Luke 13:30 (eyes fixed on Jesus)

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

For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last. Luke 13:30

Living Faith snippets: "Jesus responds by saying we may be surprised who "will recline at table in the Kingdom of God." It is not for us to judge who is worthy. Our requirement is to check our motivation for why we try to be morally good, upright individuals. Why do we participate in church [to worship Christ or to be part of a religious social club?, to be good or to look good to neighbor?] and keep the commandments?"

Pat nuggets:

* Scott Casmer shared this important voting video http://www.americaschoicenow.com/. Here is a description: "This video is safe for all ages -- there are no graphic images. The goal here is to give American citizens a solid grasp of where Senators McCain and Obama really stand on the life issue, using their own words. Millions of young lives depend on our election-day decisions. Over 35 years of hard won pro-life battles could be reversed if voters remain uninformed - especially Christian voters who alone could reclaim the rights of the unborn on November 4th."

* Yesterday's faith quote from C.S. Lewis ("Mere Christianity") stated, "God can show Himself as He really is only to real men." In 1992, while driving across the Nevada desert on my way from the Academy to Edwards AFB, I could see a billboard way off in the distance. As this was the only interesting sight for hours, I was anxious to see what it said. As I got closer, I first noticed that the advertisement was peeled away by the elements. Then, I noticed that somebody took the time and effort to climb this billboard in the middle of the desert and spray paint in huge letters..."Real Men Love Jesus."

* In yesterday's devotion, Rich included this Living Faith snippet..."God does not reveal the whole picture (mystery)...[but] meets us where we are." In the fictional book "The Shack", God says, "Why do children love to hide and seek? Ask any person who has a passion to explore and discover and create. The choice to hide so many wonders from you is an act of love that is a gift inside the process of life." The Shack is about the Holy Trinity helping a man forgive his abusive father and deal with the death of his young daughter (and the family suffering). The book is a digestible spiritual toolbox for the family and for rectifying our faith (our trust in God) in a fallen world. Regarding our fallen world, I like this perspective from the prayer snippets below..."Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world, but rather a community of faith renewing the world."

* Each day until the election let's say this novena prayer together: www.priestsforlife.org/novenas/election-day-novena.aspx. Snippets from the prayer: "And of knowing that political loyalty does not mean disloyalty to you. We thank you for your law, which our Founding Fathers acknowledged and recognized as higher than any human law. We thank you for the opportunity to exercise our solemn duty not only to vote, but to influence countless others to vote, and to vote correctly. Awaken your people to know that they are not called to be a sect fleeing the world, but rather a community of faith renewing the world. Awaken them that the same hands lifted up to you in prayer are the hands that pull the lever in the voting booth." Lets pray for a change of heart for all Pro-Death candidates. Let's pray for courage to let Christ lead our vote and to publicly talk about ProLife. As part of our election prayer each day, let's fast from something that takes our eyes off of Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and/or take on something that fixes our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening). Amen!

40 Days for Life campaign (24 Sep to 2 Nov): Campaigns in 179 cities in 47 states (24/7 for 40 days). Please sign up to pray an hour in front your local abortion mill.
* Updates from the national director, David Bereit, at http://www.40daysforlife.com/.
* ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/

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, Rob (St. Patrick's parish prayer list), Tina Castle (Jason Peter's son)
* Wed night is pray with your family night...the family that prays together, stays together!

Faith Quote: The Holy Spirit is described as "the Breathing of Life" in the fictional book The Shack by William P. Young.

Through Christ for ProLife,
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.
* 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)!