Once again Blogspot.com is posting these Pro-Life 40 Days for Life posts that I tried to publish some time ago. It's like they went to cyber space and was in limbo all these months and have now returned to earth! I wonder what is going on? Was this a deliberate holding back of my posts or a technical problem?
Deacon John
Dear Deacon,
QUESTION: When can you tell Planned Parenthood is
getting desperate?
ANSWER: When you see them launch a "pledge-a-picket"
campaign.
This is one of the abortion chain's typical reactions
to your dedication and faith throughout the campaign.
It often shows up towards the end of the 40 days.
It has one goal -- to discourage YOU.
They start putting up signs and sending out e-mails,
asking supporters to pledge a donation for each
"picketer" or "protester" who shows up (that's what
they call the 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers).
They then say the pro-lifers are HELPING Planned
Parenthood raise money -- but that's just to convince
you to go home.
The bottom line is that it's confirmation from them
that business is off. In many cases, these attempts
only last a few days, as they don't have the grassroots
dedication to match your peaceful presence.
If this has happened in your community, take it as
a compliment ... and continue to pray.
-------------------------------------------------------
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
-------------------------------------------------------
Planned Parenthood in Missouri sent out one of the
e-mail messages I just mentioned. "You have seen them
out in front of Planned Parenthood," reads the e-mail.
"Protesters harassing and intimidating patients.
Protesters trying to keep patients from accessing the
health care services they need and deserve... But,
Planned Parenthood is not going anywhere!"
The e-mail went on to talk about volunteer escorts who
"provide a safe passage for patients and protect them
from the verbal insults."
"For the record," said one of the 40 Days for Life
volunteers in Columbia, "we are being very nice to the
clients, workers and escorts. This is propaganda!
I cannot figure out who Planned Parenthood is talking
about."
It seems they only put the sign out when the weather is
nice. "It has been windy and rainy the last couple of
days. However our signs are out no matter the weather."
To see a photo of Planned Parenthood's sign in
Columbia, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2517
-------------------------------------------------------
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
-------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of the weather, Karen in Sioux Falls wrote,
"It was so cold at Planned Parenthood this morning at
9:00. It was about 28 degrees. There was no one there
but me, so I was feeling a little alone."
There wasn't a single car in the parking lot. "I was
thinking that I could have just stayed home and stayed
warm. Then the sun shone on my face."
It was as if God had said, "I will warm you up."
"As I was wishing someone from my church would show up
to pray with me, my pastor called to thank me for being
there, even though he had a meeting and couldn't come
today," Karen said. "That also warmed me up."
To see photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Sioux
Falls (from warmer days!), please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2517
-------------------------------------------------------
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
-------------------------------------------------------Joanne brought a friend to the 40 Days for Life vigil
who was attending for the first time. She stood by the
abortion center's driveway with a sign that said,
"Change your mind -- adoption."
Near the other end of the building, Cathy had brought
her daughter for the first time.
A young woman drove up, got out of her car and walked
up to Joanne. "Five years ago, I changed my mind," she
said, "because of people standing here." She then
showed Joanne a photo of her daughter.
"I remember the woman who talked with me that morning,"
she said -- and then she noticed Cathy, who was praying
nearby.
"That's her!" the young woman exclaimed, and ran over
to Cathy and her daughter. And she showed her child's
picture to the woman whom God had sent to help her,
just when she needed it the most.
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 35 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive
themselves; may they understand that there is no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom
the Lord shall not impute sin.
-- Romans 4:7-8
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
-----------------------------------------------------
In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point
about justification by faith, refers back to David's
words in Psalm 32:1-2. In spite of the enormity of
David's sin -- adultery with Bathsheba and his murder
of her husband -- and the utter absence of any
personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood
the imputed righteousness of God. David's response
was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for
his freedom from guilt, and God's power to live life
differently.
Once your relationship with God has been restored,
your guilt has served its purpose and should no
longer be given place in your life. This is true
regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion.
As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this
issue until I realized that punishing and hating
myself after receiving God's forgiveness was an
insult to God.
It was as though I were minimizing Christ's work on
the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was
denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His
name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do
in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who
having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on
destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual
guilt he heaped on my mind.
It is my joy to continually sing of God's grace
rather than give the devil a foothold in my life.
Don't waste God's mercy! Accept His forgiveness and
forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your
amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come
against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel
cast down and dejected.
Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the
accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning
into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we
give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our
lives. For by His grace we are saved, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day35print.pdf
----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Has your community changed during this 40 Days
for Life campaign? Please share your stories by
posting a comment on today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2517
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
Deacon John
QUESTION: When can you tell Planned Parenthood is
getting desperate?
ANSWER: When you see them launch a "pledge-a-picket"
campaign.
This is one of the abortion chain's typical reactions
to your dedication and faith throughout the campaign.
It often shows up towards the end of the 40 days.
It has one goal -- to discourage YOU.
They start putting up signs and sending out e-mails,
asking supporters to pledge a donation for each
"picketer" or "protester" who shows up (that's what
they call the 40 Days for Life prayer volunteers).
They then say the pro-lifers are HELPING Planned
Parenthood raise money -- but that's just to convince
you to go home.
The bottom line is that it's confirmation from them
that business is off. In many cases, these attempts
only last a few days, as they don't have the grassroots
dedication to match your peaceful presence.
If this has happened in your community, take it as
a compliment ... and continue to pray.
-------------------------------------------------------
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
-------------------------------------------------------
Planned Parenthood in Missouri sent out one of the
e-mail messages I just mentioned. "You have seen them
out in front of Planned Parenthood," reads the e-mail.
"Protesters harassing and intimidating patients.
Protesters trying to keep patients from accessing the
health care services they need and deserve... But,
Planned Parenthood is not going anywhere!"
The e-mail went on to talk about volunteer escorts who
"provide a safe passage for patients and protect them
from the verbal insults."
"For the record," said one of the 40 Days for Life
volunteers in Columbia, "we are being very nice to the
clients, workers and escorts. This is propaganda!
I cannot figure out who Planned Parenthood is talking
about."
It seems they only put the sign out when the weather is
nice. "It has been windy and rainy the last couple of
days. However our signs are out no matter the weather."
To see a photo of Planned Parenthood's sign in
Columbia, please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2517
-------------------------------------------------------
SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA
-------------------------------------------------------
Speaking of the weather, Karen in Sioux Falls wrote,
"It was so cold at Planned Parenthood this morning at
9:00. It was about 28 degrees. There was no one there
but me, so I was feeling a little alone."
There wasn't a single car in the parking lot. "I was
thinking that I could have just stayed home and stayed
warm. Then the sun shone on my face."
It was as if God had said, "I will warm you up."
"As I was wishing someone from my church would show up
to pray with me, my pastor called to thank me for being
there, even though he had a meeting and couldn't come
today," Karen said. "That also warmed me up."
To see photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Sioux
Falls (from warmer days!), please go to:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2517
-------------------------------------------------------
BUFFALO, NEW YORK
-------------------------------------------------------Joanne brought a friend to the 40 Days for Life vigil
who was attending for the first time. She stood by the
abortion center's driveway with a sign that said,
"Change your mind -- adoption."
Near the other end of the building, Cathy had brought
her daughter for the first time.
A young woman drove up, got out of her car and walked
up to Joanne. "Five years ago, I changed my mind," she
said, "because of people standing here." She then
showed Joanne a photo of her daughter.
"I remember the woman who talked with me that morning,"
she said -- and then she noticed Cathy, who was praying
nearby.
"That's her!" the young woman exclaimed, and ran over
to Cathy and her daughter. And she showed her child's
picture to the woman whom God had sent to help her,
just when she needed it the most.
Here's today's devotional from Carmen Pate, a member
of the 40 Days for Life board of directors.
-----------------------------------------------------
DAY 35 INTENTION
-----------------------------------------------------
Pray for post-abortive women who cannot forgive
themselves; may they understand that there is no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
-----------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
-----------------------------------------------------
Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sin is covered. Blessed is the one to whom
the Lord shall not impute sin.
-- Romans 4:7-8
-----------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION by Carmen Pate, 40 Days for Life
-----------------------------------------------------
In the passage above, the Apostle Paul making a point
about justification by faith, refers back to David's
words in Psalm 32:1-2. In spite of the enormity of
David's sin -- adultery with Bathsheba and his murder
of her husband -- and the utter absence of any
personal merit, David in his brokenness, understood
the imputed righteousness of God. David's response
was not continued guilt over his sins, but praise for
his freedom from guilt, and God's power to live life
differently.
Once your relationship with God has been restored,
your guilt has served its purpose and should no
longer be given place in your life. This is true
regardless of the sin, including the sin of abortion.
As a post-abortive woman, I too struggled with this
issue until I realized that punishing and hating
myself after receiving God's forgiveness was an
insult to God.
It was as though I were minimizing Christ's work on
the cross as insufficient to cover my sin. I was
denying Him the opportunity to bring glory to His
name for the healing and restoration He wanted to do
in my life. I was giving victory to the enemy who
having lost the battle for my soul, was bent on
destroying my testimony as I accepted the continual
guilt he heaped on my mind.
It is my joy to continually sing of God's grace
rather than give the devil a foothold in my life.
Don't waste God's mercy! Accept His forgiveness and
forgive yourself as testimony of His amazing grace.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
-----------------------------------------------------
Our Most Gracious Heavenly Father, thank you for your
amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. I come
against the enemy of my soul who would have me feel
cast down and dejected.
Lord, keep your children from falling prey to the
accusations of the father of lies. Turn our mourning
into dancing and may we bring praise to you as we
give testimony of Your healing and restoration in our
lives. For by His grace we are saved, Amen.
-----------------------------------------------------
PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL
-----------------------------------------------------
To download today's devotional as a formatted,
printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/fall2011day35print.pdf
----------------------------------------------------
For Life,
Shawn Carney
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
PS: Has your community changed during this 40 Days
for Life campaign? Please share your stories by
posting a comment on today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=2517
40 Days for Life
10908 Courthouse Road
Suite 102229
Fredericksburg, VA
22408
US
