Acts 11:26 (our choice)

* 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).

It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians. Acts 11:26

Living Faith snippets: “In one sense, I have been a Christian since my baptism, a short time after my birth. But faith grows in each of us. For me, this process began in my teens when I met believers outside the small circle of my childhood. I wanted to be like them. The faith that grew in me as a result was wholly different from what had preceded it. It became something I chose instead of something I inherited. Gracious God, you chose me for yourself. Help me continue to choose you!” by Karla Manternach

Pat nuggets:
* Regarding today’s verse, while stationed near Adana, Turkey (2000-2002), Bobby Aborn and I visited what is believed to be the first Christian church in Antioch, Turkey (picture attached). Regarding today’s Feast Day, Angi and I went with Bobby and Christi Aborn to the tomb of St. Barnabas on the island of Cyprus, Turkey. We also visited what is believed to be St. Mary’s home in Ephesus, Turkey and St. Paul’s home in Tarsus, Turkey (Acts 11:25-26). These faith experiences were wonderful blessings! Our special Turkish friend, Zek, is visiting us right now (7-20 Jun)…his first trip outside of Turkey…

Feast Day of St. Barnabas: “St. Barnabas is one of the first prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1). He was a native of Cyprus, where he possessed land (Acts 4:36, 37), which he sold, and gave the proceeds to the church in Jerusalem. When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion, Barnabas took him and introduced him to the apostles (9:27).” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barnabas

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com

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

* New: Carlson family (sell their home)

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)!