Operation Rescue was born 35 years ago. 1986. Motto: "If you believe abortion is murder, act like it's murder." It was a movement of repentant, prayerful, peaceful, self-sacrificial standing between a mother/child and impending death. Can we be humble enough to consider:
Is that not just as true today?
Are we acting like abortion is murder?
I REMEMBER THOSE YEARS. Waves of heavenly grace emboldening our young adult hearts. On our Miami University campus we had such an amazing crew of courageous, loving, smart, Kingdom-claiming student leaders. As head of Miami Right to Life, we built a statewide pro-life coalition on 23 campuses in Ohio (OCSUL). These were not just comfy, safe "clubs." We weren't hiding out. We were bringing the love. Everywhere. Every dorm. Every organization. Personally. One-on-one. So many hearts and lives were being transformed.
With other leaders throughout the country, American Collegians for Life was born. A national platform for education and loving action. Joe Scheidler, Judie Brown, Bernard Nathanson, Jack Willke, Rep. Henry Hyde, Rep. Chris Smith.... So blessed by the support and engagement of pro-life politicians and leaders from every pro-life organization throughout the country.
From all this came amazing marriages, priests, and religous. And at least one bishop. All building the Kingdom today.
I'M POSTING THIS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I'M HAUNTED:
I was particularly moved by the profound witness of Franciscan University. Giving the full value-response witness to what we profess: Getting arrested while peacefully standing between women/children and impending death. With so many others, I joined. On the front lines, receiving such demonic, vile vitriol and abuse with such loving kindness. Such restraint. So many miracles.
JUST ONE SUCH MIRACLE: My younger brother was just in high school. He was linked arm in arm with others. A young woman targetted him with a relentless, venomous, spit-filled tirade. Anchored in the heart of the Father, he kept calm in the storm, responding with such genuine empathy and compassion to each attack: "I love you. I love you. I love you." Through that, the power of Jesus Christ crucified was manifest. God's Hand reached down from the heavens and broke through whatever deep, dark, demonic stronghold was holding her. She broke down crying. Wherever her story went from there, only God knows. But that's just it: Availed to the heart of God, only God needs to know. Such a powerful witness of the church being church.
I'M HAUNTED: Where is that pronouncement of what we really believe? Where is that fervor? Where is that faithfulness?
Yes, we need to be personally engaged from a place of love, before, during, and after. Done that. Doing that. Along with thousands of others, our home is open to any woman in crisis, to assist with whatever physical, material, financial, spiritual, or emotional need.
Yes, we need to do all we can to change laws. To engage in the conversation. To advocate. To vote correctly. Done that. Doing that.
BUT CONSCIENTIOUSLY: If we really believe we're killing children, as we would a six-year-old on private property across the street, why don't we act like it? What's stopped us from peacefully, lovingly standing in the way?
LORD JESUS CHRIST, attune us to Your heart! All only in You. From You. With You. For You. For Your Glory. To whatever end in this fleeting life, reveal Yourself to us. Your way of the Cross. Our place. Our only path to eternity. HOLY SPIRIT, COME!
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." Prov. 24:11
Is that not just as true today?
Are we acting like abortion is murder?
I REMEMBER THOSE YEARS. Waves of heavenly grace emboldening our young adult hearts. On our Miami University campus we had such an amazing crew of courageous, loving, smart, Kingdom-claiming student leaders. As head of Miami Right to Life, we built a statewide pro-life coalition on 23 campuses in Ohio (OCSUL). These were not just comfy, safe "clubs." We weren't hiding out. We were bringing the love. Everywhere. Every dorm. Every organization. Personally. One-on-one. So many hearts and lives were being transformed.
With other leaders throughout the country, American Collegians for Life was born. A national platform for education and loving action. Joe Scheidler, Judie Brown, Bernard Nathanson, Jack Willke, Rep. Henry Hyde, Rep. Chris Smith.... So blessed by the support and engagement of pro-life politicians and leaders from every pro-life organization throughout the country.
From all this came amazing marriages, priests, and religous. And at least one bishop. All building the Kingdom today.
I'M POSTING THIS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I'M HAUNTED:
I was particularly moved by the profound witness of Franciscan University. Giving the full value-response witness to what we profess: Getting arrested while peacefully standing between women/children and impending death. With so many others, I joined. On the front lines, receiving such demonic, vile vitriol and abuse with such loving kindness. Such restraint. So many miracles.
JUST ONE SUCH MIRACLE: My younger brother was just in high school. He was linked arm in arm with others. A young woman targetted him with a relentless, venomous, spit-filled tirade. Anchored in the heart of the Father, he kept calm in the storm, responding with such genuine empathy and compassion to each attack: "I love you. I love you. I love you." Through that, the power of Jesus Christ crucified was manifest. God's Hand reached down from the heavens and broke through whatever deep, dark, demonic stronghold was holding her. She broke down crying. Wherever her story went from there, only God knows. But that's just it: Availed to the heart of God, only God needs to know. Such a powerful witness of the church being church.
I'M HAUNTED: Where is that pronouncement of what we really believe? Where is that fervor? Where is that faithfulness?
Yes, we need to be personally engaged from a place of love, before, during, and after. Done that. Doing that. Along with thousands of others, our home is open to any woman in crisis, to assist with whatever physical, material, financial, spiritual, or emotional need.
Yes, we need to do all we can to change laws. To engage in the conversation. To advocate. To vote correctly. Done that. Doing that.
BUT CONSCIENTIOUSLY: If we really believe we're killing children, as we would a six-year-old on private property across the street, why don't we act like it? What's stopped us from peacefully, lovingly standing in the way?
LORD JESUS CHRIST, attune us to Your heart! All only in You. From You. With You. For You. For Your Glory. To whatever end in this fleeting life, reveal Yourself to us. Your way of the Cross. Our place. Our only path to eternity. HOLY SPIRIT, COME!
"Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter." Prov. 24:11
