On Thursday, January 22, 2009, an estimated 200,000-300,000 people gathered on the Mall in Washington, D.C. These people were of all ages, although the majority were teens and young adults. Each person, filled with an unquenchable fire within them, from all over the United States, was there in a united purpose: to be witnesses to the truth that every human life is sacred and that the unborn deserve all the dignity and legal protection that are given to born people. In joy and peace, the people prayed, sang, and held signs as they marched as one to the Supreme Court. There, the people prayed and sang some more, and some remained completely silent, in solidarity with the unborn. Post-abortive women also gave their testimonies, that abortion not only takes the life of a human child but also has hurt millions of women, emotionally and physically. These women have found the courage to speak out and find healing in Jesus Christ, and now they desperately beg other women to spare themselves of the huge mistake they made.
This fervor in the nation's capitol did not last just one day. During the week, from Inauguration Day until Saturday, there were numerous other pro-life activities, including training sessions, other prayer vigils, the first annual Life Prizes awards, and the Students for Life of America conference. After the events ended, all the pilgrims returned to their homes, renewed in spirit and reinvigorated to keep fighting against the evil of abortion, right down to the day it ends.
However, some pro-lifers apparently believe that the March for Life is a vain attempt to end abortion; that it is an activity that does not make a difference. After Googling "march for life" yesterday, this article was one of the first hits: http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2009/01/an-abortion-foe-says-march-for.html It is a very short article in the Dallas Morning News, linking to a blog kept by Sean Michael Winters. http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&id=09BBBB3C-1438-5036-4FE7DDD57216204D#comments Please read these for yourself and then continue....
*Disclaimer* I have never heard of this man before, neither have I heard of his blog, so I cannot verify that this a traditional or trustworthy Catholic site.
I beg to differ from Mr. Winters' views. While it is true that the many thousands of people who traveled to D.C. could have been back at their homes and churches, sidewalk counseling and volunteering for Crisis Pregnancy Centers, there is also a time and a place for activities such as the March. "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Pro-lifers must embrace and support every aspect of the movement. We must have unity within our movement. Otherwise, we will rend ourselves apart and our work will be fruitless.
I disagree with the author because of his attempt to criticize what other pro-lifers are doing. But I disagree with him even more because of his claim that the March produces no results. First of all, as with any pro-life activity, we cannot assume that because we don't see the direct results, we are not accomplishing anything. Jesus told told us that "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." (John 20:29b) While Jesus was talking about Christians who believe in Him but have never seen Him with their eyes (meaning us!), we can apply this principle to hoping and believing that our efforts, with God's grace and power, are producing positive results. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Secondly, he makes many assumptions in his post, some which are simply not true. He claims that there were "angry chants outside the Supreme Court." I have received the privilege and blessing of participating in the March for Life, and I can say from personal experience that the whole experience was peaceful. No one was shouting angrily outside the Supreme Court, and there was no bitterness. My friends and I knelt on the damp ground almost the entire time, praying and singing hymns and prayers. Others stood with red tape over their mouths, in silent solidarity with those who have no voice. The policemen in front of the Court stood like statues and just watched us witness.
We understand that the March itself cannot change the abortion policy in America. But I believe it is very important to physically show the authority in Washington (and the world) our dedication, and to personally plead with them to be pro-life. We do not march to condemn women who have had abortions or who are contemplating abortion. We want to show the world that there are thousands upon thousands of pro-lifers who want to help women in crisis pregnancies.
It is also very important for pro-lifers to gather together, to strengthen one another, and to pray together. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) Just think of all the prayers that were offered up to God at the March for Life! It is simply incredible and uplifting. I definitely need to periodically attend events where I can be surrounded with passionate and like-minded people, especially other young adults. "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." (Psalm 27:17...and by the way, I have never thought of so many Bible passages at the same time like this! It is not me, but the Holy Spirit!) It gives us hope, and we carry that hope back with us to our towns and cities to keep doing the work of Christ. Every act, no matter how small, can be great if done with much love.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Blogging for Life!
Dear readers,
Welcome to my new blog, Choosing Life! You may be a regular follower of my personal blog, Ramblings and Reflections, in which I frequently post on pro-life issues. However, after hearing Jill Stanek, a renowned pro-life blogger who gave a talk about this subject at the Students for Life of America (SFLA) conference last Saturday, I was inspired to create a blog solely for that purpose: spreading the Gospel of Life! At the conference, we were encouraged to find our own niche in the pro-life movement, and since I love writing, I think that one of my niches is blogging.
Yesterday, I asked God to give me a good name for this blog, and "Choosing Life" came almost immediately to my mind. The basis for this title is founded in Deuteronomy 30:19 (hence the URL).
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live..." (emphasis added).
That is my most favorite pro-life verse in the Bible, when God explicitly tells His chose people to choose life over death...and so, I am choosing life by keeping this blog.
I hope that many of you are new readers of my writing, and so I will tell a bit about myself. I was raised in Texas, in a strong Catholic home. I began violin lessons at the age of three, and my mom, Diane, homeschooled me from preschool through 12th grade. I also became the oldest sibling of four, having two brothers (Zachary and Jordan) and one sister (Abby). There is a ten-year gap between myself and Abby, but I remember being so delighted to finally have a sister! (And I still am delighted, by the way...and that doesn't mean that I don't love my two brothers!) After graduating from high school, I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Music in violin performance at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. I never would have dreamed that coming to Peabody would be the place I would come to actively embrace the pro-life message. Being raised Catholic, my family and I were always pro-life, and my parents even became teachers of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and attended Couple-to-Couple League (CCL) conferences, of course bringing us kids. However, I was never challenged on my views and I never deeply studied what abortion actually was. Texas was a very comfortable place in which to grow up, as we lived in a relatively conservative area.
However, the music and arts world is extremely liberal, and I soon had to begin defending my beliefs, which meant really delving into what my beliefs actually meant. I had studied certain areas, such as apologetics and morals, but I was not very educated on pro-life issues. I knew that abortion and contraception were wrong, but I didn't know the details. That all changed the summer between freshman and sophomore year, when I wrote a controversial blog post on my old Xanga account. Several friends and acquaintances, who were liberal, were very "offended" and replied with passionate and some vehement comments. That was when the fire was lit within me. I wanted to put my faith into action because of what they were saying! And so I did.
Thanks to Facebook, I remember the precise day I began my action. On July 9th, 2006, I left a post on the Johns Hopkins pro-life Facebook group, asking if anyone was interested in getting a REAL group started on campus. One week later, a JHU alum informed me that there used to be a pro-life group, called Voice for Life, of which he used to be president. He offered his assistance in restarting the group, and so he met with me and two other girls at the beginning of my sophomore year. That year, I was secretary, and the following year I became president. It was an extremely small group, and at times it was discouraging, but we sponsored activities such as a Memorial of the Innocents, diaper drives, and leafleting the campus. I know that we accomplished many good works.
I also poured my energy into other pro-life outlets. I began writing pro-life blog posts and notes on Facebook. I attended my first pro-life conference. I prayed in front of abortion facilities. I attended the March for Life. I hung pro-life stickers and signs in my room. I participated in a Face the Truth tour. I voted for life. I engaged pro-abortion friends in discussions, which is probably one of the hardest pro-life things to do. I've researched what exactly an abortion is (and I mean EXACTLY). I wear a Precious Feet pin every day, and I've gotten a few people asking me what they are, which is a great way to witness. Most importantly, I pray for the end to abortion each day.
I am not describing my activities in order to brag about everything I've done. In reality, I have not done that much compared to the majority of pro-life activists. I look at the pro-life heroes of our day and think, "Wow, that is so inspiring, and I want to be like them!" I am describing these things to illustrate that to be truly pro-life is to take some type of action. Any student or any person can do exactly what I've done, and more.
So that brings me to the point of this blog. First, I offer up this blog for the glory of God and to bring the Gospel of Life to everyone who reads this. I also write in here so that pro-lifers may be inspired and moved to do more to protect the unborn and their mothers; that people on the fence may be swayed in the right direction; and that the decidedly pro-abortion crowd will have seeds planted within them, that they may come to embrace life in all stages one day.
I heartily welcome comments from everyone, no matter what your view. I would like to promote healthy discussion and debate, so please leave your thoughts! I have made it so that anyone can comment, even if you don't have blogger or Gmail. (However, I would appreciate it if you left your name and would use Anonymous sparingly.)
My goal is to post as frequently as possible. Given my intense internship schedule, I probably won't post every day, but at least several times per week. If you have any topic you would like me to specifically address, please tell me. I would also like to feature guest writers, so if you have something you want to share on my blog as a post, please e-mail me at prolifeviolin@gmail.com and I will publish it and give you full credit!
God Bless!
Yours for life,
Malori
Welcome to my new blog, Choosing Life! You may be a regular follower of my personal blog, Ramblings and Reflections, in which I frequently post on pro-life issues. However, after hearing Jill Stanek, a renowned pro-life blogger who gave a talk about this subject at the Students for Life of America (SFLA) conference last Saturday, I was inspired to create a blog solely for that purpose: spreading the Gospel of Life! At the conference, we were encouraged to find our own niche in the pro-life movement, and since I love writing, I think that one of my niches is blogging.
Yesterday, I asked God to give me a good name for this blog, and "Choosing Life" came almost immediately to my mind. The basis for this title is founded in Deuteronomy 30:19 (hence the URL).
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live..." (emphasis added).
That is my most favorite pro-life verse in the Bible, when God explicitly tells His chose people to choose life over death...and so, I am choosing life by keeping this blog.
I hope that many of you are new readers of my writing, and so I will tell a bit about myself. I was raised in Texas, in a strong Catholic home. I began violin lessons at the age of three, and my mom, Diane, homeschooled me from preschool through 12th grade. I also became the oldest sibling of four, having two brothers (Zachary and Jordan) and one sister (Abby). There is a ten-year gap between myself and Abby, but I remember being so delighted to finally have a sister! (And I still am delighted, by the way...and that doesn't mean that I don't love my two brothers!) After graduating from high school, I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Music in violin performance at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. I never would have dreamed that coming to Peabody would be the place I would come to actively embrace the pro-life message. Being raised Catholic, my family and I were always pro-life, and my parents even became teachers of Natural Family Planning (NFP) and attended Couple-to-Couple League (CCL) conferences, of course bringing us kids. However, I was never challenged on my views and I never deeply studied what abortion actually was. Texas was a very comfortable place in which to grow up, as we lived in a relatively conservative area.
However, the music and arts world is extremely liberal, and I soon had to begin defending my beliefs, which meant really delving into what my beliefs actually meant. I had studied certain areas, such as apologetics and morals, but I was not very educated on pro-life issues. I knew that abortion and contraception were wrong, but I didn't know the details. That all changed the summer between freshman and sophomore year, when I wrote a controversial blog post on my old Xanga account. Several friends and acquaintances, who were liberal, were very "offended" and replied with passionate and some vehement comments. That was when the fire was lit within me. I wanted to put my faith into action because of what they were saying! And so I did.
Thanks to Facebook, I remember the precise day I began my action. On July 9th, 2006, I left a post on the Johns Hopkins pro-life Facebook group, asking if anyone was interested in getting a REAL group started on campus. One week later, a JHU alum informed me that there used to be a pro-life group, called Voice for Life, of which he used to be president. He offered his assistance in restarting the group, and so he met with me and two other girls at the beginning of my sophomore year. That year, I was secretary, and the following year I became president. It was an extremely small group, and at times it was discouraging, but we sponsored activities such as a Memorial of the Innocents, diaper drives, and leafleting the campus. I know that we accomplished many good works.
I also poured my energy into other pro-life outlets. I began writing pro-life blog posts and notes on Facebook. I attended my first pro-life conference. I prayed in front of abortion facilities. I attended the March for Life. I hung pro-life stickers and signs in my room. I participated in a Face the Truth tour. I voted for life. I engaged pro-abortion friends in discussions, which is probably one of the hardest pro-life things to do. I've researched what exactly an abortion is (and I mean EXACTLY). I wear a Precious Feet pin every day, and I've gotten a few people asking me what they are, which is a great way to witness. Most importantly, I pray for the end to abortion each day.
I am not describing my activities in order to brag about everything I've done. In reality, I have not done that much compared to the majority of pro-life activists. I look at the pro-life heroes of our day and think, "Wow, that is so inspiring, and I want to be like them!" I am describing these things to illustrate that to be truly pro-life is to take some type of action. Any student or any person can do exactly what I've done, and more.
So that brings me to the point of this blog. First, I offer up this blog for the glory of God and to bring the Gospel of Life to everyone who reads this. I also write in here so that pro-lifers may be inspired and moved to do more to protect the unborn and their mothers; that people on the fence may be swayed in the right direction; and that the decidedly pro-abortion crowd will have seeds planted within them, that they may come to embrace life in all stages one day.
I heartily welcome comments from everyone, no matter what your view. I would like to promote healthy discussion and debate, so please leave your thoughts! I have made it so that anyone can comment, even if you don't have blogger or Gmail. (However, I would appreciate it if you left your name and would use Anonymous sparingly.)
My goal is to post as frequently as possible. Given my intense internship schedule, I probably won't post every day, but at least several times per week. If you have any topic you would like me to specifically address, please tell me. I would also like to feature guest writers, so if you have something you want to share on my blog as a post, please e-mail me at prolifeviolin@gmail.com and I will publish it and give you full credit!
God Bless!
Yours for life,
Malori
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