Wisdom 13:7 (curbing the chatter)

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

For they search busily among his works, but are distracted by what they see, because the things seen are fair. Wisdom 13:7 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Television, radio, the Internet, iPods and cell phones can distract us from, rather than draw our attention to, God. A critical mass of "chatter" can suffocate our spiritual life. If the fruit of silence is prayer and prayer is the life-breath of our soul, we need to turn down the music. Behind his works, God is waiting to be noticed." Rebecca Sande

Pat's nuggets:

* Pastor Don Bird shared, "One of the women who was killed at Fort Hood (Private Francesca Valez) was 3 months pregnant. We hear reports that 13 people were killed and 29 wounded. In my mind and heart I change that number to 14 killed and 29 wounded. While that precious life could not be seen by the outside world, it is still counted, because the baby was known by our God who created him/her. When we hear others say that 13 were tragically killed, we can correct them with love and grace that the true number is 14. This can open up opportunity for conversation around this issue of LIFE."

* Regarding the Stupak amendment that passed for the House health care bill (prevents abortion funding), Planned Parenthood said, "We will work with [pro-abortion Congress] members to rectify this travesty." They consider not being able to murder the unborn a "travesty," highlighting the perversion, lies, and deceit of the pro-abortion side. The health care debate is raising abortion to the forefront of national conscience...what I expected to happen during the Presidential election. Let's pray that the momentum is shifting to bring down this Wall (Roe), fully exposing the Truth, and bringing freedom to the unborn (and their parents).

* Jerry Klazura shared today's image, which "started as a photograph of a bust of St. Francis of Assisi...the artist added hair and the red garment...it became Jesus!" Reminds me of a talk I heard, "following Jesus in the footprints of St. Francis." To order this print, email Rick at rick3949@aol.com.

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children). Welcome to Amy Moon!
* NEW: "Lord, today I will make an effort to disconnect from whatever steals my attention from you. Fill that space with your consoling presence." Rebecca Sande

Sr. Francelle's devotion: Mary, Our Mother‏

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* 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: Check the Facebook LIFE Group page for several highlighted articles.

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 in hospital), Joe Hourigan (for brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention), Pat Castle (health care reform bill), Joe Levisky (daughter's pregnancy), Stephanie Spader (daughter Rebekah in ICU), Brenda Alvine (father in ICU), Aaron Ferrie (special intention)

Feast Day: St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

Faith Quote: "May we never forget that true freedom does not exist apart from Christ. May we fully commit our lives to telling others about the freedom that is found in Christ. May we risk our reputations, our emotions, our relationships, our treasures, and our lives so that others may live in true freedom. LET FREEDOM RING!" Pastor Don Bird

Through Christ our Lord,
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).