Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which is based on Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17
Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" He replied, "Lord, please let me see." Luke 18:40-41 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "Several months ago my husband died. My prayer in the immediate wake of his death was, not surprisingly, full of questions, confusion, sadness, and even anger. I was praying the psalms that express yearning for God, for God's peace, for life with God. These were the prayers that my husband offered so faithfully for years, since he was a daily Mass-goer. He had prayed daily for the fullness of God's peace and love, and, like the blind man, for healing and wholeness. His prayers have been answered. A reason, even in the midst of sadness, to be grateful for birth...and rebirth. Jesus, please let me see." Amy Welborn
Pat's nuggets: While sitting in the dentist chair last week, I realized that teeth cleaning relates to our faith lives. If we don't brush & floss (prayer/Bible study/church/service), our teeth get plaque, stains, and decay (sin). Periodically, a dental hygienist (friend/pastor/priest) is needed to help us clean up the plaque, stains, and decay (sin) with special tools (support/counseling/ Sacrament of Reconciliation) and hold us accountable. Finally, the Great Dentist (Jesus/ Holy Spirit/ God) judges the condition of our teeth (souls). My dental experience also reminded me of the saying "cleanliness is next to Godliness." Committed effort is required to keep our teeth clean, and committed effort is required to live Godly lives. Although nothing is perfectly analogous for God's love and forgiveness, this was a constructive distraction while the dental hygienist had her fist in my mouth.
Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children).
* NEW: To help us see God clearly, let's commit effort to routine prayer, Bible study, church and service (brush/floss) and get help as needed (dental hygienist).
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images)...#1 cause of death in America. Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: Pastor Don Bird and Kay Castle shared news that the military court will likely consider the death of Fort Hood Private Francesca Valez (3 months pregnant) as two counts of murder.
Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas in footnote below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP, Rebekah), Joe Hourigan (brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention), Pat Castle (health care reform bill), Joe Levisky (daughter's pregnancy), Aaron Ferrie (special intention)
Feast Day: St Margaret of Scotland
Faith Quote: "I thank You, Almighty God, for sending me so great a sorrow to purify me from my sins." St. Margaret of Scotland
In God We Trust,
Pat
Phil 4:13
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn't, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead.'
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that take our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, pornography, bitterness, criticalness, impatience, 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 live as you wish' (Blessed Mother Teresa).
* Evangelization: Let's make room for unbelievers (be a friend, make a friend, lead a 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 (Matt 28:19).
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