Mark 10:35 (missing the point, capital punishment)

* 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).

Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you. Mark 10:35

Living Faith snippets: “The apostles seem to miss the point. Rather than seeing the big picture of Jesus’ mission, they begin to ask for worldly, human things. The Lord doesn’t admonish them for this, but simply asks, “What do you wish me to do for you?” I forget how much Jesus has already done for me. I bombard Him with my worldly requests. In His mercy, He addresses all of them.” by Carol Ann Soisson

* Capital punishment: Over the weekend, I caught an NPR segment on “At the Death House Door” (http://www.ifc.com/atthedeathhousedoor), which airs 9 PM EST, Thurs, 29 May, IFC channel. This documentary is “through the eyes of Pastor Carroll Pickett, who served 15 years as the death house chaplain” in Huntsville, TX. The film focuses on the execution of Carlos De Luna (1989), who was proven innocent in 2005 by Chicago Tribune reporters that discovered new evidence. Capital punishment is clearly supported in the Old Testament (even for cursing parents, violating Sabbath, witchcraft, adultery, homosexuality, and premarital sex)…and apparently supported in the New Testament (Rom 13:1-4), likely because government was not able to control super criminals. Is capital punishment necessary today with our super prisons? Regarding consequences to the criminal (justice), do you think it is easier to die by lethal injection (supposedly painless) or be in prison for life (freedom minimized)? Regarding consequences to society, it is less expensive for a criminal to spend life in prison than to go through the appeals process for capital punishment. Some say that certain criminals “deserve” to die. Spiritually speaking, we all deserve to die…but are saved by accepting the gift of Christ’s cross. Can you imagine being the innocent man who endured trial, appeals and execution? (This is what Christ went through for us.) This horrible image caused me to tear up in sadness while listening to the NPR segment. To prevent even one innocent person from enduring capital punishment may be enough to end it? This reminded me of Genesis 18:23-32 where God says he will spare the city of Sodom if there were even just a few righteous people among the wicked. Regardless of our views on capital punishment, we are called by Christ to love and forgive even the worst criminals (love our enemies, serve the least). We can love them by at least praying for their metanoia (change of heart) and reconciliation with God, neighbor, and self. Does anyone have prison ministry experiences to share?

ProLife news: lifesitenews.com
* “The stronger our faith in God the more willing we are to defend human life and its God-given dignity.” by Bishop William E. Lori

Our Prayers: Abortion, our enemies, our troops, China earthquake, Myanmar cyclone, depression/despair, prisoners (metanoia), Vicki Miller (her cancer treatment), Pam McGushin (Cindy’s cancer treatment), Tom Tenpenny (sister in law Anna’s cancer treatment), Jenny Senour (ProLife job interview), Pat Castle (niece Shantelle’s misdirection), Kelly Benson (son Emeric premature birth), Kathy-jo Peterson (aunt Peggy’s brain cancer), Kay Castle (friend Betty’s back pain), Joe Hourigan (friend’s son, Peter, with Downs Syndrome), Tracy Humphreys (Windsor, CO tornado recovery)

Faith quote: Chad Livingston shared this G.K. Chesterton quote on his devotions blog (CougarsDaily.blogspot.com). “Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is actually looking for God.”

Through Christ for ProLife,

Pat

Phil 4:13

* Outreach: Let’s invite those near us to join our LIFE Devotions group, providing routine spiritual connection and strength. You could simply forward a devotion to them with an invitation. Let’s joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!

* 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: Websites at life-devotions.blogspot.com. ‘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…