Luke 2:40 (Theology of the Body)

Welcome God every morning before your 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

The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon Him. Luke 2:40

Living Faith snippets: “Thinking of Jesus as a child enlivens His humanity for me and makes it easier for me to continue to follow the man He became. Dear Jesus, fill me with your wisdom and strengthen so that I may follow you.” by Aileen O’Donoghue

Faith Challenge: Let’s challenge each other to J.O.Y.-fully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15). Suggestions?

* NEW: Jesus taught us how to pray with the Our Father prayer (Luke 11). Teach children to pray…thank God, reconcile with God, ask God, praise God. Pray with your children at every meal and every night before bed…those who pray together, stay together.

Culture War/ProLife News: click LifeSiteNews, American Family Association, Priests for Life

* Let’s never forget the horrific reality of abortion (click here for images).

* NEW: “NBC rejects Super Bowl ad because it contains pro-life message” (click here to read details, watch the powerful ad, and send NBC your comments). Although it was a great game, I was disappointed in several of the Superbowl commercials. The Superbowl should be protected as a family event, instead it is yet another one-way media event (didn’t allow pro-life ad) further perverting the Theology of the Body in our culture war.

* NEW: “Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters” (by Dr. Meg Meeker) is a must read for Dad’s with daughters in today’s culture. It has opened my eyes even further.

Our Prayers: those that pray together stay together

* Let’s pray for courage to communicate the ProLife message through Christ to those around us (John 14:6)…rebuilding a Culture of Life (Matt 5:16).

* Prayer to End Abortion, chastity, peace, our enemies, our troops, depression/ despair, prisoners, Pres Obama/politicians, lack of faith, illnesses/injuries, Papa Joe Castle (brain bleed resolution), Maureen Morgan (reconciliation for Sue Peterson and son), Rob Ouellette (Isabella, Reia, Louisa, Kathy & Artiss), Peters family (JP, updates here)

Faith Quote: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”” Isaiah 6:8

For Love of God and Neighbor,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* Today’s Bible readings here. Reflections for readings here.
* 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.’

* Fasting: Let’s fast from things that takes 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 lie 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 J.O.Y.-fully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!