Let's welcome God by reflecting on this short Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (website, Facebook), 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
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb. Luke 1:41 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "Advent gently nudges us awake with the message that God has come to us as one of us, living our sorrows and embracing our uncertainties. Christ-mas celebrates the sacred human moments of birth, of hospitality, of excitement over a future that has unexpectedly and miraculously changed course for Mary, for Elizabeth...for all of us!"
Pat's nuggets: Regarding Steve's faith challenge last week, I saw the base priest in the hospital yesterday and asked him if he had a few minutes for a Christmas prep (Advent) Sacrament of Reconciliation. We went to my office...and I got tanked up on God's amazing grace! I've been meaning to do this for a few weeks...God said, "here you go!" The Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation provide lotion (grace) for the soul, making our relationships less scratchy (more loving)!
Faith Challenges: Today is LIFE Group devotion #500...let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the "invite people to join" link on the Facebook Group. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.
* NEW: With a smile, wish a stranger "Merry Christ-mas!"
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: Most of our ProLife news comes from LifeSiteNews...consider donating to their much needed fundraiser (even just $5).
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, politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP, Rebekah)
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/despair, prisoners, politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP, Rebekah)
* NEW: Shantelle Castle (special intention), FOCUS: Health care reform bill
Feast Day: St. Peter Canisius
Faith quotes: shared by Lynn Bishara, authors unknown
* "God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do." [We respond to this awesome gift by gladly loving (serving) God and neighbor.]
* "Always choose life!"
Merry Christ-mas!
Pat
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).
* 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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