Matthew 11:20 (conversion)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com).

Then [Jesus] began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. Matthew 11:20

Living Faith snippets: "If we're honest with ourselves, we can come up with "mighty deeds" that Christ has done in our lives -- most of which we probably tend to take for granted. It says that Jesus expects repentance/conversion as the response to his "mighty deeds." When was the last time I made a real change in my life motivated by loving intimacy with Christ?" by Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: It is easy to take things for granted if you do not reflect on them often. My wife and I have a good habit of thanking each other for the things that we do around the house as soon as we recognize them, even if they are things that we might expect from each other. It is always nice to hear that you are appreciated, and this keeps us from taking each other for granted. You may have heard of the acronym ACTS for the parts of prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. If you make a habit of implementing these components to your prayer life, it will help keep you from taking God for granted and will help you build an intimate relationship with Christ. (Read more about the parts of prayer at http://www.expository.org/prayrtyp.htm.)

ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.

Feast Day (St. Bonaventure): "St. Bonaventure, known as "the seraphic doctor," was born at Bagnorea in Tuscany, in 1221. He received the name of Bonaventure in consequence of an exclamation of St. Francis of Assisi, when, in response to the pleading of the child's mother, the saint prayed for John's recovery from a dangerous illness, and, foreseeing the future greatness of the little John, cried out "O Buona ventura"-O good fortune!" from www.catholic.org/saints/.

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies/our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, Midwest floods, depression/despair, prisoners, Vicki M. (her cancer treatment), Joe C. (11 yr old Devantae paralyzed), Kay C. (cancer treatment for Ms. Nancy Wheeler), Kathy-jo P. (friend Maria has terminal brain cancer and needs a hospice).

Faith quote: “Where there is FAITH, there is LOVE; Where there is LOVE; there is PEACE; Where there is PEACE; there is GOD; Where there is GOD; there is BLISS.” by Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."
* Defend the unborn: 'Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die' (Prov 24:11). 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' (Jer 1:5). 'It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish' Blessed Mother Teresa. Click for Prayer to End Abortion.
* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (be a friend, make a friend, lead friend to Christ) and perpetual re-evangelization of self and those near us, by way of daily prayer (relationship) and following Christ's example of selfless love, mercy, and service.
Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!