Dear Deacon John,
You may know Milwaukee’s Dan Miller from the 40 Days for Life book. And if you’ve ever been to the vigil site in Milwaukee, you’ve seen Dan because you can’t miss him! He’s around 6 feet 7 … with a heart to match his size.
He’s the local 40 Days for Life leader ... and he's been used by God to witness many miracles on the sidewalk in Milwaukee. Here’s an account of just a few … which include at least four babies saved from abortion! We're also including some photos from the Milwaukee vigil.
As you’ll be able to see, Dan keeps very accurate records.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
“At 11:47 am,
God showed us our first save,” Dan said. “The first thing about this
couple that I noticed was their happy demeanor. We talked back and forth
in Spanish – and the next thing you know they are telling me that they are keeping the baby. They looked so good with their decision to parent their child – they were absolutely glowing.”
At 12:24 pm, another couple walked out – and they also looked happy. “I noticed was her lipstick, which was like a sea-blue,” he said. “I used that as an ice-breaker – and the next thing you know, they are taking one of our gifts – and I’m blessing them and their baby.”
At 12:40 pm, three women walked out – and into a waiting cab. “There was something giddy about them,” Dan said, “and then we found out why. They told us that they were keeping their baby – before we had the chance to ask!”
At 12:24 pm, another couple walked out – and they also looked happy. “I noticed was her lipstick, which was like a sea-blue,” he said. “I used that as an ice-breaker – and the next thing you know, they are taking one of our gifts – and I’m blessing them and their baby.”
At 12:40 pm, three women walked out – and into a waiting cab. “There was something giddy about them,” Dan said, “and then we found out why. They told us that they were keeping their baby – before we had the chance to ask!”
At 12:46 pm,
yet another mother talked about her decision to reject abortion. She
said, “They tried to talk me into killing it – but I just couldn’t do
it. This is my baby!”
Later in the day, Tony, a counselor, talked to another couple. “Tony said the father did not want the abortion – and was very concerned because the mother seemed to want an abortion in a huge way,” Dan said.
“When they came out – the father was smiling so wide – he seemed like a man on cloud nine. He did not look concerned any longer – he seemed happy and relieved,” he said. “Pray they don’t ever come back.”
Later in the day, Tony, a counselor, talked to another couple. “Tony said the father did not want the abortion – and was very concerned because the mother seemed to want an abortion in a huge way,” Dan said.
“When they came out – the father was smiling so wide – he seemed like a man on cloud nine. He did not look concerned any longer – he seemed happy and relieved,” he said. “Pray they don’t ever come back.”
Towards the end of the
day, a man drove up with his window open and asked, “Are you making a
difference here?” Dan said, “Yes – I think we are.” In the ongoing
prayer effort in Milwaukee, 502 babies have been saved from abortion since August of 2010.
The man replied, “That’s fantastic! I see you guys all the time. I say a little prayer for you every time. I came down here thirteen years ago to have my baby aborted. In the end – we walked away from it. Here is a picture of my daughter, who was supposed to be aborted – isn’t she beautiful?”
“I want you to know,” Dan told the Milwaukee volunteers, “that your presence makes a difference.”
The man replied, “That’s fantastic! I see you guys all the time. I say a little prayer for you every time. I came down here thirteen years ago to have my baby aborted. In the end – we walked away from it. Here is a picture of my daughter, who was supposed to be aborted – isn’t she beautiful?”
“I want you to know,” Dan told the Milwaukee volunteers, “that your presence makes a difference.”
Today's devotional is from Fr. Terry Gensemer, national director of the Charismatic Episcopal Church for Life.
Day 18 intention
May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.
Scripture
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.
— Psalm 8:3-9
Reflection by Fr. Terry Gensemer
How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand.
Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?
The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece — human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.
God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important."
God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things — the human being.
There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us.
Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child.
God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.
Prayer
Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life.
Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/
Day 18 intention
May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.
Scripture
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.
— Psalm 8:3-9
Reflection by Fr. Terry Gensemer
How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand.
Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?
The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece — human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.
God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important."
God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things — the human being.
There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us.
Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child.
God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.
Prayer
Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life.
Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share:
http://40daysforlife.com/docs/
For Life,
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SHAWN CARNEY
Campaign Director
40 Days for Life
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PS: How has 40 Days for Life in your community affected you? Please let us know by posting a response to today's blog entry at:
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/
http://40daysforlife.com/blog/
