“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24
This is from the last section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Matthew, Chapters 5, 6 and 7, begin with the Beatitudes, teach on many topics, and end with a powerful call to action! You may listen to the Word of Jesus and agree with everything He says. However, it is “a wise man” who will then put the words into practice and act on what he has heard. This Lent let us be wise men and women. Take the time to read the Bible during these 40 days and then choose one way every day that you will put the Word into action. We will build our lives on our rock, Jesus Christ. He is an unshakable foundation. No matter what “rains, floods, or winds” come into our lives, we will stand firm! News from the last two weeks’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, Feb. 24th, SEVEN innocent lives were lost. However, they did not die alone or unmourned. The entire time their lives hung in the balance, there were faithful prayer warriors standing outside praying for them and their mothers. We continue to pray for the mothers who made a choice that they will never forget. We pray for their healing. ** One young couple, 26 years old, stopped to talk to us. They struggled about going inside. The father struggled as he waited outside. Then the young woman came rushing out in tears before the abortion. They drove away only to return a short time later to have the abortion. It is so painful to watch the emotional turmoil some of these women go through before the abortion, but it cannot even compare to what they will endure after. ** On Thursday, March 3rd, we estimate EIGHT babies lost their lives in the abortion mill that day. ** A woman named Vanessa chose LIFE! We watched as her husband with their two-year-old daughter in the backseat dropped her off at the door of the clinic. Just after the doctor arrived, Vanessa dashed out the door right up to me. I just happened to be standing very near the door at the time. She asked to use my cell phone and then told me she was not going to do it. We began to walk, my arm around her shoulder to the Women’s Center, and then she turned to me and hugged me. We hugged, cried, and then went inside where she spent a long time talking to a counselor. Neither she nor her husband is working now. Please pray for Vanessa and her husband that they allow themselves to be wrapped in God’s peaceful embrace. ** There is still much construction in front of Forest View, so if you don’t see the signs right away, rest assured that we are there praying every Thursday. We’re probably just hidden behind a backhoe or dump truck! News about your spiritually adopted baby: ** Although the mother does not know yet, she has a new life inside her. She will always have a companion with her for the next nine months. No matter where she goes she bears this new soul inside her. Congratulations new spiritually adoptive parents! At the shower/kick-off last Sunday many of you spiritually adopted a baby. If you haven’t yet, now is your chance. Go online to www.spiritualadoption.org to print out a copy of the very short prayer or pick up a prayer card at the vigil site. Name your baby, then pray every day for your baby and his/her mother. You can be the difference between life and death for this child. With over 140 babies being killed every day in Illinois, there is much need for as many people as possible to make a commitment to pray for one of those precious infants. Special note about the Shower/Kick-Off ** Thank you to everyone who came and made it such a success! We had a great turn-out and a lot of fun. We've all got prayer partners now to help us grow spiritually this Lent. We collected THREE carloads of donations for Women's Choice Services and the Women's Center, not to mention generous cash donations. God bless you! UPCOMING EVENTS: Wednesday, March 9th – April 17th – 40 Days for Life in the Chicago Suburbs. We will be changing the location of our vigil weekly to pray for a week in front of each one of the six suburban clinics owned and operated by Dr. Goyal. *Downers Grove *Glen Ellyn March 9 – 15 March 30 – April 5 *Wood Dale *Des Plaines - Forest View March 16 – 12 April 6 - 12 *Hinsdale *Des Plaines - Dimensions March 23 – 29 April 13 - 17 This worldwide campaign to end abortion consists of prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. To be part of this dynamic movement: 1. Pray daily for an end to abortion. Join your voice with millions of others crying out to God. 2. Fast for 40 days as a form of physical prayer in solidarity with others around the world. You can sacrifice a certain food, drink, TV, computer, etc. as a way to focus yourself on God. 3. Sign up to cover an hour or more of vigil at one of the SIX locations. NorthWest Families for Life is specifically responsible for filling the two weeks of vigils at the Des Plaines clinics owned by Dr. Goyal. You can sign up online at http://northwestfamiliesforlife.weebly.com/40-days-for-life.html 4. Step out in faith and invite others to join you this Lent. Ask them to pray. Ask them to fast. And if you feel comfortable, ask them to join you to stand witness at an abortion facility. Let them know that it is NOT a protest. It is a peaceful prayer vigil. You can pray by yourself or with others there. Print out the flier or brochure to share (both attached). We will be happy to come speak to your group! 5. Get an announcement in your bulletin. Saturday, April 2nd – Tribute Dinner to Joe Scheidler, Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, 350 N. Orleans, Chicago, 6:30 pm. Contact Judy Parran at 517-546-3092. We’ve got a NorthWest Families for Life table started. If you’re planning to go, feel free to ask to join our table. Make your reservation by March 21st. Cost is $35 a person. Download a reservation form at http://www.prolifesociety.com/prolifesociety/archives/2011/JoeScheidlerTribute/EveningOfTributeApril2.aspx
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