Helping Hands (Ezekiel 16:2) by Steve Castle

“Son of man, make known to Jerusalem her abominations.” ~  Ezekiel 16:2 (full readings)

Steve’s Reflections:  Salvation history, the story contained in the Bible, is simply the story of God’s great love for his people and his hatred for their sin.  From the beginning our Heavenly Father has patiently waited upon us in spite of our disobedience.  He yearns for us like the father in the parable of the prodigal son; ready to take the ring off his finger and slaughter the fatted calf.  Even today the same drama of Abraham, Moses, and David plays out before us.  We are a people who have gone astray and forsake even our unborn children…God’s children.  The battle line is no longer drawn at where life begins.  The window to the womb, the ultrasound, has conclusively ended this debate for most women (87% choose life after seeing an ultrasound).  The battle today lies in the hearts and minds of mothers in crisis.  Let us not forget that God’s only Son, Jesus, was the product of a crisis pregnancy, and our Blessed Mother’s Fiat (yes).  Two-thirds of all abortions could be prevented simply by the presence of a true father or someone to help the mother in crisis; to let them know they are not alone.  The path to end the horrible abomination of abortion that scars our great country has been and always will be through the hearts of our nation’s mothers.  Let us appeal first to Theotokos, the God-bearer, the Mother of God, and beg her intercession for all mothers, not unlike herself, in crisis today.  Then let us look deep within ourselves and ask how we can help mothers in crisis in our own community. 
* Steve Castle serves the LIFE Group on the corporate board, is a regular author for LIFE Group Devotions on Fridays, and is the editor/voice of the LIFE Minute. He lives in Fergus Falls, MN with his wife, Tina, where they attend to their number one ministry; their four children.  Full bio.

Faith Challenge:    How can you stretch out your hand to a mother in crisis?  Step out in faith today and stand in the sin gap of abortion.

Sr. Francelle’s Devotion:  America Belongs to God (Oct. 27, 2010)

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now. 

Feast Day:  St. Joan of the Cross (d. 1736)

Faith Quote:  “Go out into the world today and love the people you meet.  Let your presence light new light in the hearts of people.” ~ Blessed Mother Teresa

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:12

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and family): Abortion (images) is #1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 and Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.