Matthew 7:1 (Judge so as to Love)

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

"Stop judging, that you may not be judged." Matthew 7:1 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, we are told not to judge others, or we will have the same verdict passed on us. This however, is not a prohibition against recognizing the faults of others, but against passing judgment in a spirit of arrogance, forgetful of one's own faults. We must not judge the sinner, but we have the responsibility to judge the sin. Judging sin is necessary for loving others, whereas judging people is an obstacle to loving them. The Lord commands us: "If I say to the wicked man, you shall surely die; and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his wicked conduct so that he may live: that wicked man shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death" (Ezekiel 3:18). Lord, help me to judge the world the right way; let me judge so as to love. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Hate the sin and not the sinner, and judge so as to love.

Counter-Culture News: LSN, 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. Albert of Magdeburg

Faith Quote: "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." ~ 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 (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.

2 John: 8 (A Full Recompense)

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

"Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense." 2 John: 8 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: God desires for each of us to be with him in heaven one day. Do we really believe that? As Christians we are not meant for this world forever, and our Father in heaven has something very special waiting for us when we make it home. Jesus talks of the many rooms in his Father's house - one of those is meant for each of us! How often do we contemplate what it will be like? What special things will He have waiting for each of us? Sr. Francelle in her devotion "Welcome to November!" reminds us that the Church asks each of us to spend time in the month of November reflecting on the end of life and the four last things we all must face: death, judgement, heaven, and hell. In a nutshell it is good that we contemplate our end so as to give perspective to how we are living our life today. It is a special grace to be given the gift of introspection and to honestly take an inventory of our life. St. Aquinas, one of the great doctors of the church, said the surest way to avoid sin was to contemplate these four things (death, judgment, heaven, and hell) when faced with temptation. St. Paul points to a very important spiritual reality in today's first reading; our faith is not guaranteed. He directs each of us toward introspection (look to yourselves) so that we may become aware of the ways we have slackened in our faith. We can lose our faith if we are not vigilant and trustworthy with the time God gives us. Each day we live is a gift, and as Dr. Unruh so wisely pointed out, Jesus is the only thing that matters in the end.
* Check out one of my all time favorite songs by Robin Mark "When it's all been said and done" "Did I do my best to live for Truth? Did I live my life for You?"

Faith Challenge: Have you done your best to live for Truth? Take courage and do an honest self inventory of how you are living your life today. Ask for God's grace to shine a light on those areas that need to be brought before the Lord.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Welcome to November! "As the flowers die and trees are stripped of their beauty, we are reminded of our own death. In the month of November we remember the souls of the faithful departed in prayer."

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* HLI Calls on all Pro-Lifers to Participate in Historic World-Wide Vigil for Nascent Life: First time in history that Pope has called for such a prayer event on the issue of abortion and related evils.

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), Jamie Simpson (special intention), Rob Rysavy (Adam Rogers mission trip), Angi Castle (Nicole's cancer)

Feast Day: St. Josaphat (d. 1623)

Faith Quote: “In the face of widespread confusion … and the rise of ways of thinking which trivialize the human body and sexual differentiation, the word of God re-affirms the original goodness of the human being, created as man and woman and called to a love which is faithful, reciprocal and fruitful.” ~ Pope Benedict XVI

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.

Luke 11:52 ("key of knowledge") by Stephanie

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

Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. Luke 11:52 (full readings)

Stephanie's Reflections: The Pharisees and scribes (lawyers) were the religious leaders who studied the law of Moses and the prophets, developing an elaborate code of conduct that applied to every facet of daily life. Those that came in contact with them were being poisoned with a false idea of God. They kept the Scriptures locked up, concealing from the people the most important spiritual principles of God's covenant. The power of the key was in their teaching function, by which they should have been bringing others to God. More than anything, God wanted from them a trusting, contrite and open heart. We, too, have to learn to live more out of love than by the law, not condemning others and in the process condemning ourselves. Over the last 26 years as a volunteer in ProLife work, I have occasionally been quick to judge people who have a different idea of what 'ProLife' means. My frustration, especially with the ProLife indifference of professed Christians, has taken me several times to nearly throwing in the towel and giving up. Still I persist...but only because of God's grace. Please pray with me: Lord Jesus, help me to live each day more out of love, than by the law. Help me to look seriously at my own life before considering what others should be doing or should not be doing. Help me to look beyond myself. Help me not to judge others without first striving to know where they are coming from. Help me to take people where they are as we fight this battle on behalf of your precious 'little ones'. Help me to remember that You see the big picture and hold all things in being. Guide me through the frustrations of my daily life to a deeper love for You. Give me courage, Jesus. Help me to persevere. Teach me patience and help me to be more forgiving. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me hear your Word and to do your Will, no matter how much it hurts. Amen.

* Stephanie Kemp is the oldest of twelve, Mother of three grown sons, and Grandmother of three. With over 26 years of ProLife work, Stephanie is a true ProLife 'marathoner'!

Faith Challenge: "We are all originals from the mind and heart of God...God sends each person into the world with a special message to deliver, with a special song to sing, with a special act of love to bestow. These have been entrusted only to me...to take a life is a rejection of the message, the song and the love entrusted to that person by God." Abortion: The Silent Holocaust by Father John Powell

* What message of God's love will we share today? What song will we sing?

Counter-Culture News: 40 Days for Life (ends 31 Oct), LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action.
* College students in Colorado going barefoot for week of pro-life advocacy

Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. Peters family (JP), Alpha Center, Rich Reich (cousin Tom cancer), Sarah Ragan (healing from the miscarriage of her baby), Sue Peters (special intention)

Feast Day: St. Callistus I

Faith Quote: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before Him." Eph 1:3-4

Through Christ Our Lord,

Stephanie Kemp

Deut 30:19

Isaiah 49:4 (live simply)

Welcome God today with this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (archive, Facebook). Prove yourselves doers of the Word, and not merely hearers. James 1:22

Though I thought I had toiled in vain, and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength, Yet my reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God. Isaiah 49:4 (full readings)

Rich's thoughts: Today's highlighted passage made me think how I am often spinning my wheels in every direction with no real focus of what is really important. I am too busy for prayer, too busy to read the Bible, too busy to just stop and enjoy the presence of God. Unless you simplify your life, life might just pass you by. Lord, may I recognize that You are all that I need; You are my everything. Amen.

Sr. Francelle's devotion: Judge Not.

Faith Challenge: Generously encourage others by sharing devotions.
* NEW: Are you missing your reward? How can you simplify your life so that you are more aware of the presence of God?

Counter-Culture News: LSN, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life. Reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death (23% of pregnancies)...expose this unjust peace, setting Unborn/parents free.
* NEW: Study: Abortion More Than Tripled Breast Cancer Risk for Sri Lankan Women

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Prayer to end abortion, Peters family (JP).
* NEW: Joe Hourigan (for his sister Kate), Carol Nesbitt (father in law passed away).

Feast Day: The Nativity of John the Baptist

Faith Quotes: "Live simply, so that other may simply live." - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

Matthew 21:31 (LISTEN UP!)

Let's welcome God by reflecting on this short 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

Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. Matthew 21:31 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Not the kind of news we like to hear, is it? We may not be canonizable saints-in-the-making, but we think of ourselves as basically decent people unlike, you know, "those people." The problem with this perspective is that for Jesus there is no "us and them." We're all in this together, as far as he's concerned." by Mitch Finley

Steve's Thoughts: I once heard a bible scholar say, "Whenever you see Jesus start something with, "Amen, I say to you..." you better LISTEN UP!" That has stuck with me over the years and I have found myself paying extra attention when I see that in scripture. I know Jesus is really driving a point home that needs to be considered within my own heart. Today's reading reminds me that I have bias, judgement, and prejudice in my heart. Only God knows and judges hearts. I can say that in my life some of the most powerful witnesses for God have come from people who came from extreme backgrounds prior to encountering the Risen Lord and repenting. Jesus is calling all of us to repentance this Advent season, so we will have room in the manger, our hearts, for Jesus. Dear Jesus, please clean out the garbage in the manger of my heart so that there is room for you this Christmas season.

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share our LIFE Group by forwarding a devotion to others or by using the "invite people to join" link on the Facebook Group. Steve, Rich, or Pat will gladly add others to the email list.
* NEW: Advent is a time for waiting and preparation...take some time this Advent season to receive the grace of the Sacrament of Confession.

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 (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), Health care reform bill, Scott Casmer (Helene Couchon, accident recovery)
* NEW: Joe Hourigan (Anne Hourigan's intense pregnancy nausea)

Feast Day: Blessed Honoratus Kosminski

Faith Quote: "The Advent mystery is the beginning of the end of all in us that is not yet Christ." by Thomas Merton

Through Christ our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:12

* 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).

Daniel 1:12-15 (deployment bag packed?)

Let's welcome God today 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

Give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then see how we look. After ten days they looked healthier and better fed than any of the young men who ate from the royal table. Daniel 1:12-13, 15 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Insecurity is really nothing new. We exist in a state of radical vulnerability...all of us, all the time. Live long enough and you will surely lose something you believe you cannot live without. And then you will go on living. How? Oddly enough, it helps to begin by saying thank you for whatever is left. Gratitude takes practice. It is a discipline, especially when we are hurting. It teaches us that we can thrive on vegetables, even when we are used to feasting like kings. Thank you, God, for everything I have left." Karla Manternach

Pat's nuggets: Today's Living Faith snippets focus on gratitude, coinciding nicely with Thanksgiving this week. I am grateful for our LIFE Group which encourages us to defend the unborn and compels us to have a living faith. Happy Thanksgiving!

* To help focus our LIFE Group impact, devotions will now be sent only on Monday (me), Wednesday (Steve), and Friday (Rich). Also, to reduce the # of emails, the LIFE Group email is now set to only allow Rich, Steve and me to send out LIFE Group wide info. Please continue to send us info to consider and consolidate in the devotions: faith sharing/quotes, prayer requests, newslinks, etc. We will still send out urgent messages. This faith sharing and collaboration keeps the Holy Spirit stirred up in our LIFE Group...thank you!

* I spent last week training in a chem warfare defense exercise. The chaplain was my roommate, so I had plenty of top cover! Our deployment bags had to be packed with required items for inspection. This was a great reminder to also keep my spiritual deployment bags packed with required items (love/service, prayer/praise, gratitude, forgiveness, etc)...for God's evangelical missions now and ultimately for God's judgement day. Angi helped me pack...analogous to the Body of Christ working together for God's glory. From OBOB, "The Lord tells us to "stand erect" and hold our heads high (Lk 21:28) when the world ends. The way to have this confidence is to live for the Lord right now. If we [are] totally committed to the Lord, totally forgiven of sin, and totally forgiving of others, we can have confidence that we will be right with God at the world's end. If the world were to end today, what would you do? Saint Francis of Assisi had the right answer: "I'd do what I'm doing now." Obeying the Lord is our only security for the future."

Faith Challenges: Let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group (~250 of God's children)...welcome to Mickey Carlson!
* NEW: Let's take a moment to review our spiritual deployment bag checklist (love/service, prayer/praise, gratitude, forgiveness, etc). Are we packed and ready?

* NEW: Sr. Francelle's devotion: The Altar of my Heart‏.

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) 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), Joe (brother Mike), Doug Young (special intention), Pat Castle (health care reform bill), Joe (daughter's pregnancy), Aaron Ferrie (special intention)

Faith Quotes: Pastor Don Bird shared this quote by Maltbie Davenport Babcock, "Christianity is not a voice in the wilderness, but a life in the world. It is not an idea in the air but feet on the ground going God's way."

Gratefully, 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).

1 Thessalonians 2:7 (love not work)

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 were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. 1 Thessalonians 2:7 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Can one be passionate, vibrantly alive, and still be spiritually gentle? Yes. Killian Mooney was one of the gentlest persons I ever met. His way with the people taught me much about gentleness. This virtue does not mean being passive, wimpy or submissive. Father Mooney's presence helped me see that a spirituality of gentleness comes out of strong respect for others. This virtue is fostered by an attitude of nonjudgment and a conviction that each person is worthy of dignity and acceptance." by Sr. Joyce Rupp

Rich's comments: I enjoy helping out at church and serving others, but sometimes I can get bogged down by the task at hand and my service becomes work and not love. We often say that we are doing "God's work", but we need to remember that we are called to love one another. Once our service lacks love, we are no longer serving God.

Faith Challenge: Let's invite others to join our LIFE Group (>215 Christians).

* NEW: Evaluate why you serve others. Is your heart in it, or are you doing it for recognition?

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 (John 14:6) 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, Rich Reich (friend Carolyn battling cancer), Peters family (JP in hospital), Stephanie Spader (healthy pregnancy), Steve/Tina Castle (sell their home).

Feast Day: St. Louis of France and St. Joseph Calasanz

Faith Quote: "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." - Mother Teresa

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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.

Matthew 5:44 (justice)

Let's welcome God every morning before work by giving a few minutes to read this 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

I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you ... Matthew 5:44

Living Faith snippets: "There is no way for me to live out this command, Lord. It is not within my power. But it is within yours. So I give up, Lord. I surrender. I will love my enemies with your love; for it is the only love I can give. Carry me through, dear Jesus. Hold me as a child in your arms and do for me what I cannot do myself." by Rebecca Sande

Rich's comments: I feel at peace when I stop worrying about those who have cheated or betrayed me. I gladly give this burden to Jesus, for only He can judge the World. He knows all of our thoughts, feelings, and intentions in our minds and of those who have offended us. He knows the details of our lives that no human court of law could possibly reveal. I place my trust in Jesus that all will be judged fairly and that we will all come to know the love of Jesus in the end. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.

* NEW: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

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 (John 14:6) 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, addictions.

Faith Quote: "Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create. " by Pope John Paul II

Through Christ our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* 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.

Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

John 6:39 (lift up all...to God)

Let's welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

This is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what He gave me, but that I should raise it [on] the the last day. John 6:39 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "[Jesus] embraces each person He encounters as an unrepeatable individual. Let's not lose a minute today, not a precious second in frenetic activity, but instead be deeply attentive during the pauses between each appointment, each phone call, each meeting, each task, and lift up all our endeavors to God." by Claire J. King

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.

* NEW: "Place a stone on my desk...as a reminder of the consequences my speech or my silence can have. Holy Spirit, today may my words or my silence only be loving, only be true." by Claire J. King

Pastor Don's devotion: "It's a beautiful day!!!"

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 (John 14:6) 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 below.

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions, Mike Castle (Nelda Alford cancer treatment), Bobby Aborn (wife Christi with medical issues), Carol Nesbitt (special intention), Stephanie Spader (special intention)

Feast Day: St. Catherine of Siena

Faith Quote: "Holiness is an ever-timely demand. Men and women today feel an urgent need for Gospel witnesses of life." by Pope John Paul II

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.
Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

John 3:17 (the essentials...)

Let's welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world... John 3:17

Living Faith snippets: "God sent His Son to us because He loves us and wants us to be saved. His offer to us, in Jesus, is not one of punishment. Rather, He offers us Life. Sometimes we make the message of salvation too complicated or too negative. It is good to get back to the essentials. John 3:16..."For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life."" by Msgr. Stephen J. Rossetti

Pat nuggets: Regarding today's verse, as disciples of Christ, God does not call us to condemn the world (Judgement, big J). However, God has equipped us (prayer, Holy Spirit/Bible, natural law) with the ability to judge (small j) good from evil...and the responsibility to help love (selfless/service) our neighbors to the Truth (Mark 16:15). The birds in today's devotion picture are feeling the love of their neighbors!

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Let's reflect to make sure that we are focused on loving our neighbor and not Judging (big J, condemnation) them. Condemnation (Judgement) involves punishments, where tough love often involves boundaries...the difference is usually a matter of the heart.

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 (John 14:6) 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 below.
* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, addictions

* NEW: Mike Castle (Nelda Alford cancer treatment), Bobby Aborn (wife Christi with medical issues), Sue Peters (friend getting CT scan, Godchild Sarah Fideler expecting a precious baby on Thanksgiving day)

Faith Quote: "Live simply, Love generously, Care deeply, Speak kindly....Leave the rest to God." author unknown (shared by Rob Ouellette)

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.

Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

John 8:7 (put down the stone...)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from 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 the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. John 8:7

Living Faith snippets: "None of us truly knows the full story of another. So often what we think about others is off the mark. Monk and mystic Wayne Teasdale writes, "We can only judge others if we can fulfill two conditions: that we know the other's heart totally, and that we love them unconditionally. Only God can possibly meet these two conditions."" by Sr. Joyce Rupp

* Only God can judge the person (heart), but God has equipped us (Natural Law, Holy Spirit/Bible) to judge actions/decisions, allowing us to love/serve each other back to the Truth.

LIFE Group nuggets:

* Ann Schaefbauer shared today's "LIFE" picture and commented: "When we were out to pray at the 40 Days for Life vigil here in Sioux Falls, this is the message that we were pleasantly surprised to be greeted with! Rosary $25, Boots to keep your feet warm for the hour $90, "LIFE" message to greet you upon arrival at Planned Parenthood...PRICELESS!"

* Kathy Castle shared this snippet from Carmen Pate on the 40 Days for Life blog, "Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the lifelong pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life a new in Christ."

* Kelly Benson shared this article about a case that "vividly reveals the deep incoherence of the pro-choice position", Allowing the Mask to Slip.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News. Suggestions?

* NOW (25 Feb-5 Apr): Support the 40 Days for Life campaign by praying by an abortion mill for one hour (Matt 26:40)...let's defend the voiceless unborn!

Culture-War 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 share ProLife Truth (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16)!

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, jobs

* NEW: Angi Castle (Uncle Don passed away), Therese Castle (Ashleigh Hedger is bed ridden, her baby is having complications)

Faith Quote: "God closes doors no man can open, & God opens doors no man can close." author unknown (shared by Kathy Castle)

Through Christ For ProLife,
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.

Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

Luke 6:37 (judgment vs Judgment)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Stop judging and you will not be judged. Luke 6:37

Living Faith snippets: "Biblical judgment is not aimed at punishment but at restoring relationship. We are called to analyze our beliefs, weigh them according to the criteria of the gospel [not moral relativism], correct some of them and focus on restoring relationships. Happiness flows from overcoming the human propensity to condemn others, and working generously to build up relationships with them." by Sr. Kathryn James Hermes

* Judgment (big J, condemnation) belongs to our merciful and gracious God...but God has equipped us to judge (small j) good from evil, by using His gifts of natural law, the Holy Spirit (our helper), and the Bible.

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News. Suggestions?

* NEW: Let's use God's gifts to help each other judge good from evil ...and then lovingly hold each other accountable to choosing good (God). May we unconditionally love our neighbor regardless of their choice (non-Judgemental)...but if necessary, set boundaries to prevent the perpetuation of evil. Lord God, please forgive us for the times we have condemned others (your Judgment), for the times we have failed to judge good and evil based on Your laws, and for the times we lacked the courage to hold ourselves and our neighbors accountable to Your will. Amen.

Stations of the Cross (2): Jesus carries His cross

* Consider attending a Stations of the Cross service (Friday evenings, nondenominational).

Culture War/ProLife News: LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life

* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images). Abortion is #1 cause of death in America.

* NOW (25 Feb-5 Apr): Please be part of the 40 Days for Life campaign by praying in front of an abortion mill for one hour...defending the voiceless unborn.

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together. Fasting ideas below.

* Let's pray for courage to share ProLife Truth to those around us (John 14:6)...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, jobs, Sue Peters (Carrie), Rob Ouellette (Renato, Amy, Maryann, Mark, Elaine), Stephanie Spader (Maasa)

Feast Day: St. Francis

Faith Quote: "To move forward in faith, your God image must periodically fall apart. Your self-image must periodically fall apart as well. If you are willing to let go of both of them, you will really grow." Fr. Richard Rohr (shared by Jean Noon)

Through Christ for ProLife,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* Bible: Readings and reflections for today.

* 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.

Let's joyfully invite others to join our LIFE Group...Rich or Pat will gladly add them to the devotions distribution list (Mark 16:15)!

Isaiah 11:3-4 (Jesus is judge)

Welcome God every morning before your work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Not by appearance shall he judge, nor by hearsay shall he decide, But he shall judge the poor with justice... Isaiah 11:3-4

Living Faith snippets: "Appearances and hearsay may not be accepted as evidence, but from time to time we give these factors too much weight as we make our own judgments. We may be poor in experience or lacking in knowledge, but let us trust that Jesus, the one who judges "the poor with justice," will give us all the evidence we will ever need." by Julia Schloss

Rich's comments: I am happy that Jesus is the judge of the living and the dead, for only He can see my heart, listen to my thoughts, and understand my internal struggles. I do not have to explain myself to Him, because He knows me better than I know myself. No excuses are necessary, for He knows who I was designed to be, and what spiritual gifts He blessed me with to share with others. He knows what opportunities I have had in life to serve Him by sharing His love with others, and He knows the times when I have failed to carry my cross. Jesus is the judge, and He lets us know ahead of time what is going to be on our "final exam" (responding with compassion to those in need). This exam will not be written or oral, but will be ingrained in our hearts for Him to judge.

ProLife news: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ & http://www.priestsforlife.org/

* Let's pray for courage to build relationships and talk about ProLife. Let's pray that We The People of America will shine Christ's Light and build a culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

Our Prayers: Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, our enemies, our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, loss of loved ones, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Joe Castle (medical concerns), Matt Kayser (family of Jesse Alne), Rob Ouellette (Jeff, Arleen, Ramona, Pat).

Faith Quote: "Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." -- Pope John Paul II

Through Christ Our Lord,

Rich

Romans 12:12

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” 'If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him.'
* Fasting: Let's fast from things that takes our eyes off Jesus (selfishness, bitterness, being so critical, impatience, judgment, 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 lie 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.
Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!

Luke 6:41 (seeing ourselves)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own? Luke 6:41

Living Faith snippets: "There is a proverb that when you point a finger at someone, the other three [fingers] point toward yourself. This reflects the reasonably well-established idea that what we find most irritating in others are traits we actually dislike in ourselves. There are some who just don't like me. If reflection and asking others reveals nothing that I have done to bring on the dislike, I just have to accept being disliked. All I can do with those who dislike me is to make sure I am as gracious as possible and recognize that none of us sees ourselves or others with complete clarity." by Aileen O'Donoghue

Sr. Francelle devotion: Read her devotion about "What are you looking for most in life?‏" at http://sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com/. From the intro..."They were surprised to find the top three things people wanted most in life were love, joy and peace. That is what people really want. Old people, middle-aged and young people are all looking for love, joy and peace. And isn't that exactly what the Bible says you can expect as a follower of Jesus Christ? God does want you to experience these things in your life. They're available..."

Pat nuggets:
* Kay Castle shared about the Large Hadron Collider [faith and science are not at odds with each other!]: "Dominican Sr. Katarina Pajchel, a physicist from the University of Oslo in Norway, who works on collider projects, told NCR: The laws of nature speak of an amazing order, creativity and beauty, she said. 'Our current understanding bears witness to the power of human thought, imagination and curiosity. Through it we are given insight into God’s creative plan.' However deep these discoveries go, Pajchel said, they do not threaten religion, 'but rather firmly hold up the real mysteries of faith, more clearly and in a challenging way. 'Contact with sober science can make us less vulnerable and more balanced as well in meeting modern religious movements, like New Age, which are often quasi-scientific,' she said. 'One can end up in the paradoxical situation of defending both rational scientific research and the real mysteries of faith.' " See entire article at http://ncronline3.org/drupal/?q=node/1786.

ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.
* 40 Days for Life campaign (24 Sep to 2 Nov): Sign up for updates at http://www.40daysforlife.com/about.cfm. Please consider volunteering to pray an hour in front your local abortion mill during the Fall campaign.

Our Prayers: Abortion, chastity, our enemies/our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer, prisoners, integrity of our leaders, Robert Cox (discerning his career path), Mike Castle (for grandson Isaac and his caregivers), strength to live the virtue of chastity
* New: Kay Castle (for those in the path of hurricanes)

Faith Quote: "To live without faith, without a patrimony to defend, without a steady struggle for truth, that is not living, but existing."—Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

Through Christ Our Lord,
Pat
Phil 4:13

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."
* 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 lie as you wish' Blessed Mother Teresa. Prayer to End Abortion. Ask Blessed Margaret of Castello for her prayers to end abortion.
* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (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.
Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!

Psalm 69:5 (love sinners & hate our sin)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com). All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Col. 3:17

Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal? Psalm 69:5

Living Faith snippets: "The psalmist asks a poignant question for all allies who seek to right injustice: "Must I restore what I did not steal?" For a true ally, the answer is Yes." by Claire J. King

Sr. Jeanette devotion: To read her devotion titled, "Sacrifice of Praise", go to sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com.

Pat nuggets:
* Regarding this week's comments on the sin of homosexuality, let's always love the sinner (all of us) and not banish...but not make it easier for sin (support it) and not normalize sin ("bittersweet" accountability). Joe Castle commented that we judge the sin, not the sinner (God judges the heart). Chad Livingston commented that "love the sinner, hate the sin" should be "love the sinner, hate our sin." Chad also reinforced the importance of relationship with sinners (all of us) in order for others to see Jesus working in us. People don't care how much we know until they know how much we care...and they will know we are Christians by our love. It was suggested that homosexuals could live in chastity within the Sacrament of Marriage. Although homosexually orientated people could be chaste roommates, the Sacrament of Marriage is a holy institution between a man and woman for building a family (as defined by God). Furthermore, homosexual marriage would further normalize this sin to the level of an "alternative lifestyle." Read more about recent CA decisions about homosexual marriage http://www2.focusonthefamily.com/docstudy/newsletters/A000001176.cfm

* Read about a town that paid $1 million to remove a strip club http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25955847/?GT1=43001.

ProLife news: http://www.lifenews.com/.
* Read about how a couple fought for the life of their twins, requiring surgery in the womb at 22 weeks. "During the surgery, doctors entered the amniotic sack using a kind of miniature "telescope." Occasionally, to their surprise, a fetus will actually grab on to the scope in the middle of the procedure." http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Story?id=5471351&page=1

* Read about Irena Sendler (nominated for Nobel Peace Prize) who during WWII worked in the Warsaw Ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist...and smuggled out and saved 2500 Jewish kids/infants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irena_Sendler

Feast Day (St. Alphonsus Liguori): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphonsus_Liguori

Our Prayers: Abortion, chastity, our enemies/our troops, natural disasters, depression/ despair, dementia, cancer, prisoners
* New: Chad Livingston (friend Zak recovering from back surgery), Liz Curry (Drew, 2 yr old, recovering from surgery to remove a kidney tumor), Rob Ouellette (Fred diagnosed with recurrence of a very serious illness), Pat Castle (thanksgiving for Grandma recovering from pneumonia)

Through Christ Our Lord,
Pat
Phil 4:13

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml. Reflection on readings at http://www.daily-meditations.org/index2.html
* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."
* 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. Prayer to End Abortion. Ask Blessed Margaret of Castello for her prayers to end abortion.
* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (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.
Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!

Matthew 7:18 (good fruit)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com).

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Matthew 7:18

Living Faith snippets: "If you see love, humility, help for the needy, a spirit of service, and so on, our Lord says, expect that person to be a source of genuine guidance, for where else would those qualities come from except a heart that is in tune with God? If those qualities are lacking, that too says something about where the person is in relation to God. What kind of tree am I? What desires motivate me? What, who do I love? Does Christ live in me? And what difference does that really make?" by Kevin Perrotta

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

Faith quote: "By actively participating in programs that help the poor and sick, immigrants and young people, unborn children and their mothers, families and one another, we are resisting what the pope calls "the subtle influence of secularism" and its claim that faith is a private matter that should only be proclaimed in church on Sunday." by Tim Hickey (Columbia magazine)

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies, our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, Midwest floods, depression/despair, prisoners, Vicki Miller (her cancer treatment), Devantae (11 yr old boy paralyzed)

Through Christ Our Lord,
Pat

Phil 4:13

* Outreach: Let's gladly invite those near us to join our LIFE Devotions group (Mark 16:15), providing routine spiritual connection and strength (simply forward a devotion with an invitation).

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."

* 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. Click for Prayer to End Abortion.

* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (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.

Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!

Matthew 7:1 (we are chosen)

* Welcome God every morning before work by taking ~5 min to read this Living In Faith Exchange (LIFE) Group devotion (life-devotions.blogspot.com), which has snippets from Living Faith (livingfaith.com).

Stop judging, that you may not be judged. Matthew 7:1

Living Faith snippets: "It is easy to impute motives or assume circumstances. We are chosen to protect the reputation of another, to love our neighbor as ourselves, to look beyond the obvious and see Jesus in others. We, too, are chosen to defend the weak, to stick up for the less fortunate. We, too, are chosen to realize that the person we may not naturally like is one of Jesus' dearest friends. Help me, Jesus, to look through everyone and everything this day to see you." by Sr. Charleen Hug

Sr. Francelle snippets: "Dearest Ones, On the first Sunday of each month, we Sisters observe Retreat Sunday, a day when we keep silence until 3:00 pm. I look forward to this day, because we spend time reading and praying about our reason for being on this earth, about our death and how we can better love God in our daily life. The Bible says God's relationship with each one of us is a love relationship. Often, He refers to us as His "beloved." He compares our love affair with Him to a marriage, when two people vow to love each other forever. That's what God wants from you and me - a promise to love Him, just as a spouse does. This is shown in the way I treat His beloved children. I do think the greatest need today is to understand the Mystical Body of Christ, the belief that He is in every one of His children and we all ought to be servants to one another. Jesus came to serve, not to be served. We must do likewise. I pray every day that I won't lose my faith, and I pray daily for all of you, that we shall all keep our faith. It is really all that matters. Our Lord said to St. Peter: "Satan has desired to have you that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith shall not fail." Our prayer throughout the day can be simply offering oneself to do God's will. Let's pray for each other!" See the entire devotion at sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com

Faith quote: "When asked to sum up the "law and the prophets" (Matt 5:17), [the Lord] said that love of God and love of neighbor are the true vocation of every person. This is perhaps idealism for some, but for Christians it is the source and summit of reality." by Carl Anderson (author of "A Civilization of Love")

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies, our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, Midwest floods, depression/despair, prisoners, Vicki Miller (her cancer treatment)

* New: Dani (A close friend's 11 yr old son, Devantae, had a fence fall on top of him, breaking his back. He is currently paralyzed, cannot walk, talk, eat.)

Through Christ for ProLife,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* Outreach: Let's gladly invite those near us to join our LIFE Devotions group (Mark 16:15), providing routine spiritual connection and strength (simply forward a devotion with an invitation).

* Today's Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml.

* Prayer: Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others. Wayne Watson lyrics, “When God's people pray, there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven, and miracles you can't explain await!” "If you pray that God will move a mountain and He doesn’t, assume Christ wants you to climb it instead & see Him."

* 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. Click for Prayer to End Abortion.

* Evangelization: Let's make room for non-believers (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.

Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!