Lillie Ammann's Blog, page 31
January 21, 2019
Sixty Million People Gone
According to the US Abortion Clock, more than sixty million people have been killed in the womb in the US since Roe v Wade was decided by the Supreme Court forty six years ago today. More than 1500 unborn babies are aborted every day.
Among those murdered babies, were there men and women like Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Graham Bell, Florence Nightingale, Einstein, Thomas Edison, Amelia Earhart, Henry Ford, or Rosa Parks? Were there presidents, inventors, writers and artists, doctors and nurses, scientists, and religious leaders? We’ll never know what the world has lost by not having the contributions of those whose lives were ended before they began.
But we do know that parents have lost children, grandparents have lost grandchildren, people have lost friends and lovers they will never know.
We do know that even though mothers thought they were doing the right thing at the time, many suffer physical and emotional consequences for years after an abortion. Some mothers who have abortions don’t do it by choice but are forced into it by family members or significant others. We do know that fathers and grandparents often have no say in what happens to their child/grandchild. Many would have been happy to raise the child given the chance. We do know that it is hard for families who want to adopt to find babies because the children are being killed in the womb rather than being born and given up for adoption. My husband and I were never able to adopt a baby because babies were so scarce.
Rather than condemn women who make the choice to abort the baby, we need to ensure they know about the resources available to help them. Many pregnancy care centers offer help—confirming pregnancy, counseling, medical care, and even assistance such as diapers, formula, and financial assistance. Human Coalition matches pregnant women with pregnancy care centers in their area. Many other pro-life organizations offer education, abortion recovery, and other services.
If you know someone with an unplanned pregnancy who doesn’t know where to turn, help them find the support and assistance they need to choose life.
Today is National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I pray the day comes when all children are considered valuable and worthy of life.
Merciful and loving Father, let every pregnant woman realize what a blessing it is to carry a precious life within their body. Open their eyes to the sanctity of the lives they are carrying. Provide them with the resources they need to choose life for their babies. If they are able to keep their children with some assistance, provide what they need to bring a new baby into their family. If they are unable for any reason to care for their children, give them the courage and strength to give their babies life and give them into loving homes. Comfort all who have suffered the pain and loss of abortion, Lord, whether they made the choice to abort, whether they were denied a voice in the lives of their children/grandchildren, whether they have lost the opportunity to be parents or relatives or friends of Your precious children who were denied life. Forgive those who made the wrong decision and enable them to forgive themselves. Let all who are affected by abortion feel Your love and comfort. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/zakazpc
January 20, 2019
Martin Luther King Jr Day
In this video, Dr. Alveda King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s niece, talks about keeping his dream alive.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/somartin
January 17, 2019
Religious Freedom Day
I was sick yesterday and failed to write a post for Religious Freedom Day, which is January 16th. Although late, I wanted to recognize this important day.
Freedom of religion is one of our most significant freedoms, and we must stand up for it in a time when “separation of church and state” is predominant. Church and state should be separated in that there should be no state religion or laws favoring one religion. However, all people should be able to worship as they choose and to stand up for their faith when freedom is threatened.
No one who believes in the sanctity of life should be forced to pay for abortions. No one who believes that marriage is between one man and one woman should be forced to participate in a same-sex wedding, whether it be providing a venue, baking a cake, or creating flower arrangements. No one who chooses to dress in a distinctive way or eat or avoid certain foods should be forced to dress or eat in a way they find offensive.
Lord God, thank You that I have the freedom to pray to You publicly as well as privately. Thank You that I can turn down editing projects if the subject matter is not in keeping with Your Word. Please let our religious freedoms continue in this country; don’t let people on crusades for rights for special interest groups prevail in taking away our freedom to follow Your will. Lord, we pray for those countries where there is no religious freedom, places where people are killed for believing anything other than the state-mandated belief system. Open the doors of freedom to them. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
January 11, 2019
January 9, 2019
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
My husband was a Master Peace Officer, the highest level of law enforcement in the state of Texas. I appreciate all law enforcement officers and agencies. They take risks every day to protect us and keep our communities safe. I pray for their safety and protection.
O LORD God of Hosts, stretch forth, we pray thee, thine almighty arm to strengthen and protect the peace officers of our country. Support them in their duties and keep them safe from all evil; endue them with courage and loyalty; and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ (Adapted from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer)
Image: © Depositphotos.com/antonprado
January 5, 2019
Devotion for the Epiphany of Our Lord
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and
ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to
Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have
found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening
to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen
when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the
child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great
joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother,
and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they
offered him gifts, gold and frankincense
and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to
Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. ~ Matthew 2:1-12
Wise men from the East saw an amazing star in the sky
and knew that the King of the Jews had been born. God revealed to them that
this King was more than the royal leader of one small nation. Otherwise, they
wouldn’t have traveled from the East to find Him and bring Him gifts. Somehow,
they knew this infant was worthy of their time to travel a very long distance
and their treasures in their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Somehow,
they knew this was their King, too. Just as He is our King today and throughout
eternity.
Lord God, how You have blessed us by making us part of Your Kingdom—and even more, part of Your family. You revealed the birth of Jesus to humble Jewish shepherds and to wise men from far away. Jesus is still King to people throughout the earth. I and all who trust in Him will spend eternity with You in Heaven because Jesus came to save us from our sins. Thank You! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/jamesgroup
January 4, 2019
Devotion for the Twelfth Day of Christmas
“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory, and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard my fame or seen my glory. And they shall declare my glory among the nations. And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring their grain offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord. And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the Lord.
“For as the new heavens and the new earth
that I make
shall remain before me, says the Lord,
so shall your offspring and your name remain.
From new moon to new moon,
and from Sabbath to Sabbath,
all flesh shall come to worship before me,
declares the Lord. ~ Isaiah 66:18-23
God told His people that people of all nations and
tongues would see His glory, everyone would worship Him. The Jews thought the
promises of God were for them—His people—alone. But in the Epiphany, the coming
of the Wise Men, God showed that His salvation was for everyone.
Thank You, Lord, that You manifested Christ to the world, not just to a select group of people. The Wise Men reflected people of other nations and other tongues. You led them to Jesus by Your star, opening Your love, grace, mercy, and salvation to me and everyone who will accept it. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/jamesgroup
January 3, 2019
Devotion for the Eleventh Day of Christmas
“If you love me, you will keep my
commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of
truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor
knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to
you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will
see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know
that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in
you. Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves
me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love
him and manifest myself to him.” ~ John 14:15-21
God loves us and will forgive our sins when we
repent. However, He doesn’t expect us to walk in sin—He expects us to follow
His commandments. We can’t do that on our own, but God sent the Holy Spirit to live
within us and be with us forever. He guides us in the way of truth of
righteousness. Yes, we will always continue to sin in this earthly life, but
with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will not live a sinful and rebellious
life. We will sin but not walk in continuous sin.
Thank You, Father, for sending the Holy Spirit to guide me in Your ways. Forgive me when I sin and continue to lead me in the paths of righteousness. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/Krisdog
Happy Birthday to Jack in Heaven
Today my beloved husband would have turned eighty-six years old. In honor of the occasion, I’m sharing a couple of anecdotes from the book I compiled—Jack Stories: Favorite Memories of Jack Jordan Ammann Jr.
A Jack by Any Other Name
Jack liked to use his full name: Jack Jordan Ammann Jr. But to his family he was always “Jackie” as he was called in childhood. He also identified himself in other ways, depending on the circumstances. Since he always wore an Aggie tee-shirt, if he called someone who might not immediately recognize his name, he would identify himself as “Aggie Jack.” When Lillie owned the interior landscape company, Jack handled the accounts payable and receivable. Whenever he talked to a vendor or a customer, he identified himself as “Jack Ammann, Mr. Lillie.” After Lillie sold the plant company and became a freelance writer and editor, Jack introduced himself to her clients as “Mr. Lillie.”
Baby Jackie with his motherThe Insane Asylum
Jack loved to tell people he was born at the insane asylum. His grandparents worked at the San Antonio State Hospital, called the insane asylum in those days before political correctness. His mother went into labor while visiting her parents, and the hospital doctor delivered Jack at the state hospital.
One of his favorite jokes was about a man who was changing a tire on his car beside the road outside the state hospital. Patients were hanging on the fence, staring out at the world beyond the hospital. The motorist was having trouble getting the lug nuts loose, and one of the patients called out, “You’re turning them the wrong way.” The man changed direction and the lug nuts came loose immediately. He asked the patient who had pointed out his problem, “How did you know what I was doing wrong?” The patient answered, “We’re crazy in here—not stupid.”
If you’d enjoy more such stories, read Jack Stories, which I compiled from my own memories and from stories told by many friends and family.
January 2, 2019
Devotion for the Tenth Day of Christmas
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words.
Wondrously show your steadfast love,
O Savior of those who seek refuge
from their adversaries at your right hand.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings,
from the wicked who do me violence,
my deadly enemies who surround me.
They close their hearts to pity;
with their mouths they speak arrogantly.
They have now surrounded our steps;
they set their eyes to cast us to the ground.
He is like a lion eager to tear,
as a young lion lurking in ambush.
Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him!
Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
from men by your hand, O Lord,
from men of the world whose portion is in this life. ~ Psalm 17:6-14
The Lord is our refuge who delivers us from danger.
He hides us under the shadow of His wings—like a mother hen protects her chicks
under her wings to protect them from danger. He shows His wondrous, steadfast
love in many ways, but most of all in sending His Son to save us from our sins.
There is no danger we face that has everlasting ramifications like our own
sinfulness.
Thank You, Lord, that You save us from eternal damnation through Your Son Jesus, who came to save us from our sins. I get fearful of physical danger and of hurt and emotional pain, but these are temporary. The only thing that can harm me forever is turning away from the salvation that comes from faith in Christ Jesus. Keep me grateful and faithful. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Image: © Depositphotos.com/djahan
