Mark 5:12 (When Evil Returns)

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

"And they pleaded with him, 'Send us into the swine. Let us enter them.'" ~ Mark 5:12 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Jesus cast out demons from the Gerasene demoniac (a poor man dominated by unclean spirits). However, when the demons left the man's body, they did not disappear, but lingered about and occupied a nearby herd of swine. Jesus taught that an exorcised demon returns to its home "bringing back seven other spirits more wicked than itself" (Luke 11:26). This serves as a warning to all of us who have struggled with demons in our life and have won. Do not become complacent. Remain alert, for evil will return with a vengeance. Those who do God's will are not protected from evil attacks, but might actually be more vulnerable if they do not keep wearing the full armor of God (Eph 6:11). In our fight against the demon of abortion, we must not become discouraged because we are under attack, but continue to wear the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, sandals of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Stand firm in God and continue to pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ as we fight against the demons of abortion on this battlefield called the Culture of Death. Lord, may we get rid of the demons of abortion once and for all. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Protect yourself against evil by wearing the full armor of God.

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. Hippolytus

Faith Quote: "There will be no "knights in shining armor" in God's kingdom; our armor will have many dings and dents. No, no perfect Hollywood heroes will ride to save the day; just wearied saints to look to God and, in weakness, find Christ's strength. This, indeed, is the essence of God's kingdom: divine greatness manifest in common people." ~ Francis Frangipane

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will and 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 (and family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (22% 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). Matt 28:19.

Luke 1:15 (Blessed Birth)

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

"He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb." ~ Luke 1:15 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: The Old Testament reading, Psalm, and Gospel today all reflect on God's blessings through babies, born and unborn. Throughout salvation history, God's plan has been to send babies filled with the Holy Spirit to redeem and deliver His people. The babies Samson (Jgs 13:5), John the Baptizer (Lk 1:16-17), and Jesus (Lk 1:32-33) are commissioned before conception to rescue God's people. In addition, Scripture presents baby Moses (Ex 2:2) as an infant who should have been killed, but was rescued from certain death so that he could rescue Israel. Since God rescues His people by sending anointed babies, it stands to reason that Satan would fight strongly against the conception, delivery, and raising of babies (culture of death). Millions of babies are aborted each year and many millions more never were conceived because of artificial contraception. Let's not reject God's plan of deliverance through babies. This Christmas, embrace the Infant Jesus and all babies. Jesus, "the Life" (Jn 11:25), plans to defeat the culture of death through our openness to life. "Choose life" (Dt 30:19).

Faith Challenge: Support God's plan by choosing life.

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 Anastasius I.

Faith Quote: "Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants." ~ Mother Teresa

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.

Luke 18:42 (Believing is Seeing)

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

"Jesus told him, 'Have sight; your faith has saved you.'" ~ Luke 18:42 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Jesus healed a blind beggar in Jericho, who showed tremendous faith in the power of Jesus. Jesus replied that his faith had saved him. The blind beggar was obviously aware of his blindness since it was physical, but unfortunately those who are spiritually blind may not be aware of their own blindness. Those who are blind to seeing the presence of human life within a mother's womb ignore the truth, because the truth does not agree with their plans, fit into their personal agenda, or match their desires. Like the blind beggar in Jericho, we need to bring ourselves closer to Jesus in order to be healed. As a result of our faith, our blindness will be healed to see the truth, because believing is seeing. Lord, I pray that those who are blind to seeing the life that You have created in the womb...will open their eyes and be healed. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Even if you are blind to being blind, by faith draw close to Jesus today and pray: "Lord, I want to see" and Jesus will answer: "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you."

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

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

Feast Day: St. Lawrence O'Toole

Faith Quote: Reflection from Saint Lawrence O'Toole: "I thank God that I have not a penny in the world to dispose of." Said on his deathbed when someone asked him if he had a will.

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.

Luke 17:32-33 (Beautiful Losers)

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

"Remember the wife of Lot. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will save it." ~ Luke 17:32-33 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: Jesus gives us a stern, solemn warning today - Remember Lot's wife. That begs the question, "Who was Lot's wife?" Lot's wife is unnamed, but her place in the Bible stirs great emotion: She looked back at Sodom despite the Lord's clear command to not do so. She was turned into a pillar of salt (Gen.19:26). The LIFE Runners carry a similar message on their jersey's, "REMEMBER The Unborn." It was inspired at the Holocaust museum in Boston, and we bare this message as a warning to those who look upon it. We are fast approaching 60 million lives lost due to our disobedience to God's Word. Jesus gives us the clear path back to salvation in the following verse - we are to lose our life if we are to save it. As Christians we must all become beautiful losers...of our lives.

Faith Challenge: Where is God calling you to lose your life to save the unborn? Consider peacefully praying in front of your local abortion mill.

Sr. Francele's Devotion: Demons

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. >

Saint of the Day: St. Martin of Tours (d. 397) "On a bitterly cold day, a famous legend goes, Martin met a poor man, almost naked, trembling in the cold and begging from passersby at the city gate. Martin had nothing but his weapons and his clothes. He drew his sword, cut his cloak into two pieces, gave one to the beggar and wrapped himself in the other half. Some of the bystanders laughed at his now odd appearance; others were ashamed at not having relieved the man's misery. That night in his sleep Martin saw Christ dressed in the half of the garment he had given away, and heard him say, "Martin, still a catechumen, has covered me with his garment.""

Faith Quote: "Our body has this defect that, the more it is provided care and comforts, the more needs and desires it finds." ~ St. Teresa of Avila

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Rom 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 9:22 (Making Sour Taste Sweet)

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

"He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”" ~Luke 9:22 (full readings)

Rosemary's Reflections: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." That's the phrase everyone hears when someone's having a rough day. As overused as it may seem, it does bring up a good point--you can't just sit and cry about it because at the end of the day, you're still stuck with a bunch of lemons. But, if you work with a positive attitude to make a change, you'll end up with a better experience. I know how hard it was for me standing out in the rain in front of Planned Parenthood as drivers yelled or honked at me. I did get a few friendly waves and honks as well. But whoever the driver, I kept on a smile and waved to every car as I held my pro-life sign. I thought about the difference I was making in those people's lives by staying positive, whether they agreed with me or not. I wasn't going to speak for the unborn with a frown on my face. Who would listen to me then? Jesus knew He wouldn't have an easy life, but you don't hear Him complaining at home to Mary. Instead, He's out preaching to the crowds and turning His sour suffering into sweet salvation for us. We as Christians are called to lead by example and help others "make lemonade" out of their sorrows--whether it's counseling a woman with an unplanned pregnancy or one who's regretting her abortion. So the next time life hands you some lemons, make some lemonade. Then go out, share it with someone, and help them make some more.

Faith Challenge: Try to smile at everyone you meet to bring them...and you...Joy!

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Heaven.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, 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. >

Feast Day: St. Padre Pio da Pietrelcina (d.1968).

Faith Quote: "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." ~Winston Churchill

Through Christ Our Lord,
Rosemary

2 Timothy 4:7
.
* 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.

Col 1:15 (Firstborn)

The First Born of all Creation...

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

"He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." ~ Col 1:15 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: Jesus Himself stands as the ultimate proof for LIFE - He is the firstborn of ALL Creation! The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary heralded the ironclad maxim that life begins at conception. A recent study showed that most Americans believe that life begins at conception - it is a self-evident truth. Unfortunately, that is not enough for many. The battle has now shifted away from the rights of the unborn baby to the choice of the expecting mother. It is in educating the mother of the terrible effects of abortion (physical/emotional/spiritual nuclear bomb) that the battle lines have been drawn. The terrible consequences of this sin are immense; depression, suicide, infertility, difficulty in relationships, and links to cancer.

Faith Challenge: Commit to educating yourself today, so you may one day help a mother in crisis save her baby.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: My Cup Runneth Over...

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. >

Feast Day: Blessed John Francis Burte and Companions.

Faith Quote: "We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials." ~ St. Teresa of Avila

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.

Mark 6:26 (Deadly Silence)

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

"The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her." ~ Mark 6:26 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Today's feast day is the Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist. In today's Gospel, King Herod is so pleased by the dancing of Herodias's daughter at his birthday banquet that he grants her whatever she wishes. Herodias tells her daughter to ask for John the Baptist's head on a platter. King Herod is mortified by her request, but he grants her wish, because he feels pressure from his guests to honor his promise. King Herod did not want to kill John, Herodias's daughter did not want the head of John the Baptist, and most of Herod's birthday party probably thought that it was wrong to behead an innocent man; but they all remained silent. A silence that caused the death of John the Baptist. The majority of society opposes murder; however, thousands of babies are murdered in the womb everyday, and people remain silent. Be silent no more. Now is the time to speak out and defend the unborn. Lord, break my silence so that I may speak in defense of the unborn. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Do you feel societal pressure to remain silent about abortion, or do you have the courage to speak out and defend the unborn?

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: The Martyrdom of St. John the Baptist.

Faith Quote: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

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.

Exodus 1:22 (Aborting Unjust Law)

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).

"Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, 'Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.'" (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Today there exists a prejudice against the unborn. Many babies are aborted just because they are girls (China), handicapped, or inconvenient. In today's Scripture, Pharaoh commanded his subjects to throw all baby boys into the river. Moses' mother disobeyed this unjust law, and through a series of miracles her son became the leader who would help set the Israelites free from slavery. Could it be that babies saved from abortion today will grow up to be among the greatest leaders in human history? When we help save a baby's life by praying in front of an abortion mill, we may be saving the life of a new Moses and thereby saving the lives of millions. Lord, give me the courage to stand up against the unjust law of abortion and protect the lives of children in the womb. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Pray at the abortion mills for the unborn and their mothers.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, LifeNews, Priests for Life, AFA, Vatican, Project Rachel.
* From pulpit to pavement: Illinois bishop to run marathon to support pro-life cause.

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. Benedict.

Faith Quote: "Whatever good work you begin to do, beg of God with most earnest prayer to perfect it." ~ St. Benedict

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.

Isaiah 65:18 (LIFE is Good)

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

"There shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create." Isaiah 65:18 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: God sees good in everything that He creates (Genesis 1:31), and likewise, He expects us to be happy and rejoice in His creations (Isaiah 65:18). However, in our society, there isn't always rejoicing and happiness in what God creates. This is particularly true when God's creations are viewed as an inconvenience to us. Unwanted plants in our garden are considered weeds; annoying insects are considered pests; and even an unplanned pregnancy could be viewed as a tragedy. God's creations are not flawed, nor are they mistakes. Everything God creates reflects His glory and love. Therefore, everything God creates is good, because God is good. Lord, may I always rejoice in You and Your creations. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Explore the goodness in all of God's creations, and be thankful for the gift of LIFE.

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

* Out-of-work electrician offered major job building a Planned Parenthood turns it down

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. Isidore of Seville

Faith Quote: "Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is bliss, taste it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it." - Mother Theresa

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.

Titus 1:1 (Identity)

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

Paul, a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ... Titus 1:1 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: In St. Paul's letter to Titus, he identifies himself upfront as "a slave of God and apostle of Jesus Christ." How do we as Christians identify ourselves? On Saturday, I prayed the Rosary with my brother Knights of Columbus outside an abortion clinic in downtown Orlando. While praying, I noticed that a young gentleman had just escorted his girlfriend into the clinic and then left the lobby to smoke a cigarette with his friends. On his arm I noticed a tattooed image of the Rosary similar to the one I had clutched in my hands for prayer. I wondered for a moment if this man identified himself with the powerful prayer of the Rosary, so much so that he was willing to have it inked permanently on his flesh. During the Rosary, my brothers and I prayed that those who were troubled by their pregnancy may have the grace to trust in God's will. We prayed that people might realize that abortion is not about children who "might" come into the world, but is about children who are already in the world, living and growing in the womb, and are scheduled to be killed. We prayed that people would realize that children are not the property of their parents, nor of the government, but recognize that they and we belong to God Himself. We are all God's children (born and unborn). Lord, may we all identify ourselves with You and see the wisdom of Your teachings about the dignity of life. Amen.

Faith Challenge: How do you as a Christian identify yourself? If you are Pro-Life, do you act Pro-Life?

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

* SBA List Challenges New Pro-Life Lawmakers with 'Stop Abortion Funding' Campaign

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Dalton cancer), KJB (Sue Morris improved health), Carol Nesbitt (for great niece Allison with pneumonia), Jamie Simpson (special intention)

Faith Quote: "Say the Holy Rosary. Blessed be that monotony of Hail Mary's which purifies the monotony of your sins!" - St. Josemaria Escriva

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.

Phil 2:15-16 (always Hope!)

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

...in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Phil 2:15-16 (full readings)

Pat's Reflections: If you voted for ProLife candidates yesterday, you "did not run in vain or labor in vain." This particularly applies to my neighbor Petra who literally ran to the polling station! This election was a very real culture battle, which is silently fueled by pornography and abortion. In a recent article, LifeSiteNews editor-in-chief, John-Henry Westen, referred to pornography as "The Most Dangerous Threat in the Culture War." He emphasized that we need to "look away"...so we are not perverted by the pornographic lies. On the other battle front, Rob Rysavy told me about encouraging his teenage son to not "look away" from an abortion movie in theology class...so he will know the truth. Rob's son said he eventually had to look away from the horrible truth of abortion. Rob said, "The young people are going to make this right. We have to educate and support them. The people under 37 years old are survivors, and they know it. There is ALWAYS hope." After all the victories for ProLife candidates, I am especially hopeful today!

Faith Challenge: Pornography and abortion are fueling the Culture of Death...look away from pornography...don't look away from the reality of abortion (images)...share the Truth...always Hope!

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life,Live Action.
* Five Things We Know About the Catholic Vote. "The past two years have removed the mask — the media band has stopped playing quite so loudly – and Catholic voters are ready to repent." What political issue is more important than the freedom to have Life (Jer 1:5)?

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Dalton cancer).

Feast Day: St. Martin de Porres. "Racism is a sin almost nobody confesses."

Faith Quotes: “I believe abortion is taking the life of an innocent human being. I believe life begins at conception, and it is the duty of our government to protect this life.” Rand Paul (newly elected Senator)

In God We Trust,

Pat
Phil 4:13

Ephesians 6:4 ("I Vote ProLife"!)

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

Fathers...bring them [children] up with the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4 (full readings)

Pat's Reflections:

* Today's Word of God verse demands that Fathers oppose abortion ("bring them up") and share the Faith with their children ("training and instruction"). Our Founding Fathers obviously embraced this verse as a responsibility to also bring up citizens with the training and instruction of the Lord, based on this US Capital Tour video filled with eye-opening American Christian history. In 1782, Congress printed the Bible for the common good of "schools and the inhabitants of the United States." Out of the 56 Founding Fathers who signed the Declaration of Independence, 29 of them had seminary or Bible school degrees. Thomas Jefferson said, "The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government." Anyone planning a trip to the US Capital for the annual March for Life (Mon, 24 Jan)?

* Today's image is my license plate holder. As you prepare to vote (right and responsibility), review the National Right to Life Voter Guide and the Five Non-negotiables of a True Christian voter: Abortion, Euthanasia, Embryonic Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, and Homosexual "marriage." These issues are "intrinsically evil and must never be promoted by the law." One candidate stated that he is "against abortion, but pro-choice." If you are ok with someone else murdering, you are not against murder (pro-choice = pro-abortion). This is a non-negotiable issue...everyone picks a side (by action/inaction)...life or death, good or evil, God or Satan. Let's pray that America isn't fooled by Satan's rhetoric again. In our sphere's of influence, let's all take an obvious stand against the destruction of the Silent Holocaust (abortion)...vote ProLife!

* Here is a Newsboys song to inspire your Christian (ProLife) voting efforts: I Am Free!

Faith Challenge: Save the Unborn (and families) from destruction by taking a stand with your vote and prayers for ProLife! Consider standing in prayer outside your local abortion mill during this final week of 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct).

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

* Races Tighten in US Senate Races for Pro-life Candidates

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP), Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Carolyn McKissack (daughter Karen's health), Robert Cox (daughter Pauline's health), Kathy Schwab (5 yr old Dalton fighting cancer), Kay Castle (sister Theresa surgery recovery)

* Pat Castle (Election Prayer for Life)

Feast Day: Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza.

Faith Quote: "The very first right we must protect, if all human rights are to be protected, is the right to life for the unborn. Those who do not understand or accept this basic human right are unworthy of our trust." Archbishop Elden F. Curtiss

In God We Trust,

Pat

Phil 4:13

Luke 12:48 ("Out of the Depths")

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

Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more. Luke 12:48 (full readings)

Pat's Reflections: Life is God's gift from conception to natural death! As highlighted in today's Scripture, having been entrusted with this Truth, more will be demanded of us...like voting for ProLife politicians who will build on a Culture of Life that shines Light on the destructive hopelessness of abortion (see Faith Challenge below). Our hope is renewed with life-saving efforts, like today's devotion image of baby Jessica's rescue from Out of the Depths (14 Oct 1987). Last week, cultures from around the world united to save the 33 Chilean miners from Out of the Depths (article filled with God Sightings). With the power of prayer through the Rosary, the miners escaped death after being trapped nearly 70 days. They were rescued on 13 Oct, the anniversary of the Our Lady of Fatima miracle. From our Mother of Life devotion, "the three Fatima children...saw Mother Mary on the 13th Day for six straight months. On 13 Oct 1917 'an estimated 70,000 witnesses reported that the sun appeared to change colors and rotate...the sun danced.' On 13 May 1917 the children received a secret related to the Pope John Paul II assassination attempt, which happened 13 May 1981. The last visionary, Sister Lúcia, died on 13 Feb 2005, just a few weeks before Pope John Paul II."

Faith Challenge: In preparation for the upcoming elections, review the National Right to Life Voter Guide and read our 2008 pre-election devotion: fear God, choose Life. Turn your compassion to action...pray/work to save the Unborn (and families) from the destructive hopelessness of abortion, by advocating for ProLife candidates. Convince others what is really at stake in the elections. Lives depend on your vote!

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), Todd Church (fruitfulness for a friend's tubal ligation reversal)

* Dear Lord, help us work the upcoming elections as an opportunity to change hearts/minds for rescuing our culture Out of the Depths of abortion.

Feast Day: St. Maria Bertilla Boscardin "If anyone knew rejection, ridicule and disappointment, it was today’s saint. But such trials only brought Maria Bertilla Boscardin closer to God and more determined to serve Him."

Faith Quote: "Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD." Psalm 130:1

Through Christ our Lord,

Pat

Phil 4:13