THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, “if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1 John 4:19 We love because He first loved us.
John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I came that you may have life abundantly.
I love this sign (pictured above) we have on the sidewalk. It says it all. Praise God for all the lives saved and those yet to come. Last week in my shift report I mentioned someone yelling from a truck saying, “nobody cares that you are here”. I walked over to this sign and pointed to it and said, “these children are alive today because we were here”. We will continue in this mission God has us on because it is important to Him. All lives matter and are important to God because He created us in our mother’s womb and He knew us before the foundation of the world. We are created in the image of God and are all unique. He has a perfect plan and destiny for each of our lives. God’s Word, the Sword of the Spirit is the truth that dispels the lies. “We are all broken people”, as the song goes by Danny Gokey, “we all need Jesus”. Once you give your life to Jesus, it will never be the same. We all commit to being present on the sidewalk these 40 days and beyond because we have the answer to all the problems of this world; JESUS. He died a sinner’s death on the cross and then rose again 3 days later so that we could have eternal life with Him forever. We are His servants, the hands and feet of Jesus because we have believed in Him and have surrendered and committed our lives to Jesus. Jesus is our only HOPE. He loves all He has created and He does not make mistakes. Every life is precious to Him no matter how that life was conceived. God is the one who opens the womb and calls life into existence. He is Sovereign over everything. Praise God for the prayer warriors who show up day in and day out these 40 days and beyond. God blesses us and strengthens us for this as only He can. Every interaction, conversation and prayer is important to Him. May God continue to pour out His blessings on Pittsburgh. We look for the day when abortion will be no more. A day when Planned Parenthood will be defunded and closed for good. When Pittsburgh will become a SANCTUARY FOR LIFE and not death. When God changes hearts and minds as only He can. God can do the impossible! He can do what man cannot. To God be the glory!
SIDEWALK REPORTS
7:30-9 AM +++ Cheryl and Rick
CHERYL: Sidewalk quiet at first then a lot of employees and patients went in. A lot of women by themselves. One lady accepted literature and bag took it in and threw it away but was nice. Everyone else just ignored us. About 4 groups of students went past from different directions. I was holding Blessed Mother sign one young man stopped and made the sign of cross to the Blessed Mother it warmed my heart. 3 guys came up said they were praying for us and were so hurt their girlfriends had an abortion.
9-11 AM +++ Judy and Beverly
JUDY: It just started raining as we got out of the car to start our shift. We were warmly greeted by Cheryl and Rick. And it was so nice to be joined by Beverly.
A gentleman walked by and I said “God bless you.” He said he needed to be blessed. He said when he was nine years old, he witnessed his father murder his mother. So I had the opportunity to pray a prayer of deliverance and healing over him.
11 AM-1 PM +++ Linda, Ken, Ed, and Sam
LINDA: What a difference a day makes!
Today, on this first day of spring, the climate in on the sidewalk was COLD and wet. Such a change from yesterday’s beautiful temperatures!
The yellow circle marking the “no signs zone” in front of Planned Parenthood has been repainted. Maybe to discourage us into thinking they are not going away? But news this morning that the flagship Planned Parenthood abortuary in Manhattan is closing brings us hope. If THAT PP center can close, we have to believe that the Pittsburgh PP WILL close.
Traffic into PP seemed slower than usual, but a number of couples did enter. No one was interested in taking any information or receiving any help.
Our ranks on the street were lonely on our shift. Seems like only the “regulars” are down here praying. Thanks to Ken, Sam, Tom, Ed, and Bob.
Why is your church not signed up to participate in 40 Days for Life? You are needed to pray and witness.
1-3 PM +++ Carolyn, Cil, and Fr. Jim
CIL: Today was a bit different.
Thankfully not as many entering and leaving PP. 1 is too many though.
Police officer pulled over in front, went inside, spoke with Glynn for a short while, left, came back and parked perpendicular down by the alley, then drove off again.
Bus broke down across the street.
Took a man to Little Lamb after he stopped, took pics of models and a watch me grow brochure and told us that his wife was pregnant with his 10th child. He said he’s from Florida but she was here. His brother from NC was on the phone the whole time and he was sharing all the info with him. Very thankful.
Later a lady “T” stopped to tell Fr Jim that she admires “monks”…said they are very knowledgeable. She didn’t have living children herself (miscarried) but was a “Mom” to many. The one girl was getting a protection from abuse order and another young one was in the car nursing her 2 mo old. I took T down to Little Lamb. She was so impressed and offered to volunteer. She got a free umbrella stroller, stuffed lamb and book for the baby. Very spiritual woman praising God…
A young girl Ubered an hour from Cambria county to come for a cheap IUD at PP. As she waited for her ride back, I gave her a flyer about Hormonal bc, and told her briefly about NFP, abstinence and STDs. She listened but I think still likes to have bc. I brought up concerns about IUD (infection, perforation…). She said she had to take an antibiotic before getting the IUD. It’s nice when people at talk with us.
Thanks to Fr Jim for bringing Joyce, Diane and I down. And for our dear shift buddy, Carolyn. They offered up many prayers.
3-5 PM +++ Pete and Bill
PETE: It was a relatively uneventful shift for Bill and I. There was one couple that came out with the woman holding a brown bag; I offered resources but they refused. Prayers for them. May our Lord have mercy on all who contribute to the destruction of life, and may He strengthen those who defend life.