Mark 2:22 (Shed Your Skin)

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

"Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins." ~ Mark 2:22 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: I often reflect back on my metanoia (change of heart) that I experienced back in 2006 and the events that led to it. The main impetus was my reconciliation with God. By going to confession, I prepared myself with "fresh wineskins," allowing myself to receive the Holy Spirit. I did not merely clean out my "old wineskins" by going to confession and then returning to my old ways of life. I made a conscious decision to put aside my former way of life, and to put on a new skin (the new nature of Christ). Christianity is not a belief, but a way of life. If you are not prepared to radically change your life after confession, beware. The Holy Spirit will not only see right through you; He will "burst" right through you like new wine through old wineskins. Lord, help me shed my "old wineskins" so that I may contain the new wine of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Go to confession and receive your new skin today.

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

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Fursey

Faith Quote: "Faith is confirmed by the heart, confessed by the tongue, and acted upon by the body." - 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 (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). Mt 28:19.

Mark 1:11 (The Baptism of the Lord)

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

"And a voice came from the heavens, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'" ~ Mark 1:11 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: If baptism is necessary for the remission of sins, particularly Original Sin, why was Christ baptized? Jesus was born without Original Sin, and He lived His entire life without sinning; therefore, He had no need of baptism as we do. In humbling Himself to the baptism of St. John the Baptist, Jesus provided an example to the rest of us. In being baptized, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of Baptism. His flesh blessed the water, and the descent of the Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) and the affirmation of God the Father announcing that this was His Son, in Whom He was well pleased, marked the beginning of Christ's ministry. Jesus brings today's Scriptures to us, so we can share in His baptism. Jesus desires for us to receive the renewing power of the Spirit and the affirmation from the Father, so that we too may share in His ministry. Lord, may my baptism and confirmation promises be renewed, so that I may know in a new way the Father's love and the Spirit's power. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Renew your baptism promises today and begin a deeper ministry with Jesus.

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

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: The Baptism of the Lord.

Faith Quote: "A child is a precious gift from God and baptism is God's gift wrapping." ~ unknown author

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and His miracles, changing us and helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (and family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies).Prov 24:11 and 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 and re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Mt 28:19.

Acts 7:59 (Christmas Spirit)

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

"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." ~ Acts 7:59 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: "On the second day of Christmas, my true Love (Jesus) gave to me" ... a deeper share in His love. Jesus gave us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, so that we may love as He loved. "The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us" (Romans 5:5). Coincidentally as the song goes, the second gift was two turtle doves, and doves are symbolic of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22). This Christmas, open your heart to Jesus and receive His gift of the Holy Spirit. Lord, send the Holy Spirit to teach me to love as Jesus did on the cross. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Set aside all of the gifts that you have received this Christmas and focus on the gift from Jesus, the Holy Spirit.

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: Saint Stephen is a Christmas saint because of his love. Let us love as Stephen loved, even to martyrdom (Acts 7:59).

Faith Quote: "Wise leaders should have known that the human heart cannot exist in a vacuum. If Christians are forbidden to enjoy the wine of the Spirit they will turn to the wine of the flesh....Christ died for our hearts and the Holy Spirit wants to come and satisfy them." - A.W. Tozer

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.

Deuteronomy 10:20 (Fear the Lord)

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

"The Lord, your God, shall you fear, and him shall you serve; hold fast to him and swear by his name." ~ Deuteronomy 10:20 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: In today's Scripture, we are told to fear the Lord. Fear of the Lord is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are provided to help sustain the moral life of Christians. These gifts provide the frame of mind that permit Christians to obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Fear of the Lord ensures our awe and reverence before God. It is not a fear of punishment, but a desire not to offend God, because we love Him. Fear of the Lord is like the respect we have for our parents. We do not wish to offend them, but we also do not live in fear of them in the sense of being frightened. So how do we fear the Lord? We fear Him by having a submissive attitude towards His will; an expression of our love for the Lord. Lord I love You. Please give me the grace necessary to do Your will. Amen.

Faith Challenge: It is better to fear the Lord than to fear man. Don't be afraid to do God's will.

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. Dominic.

Faith Quote: "I kept on digging the hole deeper and deeper looking for the treasure chest until I finally lifted my head, looked up and realized that I had dug my own grave." ~ St. Dominic

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.

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

John 15:26 (Know Spirit, No Fear!)

Welcome God today with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).
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"When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, He will testify to me, and you will testify also." John 15:26-27 (full readings)
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Rich's Reflections: The Holy Spirit witnesses for Jesus Christ, and we are called to be witnesses as well. This is a challenging task, because we are called to do something beyond our human nature; beyond what the world expects from us. This is why Jesus' witnesses need to receive the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), because we are called to do something beyond our own power. It is exhilarating to be a part of something that you know deep inside was beyond your own ability, and that God through the Holy Spirit obviously had an influence to make happen. By opening our hearts to the truth of the Spirit, He gives us the faith to overcome our fears to testify for the Lord. Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may have the courage to defend all that is holy and be a witness to our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Is fear keeping you from testifying for our Lord? Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to do God's will.

Counter-Culture News: LifeNews, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action
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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.
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Feast Day: St. Philip Neri often spoke to people on street corners in Rome about Jesus. One time, thirty young men came to ridicule him. Jesus touched their hearts through Philip, and they were all converted to faith.
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Faith Quote: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." ~ 2 Timothy 1:7
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Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22
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* 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.

John 3:8 (Go with the Flow)

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

"The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a planner. I take comfort in having structure in my life (that's why I like the Air Force), and knowing what lies ahead for me. Sometimes though, planning can become too structured and make us inflexible to the opportunities presented by God and creates anxiety for us when things don't go according to our plans. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus explains that a person "born of the Spirit" is unpredictable like the wind. A person born of the Spirit is not blinded by their own agenda, but they are sensitive to the pull of the Holy Spirit and allow their lives to be guided by the Lord. If you feel that you have to plan, then perhaps you should plan to follow in Christ's footsteps and open yourself to the flow of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I want what You desire for me. Please help me to put my plans aside and give You control. Give me strength, faith, and hope in the Holy Spirit that You have provided to guide me each and every day. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Are you anxious about not having control of the things in your life? Relax, go with the flow, and have faith in the Holy Spirit to guide You in Christ's footsteps.

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

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. Anthanasius

Faith Quote: "Faith and reason are like two wings on which the human spirit rises to the contemplation of truth; and God has placed in the human heart a desire to know the truth - in a word, to know God - so that by knowing and loving God, men and women may also come to know the truth about themselves." Blessed John Paul II

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.

Tobit 2:1 ("Better Late Than Never")

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

"On our festival of Pentecost, the feast of Weeks, a fine dinner was prepared for me, and I reclined to eat." Tobit 2:1 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: From One Bread One Body: "Today's first reading mentions the feast of Pentecost. In two days, the season of Lent begins, followed by the fifty-day Easter season, which culminates in Pentecost, the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church. Possibly your Pentecost celebration last year left something to be desired. Tobit had a similar problem. When Tobit celebrated Pentecost, he lived in exile. Tobit's Pentecost meal was interrupted when he found the body of a strangled, murdered man and hid him in his house so that he could bury him in secret after nightfall (Tb 2:3-4). Under these conditions, Tobit's Pentecost was turned into mourning (Tb 2:6). He ate his food in sorrow and wept (Tb 2:5,7). Then things got worse, as Tobit was blinded in a freak accident (Tb 2:10). Your Pentecost was probably not as bad as Tobit's, but was it very good? Were you filled with the Holy Spirit? Have you led or even tried to lead many others to a saving love for Jesus? If not, start preparing now for a new Pentecost. This Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. Repent in ashes, and fast as Jesus fasted. Renew your baptismal promises as the Church did on Easter Sunday. "Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). Pentecost does not have to be lost; we can do it over. Come, Holy Spirit!"

Faith Challenge: Allow Lent to open your heart more fully to the Holy Spirit.

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

* Former abortionist now head of one of the largest pro-life medical practices in the U.S.

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: Saints Perpetua and Felicity. Despite pressure from her own father, St. Perpetua remained firm in her faith. St. Perpetua, St. Felicity and their three companions were joined in martyrdom by the Christian who had converted them.

Faith Quote: “The future starts today, not tomorrow.” ~ Pope John Paul II

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.

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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 2:22 (fresh wineskins)

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

"No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are ruined. Rather, new wine is poured into fresh wineskins." Mark 2:22 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: This past Christmas season, I bought a new Knights of Columbus "Keep Christ in Christmas" magnet to display on the back of my truck. Instead of just slapping it on the back of my tailgate, I decided to wash the dirt from my truck to make sure that the magnet would stick well and not scratch my vehicle. This might be a poor analogy to the parable in today's Gospel, but it makes me think about how we have to prepare ourselves to accept the Holy Spirit. A person with unrepented sins will be unable to take hold of the Holy Spirit. They may actually feel that they are being guided by the Holy Spirit, but are actually being strayed from the path of righteousness by their own sin. Confession will open our eyes and ears to the Holy Spirit. Honestly reflect on your obedience to God and adherence to His commandments by performing an examination of conscience. Repent of your sins and prepare yourself to receive the Holy Spirit for only fresh wineskins can accept new wine. O Lord, grant me light to see myself as You see me, and the grace to be truly and effectively sorry for my sins. O Mary, help me to make a good confession. Amen.

Faith Challenge: I challenge myself and you to go to confession this week so that you may be renewed and take hold of the Holy Spirit.

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

* ‘The tiniest babies’: survival of babies born weighing less than 400g on the increase

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). View, add, update Prayers on our website. Let’s pray now.

Feast Day: St. Anthony

Faith Quote: "Attribute to God every good that you have received. If you take credit for something that does not belong to you, you will be guilty of theft." -St Anthony

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.

Ephesians 4:1-3 (Ostrich Day!)

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

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace... Ephesians 4:1-3 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: I attended a prayer breakfast, Pray Fergus Falls, at the local YMCA this past Tuesday morning. Little did I know that God had an appointment for me. I was edified by the words of a fiery Baptist believer from Georgia, but was troubled by by one comment. He shared, "A good Southern Baptist is afraid of two things: becoming Catholic and becoming Pentecostal." I uncomfortably looked at my pastor, Fr. Greg, who was also in attendance in his full clerics. He stood silently like a lamb before slaughter. I prayed, "Dear Lord, help me build a bridge with this man." As he was nearing an end to his preaching, he shared that he awoke that morning with a strange image on his mind - "Ostrich Day." Ostrich day? I was shocked as I recalled the image for last Friday's devotion - "Head in the Sand"! I raised my hand and shared with the group of Christians, "I'd like to confirm that message from the Holy Spirit. I sent out a devotion to over 500 Christians this past Friday, and the title of it was Head in the Sand." Ostrich Day. A bridge had been built. Only the Holy Spirit could do that. As he returned to his seat, which just happened to be right next to me, he thanked me, as he put his hand on my shoulder. His wife asked me, "Who are you?" With a wide smile and a twinkle in my eye I said, "I'm the Catholic who Talmadge is afraid of that found his Lord and Savior at age 15." With a joyful laugh he leaned over, hugged me, and laid his head on my chest; a genuine act of love between two lovers of Jesus! Unity. Paul's message to us today speaks of preserving Christian unity through the "bond of peace." The Holy Spirit, through the gift of knowledge in a dream, brought unity between two Christians. I'll never look at Christian unity the same - Ostrich Day!

Faith Challenge: Sometimes God speaks to us in the most unusual ways - never doubt those promptings of the Holy Spirit even when they don't make sense to you. They may make perfect sense to someone else - Ostrich Day!

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Job, A Friend of God

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct), LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Pat Castle (work to elect ProLife politicians), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health)

* Sue Peters (husband Bill cut his hand severely, for no infection and guidance for the medical team), Robert Cox (daughter Pauline's health)

Feast Day: St. Peter of Alcantara: Peter was a contemporary of well-known 16th-century Spanish saints, including Ignatius of Loyola and John of the Cross. He served as confessor to St. Teresa of Avila.

Faith Quote: "I do not praise poverty for poverty's sake; I praise only that poverty which we patiently endure for the love of our crucified Redeemer...." ~ St. Peter of Alcantara

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2

Luke 4:24 (Miracles)

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

And he said, "Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place." Luke 4:24 (full readings)

Rich's thoughts: In today's culture, it is difficult to recognize a miracle. We are always in search for the incredible, somewhere outside from ourselves. In today's Gospel, the Galileans were blind to see that one of their own could be capable of producing miracles. We ourselves doubt the true power of the Holy Spirit to work miracles through us. Look within; have faith; believe!

Faith Challenge: Reflect on the incredible moments in your life (the miracles) and how God was present to make them happen.

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

* Pro-Life Leaders Vow to Fight Iowa 'Telemed' Abortions

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer & Brother Knight Bob Kane passed away), Pam McGushin (Terry Reszel cancer), Molly Barber (her health).

* Joe Hourigan (Dad passed away); "Let us pray for the Hourigan family...for their sorrow (loss) and celebration (faith)." - Pat Castle

Faith Quote: "Where hope grows, miracles blossom." - Elna Rae

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

Mark 2:3 (Carrying a Friend to Jesus)

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

They came bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. Mark 2:3 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "The paralytic in today's Scripture came to Jesus only through the heroic efforts of four others. These men were determined to bring the paralytic to Jesus, eventually lowering him through a hole in the roof. Without them, the paralytic never would have met Jesus face-to-face or have been healed. Likely every one of us can think of someone who has been instrumental in nurturing our faith. We are indebted to parents, religion teachers, spiritual writers and/or host of others who have made the faith accessible to us." - Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti

Rich's comments: I believe a great exercise for spiritual development is to reflect on those who have been instrumental in my life and to identify the elements they presented me that led me on a closer walk with Jesus. After much reflection, I have identified 3 essential elements: authenticity, understanding, and accountability. My spiritual guides strive to live an authentic Christian life; they are genuine about their love for Jesus; and they are honest about their own struggles. My spiritual guides understand my weaknesses and struggles, and they encourage me to lean on Christ for help. And finally, my spiritual guides hold me accountable for my actions without judging me as a person, and lead me closer to Christ. Thank You Lord for placing people in my life who have led me to You. May I be a guide for others. Amen.

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: Identify those people in your life who were instrumental in leading you to Jesus and thank God for them. Identify those in your life who need your help in finding Jesus and show them the way.

* NEW: Please read Sr. Francelle's devotion (The Holy Spirit - forgotten person of the Trinity) and learn about using the Holy Spirit as our guide.

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), Shantelle Castle (special intention), Health care reform bill (protect the unborn), victims of Haitian earthquakes.

Faith Quote:

"A Godly leader ...

finds strength by realizing his weakness

finds authority by being under authority

finds direction by laying down his plans

finds vision by seeing the needs of others

finds credibility by being an example

finds loyalty by expressing compassion

finds honor by being faithful

finds greatness by being a servant" - Roy Lessin

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

James 1:22

* 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).