Luke 6:9 (LIFE)

Welcome God today with this LIFE Group Devotion (archive, Facebook).

Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath rather than to do evil, to save life rather than to destroy it?" Luke 6:9 (full readings)

Rich's thoughts: My Knights of Columbus council provided information to parishioners about the dignity of life after every Mass one week during 40 Days for Life. We used 22-week old preborn baby models to educate people about human development. These models were provided to us by A Woman's Answer (AWA) Medical Center, a crisis pregnancy center in Gainesville, Florida that provides women with choices that are healthy for them and their unborn child. On Monday, I visited the church office to pick up the baby models and return them to AWA. However, I was shocked to be told by a church staff member that she thought the unborn baby models were disgusting and that another staff member advised her to throw them in the dumpster. Months later, I still do not understand the actions of the church staff and the emotions that they must have been feeling to do such a thing. Lord, I pray that You will soften the hearts of those who wish to destroy life and/or provide women with the choice to do so. May we choose to save life rather than to destroy it. Amen.

Faith Challenge: How do I help others to understand the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death?

* LIFE Runners updates: Marathons for ProLife blogsite and FB page.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life.

* Colorado Abortionists Launch Campaign against Personhood Ballot Initiative

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Pam McGushin (Terry Reszel cancer), Rich Reich Sr (Pat Coy heart attack), Karen Ryan Philpott (for newborn William Mucher with heart block)

Faith Quote: "Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants." - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

Matthew 5:39 (anger)

Let's welcome God every morning before work by giving a few minutes to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which is 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

But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. Matthew 5:39 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "I am no glutton for punishment. But I can take Christ up on his invitation to imitate him in his humility. When Jesus faced the taunts and jeers of his enemies, he did not storm out of the room, slam the door or fight back. He did not further the argument. He silenced it. When I can practice this response to injury, I find I'm much more likely to keep my peace of soul. Lord, help me to pray for those who hurt me." by Rebecca Sande

Rich's comments: We should not feel guilty about the feelings we have. For example, anger is not a sin, but it is what you do with that anger that could lead to sin. God gave us the ability to have these feelings for a reason. You might wonder what is the purpose of anger, but it might be the passion connected to anger that moves someone to make a change for the better. Lord, help me to understand my feelings so that I may better understand myself and be an example of Your love. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Say a silent prayer for those who have attacked or offended you.

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. Let's courageously share ProLife Truth (John 14:6) to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn free!

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, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, Jason Peters (his son JP in hospital), Rich Reich (his Dad's has blocked brain artery), Carla Neal (Jean, Brenda, Donna, Joe & family, Roy, Joan, Mary Ann, Christina, Kenneth, Angela, Sue, Tammy, Tim & Family), Sue Peters (Wendi Kotlinsky cancer treatment was successful!), Rich Reich (Anne Vieira's sister-in-law died suddenly.)

Faith Quote: "This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections." by Saint Augustine

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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, bitterness, being so critical, 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 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.
Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

Matthew 5:23-24 (forgiveness)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com).

If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24

Living Faith snippets: "Jesus comes right out and says that our relationship with God simply cannot ever be separated from our relationships with one another. If we want to be on good terms with God we better do all we can to be on good terms with the folks we live and work with everyday. If we want to slip into church on a regular basis for the usual religious and spiritual reasons, we had better see the connections between church and our daily life, between God and spouse, God and children, God and friends, God and perfect strangers." by Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: Have you ever gone to church after having an unsettled argument with a loved one? I have done this before. Sitting in church angry, I feel like a hypocrite. If you have ever done a good examination of conscience before confession, you will notice that the examination is usually broken down into the 10 commandments. Under the section for "You shall not kill" it asks if you have been angry or resentful. Sister Francelle's message from 5 June stated, "Jesus says regarding judging - DON't! Why did Our Lord speak so strongly against judging others? I think the reason is because we cannot see what is in the heart." I usually forget, but I always try to remind myself when I am quick to anger that most people want to do good and have the best intentions. Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the holy in others. Amen.

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies, our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, depression/despair, prisoners, Vicki Miller (her cancer treatment), Carlson family (sell their home)

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Outreach: Let's gladly invite those near us to join our LIFE Devotions group (Mark 16:15), providing routine spiritual connection and strength (simply forward a devotion with an invitation).

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."

* 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. Click for Prayer to End Abortion.

* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (be a friend, make a friend, lead 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.

Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!