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Saturday, February 27, 2016
#9DaysforLife: 1 Month Later! Now What?
From 40 Days For Life: DAY 18: "Don't you have something better to do?"
Dear Deacon John,
It’s no secret that
spiritual warfare can go on outside an abortion facility. Sometimes, it
can be pretty obvious. But at other times, it can be a more subtle
distraction.
It can often come
in the form of a quick shout from a passing driver. “Get a life!” and
“Get a job!” and “Do something useful!” are commonly heard.
Of course, you are doing something useful.
So don’t worry about it! Just smile, brush it off … and keep on praying!
Manchester, New Hampshire
It was five below
zero and windy as the two volunteers prayed in front of Planned
Parenthood. The peaceful mood was broken when a woman slowed down her
car, rolled down the window, and shouted, “Don’t you have something better to do?”
“We didn’t have to think twice about the answer,” said Stephen in Manchester.
“During the first
two weeks of our campaign, two mothers and their children have already
been saved, and we have no idea how many hearts have been changed
through our daily prayer and witness,” he said. “We don’t have something better to do.”
The mothers, babies
and abortion workers all need your prayers, he said. “Can you please
donate some of your time … and peacefully pray in front of Planned
Parenthood?
Orlando, Florida
One of the
counselors in front of Planned Parenthood was able to strike up a
conversation with a young woman who accepted information about community
resources.
The volunteer offered to take her to the pregnancy help center, but she said her mother could give her a ride. But first, she was going into Planned Parenthood.
As she turned to
go in, the counselor suggested that she hide the list of resources she
was given. Other women had reported that the center’s staff had yanked the paper from their hands, while telling them they didn’t need it.
The young woman’s
mom tried her best to ignore the vigil participants. After quite some
time, she went inside to get her daughter. When they came out, the
daughter told the volunteers they were headed to the pregnancy help
center – and that she was keeping her baby.
Mexico City, Mexico
The campaign in Mexico City’s Roma area began with a group of more than 50 … and strong encouragement from a local pastor that they work as missionaries of the Gospel of Life.
Lourdes, the Mexico
City leader, said that in spite of cooler-than-usual weather, they
continue to stand in front of the Marie Stopes abortion center, “praying
and showing the mercy of God.”
The volunteers have seen a number of couples arrive … stop for a time right in front of the abortion business … and leave. “We hope those will be lives saved from abortion,” she said.
Media reports are
accusing the vigil participants of harassment … which of course is
simply not true. Lourdes said it is obvious that the pro-abortion side
does not want them outside Marie Stopes. “They know prayer is powerful.”
Day 18 intention
We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.
We pray for a flowering of the joy of parenthood.
Scripture
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
— Psalm 127:3-5
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
— Psalm 127:3-5
Reflection from Randolph Sly
I still vividly remember the day my first child was born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen.
Later I was driving home from the hospital for a shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came on the radio, "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" -- a ballad about being a father as he watches his daughter grow through childhood to womanhood.
I wept as I listened, knowing those years would go by very fast... and they did.
Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted above I'm always captivated by one word - "heritage." It basically means "something passed down from a preceding generation."
That little girl I watched being born and wept for is not mine to give to God like a product of our fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to us. So are all her siblings.
My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives, which are placed in our lineage that His life with us might be perpetuated.
To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with another generation intended to continue their covenantal promise.
For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding generations for His Church and her families.
These days I'm looking upon my grandchildren, and rejoicing that my children and their spouses will pass on the greatness of Christ's gospel to them and thus will continue the work of God in the world. What a blessing. What a heritage!
I still vividly remember the day my first child was born. As she came into the world I gazed upon the most beautiful little baby I'd ever seen.
Later I was driving home from the hospital for a shower and a fresh change of clothes when a song came on the radio, "The Men in My Little Girl's Life" -- a ballad about being a father as he watches his daughter grow through childhood to womanhood.
I wept as I listened, knowing those years would go by very fast... and they did.
Being a father, whenever I read the Psalm quoted above I'm always captivated by one word - "heritage." It basically means "something passed down from a preceding generation."
That little girl I watched being born and wept for is not mine to give to God like a product of our fertility, but rather His, which he has entrusted to us. So are all her siblings.
My wife and I share a great treasure: precious lives, which are placed in our lineage that His life with us might be perpetuated.
To the psalmist, this was a blessing from the Lawgiver, God Himself, who blessed Israel with another generation intended to continue their covenantal promise.
For us in Christ, it is his gift of succeeding generations for His Church and her families.
These days I'm looking upon my grandchildren, and rejoicing that my children and their spouses will pass on the greatness of Christ's gospel to them and thus will continue the work of God in the world. What a blessing. What a heritage!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Heavenly Father, please keep me from taking for granted the gift of children. Help us to remember this heritage that you have given us. Make us faithful stewards of these precious lives, that each generation might be raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day18.pdf
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day18.pdf
For life,
|
SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
|
Friday, February 26, 2016
LifeNews Pro-Life News Report 2/26/16
LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Friday, February 26, 2016
| For pro-life news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. |
• Donald Trump Defends Planned Parenthood Abortion Business: “It Helps Millions of Women”
• Marco Rubio: Donald Trump Would Not Replace Justice Scalia With Another Pro-Life Judge
• Donald Trump Says Abortions are 3% of What Planned Parenthood Does. There’s Just One BIG Problem
• Ted Cruz: Don’t Vote for Donald Trump Because “He Thinks Planned Parenthood is Wonderful”
More Pro-Life News• Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Support Unlimited Abortions Up to Birth, Don’t Give Them a Pass
• Abortion Activists Upset After Lands’ End Apologizes for Promoting Gloria Steinem• Donald Trump: Planned Parenthood Helps Women With Breast Cancer. But Abortion Causes It
• The Incredible Moment a Baby Born Inside the Amniotic Sac Takes His First Breath
• Abortion Activist Whoopi Goldberg Defends Abortions Saying, “We’re All Pro-Life”
• Touching Pictures Show Mom Holding Her Premature Baby for the First Time
• Planned Parenthood Cited for Not Sterilizing Equipment Hospitalizes Woman After Botched Abortion
• Abortion Activist Assaults Pro-Lifer Trying to Document Botched Abortion Injuring Woman
• Baby Aborted Because Docs Worried There Was a “Probable” Case of Microcephaly From Zika Virus
• Catholic Group Hosts Planned Parenthood Abortionist, Advertises Event With IUD on Rosary
• Canadian Government Recommends Forcing Christian Hospitals to Euthanize Patients
• Indiana Senate Committee Passes Bill to Ban Abortions Based on Down Syndrome
• Arizona Senate Passes Bill to Stop Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Parts
• Labour Party Trying to Foist Horrific Pro-Abortion Laws on Ireland
SIGN THE PETITION: Do Not Allow a Vote on Any Obama Supreme Court Nominee
Donald Trump Defends Planned Parenthood Abortion Business: “It Helps Millions of Women”
Though
he repeated his line about supporting de-funding and opposing the
abortion component of Planned Parenthood, Republican presidential
candidate Donald Trump continued defending the abortion company in the
Republican presidential debate tonight.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Though
he repeated his line about supporting de-funding and opposing the
abortion component of Planned Parenthood, Republican presidential
candidate Donald Trump continued defending the abortion company in the
Republican presidential debate tonight.Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Marco Rubio: Donald Trump Would Not Replace Justice Scalia With Another Pro-Life Judge
During
Thursday night’s Republican presidential debate, pro-life Senator Marco
Rubio contrasted himself with presidential candidate Donald Trump and
said that Trump, unlike him, would not appoint a new Supreme Court
Justice who is in the pro-life mold of recently-deceased Justice Anontin
Scalia.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
During
Thursday night’s Republican presidential debate, pro-life Senator Marco
Rubio contrasted himself with presidential candidate Donald Trump and
said that Trump, unlike him, would not appoint a new Supreme Court
Justice who is in the pro-life mold of recently-deceased Justice Anontin
Scalia.Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
During
last night’s Republican presidential debate Donald Trump repeated the
oft-stated claim that abortions constitute just 3 percent of the
business the Planned Parenthood abortion company does.Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Ted Cruz: Don’t Vote for Donald Trump Because “He Thinks Planned Parenthood is Wonderful”
Ted Cruz went after Donald Trump’s repeated praising of the Planned
Parenthood abortion business last night during the Republican
presidential debate. Cruz essentially said pro-life voters shouldn’t
support Trump because “he thinks Planned Parenthood is wonderful.”Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Support Unlimited Abortions Up to Birth, Don’t Give Them a Pass
While this election cycle is like no other our nation has experienced –
who would have thought the front runners would be a socialist versus a
reality TV star? – one particular issue has been brought up multiple
times during one party’s debates and zero times during the other party’s
debates.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Abortion Activists Upset After Lands’ End Apologizes for Promoting Gloria Steinem
Now that Lands’ End has wisely backtracked, pulling a series of photos
and an interview with abortion icon Gloria Steinem from their webpage,
pro-abortionists are outraged by the decision of the Dodgeville,
Wisconsin-based retailer of traditional clothing and/or all-too-happy to
mock them for not being “hip”
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
While this election cycle is like no other our nation has experienced –
who would have thought the front runners would be a socialist versus a
reality TV star? – one particular issue has been brought up multiple
times during one party’s debates and zero times during the other party’s
debates.Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Abortion Activists Upset After Lands’ End Apologizes for Promoting Gloria Steinem
Now that Lands’ End has wisely backtracked, pulling a series of photos
and an interview with abortion icon Gloria Steinem from their webpage,
pro-abortionists are outraged by the decision of the Dodgeville,
Wisconsin-based retailer of traditional clothing and/or all-too-happy to
mock them for not being “hip”Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Donald Trump: Planned Parenthood Helps Women With Breast Cancer. But Abortion Causes It
During last night's Republican presidential debate, Donald Trump drew
criticism from pro-life voters for defending Planned Parenthood —
despite saying he is pro-life and wants to defund the abortion business.
Trump claimed that planned Parenthood “helps millions of women” such as
women with breast cancer.
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
The Incredible Moment a Baby Born Inside the Amniotic Sac Takes His First Breath
This
incredible video of a baby being born inside the amniotic sac is one
that you need to see for yourself. As the Daily Mail explains, the
amniotic sac is “a bag of clear, pale fluid inside the womb where the
unborn baby develops and grows.”
Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
During last night's Republican presidential debate, Donald Trump drew
criticism from pro-life voters for defending Planned Parenthood —
despite saying he is pro-life and wants to defund the abortion business.
Trump claimed that planned Parenthood “helps millions of women” such as
women with breast cancer.Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
The Incredible Moment a Baby Born Inside the Amniotic Sac Takes His First Breath
This
incredible video of a baby being born inside the amniotic sac is one
that you need to see for yourself. As the Daily Mail explains, the
amniotic sac is “a bag of clear, pale fluid inside the womb where the
unborn baby develops and grows.” Click to Read at LifeNews.com:
http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Abortion Activist Whoopi Goldberg Defends Abortions Saying, “We’re All Pro-Life” http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Touching Pictures Show Mom Holding Her Premature Baby for the First Time http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Planned Parenthood Cited for Not Sterilizing Equipment Hospitalizes Woman After Botched Abortion http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Abortion Activist Assaults Pro-Lifer Trying to Document Botched Abortion Injuring Woman http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
 Looking for an inspiring and motivating speaker for your pro-life event? Don't have much to spend on a high-priced speaker costing several thousand dollars? Contact LifeNews at news@lifenews.com about having LifeNews Editor Steven Ertelt speak at your event. |
Baby Aborted Because Docs Worried There Was a “Probable” Case of Microcephaly From Zika Virus http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Catholic Group Hosts Planned Parenthood Abortionist, Advertises Event With IUD on Rosary http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Canadian Government Recommends Forcing Christian Hospitals to Euthanize Patients http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Indiana Senate Committee Passes Bill to Ban Abortions Based on Down Syndrome http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Arizona Senate Passes Bill to Stop Planned Parenthood Selling Aborted Baby Parts http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
Labour Party Trying to Foist Horrific Pro-Abortion Laws on Ireland http://www.lifenews.com/2016/
|
|
Judie Brown: "Stopping the culture of death trajectory"
 |
| English: Vanitas symbolizing childhood disease, culture, time passing and death (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Judie Brown
Judie Brown
February 26, 2016
Everywhere we turn, we see the culture of death strengthening its grip on our children. How do we combat this terrifying reality?
It doesn't take a physicist to figure out that our planet is collapsing under the weight of a culture steeped in gook! It's like quicksand; it sucks you in before you know what's happening.
If you think this statement is merely bologna, think again! Take a look at some recent news items to see what I mean.
February 26, 2016
Everywhere we turn, we see the culture of death strengthening its grip on our children. How do we combat this terrifying reality?
It doesn't take a physicist to figure out that our planet is collapsing under the weight of a culture steeped in gook! It's like quicksand; it sucks you in before you know what's happening.
If you think this statement is merely bologna, think again! Take a look at some recent news items to see what I mean.
To read the article, click here:
http://www.renewamerica.com/
From 40 Days For Life: DAY 17: Know your rights ... save lives
Dear Deacon John,
We need to know and exercise our rights as citizens to help save lives from abortion
The Thomas More Society law firm has been on the front lines of protecting the rights of 40 Days for Life volunteers across the United States since the early days of the campaign … and they’ve just recorded another victory on behalf of a local vigil!
It is often the case that the abortion centers have friends in local government who are eager to do things that will discourage vigil participants. We covered this important topic in a recent podcast episode.
Not only does the Thomas More Society help 40 Days for Life ... but they are also currently defending investigator David Daleiden. Thankfully, they are great at what they do.
The Thomas More Society law firm has been on the front lines of protecting the rights of 40 Days for Life volunteers across the United States since the early days of the campaign … and they’ve just recorded another victory on behalf of a local vigil!
It is often the case that the abortion centers have friends in local government who are eager to do things that will discourage vigil participants. We covered this important topic in a recent podcast episode.
Not only does the Thomas More Society help 40 Days for Life ... but they are also currently defending investigator David Daleiden. Thankfully, they are great at what they do.
Here’s the latest example.
Hollywood, Florida
Hollywood, Florida
Early in the campaign, a city police officer told the people praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil that they were not permitted to stand on the sidewalk outside the abortion center.
He basically said the abortion business could decide who could or could not occupy the public sidewalk … and the center’s management didn’t want them there.
So the volunteers got in touch with the Thomas More Society’s team.
“Forbidding pro-lifers from standing on public property violates 75 years of clear Supreme Court precedent that gives broad protections to those engaging in free speech in public places,” said Corrina Konczal, Thomas More Society associate counsel.
The attorneys wrote to the city, challenging the officer’s directive.
It didn’t take long to get a response. The police department’s lawyer wrote that the volunteers were indeed in the right, and “the participants in the vigil are entitled to remain on the public sidewalk.”
Thanks to the Thomas More Society for resolving this quickly … and thanks to the 40 Days for Life team in Hollywood for standing up for their free speech rights.
Bloomington, Indiana
Thanks to the Thomas More Society for resolving this quickly … and thanks to the 40 Days for Life team in Hollywood for standing up for their free speech rights.
Bloomington, Indiana
As with most of the campaigns across the country, the Bloomington, Indiana, campaign got off to a frigid and snowy start.
But the sacrifice of being out there praying in such inclement weather is truly what moves hearts and gets people thinking.
“We've had one couple decide not to go through with their scheduled abortion,” said Monica in Bloomfield, “another couple whom we took to the local pregnancy care center on the counseling day, and lots of good conversations with passersby.”
Volunteers have also had opportunities to practice Christ’s command to “bless those who persecute you.”
Vigil participants also told of a mother and her son who stopped by to chat. The mom asked the boy if he’d be willing to pray outside for the babies. He said he could see himself doing that. They thanked the volunteers for being there.
“Hopefully,” Monica said,” they will be back to join us!”
Here's today's devotional from Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life.
Day 17 intention
May all understand more deeply that the pro-life message is rooted in the two basic truths of life:
There is a God;
He isn't me
There is a God;
He isn't me
Scripture
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
— Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
— Genesis 2:7
Reflection from Fr. Frank Pavone
From the beginning of the Bible until the end, the theme is echoed that God alone has dominion over human life. He made it; shared it; died to save it; will raise it up forever.
The act of creation described in Genesis 2:7, and earlier in Genesis 1:26-27, is a sovereign act. God did not have to do it, and would have been happy forever without us.
Yet without our asking for it or earning it, God brought us out of nothingness and into life, and sustains our existence at every moment. And He does so in Christ. "For by Him all things were created...in Him all things exist" (Colossians 1:16-17).
"You are not your own," Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 6. God alone owns us. While He entrusts us to the care of one another, He does not allow any human being to own another.
A Southern California abortionist, James McMahon, once explained how he justified killing children after 20 weeks gestation by partial-birth abortion. He did not deny that this was a child, but rather asked, "Who owns the child? It's got to be the mother."
The struggle over abortion is really a struggle over the dominion of God. The Christian individual, and the Christian Church, cannot sit idly by when others declare that God is not God.
From the beginning of the Bible until the end, the theme is echoed that God alone has dominion over human life. He made it; shared it; died to save it; will raise it up forever.
The act of creation described in Genesis 2:7, and earlier in Genesis 1:26-27, is a sovereign act. God did not have to do it, and would have been happy forever without us.
Yet without our asking for it or earning it, God brought us out of nothingness and into life, and sustains our existence at every moment. And He does so in Christ. "For by Him all things were created...in Him all things exist" (Colossians 1:16-17).
"You are not your own," Paul declares in 1 Corinthians 6. God alone owns us. While He entrusts us to the care of one another, He does not allow any human being to own another.
A Southern California abortionist, James McMahon, once explained how he justified killing children after 20 weeks gestation by partial-birth abortion. He did not deny that this was a child, but rather asked, "Who owns the child? It's got to be the mother."
The struggle over abortion is really a struggle over the dominion of God. The Christian individual, and the Christian Church, cannot sit idly by when others declare that God is not God.
Prayer
Lord, we are yours. Thank you for breathing into us the breath of life. Thank you for claiming us as your own. May our words and actions in defense of human life proclaim to all the world that you alone are Lord of life and death, Lord of our freedom and of our choices. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Lord, we are yours. Thank you for breathing into us the breath of life. Thank you for claiming us as your own. May our words and actions in defense of human life proclaim to all the world that you alone are Lord of life and death, Lord of our freedom and of our choices. We pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Printable devotional
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day17.pdf
To download today's devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:
http://40daysforlife.com/media/day17.pdf
For life,
|
|
SHAWN CARNEY
President
40 Days for Life
|
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