
with passive restraint. We "photons" are called to
action, to "expose" the works of darkness. 40 Days for Life epitomizes this. Our prayer, witness,
and truth spoken in love seeks to expose the darkness
of death and bring others into the marvelous light of
Jesus Christ. When we stand and pray, we never stand
alone. The Light of the World is there and He joins
you with your fellow "lights of the world." The wave
of light He produces shatters the darkness. It changes
and saves lives. Shine on fellow photons!
------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------ Shine Jesus, shine in us and through us into the
darkness and upon those struggling in the darkness
that they might be drawn to the Light of Life. Amen.
------------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
------------------------------------------------------ To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends: http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2012day17print.pdf
------------------------------------------------------ Yours for Life, Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: If YOU have a story to share about your
experiences during this 40 Days for Life, please
submit it as a reply to today's blog posting at: http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2869
40 Days for Life 10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
