2 Thes 1:2 ("go in peace")

* 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). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Grace to you and peace from God [our] Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:2

Living Faith snippets: "Paul begins every epistle but one with this greeting. Mass opens with this greeting, closes by exhorting us to go in peace, and in-between, we all offer each other the sign of peace, which in our culture is a handshake. The dictionary defines peace as freedom from war or conflict...then continues with words like "harmony" and "serenity." Let us open our hearts and minds, push out all the unworthy thoughts, and receive the fullness of this gift [peace] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." by Heather Wilson

Pat nuggets:

* I was truly at peace working outside Saturday (gorgeous summer day). While filling the bird feeder, a beautiful yellow finch flew down and sat on the edge of the open feeder a mere 12 inches from me. The bird looked at me, ate some seed and casually flew off. The bird must have sensed that I cared for it...and sensed that I was truly at peace with God's incredible creation...

* Rob Rysavy shared: "A daily devotion that I use periodically is Sacred Space run by a group of Irish Jesuits. http://www.sacredspace.ie/"

* Dan Szarke shared about his pursuit of working a "holy hour" into each day (idea from Fulton Sheen). How does Fulton Sheen defines this hour? As it is difficult to etch out a separate holy hour each day, we can offer up time throughout the day that is given out of love for God and neighbor (helping a coworker, picking up your children from school, making dinner for others, etc) as well as our prayers throughout the day (morning devotion, meal prayers, bedtime prayer)...this could easily exceed an hour each day!

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

* Join in prayer for the peaceful ProLife prayer rally in Denver tonight, 25 Aug (in conjunction with Democratic National Convention)...and join in presence if possible. The St. Peter bus still has several seats open...reserve a seat by calling 481-4355 (Stephanie) and then meet at the north church parking lot at 5pm. Joe Hourigan (and children), Jimmy Hourigan, Doug Young, Sean Dalton (may MC the event) and I plan to attend.

* Deception on infant protection bill haunts Obama: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Election2008/Default.aspx?id=223514
* 40 Days for Life campaign (24 Sep to 2 Nov): "It's a good time to think about how you may get involved in one of the campaigns. See how this unique outreach has already affected many cities around the country. Please sign up for 40 Days for Life updates at [http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm]."

Feast Day (St. Louis of France & St. Joseph Calasanz): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_IX_of_France and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph_Calasanz.

Our Prayers: Abortion, chastity, our enemies/our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer, prisoners

* Jim Rogers (recovering from surgery)

Faith Quote: Sean Dalton has Gal 2:20 in his signature block. "I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me." Gal 2:20

Through Christ Our Lord,
Pat
Phil 4:13

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html
* 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. Prayer to End Abortion. Ask Blessed Margaret of Castello for her prayers 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)!