State March Picture and Prayer

 

Here's part of our LCMS group at the Virginia State March for Life this year. Where we were standing, and the space I had, I couldn't fit everyone it - lost some folks on the right. But you get the idea. Even though we had some last minute cancellations, we had a decent turnout. The goal is to keep growing our presence each year, little by little. We did that this year - hopefully next year, too!

I was asked to offer a couple of comments and the closing prayer at the pre-March rally. I had 3 minutes (and they were very strict with their time, to keep everything on schedule!). Here's what I said . . .

(Note: "Why We March: Life" was the theme for the National March for Life this year, and for all the state marches.)

Why We March: Life. For Every Life.

Because Every Life is valuable, precious, and important to God.

Created by our Father in His image,

Redeemed by the Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ,

for sanctification by the Spirit.

Every Life.

We March for . . .

. . . the mother and father who are scared, worried, confused, or regretful.

. . . the little boy or girl waiting to be born.

. . . the little boy or girl who didn’t get a big brother or a little big sister.

. . . the grandparents who just want to love on their grandchildren.

We March for . . . 

. . . our friends and neighbors

. . . for our family members

. . . for those who are hurting

. . . for those who feel trapped and that there is no way out

. . . for those who disagree with us.

We March for Every Life.

That every life be loved.

Every life be wanted.

Every life be cared for.

No matter who you are.

Every life.

And we will not stop until that’s true.

So we pray:

Dear Father in heaven, we thank You for the gift of life, every life, that You have created and redeemed to be Your own. Give us eyes to see every life as valuable and precious, and hearts to love every life as You do. Give us the courage both to speak and to have compassion. Protect all life, we pray, from the littlest to the biggest, the youngest to the oldest, the wanted and the unwanted. Thank You for all who have come here this day, and may our voices be heard and the hearts of many changed. Continue Your work in each of us, conform us to the image of Your Son, and strengthen our weak hands and feet and hearts to do Your will and walk in Your ways, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

And the Lord bless You and keep You;

the Lord make His face shine upon You and be gracious to You;

the Lord look upon You with favor, and give You peace.

AMEN

Spring Has Sprung!

Haven't shared a gorilla picture in a little while, so . . .

Gorillas enjoying Spring weather!

Virginia State March for Life

 Only one week to go! Join us! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and Birthday

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone. Sorry, no wild parties for me tonight!

Today would also have been my father's 101st birthday! I remember as a child always be amazed when my father would receive a card that celebrated BOTH St. Patrick's Day and his birthday! There can't be that many people born on this day to make the manufacture of special cards like that worth it, can there? Well, apparently there are! Anyway, Happy Birthday, Dad! A look forward to seeing you again.

Spring Break

So this week my daughter is home on Spring break, so we did a couple of special things: we went to the National Zoo to see the new pandas, and to an exhibit called The Art of the Brick, with over a hundred lego creations. I highly recommend both. The pandas were both very active, so fun to watch, and the lego creations amazing. Some pictures . . .

Having' a snack.

Mama gorilla and her baby (see it?).

There were many different kinds of lego creations - reproductions of famous pieces of art, historical artifacts, and animals. Here are some of them . . .

One of the Easter Island heads

Gorilla! (I wish I had thought to bring my little lego gorillas to visit their big brother!)

Polar bears

Now, these next three pictures go together and show you how realistic looking these lego creations are. 

(1.) A rhinoceros, with a picture of a rhinoceros in Africa behind it . . .

(2.) A closer look at the picture . . .

(3.) And a close-up of the rhino in the picture! It's the lego one!

The creator collaborated with an artist to create these pictures, which were just amazing.

And while there were many more animals, maybe just one final one . . .

An 18 foot long T-Rex! It was really cool.

I think it's there through the end of April, so if you have the time, give it a look!

Ash Wednesday

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, 

so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21

 A blessed Ash Wednesday to you all.

New Tabs

Check out the new tabs above for this year's Walk-Run-Ride for Life and for my Church's 40 Days for Life Social Media campaign.

Sponsor me or join our Lutherans for Life team for the Walk-Run-Ride for Life!

And use our 40 Days for Life pictures on all your Social Media platforms, emails, etc. to help us spread the word that Every Life is valuable and precious to God! 

Thanks!