Luke 10:16 (Rejection)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.

"Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me." ~ Luke 10:16 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: Jesus has some tough words for us today. In today's Gospel Jesus is preparing the 72 with an old fashion pep talk. He is coaching them on what they will encounter in the world. Rejection. As a Christian, if we are sharing our faith freely we learn quickly to deal with the sting of rejection. There is comfort in knowing that the burden we carry when our words of life fall on deaf ears or worse are met with harsh replies are also carried by Christ in us. Psalm 118 tells us that, "The stone rejected by the builder will become the chief cornerstone." Jesus knows rejection. Ultimately it is God's place to change hearts in His time. I think back to my days in high school before I knew Jesus. A joy filled nun, Sr. Margaret Mary, shared the love of Jesus with me patiently with iron-clad persistence. She would often invite me to a weekend retreat called Search and I would always offer an excuse or lie as to why it wasn't for me. She didn't skip a beat. I now recognize Christ in her, and it brings me great pain to think I was really rejecting Christ. In His mercy, God prepared a divine appointment for me later in high school. I encountered Jesus in a very real way and my life has never been the same...in God's timing. Thank you Sr. M&M...I'm In Christ today because of your simple invitation.

Faith Challenge: Rejection is part of the Christian life - face it with courage, dignity and perseverance. Tell someone about Jesus today!

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Guard Your Heart

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel. &gt

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now. >

Saint of the Day: St. Jerome (d. 420).

Faith Quote: "Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ." ~ St. Jerome

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2 .

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

Luke 6:7 (No Compromise in Christ)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB). Guest Authors schedule. LIFE Minute radio.

"The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely to see if he would cure on the Sabbath so that they might discover a reason to accuse him." ~ Luke 6:7 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: An aspect of my shy personality is that I like to avoid conflict at all costs. In today's Gospel, Jesus decided not to avoid conflict. He could have cured the man with the withered hand on any other day other than on the Sabbath, but He refused to be intimidated and manipulated by His enemies. Jesus stood up for what He knew was the right thing to do, and He did not compromise His principles. Jesus asks us to do the same even if it means that we will suffer as He did. Lord, give me the courage to not avoid conflict, but to stand up for the Truth despite suffering. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Don't compromise your principles. Stand up for your beliefs.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Bertin

Faith Quote: "Do what is right, be valiant for the Truth, teach it without compromise, and all lovers of the Truth will approve you; for all others, you need not care a rush." ~ J. Thomas

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (22% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.

* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

Psalm 27:14 (Actively Waiting)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (website, Facebook).

"Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord!" Psalm 27:14 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: One thing that I am learning about the 40 days of Lent is patience. Patience is not something that can be acquired overnight. Patience is like a muscle that needs conditioning. A marathoner does not approach the starting line of the race without several months of training. A loving couple does not rush hastily into marriage without building a foundation. Likewise, we should not approach this Easter without training (prayer, penance, fasting). This Lent we are told to "wait for the Lord." Not passively waiting, however, but actively waiting. We should be conditioning ourselves in active preparation for the risen Lord. Lord, give me the courage to condition my heart and the patience to actively wait for You. Amen.

Faith Challenge: How are you actively waiting for the Lord? Pray for patience and courage this Lent.

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

* House passes budget gutting D.C. abortions, separate bill defunding Planned Parenthood

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, LIFE Runners, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Agia

Faith Quote: “Patience is waiting. Not passively waiting. That is laziness. But to keep going when the going is hard and slow - that is patience.” - unknown author

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!

* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.

* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

Comments? To subscribe/unsubscribe to the emails, go to LIFE Group Devotions or LIFE Runners Updates.

Mark 8:36 (Lens)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (website, Facebook).

"What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" Mark 8:36 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: Just yesterday I read about a home-schooled wrestler, Joel Northrup, who faced a difficult decision (see Counter Cultural News). Entering as a favorite to win the state tournament in Iowa, he was face to face with modern high school sports history. His opponent was one of two girls to ever qualify for the state tournament. As many rejoiced at the accomplishments of these two young girls, this young man agonized over whether it was right for him to wrestle a girl. Joel Northrup defaulted his match, and his dream of winning the state title. He issued this statement, "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner." Wow. In a world where feminism has stolen a women's femininity, this young man honored the sacred state of this young girls nature as a daughter of Christ. He did this in spite of personal sacrifice and the risk of being labeled a chauvinist or a prude. He stood up for what his faith tells him is true; men and women are different and those differences are a celebration of the beauty of each gender. Today's Gospel speaks precisely of these difficult decisions when our faith runs contrary to the world. The father who takes his teenage daughter to get an abortion because it will "stop her from having a normal life", or the single mother who feels she just can't afford another child are all too common examples of the short sighted vision of the world. Ultimately, Jesus speaks clearly in our Gospel that those who deny Christ in this life will be denied in the next. To follow our faith we must always see through a lens bent toward our salvation and our ultimate goal, heaven; the prize for which we all run the race of life. Dear Lord, give me the grace to always keep my eyes fixed on you and the prize of heaven.

Faith Challenge: What lens are you filtering the world through? When pressured or confused by the world, filter your problems through the lens of faith given to us at our Baptism. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and courage to stand up for your faith.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Blessed Charles de Foucauld "The life of Brother Charles illustrates the great lengths, both spiritual and physical, that a man must sometimes travel to follow Christ."

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action
* High School Wrestler Defaults vs Girl

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, running, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: Blessed John of Fiesole

Faith Quote: "I sought you out and now you come to me. Thank you." The last audible words of Pope John Paul II, on hearing tens of thousands of young people singing in St. Peter's Square as he lay on his deathbed (Friday, April 1, 2005).

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

Comments? To subscribe/unsubscribe to the emails, go to LIFE Group Devotions or LIFE Runners Updates.

Mark 4:21-22 (Beautiful Junk) by Todd Church

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (website, Facebook).

"Is a lamp brought in to be placed under a bushel basket or under a bed, and not to be placed on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden except to be made visible; nothing is secret except to come to light…." Mark 4:21-22 (full readings)

Todd's Reflections: Last Sunday night we had our first Life Night (Catholic Youth Ministry Program) at our parish. The theme for the night was ‘Junkyard Wars’, and the kids were asked to build something recognizable from tables full of junk. It was amazing what they were able to do with a little creativity and some duct tape! What is hidden is often unrecognizable until it is brought out into the open, where it can be cultivated into what Jesus has in mind for us – to be the light of Christ in this world. The prophet Jeremiah tells us that God has plans for our welfare, not woe (Jer 29:11). The pieces of our lives that are woeful are often like those piles of junk: unrecognizable, incomprehensible or unbearable. By examining them more closely and using the grace God gives us, we can find out where they fit into His plan for us. Then we will become the lamp that shines brightly, so that what was hidden will be made visible.

* Todd Church, his wife Ann, and their two sons John and David live in Grants, New Mexico. Ann is an NFP only Obstetrician/Gynecologist. Todd is in deacon formation and serves in youth/music ministry in his parish.

Faith Challenge: Place your "beautiful junk" before the Lord today and see what amazing things He can do with it. Take courage and be like the lamp set upon the hill for all to see.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action
* Check out this solidly pro-life publication/website recently acquired by EWTN - National Catholic Register.

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, running, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Angela Merici (d. 1540) "Angela has the double distinction of founding the first teaching congregation of women in the Church and what is now called a “secular institute” of religious women."

Faith Quote: "Preach the Gospel always; if necessary, use words." ~ St. Francis of Assisi
.

Through Christ Our Lord,

Todd

Matt. 19:13-15

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!

* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies).Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa

* Evangelize: Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

Comments? To subscribe/unsubscribe to the emails, go to LIFE Group Devotions or LIFE Runners Updates.

Matthew 9:2 (paralyzing sin)

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

Courage, child, your sins are forgiven. Matthew 9:2 (full readings)

Rich's thoughts: In the Gospel reading today, Jesus healed a paralytic. Not only did he heal the man's physical afflictions, but more importantly, He healed the man's spiritual paralysis by forgiving his sins. Sin is paralyzing. It stifles us and hinders us from being all that God intended us to be, but the Lord Jesus frees us from our imprisoning paralysis and gives us the power to "rise and walk." We need only to have the courage to ask for God's forgiveness. Holy Spirit, please offer me the courage to ask God for forgiveness for my sins. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Pray for the courage to confess your sins today.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life.
* Rwandan Genocide Rape Victims Grateful for Children Conceived in Rape

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God. Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP).

Feast Day: Bl. Junipero Serra

Faith Quote: "He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love." - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

John 17:9 ("The Fellowship of the Unashamed")

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

I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me... John 17:9 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "The threats I face are almost opposite those encountered by the first disciples. Instead of the danger of dying for my beliefs, I face the danger of complacency in this Christianity-dominated culture. When I wonder if going to Mass and prayer really matters, it helps me to know that Jesus prayed for me to persevere." by Aileen A. O'Donoghue (Associate Professor of Physics)

Pat's nuggets:

* The Bishop presided for our Mass this past Sunday. Daughter Grace (7) said, "Do you think the Bishop knows it's my birthday? I think God had the Bishop come for my birthday." Daughter Paige (10) said, "The Bishop is a star for Jesus." May we all strive to let God's light shine through us...to be stars for Jesus!

* Stephanie Kemp shared The Fellowship of the Unashamed poem...let's apply this to our ProLife Christian journey of faith. "The decision has been made. I have stepped over the line. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is in God's hands. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, the bare minimum, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, frivolous living, selfish giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, the best, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith. I lean on Christ's presence. I love with patience, live by prayer, and labor with the power of God's grace. My face is set. My gait is fast, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my Guide is reliable, and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and spoken up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give until I drop, speak out until all know, and work until He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no difficulty recognizing me." (author unknown)

Faith Sharing: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.

* NEW: What resonated with you in the The Fellowship of the Unashamed poem (above)? Consider sharing comments (or "like") on the Facebook page...for encouraging others...High five!

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death (23% of pregnancies). Expose this unjust peace, setting unborn/parents free.
* NEW: TLC Singer Chilli Describes Abortion Grief: 'I Cried Almost Every Day for 9 Years'

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom Hanson surgery, Uncle Patrick Justet blood clots), Sara Ragan (special intention).

* NEW: Pope Benedict ("That ordained ministers, religious women/men, and lay people involved in apostolic work may understand how to infuse missionary enthusiasm into the communities entrusted to their care.")

Feast Day: St. John I

Faith Quote: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..." Rom 1:16

Through Christ our Lord,
Pat

Phil 4:13

1 Samuel 17:45 (5 Stones)

Let's welcome God today by reflecting on this 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

You came against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I came against you in the name of the Lord of hosts..." 1 Samuel 17:45 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "When faced with Goliath, I doubt David said, "Hey, I'm pretty good with a slingshot. I'll take a shot at this guy." Instead I suspect he somehow found within himself evidence of God's protection He might have remembered past experiences of God's care. Maybe when Samuel anointed him, David became assured of God's presence within him." by Julia DiSalvo

Steve's comments: This is one of my favorite images in the Old Testament - David a scrawny kid, going up against a giant of a man. Saul, the proud king, placing his trust and the lives of his people in this scrawny kids hands. I find the following exchange prior to David stepping out of the crowd to face Goliath...

"David spoke to Saul: “Let your majesty not lose courage. I am at your
service to go and fight this Philistine.” But Saul answered David,“You cannot go
up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while
he has been a warrior from his youth.” David continued: “The LORD, who delivered
me from the claws of the lion and the bear, will also keep me safe from the
clutches of this Philistine.” Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with
you."

As a man of God this strikes me like a scene out of Braveheart ("I am William Wallace!") or the movie Gladiator. Who is our "Goliath"? What strikes fear in us and holds us back from living more deeply in God's love and providential care for us? Finally, what "5 stones" do we have prepared to face this Goliath in our life? Here are some of my stones:

• The name of Jesus to which every knee shall bend...


• The Blood Christ shed for us on the cross for our salvation


• Prayer


• Eucharist (we become what we eat, Jesus)


• What would you put here???

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the Facebook Group "invite people to join" link to invite your friends. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.
* NEW: What are you five stones that you place in your spiritual satchel each day to face your Goliath(s)?

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, 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!

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), Health care reform (protect the unborn), Haitian earthquake victims.

* NEW: James Ramesbothom (peace for his dying Grandma), Pat Castle (Chris Wyckoff & other military deployers)

Faith Quote: “The Jewish people, ever since David slew Goliath, have never considered youth as a barrier to leadership.” John F. Kennedy

Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
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, 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).

Mark 12:34 (Tiananmen Square, China)

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

You are not far from the Kingdom of God. Mark 12:34 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "I do know how hard it can be to love my neighbor even in trivial things...like being stuck behind a slow driver. Occasionally, I manage to stop swearing at them long enough to recognize that there is a person in that car, a person who may have very good reasons to travel more slowly. Maybe the space I can give them is just large enough for a tiny wedge of the Kingdom of God to fit." by Aileen O'Donoghue

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Today is the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square incident in China (~1000 protesters killed). Angi and me were in that square on 16 May 09. Today's devotion image is the "tank man" who demonstrated great courage and sacrifice for the freedom of others...watch the inspiring 2 min video. 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! Stephanie Kemp wrote, "Every abortion harms one mother and destroys one innocent human life. What are you going to do about it today? What are you willing to sacrifice? Ask the Holy Spirit to help put your prayers into action. Be not afraid!"

* P.S. The recent murder of abortionist George Tiller was, like abortion, a horrific murder. That is not ProLife Truth.

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.

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, Sue Peters (Wendi Kotlinsky cancer treatment), Carol Nesbitt (cousin Rob Mischel with brain cancer)

* NEW: Carla Neal (Cyndy, Anita & Collin)

Faith Quote: "Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear and many choose to travel it" (Mt 7:13). What is the "wide gate" and what is the "clear road" of which Jesus speaks? It is the gate of moral autonomy, it is the road of intellectual pride. How many, even Christians, live in indifference, adopting materialistic outlook and giving in to the allurements of sin!" by John Paul II

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, 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)!

Psalm 31:6 (Trusting in God)

Let's 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. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Into your hands I commend my spirit. Psalm 31:6

Living Faith snippets: "These powerful words of the psalmist, made all the more sacred when Jesus uttered them on the cross, offer us profound freedom from the worries and cares that can overwhelm us. These few words make a wonderful prayer at bedtime, or in the middle of the night if the cares of the day surface to tug at our hearts once again. Though it takes some faith to pray these words from the heart, it is much harder to avoid them by putting all the burden on ourselves." by Mark Neilsen

Rich's comments: During my prayerful reflection this morning I read the online devotion One Bread, One Body. I am very moved by its powerful Pro-Life message and I wanted to share it with you below.

At Easter time, we celebrate life and the victory of life over death through Jesus' resurrection. Christians are "pro-life" in the most extreme sense of the word. Yet, like Saul, we sometimes find ourselves concurring "in the act of killing" (Acts 8:1). We are pro-life by conviction but pro-death by default. For example, Saul joined in the mob's murder of Stephen by merely letting
the murderers pile their cloaks at his feet (Acts 7:58). He did not touch Stephen. He may not have even touched the cloaks. He just stood there, but that's all it takes to be an accomplice. Apathy is as deadly as violence. At this Easter season, let's break all ties with death and wash all the blood from our hands. Let's not pretend apathy is innocence but rather repent and decide to wake up, stand up, and speak up for life. Every baby in the womb, starving child, victim of racism, and helpless old person is our business because we are committed to Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn 11:25).

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Trust in God as Stephen did. Have the courage to be the voice of the unborn. Speak out today against abortion. Do not be afraid.

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 below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, Mike Castle (Nelda Alford cancer treatment), Bobby Aborn (wife Christi with medical issues), Brooke Parsons (thanksgiving that Kelly Sullivan survived a serious car accident), Carol Nesbitt (special intention), Stephanie Spader (special intention)

Feast Day: St. Peter Chanel and St. Louis de Montfort

Faith Quote: "Every evening I turn my worries over to God. He's going to be up all night anyway." by Mary C. Crowley

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)!