Psalm 25:4 ("Master from Kanty")

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

"Make known to me your ways, Lord; teach me your paths." ~ Psalm 25:4  (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: It is interesting that in today's secular Christmas, rife with excess and materialism, that the Church in her wisdom has chosen to venerate the life of St. John of Kanty.  The "Master from Kanty" was gifted with an intellect beyond compare during his time, but his most noble trait may have been his heroic charity for the poor.  Christmas for many can be a time filled with the stress of meeting expectations or worse a time that exasperates the separation between the rich and the poor (materialism/selfishness).  The story is told of how St. John was moved to take his full dinner plate and give it away to a passing beggar.  He returned to find his plate miraculously full!  God created us to empty ourselves and make our life a gift to others.  Like our Lord's humble beginnings in the manger, St. John strove to impoverish himself for the sake of others.  He lived an austere life of poverty taking on only what was needed to sustain himself, choosing to give away all that he could to the poor.  St. John sought so fervently to diminish himself that he made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with the intent of being martyred for the faith by the Turks.  On the eve of Christmas, 1473, our Lord welcomed home His good and faithful servant with the pearl of great price in his hands, salvation.

Faith Challenge:  As you celebrate the birth of our Lord this CHRIST-mas, give the greatest gift of all...yourself.  Remember the least of our brothers and sisters; the poor and the humble among us.

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Why Shepherd's

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. John of Kanty (d. 1473)

Faith Quote: "Christmas is the feast day of a Child, of a newborn Baby. So it is your feast day too! You wait patiently for it and get ready for it with joy, counting the days and even the hours to the holy night of Bethlehem." ~ Blessed Pope John Paul II (1994 Christmas message to children)

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.

John 20:18 (Testimony)

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

"I have seen the Lord." ~ John 20:18 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: Today is the memorial of Mary Magdalene one of the revered disciples of Christ in the Bible. Mary stands out in the Bible as one who comes from a dramatic transformation after Christ cast out seven demons (Luke 8:2). She stayed close to our Lord during his passion and death, and she also had the distinction of being the first to see the Risen Christ. Mary clearly was a women of great devotion. She stayed with Jesus to the end. She stood by His tomb in the early morning of His resurrection, and also stayed on after the other disciples had left the empty tomb. Jesus rewards her steadfast devotion by appearing first to her. Today's Gospel captures her testimony to the apostles and disciples after her encounter with Jesus at his tomb. From her mouth the Risen Lord is first proclaimed.

Faith Challenge: Are you able to share with others what Christ has done for you? Take a moment to reflect on the moments you have, "seen the Lord."

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: The Holy Spirit

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: Memorial St. Mary Magdalene

Faith Quote: "The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." ~ C.S. Lewis

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.

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

1 John 4:16 (Sacred Heart)

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

"God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." 1 John 4:16 (full readings)

Steve's Reflections: The ancient devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His wounds goes back to the 11th century, but took it's modern form following three visions of our Lord to St. Margaret Mary of Alacoque in 1675. In the final vision, our Lord asked that a special feast be celebrated the Friday following the Feast of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ). The image of the Sacred Heart is an image of God's love for all people - even those who do not love Him and show ingratitude for His passion/death. Often when faced with discouragement or an especially challenging situation, I pray that I may be hidden in Christ; hidden in His precious wounds. I find solace in the truth that I am "in Christ." In today's Gospel, Christ invites all who are "labored and burdened" to find rest in His "meek and humble" Sacred Heart.

Faith Challenge: When burdened by life's worries, do you find your rest in Jesus or something else?

Sr. Francelle's Devotion: Choose to LIVE!

Counter-Culture News: LifeNews, Vatican, AFA, Priests for Life, Live Action &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 Junipero Sera (d. 1784)

Faith Quote: "One cannot love without suffering. He [Jesus] showed us this very clearly upon the cross, where He was consumed for love of us." ~ St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Through Christ Our Lord,
Steve
Romans 12:2 .

* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa.
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.

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

1 John 3:2 (All Saints' Day)

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

Beloved, we are God's children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2 (full readings)

Rich's Reflections: Today is All Saints' Day, a day to offer thanksgiving to God for the good example and holiness of the saints. Saints are holy people who lead a life in union with God through the grace of Christ and received the reward of eternal life. As Christians, we are united in Christ as a family of faith, but this family is not only defined by those who happen to be alive on earth right this minute. We believe that the saints are alive right now and live forever with God in the "Communion of Saints". Just as we pray for each other (see our prayers below), we also ask our sisters and brothers with God in heaven to pray for us. Father, all powerful and ever-living God, today we rejoice with the holy men and women of every time and place. May their prayers bring us Your forgiveness and love. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Faith Challenge: Read about the lives of the saints highlighted in the daily devotions. They are wonderful role models in faith who can pray for us.

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

* 14-Year-Old Lia Mills at Pro-Life Conference: "I have learned to embrace conflict"

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), Pat Castle (Election Prayer for Life).

Feast Day: All Saints

Faith Quote: "To most, even good people, God is a belief. To the saints He is an embrace." - Francis Thompson

Through Christ our Lord,
Rich
James 1:22

Luke 2:48,50 (In God's Hands)

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

Son, why have you done this to us? ... But they did not understand what he said to them. Luke 2: 48, 50 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "How many anxious moments do our children provide us in the course of a lifetime? Plenty. Jesus, like most twelve-year-olds, probably had his share of misunderstandings with Mary and Joseph...this passage prepares parents for a time when our children will make decisions, do things, and act in ways we won't fully comprehend - or agree with." by Paul Pennick

Steve's Thoughts: As Catholic Christians we highly venerate ("to treat with great respect or deference") St. Joseph. Why? Well, if we look closely at the few things we know about St. Joseph in scripture we see that he was a holy man. He was poor (offered two turtle doves at Jesus' presentation), and a blue collar worker who worked with his hands as a carpenter or stonemason. He was a humble man who preferred to divorce Mary quietly when he found she was with child before they were married, though by all rights under the law he could have had her dragged into the streets and stoned for such an offence. He listened to God and made tough decisions when the angels appeared to him in a dream first telling him to marry Mary (risked scandal and public ridicule) and secondly to leave his home, family and livelihood (remember he was poor) and go to Egypt (not just another town, but different country and culture). He was a protector in that he sought the safety of his family by obeying God and taking them to Egypt and less notably when he returned settling in the obscure village of Nazareth. St. Joseph did for Jesus and Mary what they could not have done for themselves in their meek states. He was a man of faith who trusted in God and listened even when things weren't clear. As a spouse, father, and man of God these are all traits to be emulated and sought after in the spiritual life. To be humble, to listen and to trust amidst uncertainty, and to place others ahead of ourselves are all noble virtues which we venerate today and always in St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus.

Sr. Francelles Devotion: The Humiliation of Jesus "One of the saddest things that happened to Christ was His humiliation. Humiliation means someone is looked down upon, publicly degraded and made to look like a fool - making one ashamed of who they are."

Faith Challenges: Let's generously share the LIFE Group by forwarding devotions or using the Facebook "invite people" link.
* NEW: What can we learn from St. Joseph's humble life and faith as we journey toward Easter? Please consider providing comments on the Facebook page.

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, Vatican, American Family Association, Priests for Life
* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images), #1 cause of death in America (23% of pregnancies). Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to expose abortion's unjust peace, rebuilding a Culture of Life for setting the unborn (and parents) free!
* NEW: Consider giving an hour of prayer in front of your local abortuary in support of 40 Days for Life until 28 March (345 babies saved during this Spring campaign, 2009 results video).

Our Prayers: Those who pray together stay together, and close to God (footnotes). Peters family (JP). Prayer to end abortion.
* NEW: Carolyn McKissack (great niece Kasey with pneumonia), Stephanie Kemp (special intention), Pat Castle (Uncle Jim Castle with blood clots)

Feast Day: St. Joseph

Faith Quote: "Saint Joseph was a just man, a tireless worker, the upright guardian of those entrusted to his care. May he always guard, protect and enlighten families." - Pope John Paul II

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).

Luke 9:1 (All the Power We Need)

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

He summoned the Twelve and gave them power... Luke 9:1 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "These words are meant for all. We have been summoned by Christ. We, too, are annointed ones who have been given power. Let this be the heart of your prayer today. You have been summoned and given power. The power you are given is Christ Power. Jesus you are my power and my grace. You are my walking staff. Your power is enough for me." by Sr. Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.

Steve's Thoughts: Today is the feast day of one of the greatest modern Saints - Padre Pio. There are many, many faith inspiring stories told of this holy man of God who lived and died on this day in 1968. In 1918, while giving thanks after mass, he received a vision of Jesus. After the vision had ended he had recieved the stigmata (wounds) of Jesus in his hands, feet, and side. These were a source of great suffering and joy throughout the remainder of his life.

"At Padre Pio's canonization Mass in 2002, Pope John Paul II referred to that day's Gospel (Matthew 11:25-30) and said: “The Gospel image of 'yoke' evokes the many trials that the humble Capuchin of San Giovanni Rotondo endured. Today we contemplate in him how sweet is the 'yoke' of Christ and indeed how light the burden are whenever someone carries these with faithful love. The life and mission of Padre Pio testify that difficulties and sorrows, if accepted with love, transform themselves into a privileged journey of holiness, which opens the person toward a greater good, known only to the Lord.”

Faith Challenges:
* NEW: I would like to welcome the following new members to the Life Group - Chasity Soupir and Deacon Chuck Kampa...let's all invite one person each week (John 14:6) to join our LIFE Group family (>225 ProLife Christians).

Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, 40 Days for Life (begins 23 Sep), American Family Association, Priests for Life

* Let's never forget the horrific reality of abortion (images)...#1 cause of death in America. Let's courageously share ProLife Truth to create social tension for exposing abortion's unjust peace...rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16) and setting the unborn free!
* Please read letter from Charmaine Yoest, President and CEO of Americans United for Life Action (AULA), addressing the concerns about abortion in health care. STAY INFORMED!

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

* Prayer to end abortion, abused children, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/despair, prisoners, ProLife politicians, illnesses/injuries, jobs, natural disasters, refugees, addictions, persecuted believers, Peters family (JP in hospital), Lynn Bishara (for son Alex), Kay Castle (special intentions), Pat Castle (for cousin Michael). Kathy Castle (friend's husband Matt's kidney transplant), Stephanie Spader (for peace/healthy pregnancy)

Feast Day: St. Pio of Pietrelcina (a.k.a. Padre Pio)...more on St. Padre Pio

Faith Quote: "The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain" ~ St. Padre Pio

In Christ,
Steve
Romans 12:2

* 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 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).

Psalm 139:13 (John the Baptist...)

Let's welcome God every 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

Truly you have formed my inmost being. Psalm 139:13 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Elizabeth had waited so long for a child of her own, and now here he was [John the Baptist]. She must have been thrilled to hold this tiny baby in her arms for the first time. As she held him, did she wonder who this child would be, how his life would unfold? His journey took him in paths that undoubtedly worried and alarmed Elizabeth. All parents can identify with both Elizabeth's marvel at her newborn and her concerns about how her child would grow and mature. In each situation, so much trust in God is required. Each of us, whether we have children or not, are asked to give our concerns for those we dearly love into the care of the One who guides and guards." by Sr. Joyce Rupp

Faith Challenge: Let's challenge each other to joyfully live out the Good News.
* NEW: Let's strive to "give our concerns for those we dearly love into the care of the One who guides and guards."

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, Carla Neal (Jonathan Barlow, Margaret Solms, Dan, Joe and Becky)

* NEW: Church job interview for Steve Castle on Saturday.

Feast Day: Nativity of John the Baptist

Faith Quote: "The believer must, like the Baptist, become a voice that proclaims the Lord's salvation, by fully adhering to the Gospel and witnessing to it visibly in the world." by 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)!

Mark 12:25 (your guardian angel?)

Let's welcome God every morning before work by giving ~5 min 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

When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven. Mark 12:25 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "When we resurrect into our new life, our relationship with God will be transformed. We will love God passionately...and experience His unconditional love enthusiastically. We will love and admire His entire creation unreservedly. Our joy will be overflowing, and nothing will be able to take our joy away. That is God's plan for us. Lord, thank you for the gift of life that continues to grow into ever deeper levels of fulfillment." by Fr Kenneth E. Grabner

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

* NEW: Pray to know the name of your guardian angel and then embrace that relationship...we are a communion of Saints (physical and spiritual)...here to do God's will!

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, Matt Kayser (classmate Lt Rosslyn Schulte was killed), Carla Neal (Dan, Denise, Ruth & Julie), Sue Peters (Wendi Kotlinsky cancer treatment), Carol Nesbitt (cousin Rob Mischel with brain cancer)

Feast Day: St. Charles Lwanga and Companions (martyrs)

Faith Quote: "In Jesus' love you will find the fulfillment of your deepest aspirations, and you will grow into full spiritual maturity." 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 15:7 (bowing to God's will)

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

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (full readings)

Living Faith snippets: "Maybe the true meaning is something like this: If we perfectly remain in the Risen Christ, and his words remain perfectly in us, then we will ask only for what God in his wisdom will give. But we never do these things perfectly, do we? We can't use these words of Jesus as if they are a magic formula. All prayers should end with a bow of obedience to the ultimately mysterious will of God." by Mitch Finley

Rich's comments: I would like to share with you an excerpt from Matthew Kelley's book, Rediscovering Catholicism, that speaks about the will of God. "The saints perfectly aligned themselves with the will of God. That is what makes them saints - this synthesis of their own individual will and the will of God. In this modern era, people have been seduced by the dark lie that it is impossible to know the will of God. This is a diabolical lie of unfathomable proportions, because it separates us from our essential purpose and leads us down a road to misery and despair. The will of God is that you become the-best-version-of-yourself. God doesn't want to control you, or manipulate you, or stifle you, or force you to do things you don't want to do. If that were God's desire, then he would not have given you free will in the first place. God wants you to become all you can be, and in the process he wants you to experience the greatest mystery of them all - love."

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

* NEW: When you make decisions, think about what choices will help you to become the-best version-of-yourself; the version that God intended you to be.

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, Jason Peters (son JP), Kathy Castle (Michael Moon hand infection), Carla Neal (Harold Heard, Jamie, Joyce & all of you)

* NEW: Pat, Angi, & 4 cadets (safe trip to China and back)

Feast Day: Our Lady of Fátima is the title given to the vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary that was said to have appeared before three shepherd children at Fátima, Portugal on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on 13 May, the Fátima holiday.

Faith Quote: "True holiness consists in doing God's will with a smile." by 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.

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)!