Col 1:3 (care before criticism...)

Let's welcome God this morning by reflecting on this short 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

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. Colossians 1:3 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Even when Paul was writing to reprimand people he always expressed his gratitude, care and compassion first. We all know the sting of criticism. It is much easier to accept it if we know it is coming from a place of compassion. We could all learn from Paul's custom of commending others before making recommendations to them." by David Nantais

Faith Challenge: Let's invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (>215 ProLife Christians).

* NEW: Our newest members are Adrian Hermosillo and Susie Blanchet, welcome!
* NEW: Let's strive to begin every encounter with care before criticism. Most people will not care how much we know (about God's love) until they know how much we care!

LIFE Group nuggets:

* Pastor Don: "Funny you referred to Matthew 4:19 and being fishers of men. That was the Bible story I shared in worship on Sunday and it was the main crux of my message. Affirmation from the spirit!" God certainly uses the Body of Christ as His World Wide Web!

* Sharon Carlson shared this quote: "The Christian’s race is not a competitive event but an endurance run." This is a great reminder for the LIFE Runners preparing for the TC Marathon (4 Oct). Please let Rich or me know if you would like to sponsor our team $1/mile to help pay for an ultrasound machine at Woman's Answer Medical Center (crisis pregnancy center in Gainesville, FL).

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 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, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP in hospital), Stephanie Spader (healthy pregnancy), Adrian Hermosillo (sister Angelica battling cancer), Lisa Riess (Susie Blanchet surgery)

Faith Quote: "Upload prayer, download peace."

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 (Matt 28:19).