Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Matt 5:44-45 (Reach Out!)


Welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive). Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22

But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father... Matt 5:44-45 (full readings)

Pat nuggets:
* Rather than drafting off the Bible verse selected by the Living Faith devotional, Rich and I will now select our own verse/theme from the daily Mass readings on Tues/Thurs. Regarding today's verse, the commandment to love all, even our enemies, is at the foundation of our Christian faith. Love is recognized by our service/sacrifice...Reach Out (prayer, forgiveness, encouragement, help, etc)! See Faith Challenge below.
* On National Public Radio last week, I heard a commercial for a company that does fetal care..."saving babies before birth." Sounds like an advertisement for the LIFE Group!
* The LIFE Runners are doing the Sioux Falls Half/Full Marathon (12 Sep). Our Team Mission is: God first, Defend the Unborn, Encouragement, Health. We are raising $ for the Sioux Falls Alpha Center crisis pregnancy bus. Our 2010 team includes: Deanna/Jason Peters, Erica/Rich Reich, Doug Young, Angi/Pat Castle, John Shannon, Rob Rysavy, Becky Gregory, Brenda/Aaron Ferrie, Steve Castle, Pam McGushin, Jolene Stillings. For sponsoring a runner, go to http://www.alphacenter.org/ and click the "donate" link...write "LIFE Runners" in the box that says "Add special instructions to the seller." Also, please let your sponsored runner know for their fundraising accounting and training inspiration. Thank you for helping us defend the Unborn!

Faith Challenge: Generously encourage others by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: In response to Christ's command to love all, reach out in love to an enemy today (prayer, forgiveness, encouragement, help, etc). Start with enemies closest to you...family, neighbors, coworkers.

* Reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death (23% of pregnancies). Expose this unjust peace, setting unborn/parents free.
* NEW: Unborn Baby Jesus Poster Campaign Launched by Christian Consortium, "The ads feature a composite of ultrasound pictures of a baby with the addition of a halo. The caption reads, “He’s on His way. Christmas starts with Christ.”"

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Prayer to end abortion, Peters family (JP).
* NEW: Pat Castle (Rich Reich's PhD defense at 8 AM CST), Maryellen Seibert (boss Darlene recovering from surgery)

Feast Day: St. Germaine Cousin (patron for victims of child abuse)

Faith Quote: "What makes us holy is not work, but the action of grace within us...and within the specific limits of the daily toil by which we respond to grace." John Paul II

In Christ,
Pat
Phil 4:13

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