NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF LOVE

My grandson comforting me

There was a time when multiple sclerosis (MS) threatened me with quadriplegia. It was not the excellent medical care I received that sustained me, it was love that got me through it. Happily, the attack receded, the love did not.  

Never underestimate the power of love (human and Divine). When all is said and done, love is all that really matters

FATAL FLAWS DOCUMENTARY SHOWING IN CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL

Kevin & me during taping of one
of his previous documentaries

My friend and documentary filmmaker Kevin Dunn has made another penetrating film showing the fatal flaws of assisted suicide. Below is the text of an email I received this morning regarding his most recent documentary entitled FATAL FLAWS.

California will shortly be considering AB 282, a measure to expand The promotion of assisted suicide; it will also aid in their litigation defense.

Fatal Flaws will be shown today in the State Capitol and all legislators and staff are being invited.    Please hold the subsequent deliberations in prayer. 

The Isle of Guernsey considered similar AS measure. Fatal Flaws was shown before the vote and author was in attendance. She wept at the viewing and the next day withdrew the measure.

Keep fighting, friends. Keep presenting the truth.  And of course, keep praying.

https://fatalflawsfilm.com/

WE WERE NOT SAVED TO BE SILENT

We were not saved to be silent. Christ wants us to take the Good News to the world. He said:

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the ends of the age."[1] 

In another place, Christ said that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name. He said we are witnesses to these things.[2] I was not saved to be silent and if you have met the risen Christ and given your heart to Him, then you know the hope and joy that He offers. You were not saved to be silent. 

Not only that, Christ also said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."[3] Elsewhere we read Saint Paul's words of encouragement to fellow-Christians: "And may the Lord make you increase in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.[4] [My emphasis added]

If Christ told his disciples to take the Good News to all nations, then surely that also includes our next door neighbor and our own communities. We were not saved to be silent. Our secular culture demands that we keep our faith private, that we 'don't shove our faith down their throats.' It is not Christians shoving our faith down their throats, secularism is being shoved down our throats. Who shall we obey: the secularists or Jesus Christ? 

As I write these words, my teenage granddaughter and grandson are

witnessing to people in the poorest areas of a major Canadian city. They are bold yet tender; their faith is alive and joyful; they want others to know the same life and joy in Christ. They are not only witnessing to addicts and prostitutes and other broken people living in the inner city, they are witnessing to their grandfather. If they can travel a thousand miles to take Christ's Great Commission to the world around them, then surely I can take the Gospel to my comfortable, tidy and well-tended street and community. 

The young teach the old.

MDP
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Notes:
[1] Matthew 28.19-20.
[2] Luke 24.47-48. Cf Acts 1.8.
[3] John 13.34-35. cf. 1Thessalonians 4.9
[4] 1Thessalonians 3.12.

CHRISTIANITY IS PRO-LIFE

This past February, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' pro-Life blog "Life Issues Forum: How To Build A Culture of Life" had a revealing quote for devout Christians (not just Catholics):

"When someone is facing great trials, we need to meet them where they are, walk with them on their journey, intercede for them, and be open to sharing Christ's love however he directs."

"When a woman becomes pregnant, and her boyfriend threatens to leave if she continues the pregnancy, we need to lovingly walk with her. When parents of young children need a break, we need to consider how we can help and act on it. When family members or friends become seriously ill, we need to assure them that God still offers them something in this life, and they still have purpose. We need to consistently be with them every step of the way."

"Our lives are often changed by the witness of others; so too, others' lives may be changed by our witness and authentic friendship with them. Sometimes our actions speak for themselves; other times, words are needed. Whatever the situation, Jesus knows how to speak to each person's heart; we simply need to follow where He leads."

"Let us go, therefore, and not be afraid. God is always with us."[1]

Christianity is pro-Life. Jesus said: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."[2]  Christ did not say he came to give death. That is what the thief of life does: He steals and crushes human potential; he kills and destroys. It is the abortionist, the doctor who euthanizes the sick and disabled who do Satan's bidding. 

Followers of Christ are called to be witnesses for the sanctity of all human life. Life is so sacred that Christ willingly came and died precisely because God loves us so much. He wants us to be with Him forever.[3]  It is through Christians' prayerful and faithful actions and responses to human circumstances that they give their most effective and powerful witness for that love. Yes, we are called to reflect Christ's love and salvation to a lost and hurting world. Every human life has meaning regardless of age or stage. Every human being is worthy of love, care, protection and nurture.

MDP

_____________

[1] Life Issues Form: How To Build A Culture Of Life, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 23 February 2018. http://www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/life-issues-forum/life-issues-forum-how-to-build-a-culture-of-life.cfm

[2] John 10.10.

[3] John 3.16.

CANADA'S DANCE WITH DEATH

Canada looks glowing as its 2016 euthanasia law (euphemistically and deceptively called "Medical Assistance in Dying"). We think it's a celebration and victory of "Canadian values." Our new god is choice (even over matters of life and death). In his latest article for the American publication The National Review: "THOUSANDS OF EUTHANASIA KILLINGS IN CANADA", Wesley J. Smith gives a more sobering and realistic assessment of Canada's dance with death. See 
https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/canada-euthanasia-killings-increase-steadily/

A THOUGHT ABOUT KINDNESS

"There will be times when you will be sorry about something you said; sorry you stayed too late, or sorry that you went to early; sorry you won something, or lost, but all your life, you'll never be sorry you were kind." -- Unknown