A Great Sunday Activity

We went to the Portland Pro-Life Rally this Sunday! It was good to be there even though it was a long drive to get there, it was cold and rainy, and there was some nervousness about the nature of the rally and the possibility of problematic counter-protestors. Dad dropped Mom and us kids off and went to find a parking place for our van. Shortly after we found a place and were enjoying the speech being given, we began to notice a strange, almost “pagan-temple” sounding chanting from across the square. There was a small group of 125 counter-protestors (according to the news) across the street from the square where at least 3,000 pro-lifers were gathered. From our higher vantage point, the square looked like a field full of mushrooms: people’s umbrellas of every size and color. But many of them had something in common... they had stop-signs that said, “Stop Abortion Now!” Many other signs were there: “Men Regret Lost Fatherhood,” “Women are Hurt By Their Abortions” are just a couple examples. There were many others, and I was quite relieved to see that all these were non-graphic! Then, at the far end of the square, toward the counter-protestors, I spotted the top half of a sign peeking above the KPDQ (our Christian radio station) pavilion. It said, “Meet Baby ‘Choice.’” Okay, so there was one graphic sign, but it was far away and most of the time was hidden by the Christian radio station’s pavilion! I don’t think any of our littler ones without context caught sight of it!

The speeches were really good; I didn’t really realize how loud cheers from 3,000 throats was! (Oops! Now you know I’ve never been to a sports game!) It reminded me of the song, “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing”! There were people there from all sorts of denominations, but united by the common cause of ending abortion in Oregon and in America. One man, a passionate African American deacon, gave a wonderful speech about men needing to step up and be leaders and heroes in this crisis. To save the lives of the innocent! Very good stuff! Very passionate. We ended with a good prayer, led by a former Oregon legislator, a committed Christian and pro-lifer.
Once we were in the van, Dad told us about an interesting experience he’d had. For one thing, he remarked on how interesting it was that nearly all the counter-protestors were college-aged women. There were a few feminized looking young men too, but mostly young women. (To quote the Professor in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, “What are they teaching them in these schools?”) He had been walking down the sidewalk to find us after parking the van. A college-age young woman was walking down the sidewalk going the opposite direction. She was crying. Later, he said he saw her cross the street to the pro-life side and wave her pro-abortion sign (you’ll not catch me calling it “pro-choice”!), making all her friends across the street cheer and yell even louder! Dad said a pro-life lady holding a sign nearby started to talk to her. I’d love to hear the end of that story.
I’m considering doing something interesting... Oregon Right to Life has a short film contest (3 mins. or less, or 30 secs. or less) with a pro-life message. They use them for putting on TV, I think. My parents were encouraging me to try making one since I have a video camera now. (Really exciting birthday present!!!) They gave me some good ideas. That’s something I will be in prayer about!
But for now...
A rainy day in Portland, 3,000 pro-life Oregonians, a big set of loud speakers, many Portland police officers and light-rail security guards, chanting counter-protestors, cheering, prayer...
That’s something I’ll keep re-living, praying about, and seeking ways to help with!
"They have grown fat, they are sleek; Yes, they surpass the deeds of the wicked; They do not plead the cause, The cause of the fatherless; Yet they prosper, And the right of the needy they do not defend." (Jeremiah 5:28, NKJV)

"A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation." (Psalm 68:5, NKJV)

Be like your God...

"Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy." (Psalm 82:3, NKJV)

Now, go read Hosea 13:16! Considered judgment by the Bible!