Do you know anyone in prison? Have you visited anyone in prison?
My friend, Tom Garland, does. He is involved and very dedicated to the prisoners incarcerated at Ellsworth Correctional Facility through their Spiritual Life center.
Spiritual Life Center
Recently, he invited people to attend a play that the prisoners were putting on at the prison. My friend, Gladys, age 90, went along. She related her experiences to me.
She was very impressed with the fact that they were Boys, not men. They craved a glance from her, or a smile and a wave. She freely gave them out, as she was escorted in a wheel chair by one of the inmates. When she spoke to the young man, he would stop, go along beside her, and look at her eyeball to eyeball as they spoke. As they were leaving, she asked when he would get out and why he was there. He replied that he had made really bad choices and that he should be released in 5 years. She looked at him, in the eye, and told him she could tell that he was a good boy. She promised that she would pray for him every day, and asked him to pray, as well. With tears in his eyes, he promised. Later, Tom asked if Gladys knew why the young man was in prison. She didn’t, but guessed it was because of gang involvement. She evidently was very close to the truth, and Tom added that he was convicted of murder. Gladys doesn’t care. She knows he will be ok.
It must be my week to be convicted by the Holy Spirit about “visiting the prisoners.” Here’s another story…..
Gary Reece was incarcerated for 25 years
for a crime he did not commit,
and he said it was a blessing.
Wow. I just heard about him today from my Facebook friend, Jerry Kohlbrand as he shared that Gary was seriously ill, and dying. Jerry’s version is much more personal and exciting! You just have to know Bro Jer. Please pray for Gary, and his wife. Please pray that his ministry will continue for years to come and inspire us to reach out to those who are in prison.
God reached out and touched Gary.
Tom reaches out, and Gladys did too.
Will I?
Will you?
Healing from an abortion is possible. I’m passing on some wonderful information
from women and men who choose to be Silent No More!
May 4, 2010
Dear Friends of the Silent No More Awareness Campaign,
With our record-breaking winter behind us, we are thrilled to see bright green leaves, pink cherry blossoms, lavender wisteria and multi-color tulips! It seems all of nature is praising God!
We extend a special welcome to those who have recently joined the Campaign. We want you to know we appreciate your desire to break the silence that surrounds abortion.
For many of us, this Sunday, May 9th is one of the most painful days of the year. Many of us will spend Mother’s Day aware of the fact that we are childless mothers. Even if we do have children, we know there should be more of them. The same feelings can occur on June 20th for childless fathers.
We want to encourage you to take time this Mother’s and Father’s Day and allow yourself to thank God for the promise we have that we will see our children in Heaven, and they are safe and whole. Remember you are not alone in your feelings and thoughts of what might have been, it’s okay to take time in the midst of the busyness to grieve. You may even want to consider sharing the forgiveness you have received as well as the grief you feel with someone who doesn’t know about your abortion. It may sound strange but when we share our story it allows our children’s lives to have meaning anew and the reminder of their existence comforts us.
We also encourage churches and individuals to acknowledge mothers and fathers of aborted children who will be struggling. Send them a card, call and pray with them, invite them to participate in your family/church celebration. Don’t stay silent because you don’t want to hurt our feelings, we’re already hurting.
This special tribute to Mothers’ was written in 2005 by Joan Maloof, one of Silent No More Awareness Campaign’s retired Regional Coordinators. We share it here again because it captures Motherhood; honestly and compassionately.
Mother’s Day. . . Pleasant or Painful?
When you think of Mother’s Day, what comes to mind? Flowers? Candy? A special brunch at her favorite place? Just the right card that says exactly how you feel? Or, have you sometimes searched for a Mother’s Day card and never found one that seemed completely appropriate?
For many of us, Mother’s Day brings special thoughts of a loving mom:
She is always there when we need her
She meets our physical and emotional needs
She nurtures, inspires and encourages
She is our role model; we want to be just like her!
We have warm, pleasant feelings when we think of mother. That is what God wants for us: “…gentle…like a mother caring for her little children” I Thessalonians. 2:7
For others, thinking of mother brings hurt and pain. Maybe….
Your mother left, or otherwise abandoned you
She abused you or allowed someone else to hurt you
She put her needs first and allowed your needs to go unmet
Some of our mothers have failed us and we sometimes carry that hurt in the form of anger, bitterness and unforgiveness. God never intended for us to be hurt by our mothers. He wants us to forgive, just as he forgives us. “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:37c
And many others experience profound grief and sorrow when reminded of Mother’s Day:
A mother who has lost a child to death
A mother who has lost a child to addictions
A mother who has lost a relationship with her child
A mother who has lost custody of her children
A mother who has placed a child for adoption
A woman who has chosen abortion
A woman who has suffered a miscarriage
A woman who cannot conceive or carry a child
A woman whose mother has died
God knows of our hurt, pain and sorrow. He wants to bring you comfort today: “As a mother comforts her children, so I will comfort you.” Isaiah 66:13
So, celebrate this Mother’s Day by knowing that you have a heavenly parent (God) who loves you! Unconditionally, completely and eternally; and if you trust in Him, this is His promise:
“never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” Hebrews 13:5
Reaching Individuals via Social MediaYou can find very interesting resources while browsing Twitter. I hope you enjoy this slide show by Angela Santana. Main point I got: don’t just view social media. Interact with people. Let the fun begin! Reaching Individuals in a Social Media Age: A Resource for the Catholic Church View more presentations from Angela Santana. |
Love LifeLove Life: Are you pro-life or pro-choice? From: MatthewWarner | April 05, 2010 www.FallibleBlogma.com A simple examination of the life and the choice. And the first release in the “Love Life” series by Fallible Blogma. AWESOME……. |
 Ask him What? Abortion?Well, I never look forward to a visit to the gynecologist..do You? But I wasn’t expecting (not expecting as in Pregnant..I’m 58, remember!)..such an exciting adventure, either. I was filling out the required paper work, and replied..number of pregnancies..6…number of miscarriages…3..number of abortions…0….and went along, with only a slight pause with the last one…but then, [...] |
Not Finished YetSpringtime…new life…new hope. In my past life as a volunteer at the crisis pregnancy center, I worked with a lot of wonderful young ladies. I loved them, and served them, offering them encouragement, hope and sought to connect them with other services in the community. They had varying needs, but most of all they seemed [...] |
 His Light to the WorldOriginally posted on Catholic Chicks 11-2-2009 Recently, I went to a conference as a volunteer musician, to play, and hopefully get a lot of contacts, and I had hoped, a lot of sales of my CD. Well, God is evidently telling me to slow down…it did not go as “I” had hoped. Did you ever [...] |
Dear Sr. KeehanDear Sr. Keehan, I have seen the devastating effect that abortion has in the life of the women I worked with as the director of a pregnancy care organization. Too many times, when the women had an abortion, it affected their lives forever. Drugs, alcohol, an inability to parent future children or form healthy relationships [...] |
Add your linksIf you would like your music ministry, healing ministry, Christian resources or Catholic resource site, added to my page, just make a comment on this page. Those are the categories I have so far. If you think you would be a fit for referrals from my page, please let me know. I’ll look at your [...] |
 “Only” a MotherTen years ago. . . . . You asked what I have done to promote pro-life so that you may perhaps learn what more you could do.. I am 49 years along in my life. Ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a mother. My dolls were “real” to me as I [...] |
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