19 Aug Sacrifice (Judges 9:9) by Dr. Rich Reich
Posted on Wednesday 19 August, 2015
"Must I give up...
LIFE Runners Devotions
18 Aug Can You Hear Me? (Jn 10:27) by Pastor Steve Selfridge
"My sheep hear My voice, says the Lord, I know them, and they follow Me." ~ Jn 10:27 (full readings) . Pastor Steve's Reflections: "My sheep hear My voice, says the Lord, I know them, and they follow Me." What are you hearing these days? It seems as if our minds...
17 Aug Life Commandments (Mt 19:16-17) by Scott Casmer
"A young man approached Jesus and said, 'Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?' He answered him, 'Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.'" ~ Mt...
14 Aug Won by One (Mt 19:5) by Dr. Rich Reich
"The two shall become as one." ~ Mt 19:5 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In marriage, the Lord miraculously makes a man and a woman into one flesh. This divine unity is unbreakable and irreversible. What God has joined together, man must not separate (Mt 19:6). The Lord also creates...
12 Aug I Don’t Need Any Help? (Mt 18:19-20) by Sara Beaner
"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of...
12 Aug I Don’t Need Any Help? (Mt 18:19-20) by Sara Beaner
"Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of...
11 Aug Greatest in the Kingdom (Mt 18:4-5) by Alice Chapman
"Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me." ~ Mt 18:4-5 (full readings) . Alice's Reflections: It’s pretty clear that humility and trust are not highly valued in today’s world. If anything,...
10 Aug Cheerful Giver (2 Cor 9:6-10) by Paige Castle
"Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” ~ 2 Cor 9:6-10 (full readings) . Paige's Reflections: Being thankful for what you have been blessed with, kind actions towards others, and prayer will strengthen your faith. Any kind act towards someone could...
10 Aug Cheerful Giver (2 Cor 9:6-10) by Paige Castle
"Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” ~ 2 Cor 9:6-10 (full readings) . Paige's Reflections: Being thankful for what you have been blessed with, kind actions towards others, and prayer will strengthen your faith. Any kind act towards someone could...
07 Aug Decisions… Decisions… (Mt 16:24-28) by Paul Westendorf
"Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. ….." ~ Mt 16:24-28 (full readings) . Paul's Reflections: Jesus poses some probing questions. He challenges our assumptions about what is most important, our priorities, and our faith in...
06 Aug The Words Every Human Being Longs to Hear (2 Pt 1:17) by Fr. Jonathan St. Andre
"For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that unique declaration came to him from the majestic glory, ‘'his is my Son, my beloved, with whom I am well pleased.'" ~ 2 Pt 1:17 (full readings) . Fr. Jonathan's Reflections: Today we celebrate the Feast of the...
05 Aug The Crisis of Faith (Mt 15:28) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Jesus then said in reply, 'Woman, you have great faith! Your wish will come to pass.' That very moment her daughter got better." ~ Mt 15:28 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: The summer is almost over, but hopefully you and your family were able to experience a little R and...
04 Aug Come to Me (Mt 14:28-34) by Matthew Laugeman
"Peter said to Him in reply, 'Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he...
31 Jul The Home Front (Mt 13:57) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Jesus said to them, 'No prophet is without honor except in his native place, indeed in his own house.'" ~ Mt 13:57 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: We as Christians expect Planned Parenthood to be our enemies, but we are usually shocked when our friends, even our own family, reject and...
29 Jul Living Out Loud (Mt 5:14-16) by Karen Patnaude
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In...
28 Jul Stiff-Necked People (Ex 34:9) by Peggy Bowes
"Then [Moses] said, 'If I find favor with you, Lord, please, Lord, come along in our company. This is indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and claim us as your own.’' ~ Ex 34:9 (full readings) . Peggy's Reflections: The phrase "stiff-necked people" is often...
27 Jul Lovers of Themselves (2 Tim 3:2-5) by Anna Dwinger
"People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying...
24 Jul Hope For the Journey (Is 40:29, 31) by Pastor Rick Foreman
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." ~ Is 40:29, 31 (full readings) . Pastor...
23 Jul Ears to Hear (Mt 13:13) by Jeff Grabosky
"This is why I speak to them in parables, because ‘they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand." ~ Mt 13:13 (full readings) . Jeff's Reflections: I was recently reading a book and realized that although I had read the words of a certain paragraph,...
21 Jul A Brother in Christ (Mt 12:50) by Jeff Grabosky
"For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother." ~ Mt 12:50 (full readings) . Jeff's Reflections: The entire LIFE Runners community was saddened to learn of the passing of our teammate this month, Ed Heigl. Ed was a major advocate for the unborn and...
20 Jul From Slavery into Victory (Ex 14:13-14) by Chris Engelhart
"Fear not! Stand your ground, and you will see the victory the LORD will win for you today...
17 Jul God is Mercy (Mt 12:7-8) by Scott Casmer
"If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men. For the Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath." ~ Mt 12:7-8 (full readings) . Scott's Reflections: The first few lines of Matthew Chapter 12 talk about how there are times when God's...
16 Jul Fix Your Eyes on Jesus (Mt 11:28-30) by Angi Castle
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Mt 11:28-30 (full readings) . Angi's Reflections: Some days I am tired. I am tired of working hard; I am tired of doing laundry. I am tired of making dinner....
15 Jul Let Go and Let God (Mt 11:25) by Dr. Rich Reich
"At that time Jesus exclaimed: 'I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.'" ~ Mt 11:25 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: The message in today's Gospel is that the Lord...
13 Jul Why? (Mt 10:18,22) by Sara Beaner
"Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves, so be cunning as snakes and yet innocent as doves, You will be universally hated on account of my name; but anyone who stands firm to the end will be saved." ~ Mt 10:18,22 (full readings) . Sara's Reflections: Why...
10 Jul Simple as Doves (Mt 10:16) by Angi Castle
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.” ~ Mt 10: 16 (full readings) . Angi's Reflections: Our Lord warned His disciples then, as he warns us today, to prepare for persecution. In the Pro-Life...
09 Jul Much To Give (Mt 10:8) by Kevin McNicholas
"Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give." ~ Mt 10:8 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: Jesus brings up a very important idea here, and one that has given me reason to think: what stands in my way? I always pray that God will bless others through my...
08 Jul Teach or Learn … (Mt 10:1-7) by Paul Westendorf
"Jesus summoned His Twelve disciples...
06 Jul The Fast Track (Mt 9:18) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Before Jesus had finished speaking to them, a synagogue leader came up." ~ Mt 9:18 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Before today's Gospel, Jesus was talking about a new way of living and fasting (Mt 9:14). Jarius approached Him and asked for Jesus to bring his daughter back to...
03 Jul Doubting Thomas (Jn 20:29) by Brandon McAuliffe
"Jesus said to him, 'Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.'" ~ Jn 20:29 (full readings) . Brandon's Reflections: This weekend is full of cookouts and spending time together with our families and happens to coincide with...
01 Jul Never Lose Hope (Gn 21:5, 8-20A) by Amy Kosta
"Don’t be afraid; God has heard the boy’s cry in this plight of his. Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation." ~ Gn 21:5, 8-20A (full readings) . Amy's Reflections: In today's reading from Genesis we see...
30 Jun Keep Calm and Have Faith (Mt 8:26) by Dr. Rich Reich
"He said to them, 'Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?' Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm." ~ Mt 8:26 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel, Jesus got into a boat and His disciples followed Him. A violent...
24 Jun Difference Makers (Is 49:4-5) by Dr. Pat Castle
"Though I thought I had toiled in vain, yet my reward is with the LORD...
23 Jun Cry Out for Justice (Psalm 15) by Pastor Don Bird
"He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord." ~ Psalm 15 (full readings) . Pastor Don's Reflections: Justice. Throughout the Holy Scriptures, prophets have cried out for justice on behalf of God, and found themselves standing on their own. God has called His people to practice justice and...
19 Jun MagniFriday Our Father; Ahead of Father’s Day (Ps 34:3) by Jimmy Mack
"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." ~ Ps 34:3 (full readings) . Jimmy's Reflections: As a Father I have tried to lead my family to magnify the Lord with me. To extol His name together. To plant and water the seeds that each...
18 Jun His Justice Endures Forever (Ps 111:3-4) by Scott Casmer
"Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate." ~ Ps 111:3-4 (full readings) . Scott's Reflections: Today's reading reminds us that God is full of majesty, glory, and justice. The ministry of LIFE Runners indeed reflects this...
17 Jun Sow Bountifully (2 Cor 9:6) by Kevin McNicholas
"Consider this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." ~ 2 Cor 9:6 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: I am considering this, and wondering how I can better sow in the Lord's Vineyard? I haven't been to the Diocesan prayer rally with our...
16 Jun They Gave Themselves First to the Lord (Mt 5:48) by Paula Parmelee
"So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect." ~ Mt 5:48 (full readings) . Paula's Reflections: Mary's Choice Resource Center in Sioux City Iowa is strategically located next door to Planned Parenthood. On Monday May 18th Bishop Walker Nickless celebrated a dedication Mass in the chapel at...
15 Jun Go That Extra Mile (Mt 5:41) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles." ~ Mt 5:41 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In today's Gospel Jesus instructs, "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two." Christ's instruction deals with the Roman practice of commandeering civilians or...
11 Jun Pray for Conversion (Acts 11:24) by Dr. Rich Reich
"He himself was a good man filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. Thereby large numbers were added to the Lord." ~ Acts 11:24 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: The saint of today is St. Barnabas. St. Barnabas was extremely fruitful for God's Kingdom. This makes him one of...
10 Jun Do Something (Mt 5:17-19) by Sandy Hentges
"But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven." ~ Mt 5:17-19 (full readings) . Sandy's Reflections: "What do you want for your children?" It was a question posed by the principal to a school gymnasium filled with parents one cold winter evening. The...
09 Jun The Light (Mt 5:14) by Pastor Steve Selfridge
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden." ~ Mt 5:14 (full readings) . Pastor Steve's Reflections: You are the light of the world. It was time for an update. So away we went to the hardware story to purchase a new light for our entry...
05 Jun Light of Day (Tb 11:14) by Alice Chapman
"I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!" ~ Tb 11:14 (full readings) . Alice's Reflections: For more than 40 years, our society has worn blinders, or, like Tobit in today’s first reading, scales on its eyes preventing it from seeing the true light of day. Pro-choice advocates have...
04 Jun The Heart of It All (Mk 12:32-33) by Fr. Jonathan St. Andre
"The scribe said to him, ‘Well said, teacher. You are right in saying, He is One and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as...
03 Jun God is Alive!!! (Mk12:24,27) by Sara Beaner
"Jesus said to them, the reason why you are wrong is that you understand neither the scriptures nor the power of God. He is not God of the dead but of the living. You are very much mistaken." ~ Mk 12:24,27 (full readings) . Sara's Reflections: Some people have asked me how...
02 Jun God’s Eyes (Tobit 2:14) by Kevin McNicholas
"Where are your charitable deeds now? Where are your righteous acts? Look! All that has happened to you is well known!" ~ Tobit 2:14 (full readings) . Kevin's Reflections: Tobit's wife Anna was right to call him out here! Anna said this out of love, to help Tobit recognize God in...
01 Jun God’s Vineyard (Mk 12:1) by Dr. Rich Reich
"A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press, and built a tower. Then he leased it to tenant farmers and left on a journey." ~ Mk 12:1 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the tenant farmers. He...
29 May Finish the Race (Sirach 44:11) by Dr. Rich Reich
"Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants." ~ Sirach 44:11 (full readings) . Rich's Reflections: Jesus warned us about "laying the foundation and then not being able to complete the work" (Lk 14:29). As in today's reading, our wealth remains in our families and in the future of our...
27 May God and Country (Ps 79:8) by Bonnie Sabin
"Remember not against us the iniquities of the past; may your compassion quickly come to us, for we are brought very low." ~ Ps 79:8 (full readings) . Bonnie's Reflections: Recently we observed the annual National Day of Prayer for the United States (always first Thursday of May). It was great to gather...