2 Tim 3:12 (followers-not just fans, judgment)

* 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 who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Tim 3:12

Living Faith snippets: “In this age of pop stars and movie celebrities, we are [often], at best, fans of Jesus, not followers. We may go to church, we may read the Gospels, we may respect His teachings, but to follow Jesus faithfully means…resisting systemic injustice, forgiving those who hurt us, and taking up the cross of nonviolent, suffering love in the struggle for justice and peace. Because we are followers…discipleship will disrupt our lives and take us down a path not of comfort and consolation but of pain and sacrifice.” by Fr. John Dear (“Transfiguration”)

Sr. Francelle snippets: “Dearest ones, Why did Our Lord speak so strongly against judging others? I think the reason is because we cannot see what is in the heart. We do not know the motives, although we make up motives for every action we see. It is not possible to judge another fairly unless you know what is on his mind – maybe he just got bad news; perhaps he isn’t feeling well or maybe he just hit rock bottom and has lost his faith. Regardless of what I see them do, I think everybody is trying to do their best. I don’t know how they grew up, what they had to put up with – were they put down and made to believe they were inferior? I wonder which one of us would dare to stand before God on judgment day and say, “My God, judge me as I have judged others?” Gossip is the worst form of judging. I have a friend, who, when she hears a negative statement about another, instead of repeating it, she says a prayer for that person – how much better to bless than to repeat! Our Lord said, “Judge not, and you will not be judged.” We can easily find fault in others, if that is what we are looking for. Why not look for the good rather than try to discover any hidden evil? My love and prayers, Sister Francelle” See the entire devotion at sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com.

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

Feast Day of St. Norbert: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norbert_of_Xanten

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

* New: Beth O’Connor (For my friend, Cally, and her family, Clint (husband) and sons – Isaiah, Elijah, and Micah. Her mom died at 63, 2 weeks ago today after an extended illness. Her father-in-law was killed in an auto accident Saturday night. She said that they really need a lot of spiritual support.)

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)!