Proverbs 3:29 (search your heart)

* Welcome God every morning before your 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

Plot no evil against your neighbor... Proverbs 3:29

Living Faith snippets: "The thought of deliberately scheming and planning evil against someone leaves most of us aghast. Yet planning harm might be more prevalent than one wants to believe. I've known those who connived to gain an inheritance for themselves and foil it for others, coworkers who destroyed another's good name by deliberately spreading false rumors, friends whose jealousy contributed to the breakup of a marriage, parents who suffered long years because of a child's refusal to forgive. That's why I search my heart each day to see what's going on in there." by Sr. Joyce Rupp

Pat nuggets:
* Regarding Hurricane Ike, a friend emailed me pictures of the devastation and said, "I Guess God must have been busy some place else." Here is part of my reply: "God gave us the gift of Free Will (read this chapter in Mere Christianity book I sent). If my wife and children would have perished in the car accident, I would not have blamed God...I would have blamed the driver who ran the red light [Free Will]...and I would have been called to forgive him as God has forgiven me ("forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us"). I would have turned to God for His grace (strength) and perspective (heaven) while I healed. God doesn't cause accidents and natural disasters...however, he is glad to help people heal through the Body of Christ (us!). Looks to me like God was busy right there [with Hurricane Ike]...the last picture says it all [a rescue worker hugging a survivor]. We are here but for a moment...we will all die...those that use God's gift of Free Will to follow Christ will rise again to be with God for eternity...that is our faith. As for me, I choose hope...I choose Jesus." While reflecting on the serious car accident last week, two things resonated with me...Totus Tuus (Latin for "totally yours") and the book "The Precious Present" (appreciating God's gift of life right now).

* Stephanie Kemp shared: [See the] "8 min video featuring all three Colorado Bishops addressing the subject of voting and faithful citizenship (www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=13424). You can download a copy of 'Where the Presidential Candidates Stand on Key Issues' from Priests for Life. It is a non-partisan guide (www.politicalresponsibility.com/)."

ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.
* 40 Days for Life campaign (24 Sep to 2 Nov): http://www.40daysforlife.com/. Please consider signing up to pray an hour in front your local abortion mill.

* Stephanie Kemp shared: "The city-wide, 'kick-off rally' for the 40 Days for Life Campaign is Thurs, Sep 25 at 4pm at Planned Parenthood. Our parish commitment is on Sat, Oct 4th. There are still 2/3 of the time slots yet to fill. Father Frank Pavone (Priests for Life) said we have to have our hearts broken to have real sorrow in our souls for what is happening to the unborn in our country. He said we all have to be totally honest; face the facts and look evil in the eye; pray about how God can use us; respond in love; and stand for life. We have to grieve with hope, in a spirit of joy. In the midst of this raging battle we have to have a serene confidence that the battle for life has already been decided. It has been won by the blood of Jesus. He asked though, "Have you shed any tears yet?" Come join us at The Foot of The Cross. Be not afraid!"

Our Prayers: Abortion's end, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer cure, prisoners, leaders integrity, loss of loved ones, lack of faith.

Faith Quote: “The Catholic Church certainly understands and also believes in the separation of church and state, but that doesn’t mean we believe in the separation of faith and politics." Archbishop Chaput (Denver)

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 lie 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)!