John 8:12 ("God cleans His fish...")

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 am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life. John 8:12 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "I have had many times in my life in which I have hit darkness and panicked a little. That was, I think, because I thought I was driving with my lights on, but I actually wasn't. I thought I was living with Jesus as my light, but in reality, I was listening to Him as just one of the many possibly helpful voices, rather than The Voice, the Word of God, shedding light, illuminating my journey. Jesus, you are my light. Lead me out of darkness." by Amy Welborn

Pat nuggets:
* Fr. Chris took me fishing last week. I received the Sacrament of Reconciliation with him on the drive back home...the mobile Sacrament was a first for both of us! The fishing/confession combo reminded me of a catchy saying I heard at Promise Keepers, "God cleans His fish after He catches them!" In other words, God doesn't expect us to be perfect when we arrive at the foot of the cross. At Mass yesterday, Fr. Mark said "bring your sins, I'll take care of the rest!" The Sacrament truly facilitates Reconciliation with God...through contrition (sorry), penance (healing), counsel (prevention), and grace (strength)!
* The LIFE Runners are doing the Sioux Falls Half/Full Marathon in support of the Sioux Falls Alpha Center Fleet for Little Feet (FFLF). The FFLF is a mobile pregnancy care center (big bus). Kimberly Martinez (director) wrote, "The FFLF allows us to travel around the state and into other states to reach women with free pregnancy tests, ultrasound, STD testing, material support and the great news of Jesus Christ. Just last week the FFLF was in Sioux City, IA parked in front of Planned Parenthood on one of their abortion days." The founder of the Alpha Center, Leslee Unruh, is a courageous defender of the Unborn and part of the LIFE Group!
* Need some faith mojo? Enjoy this soulful, feel-good ditty! "Bring all your troubles, come Lay Em Down."

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: Stephanie Kemp recommended the movie Molokai..."a true story about Fr. Damien, the Belgian priest who ministered to those with leprosy in Hawaii in the late 1800's." I ordered the movie yesterday. Here is a movie trailer.
* NEW: What are some of the "many possible voices" that distract us from The Voice, the Word of God? Please consider sharing your devotion thoughts on the Facebook page, to be appreciated by many.

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life, 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 expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: National Right to Life Committee Statement on Abortion 'Deal' on Health Care Bill

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP). Prayer to end abortion. Stephanie Kemp (special intention), Pat Castle (Uncle Jim Castle with blood clots).

Faith Quote: "We need to bring the Gospel of Life to the heart of every man and woman and to make it penetrate every part of society." Pope John Paul II

Our Lenten journey continues,
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).

Psalm 119:76 (a push and a prayer!)

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.

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...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)

* 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

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).