Rom 8:28 (for those who love God)

* 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

We know that all things work for good for those who love God... Rom 8:28

Living Faith snippets: "My mother had a great devotion to Mary...but most of all, her devotion consisted in imitating Mary's faith. Many times when circumstances were painful or confusing, I heard my mother say, "The good Lord knows what He's doing." My mother trusted that all things work for good." by Sr. Melanie Svoboda

Pat nuggets:

* Read up on the Theology of the Body (http://www.theologyofthebody.com/) to help yourself and others prevent serious consequences from our culture's attack on sexuality. Focus on the Family is hosting a conference in C. Springs on 25 Oct titled, "Homosexuality - Proclaiming the truth with love." Here are a few snippets from the brochure: "Homosexuality is one of the most difficult issues many individuals, families and churches face today. Popular culture tells us it's simply an alternative way to live. Mainstream media promotes that it's genetic and unchangeable. And the pro-gay movement seeks to politicize the education system, alter biblical truth regarding sexual behavior and redefine the meaning of marriage and family. Some Christians want to know how to stand faithfully in their biblical beliefs about human sexuality while also reaching out lovingly to those affected by homosexuality."

* "The president of a pro-family values mutual fund company...[screens] companies whose revenues or actions support pornography, abortion, anti-family entertainment, or promotion of non-married lifestyles. But Art Ally, president of the investment company, says his group normally does not spotlight or publish notices on businesses they screen out. In this case, however, he says the Timothy Plan could not stay silent when McDonald's went "over the edge." "McDonald's actually has been on our screen or prohibited list since 1999 -- so this is nothing new," says Ally. "What is new is the aggressive approach that they're moving to, in promoting and supporting the homosexual agenda." The fast-food giant's $20,000 donation to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce for a seat on its board of directors, and labeling of those who oppose the homosexual agenda as "haters" -- both of which Ally says marked an extreme step up from sponsorship of TV programs and movies with anti-family and pornographic entertainment. Those actions, coupled with offering its employees transgender health benefits, have kept McDonald's out of Timothy Plan investments." http://www.onenewsnow.com/Business/Default.aspx?id=230550. American Family Association shared: "In January, McDonald’s paid for 56 employees to attend the “Pioneer Summit” in San Diego. The purpose of the meeting was to develop a plan to promote the gay agenda within the company (including homosexual marriage). AFA has asked McDonald’s to remain neutral in the culture battle. McDonald’s has refused. Sign the online Boycott McDonald’s petition."

ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.
* 40 Days for Life campaign (24 Sep to 2 Nov): Sign up for updates at http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm.

Our Prayers: Abortion, chastity, our enemies/our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer, prisoners, integrity of our leaders, Robert Cox (discerning his career path), Mike Castle (for grandson Isaac and his caregivers)

* Let's pray for strength to remain chaste in our sexuality and for those struggling with difficult sexual sins like homosexuality.

Feast Day (The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Virgin_Mary

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)!