Psalm 25:4 (God’s path)

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

Your ways, O Lord, make known to me; teach me your paths. Psalm 25:4

Living Faith snippets: “How do we discover God’s paths? One way is through Scripture. Another way is through the example of others—the saints, spiritual writers and exemplary individuals of earlier ages or our present day. Another way is by consulting with someone we sense is close to God: a priest, a spiritual director, a friend or family member. And lastly, we can, like the psalmist, simply ask God to show us the way we should go. Sometimes the direction we should take is written by God in the movements of our heart.” By Sr. Melanie Svoboda, S.N.D.

Rich’s comments: The following is a story shared during my pastor’s homily this past Sunday. "I have been travelling a lot lately from city to city helping different parishes prepare for the advent season. I find myself printing out the directions on MapQuest and then following the directions while I am driving. The other day though I almost got in a car accident while trying to look at the piece of paper with the directions. I decided enough was enough and I bought myself a GPS for my car. The GPS is wonderful. It tells me, “Make a left turn on 1st avenue, turn right on 13th street.” Then I approach a familiar road, and I know that this is the way that I go, but the GPS says, “Make a U-turn now.” I am like no, I know this road. This road will take me where I want to go. The GPS insists, “Make a U-turn immediately.” Sometimes we are misdirected in life (like the GPS) and we need to have faith in the guidance God provides us in the movements of our heart."

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

* Let's pray for courage to communicate the ProLife message through Christ to those around us (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

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, Kathy Ayers brain surgery, Mike Castle (Rachelle/Isaac, eye infection), Jason Peters (health of son JP), Carolyn McKissack (Bailee with Crohn's), Joe Levisky (medical issues), Rob Ouellette (St. Patrick's prayer list), Rich Reich (Granny's health problems), Liz Curry (friend Bill)

* (New) Dan Castle: for alcoholics to accept intervention, particularly my girlfriend Lisa's brother (Josh) and sister (Rachael)

* (New) Sue Peters: for God to truly be in charge of JP's care (her grandson)

Faith Quote: “Faith is the light that guides you through the darkness.” by unknown author.

Feast Day (St. John of Kanty): “John of Kanty is a typical saint: He was kind, humble and generous, he suffered opposition and led an austere, penitential life. Most Christians in an affluent society can understand all the ingredients except the last: Anything more than mild self-discipline seems reserved for athletes and ballet dancers. Christmas is a good time at least to reject self-indulgence.” http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1238

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)!