Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Blog Award!
Anne at Imprisoned in my Bones-Releasing my Inner Jeremiah has sent me this beautiful award which I somehow managed to copy [don't ask me how, it was a fluke]. Thank you, Anne! Your blog is one of my favorites! There is nothing that inspires me more than truth and a deep love for God, so I pass this award on to these bloggers:
Colleen at Thoughts on Grace http://colleenspiro.blogspot.com/
Allison at A broken Fortress http://brokenfortress.blogspot.com/
Mrs. Pogle at Mrs Pogle's World http://iamhisbeloved.wordpress.com/
Rachel at Soliloquy http://rachelssoliloquy.blogspot.com/
Theresa at Carmelitemom http://carmelitemom.blogspot.com/
I would actually like to send this award to every blog that I follow. Each of you are unique and I enjoy all of them. May God bless you all!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Mine eyes have seen the Glory!
" May God have pity on us and bless us; may he let his face shine upon us. So may your way be known upon the earth; among all nations, your salvation. May the peoples praise you O God; may all the peoples praise you!" Psalm 67: 2-4
I love this psalm, I can't read it without smiling. Today, this psalm is my prayer; that all nations may praise Him. That every single person on the earth becomes aware of God's infinite love and mercy. That the entire world would humble their hearts and kneel before Him. Imagine the greatness of such a day :) And never say never. Our God is King!
I titled this, " Mine eyes have seen the Glory", because this song has become an endless refrain in my heart. It started a month ago when I was kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration and it has never left me.I hadn't heard this song since I was a child so I looked up the lyrics. http://www.hymns.me.uk/mine-eyes-have-seen-the-glory-favorite-hymn.htm What a powerful song! Two phrases particularly struck me:
"Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel."
"He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat."
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Utterly Thine, O Lord!
I love this psalm, I can't read it without smiling. Today, this psalm is my prayer; that all nations may praise Him. That every single person on the earth becomes aware of God's infinite love and mercy. That the entire world would humble their hearts and kneel before Him. Imagine the greatness of such a day :) And never say never. Our God is King!
I titled this, " Mine eyes have seen the Glory", because this song has become an endless refrain in my heart. It started a month ago when I was kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration and it has never left me.I hadn't heard this song since I was a child so I looked up the lyrics. http://www.hymns.me.uk/mine-eyes-have-seen-the-glory-favorite-hymn.htm What a powerful song! Two phrases particularly struck me:
"Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel."
"He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment seat."
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Utterly Thine, O Lord!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Holy, Holy, Holy
The world is caught in such a deep spiral of sin that only God can restore it. And He will. The holiness of God is beyond our comprehension.Over the years, God has plunged me into periods of purgation so intense that if it wasn't for His grace, I don't know if I could have gotten through them. Each time that I come out of these periods of purgation I realize that His holiness is far, far greater than I could ever imagine. For a while, I used to dread the Lord's consolations because I knew what was coming next. Now I look forward to the purging and I look at the consolations as brief moments of rest. I have learned (the hard way) that the best way to get through the times of purgation is to totally abandon yourself and place all your trust in Him. If you fight it, it makes it much more difficult to get through. The blessing is that the Lord in his kindness reveals himself slowly (usually this is His way) so as not to overwhelm us. If we stood in the Light of Truth all at once, it would be very painful, depending on the state of one's soul. So...today I thank you, O Lord of all Truth, for your gentleness and great love for me and all my brothers and sisters in this world. Please continue to illuminate our hearts and minds that we might grow in holiness and become more sensitive to the inspirations of The Holy Spirit who dwells within us.
As a side note:
There may come a time when our consciences do undergo a complete illumination (other than at the time of death). Many saints have spoken about this illumination... which I believe will happen. Why do I believe this? Because the Lord loves us so completely that I think He will step in and correct a world gone so wrong. He is merciful.
As a side note:
There may come a time when our consciences do undergo a complete illumination (other than at the time of death). Many saints have spoken about this illumination... which I believe will happen. Why do I believe this? Because the Lord loves us so completely that I think He will step in and correct a world gone so wrong. He is merciful.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Thoughts on Grace: Sabbath Moments Meme
Thoughts on Grace: Sabbath Moments Meme: hosted by Colleen at Thoughts on Grace is a weekly meme that reminds us to rest in God and live in the moment, to enjoy God in silence and nature. This week, the moments which touched me deeply and reminded me of God's Love were both inspired by my daughter. When her bus comes up the street to pick her up in the mornings she covers my face with kisses. Every morning without fail. She jumps into my arms and showers me with love. And I am reminded of what a miracle she is. A gift from heaven. The Lord gave me a "word" the year before she was born that I would have a baby....and the Lord's word was good. She sat on the counter today while I washed dishes and chatted to me about God for half an hour and in that short time I learned more about love than 100 sermons could have taught me.
One of her little tidbits of wisdom was this:
Sins leave little black spots on a person's soul and the more a person sins, the darker their soul gets. If their soul gets really black, it's really bad and makes them forget how to be good because God can't help them as much. That's why forgiveness is important.
Made sense to me :)
One of her little tidbits of wisdom was this:
Sins leave little black spots on a person's soul and the more a person sins, the darker their soul gets. If their soul gets really black, it's really bad and makes them forget how to be good because God can't help them as much. That's why forgiveness is important.
Made sense to me :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
In the Name of Love
Do everything in the Name of Love. For God alone. Everything. Even if you are so ill that you can not get out of bed....breathe in the Name of Love. Unite all your joys, sorrows, work, prayers, sufferings and daily trials to Our Lord Jesus Christ. I even unite my heartbeat with His. He sanctified everything in His Name.
" I do not look at the act itself. I look at the intention. The smallest act, if done out of love, acquires such merit that it gives me immense consolation.....I want only love, I ask for nothing else."
Our Lord to Sister Josefa Menendez
Lord, I praise Thee and thank Thee for all things! You are the King of kings! Blessed be Thy Holy Name!
" I do not look at the act itself. I look at the intention. The smallest act, if done out of love, acquires such merit that it gives me immense consolation.....I want only love, I ask for nothing else."
Our Lord to Sister Josefa Menendez
Lord, I praise Thee and thank Thee for all things! You are the King of kings! Blessed be Thy Holy Name!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A pillar of salt
The Lord doesn't like it when I dig in my past. "But Lot's wife looked back, and she was turned into a pillar of salt." Gen. 19:26. We are to forgive always and live in the present. That is not to say that we shouldn't learn from the past, just that we shouldn't live there :) The Lord wanted me to print this for some reason....so I did.
Utterly Thine O Lord
Lord, teach us to always look at you, for you are the Eternal Present. I thank you and praise you, O Lord, for this precious gift! Amen
Utterly Thine O Lord
Lord, teach us to always look at you, for you are the Eternal Present. I thank you and praise you, O Lord, for this precious gift! Amen
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Tekel
I questioned the Lord on the "word" I received the other day and He prompted my heart to open the bible and read Daniel, chapter 5. Of course, the Lord is funny and the bible opened to the exact page. Here are the passages that I was drawn to:
" This is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Tekel, and Peres. These words mean: Mene, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; Tekel, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel ch. 5: 25-28
What caused the downfall of Belshazzar? He did not humble his heart. " You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify."
Are we better than Babylon during Belshazzar's rule? Does America glorify God? What fruits has America brought forth over the past 50 years? "Either declare the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit." Mt, 12:33
Let's take a look at the fruit that America has produced lately:
materialism
broken families
adultery
rampant crime
pornography
child abuse
abortion
The list could go on and on. And so I ask these questions:
One nation under God? Indivisible? With liberty and justice for all?
The name of this chapter of Daniel is: The Writing on the Wall. We should read it.
" This is the writing that was inscribed: Mene, Tekel, and Peres. These words mean: Mene, God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it; Tekel, you have been weighed on the scales and found wanting; Peres, your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Daniel ch. 5: 25-28
What caused the downfall of Belshazzar? He did not humble his heart. " You had the vessels of his temple brought before you, so that you and your nobles, your wives and your entertainers, might drink wine from them; and you praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, that neither see nor hear nor have intelligence. But the God in whose hand is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify."
Are we better than Babylon during Belshazzar's rule? Does America glorify God? What fruits has America brought forth over the past 50 years? "Either declare the tree good and its fruit is good, or declare the tree rotten and its fruit is rotten, for a tree is known by its fruit." Mt, 12:33
Let's take a look at the fruit that America has produced lately:
materialism
broken families
adultery
rampant crime
pornography
child abuse
abortion
The list could go on and on. And so I ask these questions:
One nation under God? Indivisible? With liberty and justice for all?
The name of this chapter of Daniel is: The Writing on the Wall. We should read it.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Thoughts on Grace: Sabbath Moments Meme
Thoughts on Grace: Sabbath Moments Meme
I am joining Colleen once again for her Sabbath Moments Meme. This meme is a reminder for me to focus on God and to live in the present. Or as Colleen puts it: to be still and rest in God. I have had many Sabbath Moments this week. The other day, after Mass, I was driving in my car and passed a restaurant. On a billboard in front of it was posted, " YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!" I could barely drive home as this thought resonated throughout my being. You are what you eat. No wonder Holy Communion is the greatest treasure of the Church. We receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus comes into our hearts and transforms us .....we become like Him. We consume Him and He utterly consumes us in the fire of His Love.
"If you have received worthily, you are what you have received." St. Augustine
Our Lord does not come down from heaven every day to lie in a golden ciborium. He comes to find another heaven which is infinitely dearer to Him - the heaven of our souls, created in his image, the living temples of the adorable Trinity." St. Therese
Yesterday, I posted about New Age spirituality. I decided to post about the Eucharist today because it points to a Christ- centered spirituality versus an I- centered spirituality. The difference between the two is infinite.
I am joining Colleen once again for her Sabbath Moments Meme. This meme is a reminder for me to focus on God and to live in the present. Or as Colleen puts it: to be still and rest in God. I have had many Sabbath Moments this week. The other day, after Mass, I was driving in my car and passed a restaurant. On a billboard in front of it was posted, " YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!" I could barely drive home as this thought resonated throughout my being. You are what you eat. No wonder Holy Communion is the greatest treasure of the Church. We receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ! Jesus comes into our hearts and transforms us .....we become like Him. We consume Him and He utterly consumes us in the fire of His Love.
"If you have received worthily, you are what you have received." St. Augustine
Our Lord does not come down from heaven every day to lie in a golden ciborium. He comes to find another heaven which is infinitely dearer to Him - the heaven of our souls, created in his image, the living temples of the adorable Trinity." St. Therese
Yesterday, I posted about New Age spirituality. I decided to post about the Eucharist today because it points to a Christ- centered spirituality versus an I- centered spirituality. The difference between the two is infinite.
Friday, October 16, 2009
If you play with fire, you might get burned.
We live in a world where instant gratification is king. I can't walk into a bookstore without finding New Age books everywhere. These authors make gods of themselves and suggest that others do so, also. Their eyes are blind and the blindfold is pride. Various celebrities have touted these books as being inspired. By whom?
Certainly not by the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth. Whenever a book leads away from truth and draws readers to depend on their own fallen nature we can easily see where the inspiration for these books comes from: the father of lies. Lucifer, in his pride, cried out,"I will be like the Most High." Look at the apple dangled before Adam and Eve,"You will be like gods." New age books always give themselves away at some point or other, usually with some form of pride similar to that which caused satan's own downfall. They can be downright dangerous if they draw one to the occult. Certain doors are meant to stay shut for our own protection. Those who dabble in the occult are playing with fire. And they just might get burned.
Lord, deliver our brothers and sisters who are involved with New Age and occult practices. Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they do. Pour your mercy upon these souls that they may be released from the chains that bind them. Heal them and set them free. I ask this in the mighty and all-powerful name of Jesus, at who's name every knee shall bend. Amen!
Certainly not by the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of Truth. Whenever a book leads away from truth and draws readers to depend on their own fallen nature we can easily see where the inspiration for these books comes from: the father of lies. Lucifer, in his pride, cried out,"I will be like the Most High." Look at the apple dangled before Adam and Eve,"You will be like gods." New age books always give themselves away at some point or other, usually with some form of pride similar to that which caused satan's own downfall. They can be downright dangerous if they draw one to the occult. Certain doors are meant to stay shut for our own protection. Those who dabble in the occult are playing with fire. And they just might get burned.
Lord, deliver our brothers and sisters who are involved with New Age and occult practices. Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they do. Pour your mercy upon these souls that they may be released from the chains that bind them. Heal them and set them free. I ask this in the mighty and all-powerful name of Jesus, at who's name every knee shall bend. Amen!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Playing with fire
This is a good time to give your spiritual house a good fall cleaning. Simplify and toss whatever does not lead to God. The more room that you make for Him the better. After you get rid of unnecessary clutter ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. Everything matters and everything makes a difference. I keep seeing articles and books about being balanced and simplifying. When I peek at these I shake my head. No. The world is already balanced on the edge of a precipice and about to tip over. The suggestions I read are hilarious. Listen to this one: " Ask for help from the universe." Yeah, right. That's like asking a table to pray for you. I have a better one: Ask for help from the CREATOR of the universe. Here is another one that would have made me giggle if it wasn't so pitiful: "Cast a rune." No thanks. No wonder the True Rock is such a stumbling block for so many; they insist on playing with pebbles instead.
God first and then everything else will fall into place. This is the answer.
God first and then everything else will fall into place. This is the answer.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Nineveh and repentance
"When the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself in sackcloth, and sat in the ashes." Jonah 3:5, 6
Nineveh repented and God forgave them. How simple the answer to America's problems. Repentance.
God forgave them. Sorrow for one's sins draws down mercy. Even the king humbled himself. Maybe we should learn a few things from the past instead of constantly reliving it.
Nineveh repented and God forgave them. How simple the answer to America's problems. Repentance.
God forgave them. Sorrow for one's sins draws down mercy. Even the king humbled himself. Maybe we should learn a few things from the past instead of constantly reliving it.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
Sabbath Moments
Thoughts on Grace: Sabbath Moments Meme
Colleen at Thoughts on Grace has started a Meme called Sabbath Moments. You can read more about this Meme at the above link. I liked this one....a time to rest in God and live in the moment, to enjoy God in silence and nature.
October is my favorite month of the year. I live in New England and the foliage is spectacular at this time of the year. The world is aglow with color and God's canvas is the most beautiful of all. It never fails to fill me with awe. Even as a child this was my favorite month. Sometimes I think that God made October as a sign pointing at how we are to grow spiritually. Spring is a child just budding and beginning to grow. Summer is the adult rooted deeply into the earth. Autumn is the elder, wise and crowned with inner beauty; harvest time, where the fruits of our life are ready to be reaped. After the fruit is gathered comes winter, which is death. If the fruit is good....eternal life begins.
Another reason October is my favorite month:
It's the month of the Rosary!
Some of my favorite saints have their feast days in this month.
My patron saint's feast day is Oct. 15 - St. Teresa of Avila
My birthday is Oct. 15
Colleen at Thoughts on Grace has started a Meme called Sabbath Moments. You can read more about this Meme at the above link. I liked this one....a time to rest in God and live in the moment, to enjoy God in silence and nature.
October is my favorite month of the year. I live in New England and the foliage is spectacular at this time of the year. The world is aglow with color and God's canvas is the most beautiful of all. It never fails to fill me with awe. Even as a child this was my favorite month. Sometimes I think that God made October as a sign pointing at how we are to grow spiritually. Spring is a child just budding and beginning to grow. Summer is the adult rooted deeply into the earth. Autumn is the elder, wise and crowned with inner beauty; harvest time, where the fruits of our life are ready to be reaped. After the fruit is gathered comes winter, which is death. If the fruit is good....eternal life begins.
Another reason October is my favorite month:
It's the month of the Rosary!
Some of my favorite saints have their feast days in this month.
My patron saint's feast day is Oct. 15 - St. Teresa of Avila
My birthday is Oct. 15
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Read the signs
Two months ago I had a dream: I was standing on the grass, looking up at the sky. I saw four fighter jets; they came from four different directions: north, west, east and south. They met above where I stood and flew in formation. A banner unfurled below them. It read, in giant letters:
AMERICA YOU ARE BEING WARNED!
Part of me does not want to write about such things. Sadly, I still care too much of what people think. I am printing it because I know the Lord wants me to.
Utterly Thine, O Lord.
AMERICA YOU ARE BEING WARNED!
Part of me does not want to write about such things. Sadly, I still care too much of what people think. I am printing it because I know the Lord wants me to.
Utterly Thine, O Lord.
Blest Insomniac
One of the blessings about being an insomniac is that it gives me a chance to read some great books. What am I reading right now? blest atheist by Elizabeth Mahlou. If you have not yet read this book I highly recommend picking it up. Why? So far it is the best book that I have read all year. I don't think anyone will walk away from this one unchanged. The hand of God is on this one.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Perfect Love
I' m writing a second post because I did not want to add anything to the last one. Let it stand on it's own. I didn't want my thoughts tainting it. Not to say that I'm not going to put in my own two cents now, though :) I had some difficulty with this "word". I struggled with it all week. Peace finally flowed over me this morning when I printed it. I want to give you my perspective on this "word":
God loves us immensely. There are some powerful prayer warriors in our world and many people love the Lord. Overall, however, the world has continued on the path of self-destruction. You can see it everywhere. A person would have to be blind not to notice. Take a good, hard look around you. After taking a good long look....read between the lines. God's hand is here. Purification is a flood of grace. Cars run on gasoline, people run on grace. The thing is: we have to turn on the ignition. Grace requires a response. Our Lord has been flooding the world with grace but overall the response has been lukewarm at best. Being a loving God, he pours more love down until we take notice. Will we turn to Him? That is the question.
One more thing to remember:
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
God loves us immensely. There are some powerful prayer warriors in our world and many people love the Lord. Overall, however, the world has continued on the path of self-destruction. You can see it everywhere. A person would have to be blind not to notice. Take a good, hard look around you. After taking a good long look....read between the lines. God's hand is here. Purification is a flood of grace. Cars run on gasoline, people run on grace. The thing is: we have to turn on the ignition. Grace requires a response. Our Lord has been flooding the world with grace but overall the response has been lukewarm at best. Being a loving God, he pours more love down until we take notice. Will we turn to Him? That is the question.
One more thing to remember:
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love." 1 John 4:18
Saturday, October 3, 2009
The time is now
And so it begins. We are entering a period of intense purification. Turn to the Lord. The time is now.
"Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord your God: None of my words shall be delayed any longer; whatever I speak shall be final, and it shall be done, says the Lord God." Ezekiel 12:28
Utterly Thine , O Lord
"Say to them therefore: Thus says the Lord your God: None of my words shall be delayed any longer; whatever I speak shall be final, and it shall be done, says the Lord God." Ezekiel 12:28
Utterly Thine , O Lord