“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23: 1-4)
This is one of the most well-known Scripture passages and, yet, have you ever taken it piece by piece and really thought about what it means? The promises it holds? The images it creates? It seems to me that there are actually seven promises included in this passage: 1. “I shall not want.” When we think of this, we have to be careful to look at “want” vs. “need.” The verse does not promise to provide for our every need. However, it clearly explains that if you accept that God is in charge you will be free from the nagging “wants” that can distract us, like “wanting” wealth, new clothes, car, popularity, more time in the day, etc. We can rest in the idea that God has got me where He “wants” me. 2. “He makes me lie down in green pastures.” This is one of my favorite images in this passage. Who doesn’t like the idea of lying in the cool, green grass relaxing? God can be this type of an oasis in your day. Sometimes it can be hard to carve out time to pray, but maybe instead of traditional prayer, take some time to just imagine God asking you to lie down in green pastures to rest, focus on Him, and soak up His goodness. Is God trying to “make” you lie down in peace right now? 3. “He leads me beside quiet waters.” Water is a source of life. So we can imagine God offering not only rest but also rejuvenation and refreshment. Look for where he is leading you to find that refreshment, in a prayer vigil, a Bible study, at the side of a friend in need. Take His lead. 4. “He restores my soul.” Why would a soul need to be restored? Sin. Sin is the scourge of the soul. Sin damages our souls. But God promises that He will indeed “restore” our soul, fill it with the shining light of the Holy Spirit when we come to Him with sorrow and repentance to seek His forgiveness. There is no sin too great, even the sin of abortion, which God will not forgive. The last three promises in the next update! UPDATE on SPECIAL PRAYER INTENTION The kidney transplant two weeks ago was a complete success! Maria and our dad Frank are both doing well. Maria even feels good enough to return to vigil this week! Thank you for all of the prayers for our family. We felt the Lord’s love and support flowing through you every step of the way. VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Please the vigil schedule page for days of the week and times when faithful people will be praying outside of Chicago-land abortion facilities. Be especially aware that every day during the Lent 40 Days for Life (Saturdays and Sundays too!) you can join a vigil in Downers Grove, Aurora, and Wood Dale. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, March 6, we estimate that TWO babies died at Forest View Medical Center. ** Our counselor Dawn called out to two women on their way into the clinic and they came over to talk to her and were interested in the Women’s Center. However, as Dawn began walking with them towards the Women’s Center, one of them burst into tears sobbing telling Dawn that it was too late. She was only coming to Forest View today for a follow up appointment after her abortion. The woman said, “I wish you were here on that Saturday.” Dawn gave her a Project Rachel and invited her to come pray with us to help others. ** Some people have shown interest in being part of a Saturday vigil at Forest View. We will be contacting you soon if you responded because from the previous story we can so clearly see that God is calling us to minister on Saturdays. If you would like to be included in a meeting about Saturday vigils, please reply to this email. ** On Thursday, March 13, we estimate that NINE women succumbed to the lie that abortion is the only solution to their “problem” of pregnancy. ** One couple chose LIFE! Kaelynn (20ish) and Dominic (27) arrived at 7:45 am for an abortion. Dawn was there to greet them and let them know that it was not a safe place for them. Kaelynn told Dawn that Dominic did not want the abortion, but she didn’t feel financially ready for a baby. Dawn told her about all the help available and gently offered the option of adoption. Dominic was reluctant to go with them to the Women’s Center, but when Dawn called out, “We’re going to save your baby’s life!” he saw the light and joined them. After meeting with the WC counselor, they left smiling and kept hugging and thanking Dawn. Dawn said that the relief on Kaelynn’s face was unmistakable. Please pray for this young couple as they discern their options for this child. Praise God! Pray for These Forest View Employees - Nancy: Office manager and post-abortive woman - Dr. Goyal: owner and operator of Forest View and 4 other suburban and 1 Chicago abortion mill - Samantha: Was “just answering phones” as a way to make money for culinary school 3 years ago when we first met her. Now she has quit school and appears to be thoroughly invested in the business of abortion. Listed as a “Health Educator.” - *Carmen: New employee, cashier, Catholic. Has Women's Center and Project Rachel cards to give to women inside the clinic. Pray she will be inspired by the Spirit to hand them out. - *Marisela: Listed as “Medical Records,” She has been sarcastic to us in the past, often sent out to bring unsure women back in. - *Lisette: New employee as a “Health Educator,” sister of Samantha. * starred have a copy of the Abby Johnson letter. You can print a copy of the letter here: www.attwn.org/wp-content/themes/attwn-child/images/attwn-onepage-lightbackground.pdf.
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“Return to the Lord, your God. For gracious and merciful is He.” (Joel 2:13) Tomorrow is the first day of Lent. Are you ready? I’m not! It always makes me a little anxious as I consider what I will do, how I will encourage my children, when I can fit in more prayer, and on and on. Thankfully, as I read from “The Word Among Us” magazine, I got a new perspective for looking at Lent.
They write, “The last thing anyone wants to do is reduce this season of grace to a to-do list. Your heavenly Father is ‘gracious and merciful.’ He is calling out to you so He can bless you. Our works during Lent are meant to arise from a heart that wants to know a deeper freedom from sin and fear – a heart that is looking to God for more of His love. We don’t do them to prove ourselves to God or convince him to bless us. We do them because they can help us feel the presence of God. We do them because they can change our hearts and make us more like Jesus.” So take a deep breath, soften your heart, and keep it open to the Lord this Lent. He will use whatever effort you make over these next 40 days, no matter how small, for your good and the good of others. Need some ideas of ways to “return to the Lord”? Here are a few: 1. 40 Days for Life begins TOMORROW! – There are four aspects of this worldwide campaign to end abortion: prayer, fasting, peaceful vigil, and community outreach. See “Upcoming Events” below to find out more about this mission which has had amazing results in converting abortion workers, closing abortion mills, and saving babies. Vigil locations are in Downers Grove, Aurora, and, for the first time ever, in Wood Dale (Kick-off Rally tonight, Tuesday, at 6:00 pm, 203 E. Irving Park Rd). Please pledge to spend at least one hour this Lent at the location closest to you. It can be very hard for the site organizers to make sure that a vigil is manned every vigil hour of every day for all 40 days. Each location is run by a courageous local volunteer, NOT a member of the 40 Days for Life staff. So please help these faithful organizers by signing up today at www.40daysforlife.com . Click on “Locations.” 2. Life Advocacy Day in Springfield, March 26– Visit your state Congressmen in person and make an impact! You will be provided with all the background to speak with authority on the issues. See below for details. 3. See the “41 Ways to be Pro-Life” document under the tab "41 Ways to be Pro-Life" Choose one thing that you will do this Lent to promote LIFE. 4. Vote in the primary on Tuesday, March 18 for solidly pro-life politicians. The primary is so important! Choose who you want to vote for in November TODAY; otherwise, on election day in November, you may end up having to choose between the lesser of two evils. Go to http://illinoisfamily.org/actions/voter-guides/ to see a voters guide that shows where the candidates stand on key issues, like same-sex marriage, rights of conscience, pain-capable unborn child protection act, parental rights, and more. SPECIAL PRAYER INTENTION Maria and Laura’s father Frank is in kidney failure and will be undergoing kidney transplant surgery this Friday, March 7. Maria will be donating her kidney for him. We ask for prayer for healing and full recovery for Frank and Maria, but also prayers for our entire family, especially Laura and our mom, who will be called upon for much support. Thank you so much! VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Please see the vigil schedule (under the tab "Vigil Schedule") for days of the week and times when faithful people will be praying outside of Chicago-land abortion facilities. Be especially aware that every day during the Lent 40 Days for Life (Saturdays and Sundays too!) you can join a vigil in Downers Grove, Aurora, and Wood Dale. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, February 20, we estimate that EIGHT children died at the hands of a “doctor.” ** We were sad to see this high number of deaths, the highest we’ve seen at Forest View on a Thursday since early last November. However, even on days like these when it seems that our presence is fruitless, we can see that our presence has indeed borne fruit when we look at the many Forest View employees who have quit. We recently received a copy of the renewal documents for Forest View from a wonderful woman, Jean, who helps at the Pro-Life Action League. From these documents, it is clear that many of the workers have left the deadly business of abortion. Some of these we knew by name, like Ramesh, Amber, and Brenda (see below!). Others we only knew by face. But still we rejoice and pray that it was through the intervention of God that their hearts were touched and they sought a new life-affirming career. For more evidence that Dr. Goyal’s abortion empire (He owns 6 mills in Illinois) is crumbling, read this interesting article by John Jansen: http://prolifeaction.org/hotline/2014/goyalmailing/#more-36801 There is also a link in the article where you can see the renewal documents with lists of employees names. It is very helpful if you pray at a one of Goyal’s clinics so you can reach out with love (and by name) to the employees. ** On Thursday, February 27, we estimate that again FIVE women chose death for their unborn child. ** One of our 7:00 am counselors, Dawn, was able to speak to the friend of one of the women. The friend told Dawn that she was there to be supportive. Dawn explained to her that the best way to support her friend would be to get her out of the abortion mill. Dawn told her about the devastating mental and physical effects abortion has on women. Read more about the traumatic effects here: http://bloodmoneyfilm.com/blog/post-abortion-after-effects . Sadly, the friend could not break free from the bonds that kept her quiet, silently witnessing to the death of a child. Pray for These Forest View Employees - Nancy: Office manager and post-abortive woman - Dr. Goyal: owner and operator of Forest View and 4 other suburban and 1 Chicago abortion mill - Samantha: Was “just answering phones” as a way to make money for culinary school 3 years ago when we first met her. Now she has quit school and appears to be thoroughly invested in the business of abortion. - *Carmen: New employee, cashier, Catholic. Has Women's Center and Project Rachel cards to give to women inside the clinic. Pray she will be inspired by the Spirit to hand them out. - *Amber: New employee, Nurse’s assistant, Phlebotomist, Finds abortion “interesting,” refused abortion for her own unplanned pregnancy. Not listed as an employee! - Brenda: She is no longer listed as an employee at Forest View! Praise God! - *Marisela: She has been sarcastic to us in the past, often sent out to bring unsure women back in. - *Lisette: New employee, beautiful young woman whom we spoke to for the first time this week. * starred have a copy of the Abby Johnson letter. You can print a copy of the letter here: www.attwn.org/wp-content/themes/attwn-child/images/attwn-onepage-lightbackground.pdf. Our reflection today comes from 40 Days for Life:
Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast... Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people." Joel 2:15-17 The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered. It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection -- His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him. The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me... Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me... O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17). We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news. UPDATE ON CRISIS PREGNANCY FROM LAST EMAIL It is with a heavy heart that I give the news about Rashonda’s abortion. Despite many texts to her, she took the RU 486 pills and killed her child. I know that I am not mourning this loss alone. So many of you reached out to assure of your prayers, offer to adopt the baby, and many more words of encouragement. It is through these prayers that God will work to bring about good from this situation. After the abortion, Rashonda told me that she knows it was wrong, and I offered her information about Project Rachel (www.hopeafterabortion.com ) which she very much appreciated. Only God knows where she will go from here, but she knows that she is not alone and told me that she prays every day that God will forgive her. To find out more about RU 486 and that it can actually be reversed go to: www.abortionpillreversal.com/how-the-abortion-pill-works.php News from the last two Thursday Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, September 12th, we estimate that ONE child lost their life at Forest View. ** On Thursday, September 19th, we estimate that TWO women paid to have the lives inside them ended. **We praise God for the low numbers of the last 3 weeks! We are trying to figure out what is happening and why. We do know that Dr. Goyal’s Hinsdale clinic has cut back to committing abortions on one day only, Tuesday. ** Forest View still commits abortions on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, Thursday is the only day that there are pray warriors present, leaving three days when a woman can come to the clinic and not find any “choice” or hope. If you are available to pray on a Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday morning, it would be a real blessing. There is even another abortion mill in Des Plaines farther north on River Rd. that does business on Tuesdays. You don’t need any special training, signs, or brochures to stand outside a clinic and pray – just the desire to bring the light of Jesus to these dark places. You can even just grab a friend and stop by on any one of these days. If you let us know of your plan, we will let others know and they can join you. “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21)
Happy Easter to you and your family! We hope that the joy and especially the peace of this holiday remain with you now and always. It is difficult to imagine the devastating sorrow the disciples experienced watching the suffering and death of the beloved man they believed would be their Savior. Then that sorrow transformed to immeasurable joy once they realized that truly Jesus Christ is risen and is the Savior of the world! In each one of our lives we also experience sorrow, disappointment, frustration. Sometimes we may feel alone or part of a small, insignificant, powerless group fighting to spread truth to people who don’t want to hear or believe. It seems to me that we have much in common with that small group of followers of Jesus. According to the media, anyone who professes Christian, Biblical values is outside of the norm and out-of-step with the world’s culture. But wasn’t that what people thought about Jesus and his followers? And yet look at what that little band of “outsiders” managed to do - Start the world’s largest religion! There is no telling what you can do as long as you take the joy and peace of Easter and live it every day. Let the Risen Lord shine through you! We must never give up spreading the truth. As God sent Jesus, so He also sends you. **Thank you to those of you who came out for Stations of the Cross at Forest View on Good Friday. It was a beautiful witness and no abortions occurred there that day! Pictures are on our website. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, March 14, we estimate that SEVEN women condemned the children in their wombs to death at Forest View Medical Center in Des Plaines. ** One brave young woman chose LIFE! She came out of the clinic with her two friends around 11:00. Although it was a bit early to be leaving after an abortion, I assumed she had gone through with it. When I tried to hand her a Project Rachel brochure, she walked right up to me and said, “I didn’t do it.” I smiled and offered her a pair of blue baby booties which she happily took. She did not want to visit the Women’s Center, but took the information, thanked me and left with her baby safe, snug and secure! Glory to God! ** On Thursday, March 21, we estimate that FIVE precious innocents lost their lives. ** Our 7:00 am counselor, Terry, approached one young man with an offer of help, but the man only said, “Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Terry just smiled and said, “Yes! Jesus said to be here.” Indeed, in Acts 20: 35, we are encouraged to work hard to help those who are weak. Many of those who enter the doors of an abortion mill do so out of weakness. ** Is Jesus calling you to be there for them? If you have never prayed outside of an abortion clinic before, maybe now is the time. You do not have to interact with the people entering or leaving. Simply standing witness in prayer is enough. Please feel free to call us (847-651-4877) if you would like more information about standing vigil. More information is on www.NorthWestFamiliesForLife.weebly.com. Also see the Pro-Life Action Leagues video, No Greater Joy ** On Thursday, March 28, we estimate that TWELVE babies were murdered by Dr. Goyal at Forest View. This is the highest number of abortions we have seen on a Thursday at Forest View since February of 2012. We mourn this increase in loss of life. Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus had been condemned, he deeply regretted what he had done. He returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’ But they said, ‘What is that to us? See to that yourself!’ Flinging the money into the temple, he departed and went off and hanged himself.” (Matthew 27: 3-5)
How many wounded post-abortive women are there in this world who, like Judas, deeply regret what they have done? Some statistics say as many as 94% of post-abortive women regret their decision. How many former abortionists and clinic workers want to “throw back” the blood money they earned by “betraying innocent blood”? Former Planned Parenthood Director Abby Johnson has helped more than 40 abortion workers leave the industry since June 2012 through her organization “And Then There Were None” (www.attwn.org). How many fathers? How many people who “just drove” a friend? We must not allow them to suffer the same hopeless fate as Judas. As we near the time of Jesus’ death and Resurrection, let us pray that all those who experience or participate in abortion will enjoy a “Resurrection” of their own. And pray that God will use YOU personally to help in some way. Let us not be like the chief priests saying, “See to that yourself!” Put phone numbers and websites for Project Rachel in your bulletin. Reach out to a post-abortive friend with compassion. Donate to organizations like ATTWN, Silent No More, or Rachel’s Vineyard. And, pray daily, specifically for Dr. Goyal, the abortionist who owns and operates 6 abortion clinics in Chicago and its suburbs. We greet him every Thursday at Forest View with, “Good morning! We are praying for you.” Pray that the Holy Spirit will profoundly touch his heart. Join us for a special Forest View vigil on Good Friday, March 29. Come stand “at the foot of the cross” to pray for all victims of abortion. WHEN: Friday, March 29, 10:00 am – 11:00 am WHERE: Forest View Medical, 2750 S. River Rd., Des Plaines Prayer will be led by Deacon Larry Schumacher. The Pro-Life Action League has produced a beautiful, ecumenical “Way of the Cross” booklet for use at abortion clinics. If you would like to download a copy and host your own, go to http://plal.org/hotline/2013/goodfriday-2/#tools . Also, please let us know so we can publicize it for you. Since many of us have that day off, it is important to remember why we have time off that day. It is time to recognize the tremendous suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. As Eric Scheidler writes, “It is fitting that we solemnize Jesus’ suffering and death in connection with the pro-life ministry He has entrusted to us.” VIGIL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THIS WEEK Please see the vigil schedule tabs for days of the week and times when faithful people will be praying outside seven of the too many Chicago-land abortion facilities. News from the last two Thursdays’ Forest View vigils: ** On Thursday, February 28, we estimate that SEVEN women condemned the children in their wombs to death at Forest View Medical Center in Des Plaines. ** A young man named Tim brought his girlfriend Gabrielle to abort their child. They were convinced that the child would be deformed because Gabrielle had gone tanning. Of course, this is very untrue, but types of ignorance like this are sadly quite common. This couple did not even bother to get a doctor’s opinion. Despite this ignorance and their tragic mindset that only a “perfect” child is wanted, we were able to forge a positive relationship which we hope will bear fruit someday. If you meet a couple with a real negative prenatal diagnosis, you can let them know about resources suchas www.isaiahspromise.net . No child is unwanted!** We believe there was a SAVE! A young couple left without getting an abortion. They did not stop to talk but the woman looked happy. ** On Thursday, March 7, we estimate that FIVE precious innocents lost their lives. ** One man, Sam, who dropped off his wife to kill their child, informed me that it was “not the right time.” He and his wife Toni have one child already and can’t afford another. The idea of adoption was rejected immediately. Despite his unwillingness to change, he listened to all I had to say and took a Project Rachel brochure. Again, we pray that a seed was planted to bring about recognition and healing for this family. ** When we sidewalk counselors have such personal interactions with couples and yet they still go through with the abortion, it can sometimes leave us feeling like we should have done more. Will you please pray for Terry, Laura, Monica, and myself that we will not lose heart, but instead submit ourselves to God’s will for us and for the couples we encounter? ** A special thank you to one of our devoted Prayer Warriors, Kathy, who taught herself to knit using the pattern from last update (and attached again) and created a pair of beautiful BLUE baby booties for us to give away at the clinic. If she can do it, so can you! |
Our vigil update writer:
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