Psalm 25:9 (God sightings)

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

He guides the humble to justice, He teaches the humble His way. Psalm 25:9

Living Faith snippets: "I'm reluctant to say, or even think, that God speaks to me. But there have been times when a voice that does not sound like my own does speak. Dear Lord, teach me your ways." by Aileen O'Donoghue (physics teacher at St. Lawrence University, author of "The Sky Is Not a Ceiling: An Astronomer's Faith")

God sightings: Today's snippets (above and below) inspired me to start this new thread for us to share our "God sightings" and share ways for us to encounter God acting in our lives.

Pastor Don's devotion: Read his devotion titled "Advent miracles" at http://pastordonbird.blogspot.com/. A few snippets: "I am reminded this week of the greatness of our God and the miraculous way He enters into our lives. My prayer is that through this Advent season, each of us is able to experience a miracle. For some it may be one of incredible magnitude that changes our lives drastically. For others it may be in a simple encounter that alters our perspective and catches a glimpse of the holy in our lives. And still for others it may be in the ordinary routine of life as we look deeper into the hearts of those we surround ourselves with everyday. This is a season of miracles - not just on 34th Street...but in the paved roads and dirt roads of our lives. May the Miracle of the World reveal Himself to you this Christmas season!"

Jesus' Christmas list: This is how we give Jesus a Christmas (birthday) gift..."whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matt 25:40). The true meaning of Christmas is to share our gifts (time, talent, treasure, faith, hope, love) with those lacking in "daily bread" and love. Who is in dire need of our Christmas gifts?

* (NEW) Scott Casmer shared: "There is a subdivision of the [C. Springs] Catholic Charities called "Life Connections" that does all the things this group is about [click here]. Making donations is nearly painless. On the following link, they show how $1000 donation ends up costing the donator only $187. I plan to donate this week. Others may want to consider it. [click here]."
* (NEW) My family received this wonderful Christmas gift from Rich & Erica Reich. "In your honor, a gift has been made to Heifer International to help struggling people around the world become self-reliant for food and income. May this gift bring you joy as it brings hope to families in need (a sheep, three rabbits, a flock of chicks, and a hive of honeybees)."

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, John Peak (parent's health & his deployment), Rich Reich (Grandma with health problems), Pat Castle (Kathy Ayers recovering from brain surgery, Mike Castle eye infection), Liz Curry (friend Bill recovering from heart surgery)

* NEW: Jason Peters (health of son JP, http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jppeters), Carolyn McKissack (granddaughter Bailee with Crohn's), Rob Ouellette (Sally, Jim, Kevin, Joe, Carla & two Mary's)

Faith quote: Angi Castle shared this quote. "We should not live in the clouds, on a superficial level. We should dedicate ourselves to understanding our brothers and sisters." Mother Theresa

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.'

* 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)!