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).