Monday, December 7, 2009

Luke 5:22 (Advent heart-check)


Let's welcome God today 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

What are you thinking in your hearts? Luke 5:22 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "What is going on deep inside you [heart-check]? One of the most helpful ways to grow in being a Christlike person is to be aware of [this], especially the critical, unfair judgments we form about others. Advent is a season of hospitality...what better time to lay aside judgments and to welcome Christ in one another." Sr. Joyce Rupp

Pat's nuggets: While in formation, geese increase their flying range by 70%. By working to defend the defenseless unborn and heal those injured by abortion, the LIFE Group grows closer to Christ...sharing prayers, insights, challenges, accountability, and encouragement. I get many offline comments, some of which I share in the devotions. To help increase our group spiritual flying range, please consider adding your comments to the devotions posted on our Facebook Group page.

Faith Challenges: Christy (Feldhaus) Hubka, welcome! Let's generously share our 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: Yesterday, I found the Christians In Action (CIA) group essentials that we developed in 1993...Self denial, Consistent Christian lifestyle, Accept God's Plan, Get to know Christ. Let's heart-check these essentials in preparation for Christmas, inspiring us to take time for each other and give to those in need.

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 (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: Tell Senators to Support Nelson Amendment Immediately. "...prevents the Senate version of reform from mandating abortion coverage or providing federal funds for coverage that includes elective abortions." Vote likely this week.
* NEW: Michigan Abortion Facility Advertises Abortion as "Sacred Work". This abortuary does not deny that abortion kills a baby, rationalizing that it is ok because "Goodness is making choices that are good for yourself...[goodness] is not obedience." Let's be obedient to God, the source of all goodness!

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), Joe (brother Mike), Aaron Ferrie (special intention), Health care reform bill, Brenda Alvine's father (pancreatitis), National Night of Prayer for Life (8 Dec)
* NEW: On this anniversary of Pearl Harbor, let us pray for all God-loving people who labor/sacrifice for peace in the world (neighbors, soldiers, politicians).

Feast Day: St. Ambrose, "At 33 - a successful lawyer, governor of Milan, friendship of the emperor, and a large estate."

Faith Quotes:
* "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [people] to do nothing." Edmund Burke
* "The happiest lives are lived by those with the cleanest hands." author unknown

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).

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