Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, 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
Let your kindness comfort me, according to your promise to your servants. Psalm 119:76 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "We emerge from darkness many times. Like that trip through the birth canal, we never make it on our own. We come from mothers and lots of others...self-creation is the myth; everyone needs a push and a prayer to reach the light. We can dig ourselves in deep before we remember to look up...every pit opens onto the sky. We wanted it all, and we failed...but it's surprising how well what is broken catches the light. Groans give way to gratitude." by Jeanne Schuler
Pat's nuggets:
* A push and a prayer...reminds me of parachute jumping when I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy (1990). I wasn't sure if I could get myself to jump out of a perfectly good airplane, so I asked the jumpmaster to give me a push. I provided the prayer(s)!
* Over the weekend, I caught a movie scene where a young woman went to her Mom for support with her unplanned pregnancy. For support, the Mom said her other daughter "had it taken care of and now she has a real baby." This message is echoed throughout our culture...the baby is only "real" if you want the baby. We know the baby is always real and wanted...just ask the line of parents waiting to adopt.
* Last Tues, Oprah visited with nuns and did a nice job presenting their vocation. This show was very insightful for our daughters Paige (9) and Grace (6). Here is a 3 min recap video. For those who know St. Amata Veritas (Betsy Ellenbecker), she gives a humorous answer at 2 min 30 sec.
* Lent starts with Ash Wed this week. Jim Cromer shared this funny/encouraging Lent-prep music video, This Time of Forty Days..."There's a little black spot on your head today!"
Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion or using our Facebook Group "invite people to join" link. Maurine McManus-Ulmer, Andrew Carroll, Wade Humphreys, Natalie Hourigan, Amanda Barbee, Pastor Jenny Hallenbeck, Nancy Hallenbeck, Dawn Penning-Westlake...welcome!
* NEW: In preparation for Easter (Lent), let's give something up (fasting) and take something on (service). Consider giving even just one hour of prayer in front of your local abortuary (foot of the Cross) in support of the 40 Days for Life campaign (17 Feb - 28 Mar). What is the value of Lenten sacrifices...and what sacrifices do you have planned? To encourage others, consider commenting on our Facebook Group.
* 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!
Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together...and closer to God (see prayer/fasting footnotes).
* Prayer to end abortion, Peters family (JP), Haitian earthquake victims, Lynn Bishara (both sons are having tonsils removed on Wed)
* Prayer to end abortion, Peters family (JP), Haitian earthquake victims, Lynn Bishara (both sons are having tonsils removed on Wed)
* NEW: On this President's Day, let's pray that our Presidents will allow the Constitution to protect all, including the unborn.
Faith Quotes:
* Nancy Hallenbeck shared: "Do Good, Do No Harm, and Stay in Love with the Lord." by Rueben Job
* Chris Shannon shared: "Look back and Thank God. Look forward and Trust God. Look around and Serve God. Look within and Find God!" author unknown
Through Christ our Lord,
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).
No comments:
Post a Comment