Why activism?
Posted by Matt Yonke on Friday, November 7th, 2008
Activism is more important than ever in our new political climate. Local prayer warrior Linda Dudley recently shared with us her reflections on her experience as an activist and I thought I'd share them with you:
Last night Walter and I were at the Planned Parenthood Clinic from midnight to 1:30 am. Other First Pres sisters and brothers followed hour by hour, as, together, we filled “our” day in the 40 Day Vigil. The night was quiet, warm, and dark enough for us to enjoy the quarter moon in the sky. Candles were lit along the sidewalk, flickering as the stars were doing above.
The night time hour might lead you to believe we were alone, as most everyone we know would have been home, fast asleep. But a number of cars and trucks drove past softly; a young couple, holding hands and laughing headed along the road toward Walgreen’s; at 1:00 a young person walked his dog. Most paid little attention to the small group of “Radicals” or “Extremists” standing along the sidewalk in the middle of the night. It was peaceful, silent, and profound.
It occurs to me that I would like to explain WHY I am standing here. Why do I come to pray outside of the clinic? Why do I carry a sign at least once a month with a picture of my grandson? After all, as one man called out to us, “Why are you doing this? You have already lost the fight!”
The challenge of praying for an hour used to make me uncomfortable. What would I say to God for that long? God already knows I don’t want abortions to happen here. It is also true that it might seem we have lost this round of the battle. What will people think of me? And What Good Does It Do? Simply this: our presence at the clinic is to affirm God’s love of EACH person before and after birth. We affirm God’s love of the unborn; we affirm God’s love of the preborn, the young and the old.
When I stand at the entrance of the clinic and watch clients enter the building, (I am not brave enough yet to counsel.) When I gather with others who care with such passion; when we smile at each other on a bitter cold day; when we rejoice at the news that a mind has been changed and a baby saved; when I hold my Bible and read through the Psalms; it is not because I expect to “win” a battle or somehow convince you to join us. It is not because I expect the Planned Parenthood walls to come tumbling down before my eyes.
We are standing as a testimony to God in a busy and confused world. We are standing witness against a self centered life style and self absorbed world view. That way of life is manifested in so many ways, several of which are personified in much of what Planned Parenthood espouses. So we stand with Bible in hand, protestant and Catholic Christians, not for political power or personal gain.
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) What is justice? Justice is speaking for those who have no voice. What is kindness? Kindness is loving those whom you do not know. How do we walk humbly with our God? We stand where He puts us.
Linda
Amen! Thank you, Linda, for sharing your heart with all of us.
November 7th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
a VIDEO - Obama/Keyes Debates.
Mike
November 7th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Thank you Linda for your witness and faithfulness!
November 7th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
God bless you Linda!
November 7th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Linda: thank you so much for your beautiful words. After this horrible election, I was very discouraged and thought we would never win the battle. But, although we may not be able to change the "law," we KNOW we are doing right.
November 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
God knows what He is about. If He allows great evil to happen, it is because He will bring an even greater good about. If we are faithful and "stand where He puts us," we will see Him at work in numerous ways. What a privilege He gives us when He uses us as His instruments! And He does use us, even when we "just" stand and pray.
Thank you, Linda, for being God's faithful servant and for putting such beautiful words to a deep mystery.
November 7th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
and THANK YOU Karen, for the recap.
November 8th, 2008 at 1:18 am
From Illinois Family Institute:
God's promises to us will never fail. No matter what political situation we face, here are ten truths to remember:
1. Jesus loves you.
2. There is a place at the foot of the Cross for repentance.
3. Jesus saves sinners who trust in Him alone.
4. Prayer works.
5. The Holy Spirit moves.
6. The Bible has all the answers to life's essential questions.
7. God pours out blessings upon His people.
8. God inhabits the praises of His people.
9. There is God-anointed preaching to hear.
10. There are praises to God to be sung.
November 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Thank you, Linda for sharing those thoughts…and God bless all those who stand for Him.
I wonder how the "other side" always say we are shoving religion down their throats when what we are doing is simply standing up for our Faith?
November 10th, 2008 at 11:52 am
A bit off topic, but this video is very sad; President Obama addressing Planned Parenthood on 7/17/07.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUl99id2SvM
Let's begin a new chapter of activism by praying for our new president.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Jerry Vilt,
Where did you find that list on IFI. I have never seen them before.
December 5th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Stop the Bailout for Planned Parenthood!
——————————————————————————–
December 16, 2008Dear Ellie,Tired of bailouts?Well they aren’t going away anytime soon. Now the abortion industry wants one! We all knew that Planned Parenthood was going to have a special seat at the table in the Obama administration. Well it hasn’t taken them long at all to roll out their extreme agenda. Tell your Senator today that Planned Parenthood should not get a bailout. Abortion groups have submitted their 50 page proposal to the Obama-Biden transition team. At the top of the list? More taxpayer dollars for abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood. How much more? Over 1.5 billion dollars more!The Abortion Bailout Package: · $1 BILLION dollars in taxpayer funding for International Abortion Groups like UNFPA, an international aid organization connected to coercive abortion as part of China’s coercive one-child policy· $700 million in taxpayer funding for “Title X” Health Clinics (aka your local Planned Parenthood affiliate) · Repeal the Hyde Amendment – Vastly expanding federal taxpayer funding for abortions · Include Abortion coverage in any taxpayer-subsidized nati onal health care program · Expand taxpayer-funded abortions through the Peace Corps program It is an outrage for Planned Parenthood to expect you to give your hard earned dollars to fund the destruction of innocent life. Join citizens across our great country in telling their Senators to keep your tax dollars out of the abortion providers. Tell them to Stop the Abortion Bailout! Sign the Petition today!For Life,
Marjorie Dannenfelser
Susan B. Anthony List President
703-875-3370
http://www.sba-list.org
Check out the SBA blog: http://www.suzyb.org
P.S. Thank you for caring enough to get involved. If you feel our efforts are worthy of support, please consider giving a small gift to the Susan B. Anthony List. With your help, we can make a difference for Life!
P.P.S. Don't miss a thing — add information@sba-list.org to your safe senders list.
December 21st, 2008 at 8:55 am
I am indeed saddened to hear that such a pro-death agenda is being handed to the President-Elect by PP, even in the midst of their deceit, lies, slander of pro-lifers, their refusal to report child predators, promotion of promiscuous, dangerous sexual behavior and pay-to-play politics. Continue to pray and do not lose heart pro-lifers. We walk by faith and not by sight. No matter what it looks like "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Remember that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness". When Goliath strutted out of the Philistine camp he challenged and mocked the children of Isreal. He mocked David and told him "Am I a dog that you would send this lad to fight me? I am going to throw your carcass to the vultures of the air to eat". Pray, believe, work to save lives of mothers and babies and trust in God. Watch the words that you speak, don't speak words of defeat and death (although it is easy to do this under these circumstances), because even our words are powerful. Everything that is happening in this world, this nation, this state, this city, even the economy and the weather, God knows and is allowing to happen for a reason. We don't understand but we lean and totally depend on Him. Thanks for the update and the info Karen K.
December 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
testing
December 29th, 2008 at 4:37 am
Re: #11 above, sasha-
"IFI" (Illinois Family Institute) website is;
http://www.illinoisfamily.org
December 29th, 2008 at 4:42 am
Sin is not only very easy but also exquisitely glamorous.
(Above being the least to Satan's credit, we do indeed have a battle before us.)
January 5th, 2009 at 10:51 am