Let's welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook), based on Living Faith. Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22
The wind blows where it wills...; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 (full readings)
Living Faith snippets: "The Greek word "pneuma" means both "wind" and "spirit." John, no doubt, was using this double meaning." by Heather Wilson
Pat nuggets:
* Angi and me ran the St. Louis marathon yesterday, and the wind (Spirit) certainly blew in our favor. I just made it under 3 hrs (2:59:41) because of inspiration from two unique experiences. At mile 6, I was sprinkled with holy water by a joy-filled priest. He was off to the side, blessing those who ran over to him. During mile 22, I was fading and started to figure I wouldn't break 3 hours. At mile 23, I passed by the giant Planned Parenthood abortuary and took on extra suffering (picked up the pace) as a prayer for the unborn (and their parents). Angi ran the entire race with our neighbor...to help our neighbor finish her first marathon. Angi ran her best time...in giving we do receive. In 3 weeks I will pace my friend Fr. Jonathan for the Pittsburgh Marathon. He introduced me to his term for one of our faith practices...“redemptive running”, which is praying for others in the midst of running challenges. Our marathon will be a mini-retreat...may the wind be at our backs!
* As yesterday was Divine Mercy Sunday, Stephanie Kemp shared the following (paraphrased from Bishop Sheridan, Colorado Springs). "The greatest attribute of God is His Mercy, and we should never despair of it. Also, our secular culture teaches that everything is permitted and nothing needs forgiveness." Let's thank God for His Mercy!
Faith Challenge: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: Today's image is the St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. How can we treat our homes like a Cathedral (see Faith Quote below)? Consider sharing your devotion thoughts on the Facebook page, to be appreciated by many.
* NEW: Today's image is the St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. How can we treat our homes like a Cathedral (see Faith Quote below)? Consider sharing your devotion thoughts on the Facebook page, to be appreciated by many.
Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies)...courageously share ProLife Truth to expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free.
* Never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies)...courageously share ProLife Truth to expose 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 close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP), Prayer to end abortion, Stephanie Kemp (special intention), Helene Couchon (healing)
* NEW: Joe Levisky, "I want to thank all of you who included my daughter's difficult pregnancy in their prayers. She successfully (cesarean section) delivered Lily. Unfortunately, Lily has severe problems, and my daughter is experiencing severe post-partum depression. With the power of prayer we brought her through once, so I'm asking you to include my daughter and Lily in your prayers to get them through."
* NEW: Christy Hubka (Fr. Mel Thompsen's health), Brenda Alvine (God's protection for her family)
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Faith Quote: Last night, we went to Mass at the Cathedral in Belleville, IL. This quote was on the bulletin cover. "You enter this Cathedral...not as a stranger, but as a quest of God. Come, then, with joy in your heart and thanks on your lips. Be grateful for the strong and faithful ones who built this place of worship, and to all who have beautified and hallowed it by their prayer and praise. Offer your prayers and thanks here...adore Christ's Real Presence...honor the saints. Rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit, that the Lord's blessing may rest on you, on both your coming in and your going out."
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).
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