Luke 21:5-6 (Boycott Black Friday)

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

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, "All that you see here--the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down." Luke 21:5-6

Living Faith snippets: "Remember when you loved so fiercely you spent hours or days working on something you could give to the one you loved? And you felt such pride in the work and joy in the giving? Whether it landed on a prime place magneted to the refrigerator door, tucked into a jewelry box or displayed in a scrapbook, you created it with your own hands and tenacious ingenuity. Where is it now? Heavenly Father, help me remember that time is an illusion; only love remains. by Claire J. King

Rich's comments: As I prepare yet another box of material things to take to Goodwill or Salvation Army, I think to myself, did these items bring me joy in the brief time that I owned them? Sometimes I wonder as I repeat the cycle (buy things, place things on shelves, take things to Goodwill), should I just cut out the middleman and just donate money to the poor. Wouldn't that bring me greater joy than the emptiness I feel with these material things? All I remember from my past are the experiences that I have shared with others, not how many video games or books I have collected on the shelves. This Thanksgiving, when you take time to focus on what you are thankful for with family and friends, please don't take these things for granted. I think that your children would rather have you spend time with them than have you drag them along on your shopping marathon the day after Thanksgiving. You will find a greater joy at home with your family on Friday, than you ever would waiting in a long checkout line. Boycott Black Friday and spend time with your family.

Christian ID: "How would unbelievers recognize a Christian in the world?" By our love! Let's share things we can do to glorify God and love neighbor. When someone sneezes, say "God bless you." When asked for prayers, offer to pray with them on the spot. When asked about your weekend, tell about your faith activities. When someone takes the Lord's name in vain (2nd commandment), ask them gently to please not say that (hopefully they will ask why...and we will share our faith!). When asked your favorite food, say "the Body and Blood of Christ." When asked what you're thankful for, say "Jesus."

* (NEW) Beth O'Connor shared: Wear shirts proclaiming a Christian and/or pro-life message, "Christ is Christmas", "Celebrate the Birth of Christ the Lord 365 days a year", etc.

ProLife news: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ and http://www.priestsforlife.org/

* Read the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) that president-elect Obama plans on signing as soon as he becomes president. Please sign the petition now to fight FOCA. Millions of unborn babies depend on you.

Our Prayers: Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Lynn Bishara (aunt Mary with cancer), Stephanie Spader (for babies with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome), Joe Hourigan (special intention & Silbi/Sabu), Gina Prevett (Renee with brain tumor), Kay Castle (funding for Welcome Home Warriors), Tom Albrecht (health/faith of parents), Joe Castle (medical concerns), Matt Kayser (family of Jesse Alne, Jesse was killed in a motorcycle accident)

* Let's pray for courage to build relationships and talk about ProLife. Let's pray that We The People of America will shine Christ's Light and build a culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

Feast Day (St. Catherine of Alexandria): http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=341

Faith Quote: "I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy." by C.S. Lewis

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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.'

* Fasting: Let's fast from things that takes our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, gossip, excessive video games, etc) and take on things that fix our eyes on Jesus (selflessness, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, patience, understanding, caring, helping, listening).
* 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.

* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (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)!