The Joy of Life (Mt 20:16) by Pastor Mark Roberts

21 Aug The Joy of Life (Mt 20:16) by Pastor Mark Roberts

Welcome God now with this LIFE Group Devotion (FB), provided by LIFE Runners (FB).  Leaders.  Guest Authors.
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“Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.” ~ (Mt 20:16) (full readings)
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Pastor Mark’s Reflections:  Today I get to experience frustrations, stress and maybe even heartache.  Personality conflicts on my staff, financial woes, and career uncertainties are some of the “joys” of life.  Being middle-aged and hitting the big 5-0 this year, there are aches and pains in places I never knew could hurt.  My 88 year old father’s comforting advice wasn’t so comforting when he said, “Son, it will only get worse!”  My run time is slower and my recovery time is longer.  I can’t read without glasses anymore, there is a constant ringing in my ears and I have hair in all the wrong places and none in the right places!  It is no fun getting old, but I am thankful to have a heartbeat.  I complain and yet I live.
* Mark Roberts is the Deputy Wing Chaplain at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City, South Dakota.  In September he will become the Wing Chaplain at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls Montana.  Chaplain Roberts is originally from Alabama and has three wonderful children; Aaron, Elea and Eric.
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Faith Challenge:  Today 4,000 hearts will stop beating and those are 4,000 people who will never have the joys of life I have mentioned.  On this day, pray for that mother who sees an abortion as her only alternative.  Pray that God will change the hearts of those who perform abortions.  Pray for our nation that we will arise from our slumber and take a stand for life.  Pray for our children who are in danger of losing their lives before their first breath.  Today we pray and stand for those 4,000 hearts so that they may beat again tomorrow.
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Counter-Culture News: LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion. LIFE Runners Creed & Patron Saint. Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Memorial of Saint Pius X, Pope.
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Faith Quote: “I think at the heart of the pro-life movement is the idea that all people are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights starting with life.” ~ Mike Huckabee
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Through Christ Our Redeemer,
Pastor Mark 
Jer 29:11