Ezekiel 47:8 (absence makes the hear grow fonder)

[The angel] said to me, “This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh.” Ezekiel 47:8

Living Faith snippets: “Towards the end of Lent last year, someone asked me, with a measure of annoyance, why we empty the baptismal and holy water fonts between Holy Thursday night and the Easter Vigil. A wonderful question in light of how important flowing water is in our faith. I told her that we make such uncomfortable changes to remind ourselves, with something more than words, that this is a time to consciously experience our need for God to touch the deserts of our lives–our fears, selfishness, greed and consumerism. The absence of water fairly shouts our need for the blessings only God can give.”

Rich’s comments: Today’s devotional reminds me of the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” It is true that when my wife Erica is not around, that I recognize the things that I might have taken for granted (e.g. her touch, her voice, companionship, conversation, assistance, etc). When I am reunited with Erica after a business trip, I feel even closer to her than before I left. In making sacrifices this Lenten season, may we recognize the things that God has blessed us with and give Him thanks.

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

* NEW: Give yourself as an offering this Lenten season. Do something that removes you from your comfort zone, but benefits someone in need.

Culture of Life (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)!
* 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!

Pro-Life Conference Tidbits: Chris Slattery spoke at the Florida Students for Life Conference. He has pursued a dream to support pregnant women and girls in need with real alternatives to abortion and launched Expectant Mother Care-EMC FrontLine Pregnancy Centers in mid-town Manhattan in 1985. Chris has made a major commitment to training America’s future frontline pro-life lifesavers with a unique NYC internship program, particularly for college students, through their “American Center for Pro-Life Action.” Chris pointed out the geographical disparity in which the majority of Pro-Lifers are not located where the majority of abortions are taking place (i.e. the big cities including NYC, LA, Phoenix, etc). His internship program houses interns for the summer, trains them how to counsel women considering an abortion, and puts them into action. Some of the interns were available to speak at our conference and they showed us pictures of the women with their babies whose lives they had saved. For more information about this active Pro-Life group please visit their website here.

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, Paul Cote (sister Christine with cancer), Sharmane Calvin (Dr. Earl passed away/his family), Kathy Castle (16 cars pulled into Planned Parenthood with young girls), Carla Neal (Katelyn, Mollie, Pam Bert, Edna, Maureen, Cathy, Robin and their families)

Faith Quote: “Much more is accomplished by a single word of the Our Father said, now and then, from our heart, than by the whole prayer repeated many times in haste and without attention.” by Saint Teresa

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)!