hope for the lonely...the.sad this Christmas.......

We need something to listen to ....to pray with....to meditate on... when late night Christmas Eve comes...we feel the loneliness....loss....pain....fear....sorrow...and everyone else is sleeping...or we are alone....listen to these songs....worship God...He is Real...He loves you like no one ever will....and He came so we could be free.....you are not alone...neither am i....til next time...hugs and prayers, ang

Adore by Chris Tomlin...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br-Ql1zVcUc


A Christmas Alleluia by Chris Tomlin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG347euXoTM


When Love is born...Marc Schultz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKSU9Dbxvrw

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And my 29 yr old son recommends this one for younger souls...and older ones who remember...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-kHleNYIDc

CHRISTMAS PRAYERS....BE BLESSED

A BLESSED CHRISTMAS TO ALL.....HERE ARE SOME BEAUTIFUL PRAYERS....REJOICE EVERYONE...FOR JESUS CAME TO EARTH TO SAVE US ALL!!!!  GOD BLESS AND BE ASSURED OF MY CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR ALL OF YOU....

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Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, 
[here mention your request]
through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.

Prayer for Christmas

(Attributed to St. Bernard of Clairvaux)

Let your goodness, Lord, appear to us, that we, made in your image, may conform ourselves to it. In our own strength we cannot image your majesty, power and wonder; nor is it fitting for us to try. But your mercy reaches from the heavens, through the clouds, to the earth below. You have come to us as a small child, but you have brought us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of your eternal love. Caress us with your tiny hands, embrace us with your tiny arms, and pierce our hearts with your soft, sweet cries.

The Pope's Christmas message:

http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/Vatican.php?id=11384

Christmas Prayers:

http://www.acatholic.org/advent-christmas/christmas-prayers/

"face to the floor!"

i am extremely sorry i have not written consistently over the past 2 months.  i have been caring for my 94 yr old Mother who has been in and out of hospitals and rehab.  i just want to extend a simple line that was given back to me this weekend by a dear friend who i have supported thru colon cancer.  We only have seen each other 2-3 times but have remained in touch by phone and text and the bond we have is deep and God based.  i gave him this line 5 yrs ago and on Sat. when i called out in need for prayer for myself during this time of serving Mom in this crisis time, he sent it back to me...

"The prayer of a  believer on his/her knees is invincible!"

i went further than that.....face to the ground.....when we prostrate before the Living God...His Majesty, miracles happen!

Whatever you are confronted with....return to your knees....lie face to the floor and beg God for help....and remember, more important than your physical body being on the floor is the posture of your heart!...and watch the Christmas Miracles come!  Maybe we can add some fasting and alms giving too!

God bless....be assured of my continued prayers and plz continue to pray for me and Mom and my family.  Thank you..

till next time....let's spend some silent time "face to the floor"!  ang

Quotes from Justice League that are powerful...

i really like when things that are in the world can have a deeper meaning in God if we apply it.  i went to see Justice League...and here are some quotes that have the potential to help us grow...

1.  Lois Lane said, “The truest darkness is not absence of light but that light will never return… But the light always returns…  Hope is real.  You can see it.  All you have to do is look up into the sky.”

i would have capitalized Light....

2.  This was said to Wonder Woman," you don’t just save people, you make them see the best parts of themselves.”

God willing this is what we do...

3.   Superman said, “Hope is like car keys.  Easy to lose but if you dig around they’re easy to find.”

all three are worthy of meditating on.....today we start the second week of Advent....PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD.....

til next time....let's take 5 minutes of silence with God before we go to sleep.

God bless!

angie

ps:  asking continued prayers for my Mom's health.  ty

the links from previous blog...

the links from last blog....

www.dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever

emarketing.litpress.org/public/vwS0/wL2/subscribe

www.catholicity.com/cds/

www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobSubscribe.asp

Special thanks to St. Joseph's Palisades Advent Retreat, "What are you looking for?"

i want to thank you for coming to this evening's event.  It really was a beautiful night of healing and deep intimacy with God.  Special thanks to Fr. Nelson who orchestrated everything and Millie for her great artistic talents in creating the posters and pamphlets.   i hope all of us leave more assured of "What we are looking for?" and deeply healed to make this Advent, Christmas and entire year an adventure chasing God in a new way.   i pray everyone of us in attendance will find Jesus for ourselves so that this Advent and Christmas will be different as we pursue Jesus Our Savior....and not get lost in the hustle and bustle of Dec. 25th.  We Love God 365 days of the year not just in Dec.  To God Alone be all the Glory and Power and Honor and Praise.  You can contact me at this site by leaving personal comments that will not be posted public unless i approve and post it myself.  i serve as Music Minister at Holy Redeemer Parish in town. i also am available for individual spiritual direction. If i can help you or your parish in any way, please feel free to contact me.  There are many resources available to help in our journey with God. Take time to visit these sites below for materials to support your daily prayer life now during Advent/Christmas and every day of the year. Remember the more we chase God, the more we catch Him! Be assured of my continued prayers for you and please do keep me in yours. Zephaniah 3:17-18 Thanks,

Because He lives!
angie

Below is info that was given to all in attendance....

www.dynamiccatholic.com/best-advent-ever
emarketing.litpress.org/public/vwS0/wL2/subscribe
www.catholicity.com/cds/
www.presentationministries.com/obob/obobSubscribe.asp


Read John 1:38, the title of tonight's event.....lets read the entire chapter....

“What are you looking for?"

Mary's Dream

I had a dream, Joseph, I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new clothes. They'd gone shopping many times and bought elaborate gifts. It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren't for our Son.They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house. They'd decorated the tree also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful.
Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don't think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know Him?
I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration He would have been intruding. Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. How sad for Jesus -not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration.
I'm glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.
~ Another special Christmas Message from your friends at Bethany Farms Box 311, Carrllton, IL 62016 Copyright © 1986 Bethany Farms.

          -------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Putting God First is the thing we need to do...listen to this song.....
          www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbWQV3OiRqA
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Give thanks for every moment!

i texted a note like this today to a friend diagnosed with a serious illness who was leaving Sloane Kettering after a week of treatments.  He will have to continue outpatient ....i wanted to post this hoping it might help some suffering the same things at this time...

EACH MOMENT WE HAVE EACH DAY IS A GIFT....A PRIVILEGE.  AN ILLNESS....SUFFERINGS...ACCIDENTS..... HAVE A WAY OF REMINDING US OF THIS.  SADLY, WE USUALLY NEVER REACH THE DEPTH WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO REACH OUTSIDE OF TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE THESE IN OUR LIVES.  WE ARE GIVEN A SPECIAL GRACE WHEN FACING OUR OWN MORTALITY THAT OTHER PEOPLE CANNOT EXPERIENCE TO THE DEGREE ONE CAN WHEN IN THE HEAT OF SUFFERING.  LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS HOLIDAY...AN THIS YRS LIST, I AM SURE FOR MY FRIEND, WILL BE ON A MUCH DIFFERENT LEVEL THAN A HALLMARK CARD CAN EXPRESS.  GOD BLESS ALL OF US...AND FOR MY FRIEND WHO IS OUR NEW MIRACLE,  THANK YOU GOD FOR HEALING AND ANSWERING ALL OUR PRAYERS!!  CELEBRATE MY DEAR FRIENDS...LET'S CELEBRATE OUR NEW LIFE THIS DAY AND THE MIRACLES YET TO COME.  LOTS OF LOVE AND CONTINUED PRAYERS TO YOU, YOUR FAMILIES AND ALL THOSE YOU LOVE.    GOD BLESS!

REMINDER :  Thanksgiving is every day....celebrate a little differently this year.....make your own traditions....be with people who love you and accept you just the way you are....put God first and the turkey later....be brave enough to follow your heart in where you go, who you are with and what you will do this Thanksgiving....who knows?:...it might end up being the best Thanksgiving ever....and it just might be the last one we get to celebrate!

til next time....find all the verses in Scriptures that talk about giving thanks....

Welcome US Virgin Islands

Thanks for joining us.  Please invite your family and friends to stop by our blog.  Know i am praying for you.  i do hope you will visit us again.  God bless!  angie

Welcome Qatar...أهلا وسهلا بكم 'ahlaan wasahlaan bikum

سعيدة جدا لرؤية الناس من قطر الانضمام إلينا. يرجى دعوة عائلتك وأصدقائك للقدوم لزيارة. يرجى معرفة أنا أصلي بالنسبة لك. آمل أن زيارة مرة أخرى. ربنا يحميك! انجي

saeidat jiddaan liruyat alnaas min qatar alaindimam 'iilyna. yrja daewat eayilatik wa'asdiqayik lilqudum liziara. yrja maerifatan 'ana 'asli balnsbt lik. amul 'ana ziaratan maratan akhraa. rabana yhmyk! anjy

So happy to see people from Qatar joining us.  Please invite your family and friends to come to visit.  Please know i am praying for you.  i hope you visit again.  God bless you!  angie

Invitation to my Advent Retreat

FYI....DEC. 1ST.....7-9 PM...ST JOSEPH'S OF THE PALISADES 66TH ST. AND PALISADE AVE,  WEST NEW YORK, NJ...i WILL BE GIVING AN ADVENT RETREAT TITLED,

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?" JOHN 1:38

MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND INVITE ALL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS....AND CHURCH MINISTRIES

GOD'S PROMISES SAY....IT WILL BE AN EVENING WE ALL WILL NEVER FORGET!

GOD BLESS! angie

ps:  plz keep all those ministering and all those who are called to attend deep in your prayers.  TY

continued prayer request for my Mom...

Plz keep my Mom deep in your prayers ...she is having some difficulties....ty...

til next time....let's read Is 53 for her healing....ang

Prayer request for my Mom!

My Mom has done very well in rehab.  By the grace of God, this 94 yr old woman got out of the hospital in 6 days from serious issues and has been in rehab since and has gone from not being strong enough to stand to walking 70 feet with her walker and doing stairs.  Tomorrow i take her back to the hospital for a procedure that might require 1 overnight stay or two.  i ask for your continued prayers for her.  

Every time i think she might be close to going Home to Heaven, God has shown up in a very big way over the years to show His Might and Strength again and again.  i remind all of us to never give up on our loved ones nomatter how severe a case looks, nomatter how old or young one is....nomatter what people think and say including medical professionals....never give up....it is never over until it is over....and we all know we are journeying Somewhere, but in the meantime...Our God is full of Love and Miracles and Surprises each and every day!  Plz keep Mom deep in your prayers during this last hurdle in her recovery and say one for me as her caregiver and my entire family.  Praised be God's Holy Name!!!  

til next time....let's read Lamentations 3 in Its entirety....

Lam 3

22The LORD’s Acts of Mercy are not exhausted,

His Compassion is not spent;

23They are renewed each morning—

Great is Your Faithfulness!

My request for prayers today!

November 4th is a very special day for me in my relationship with God.  i now ask for prayers, fasting and almsgiving today from all who can and be assured i carry all of you this special day with me in all my prayers and all i do this day.  May God be praised now and forever!

til next time.....let's read 1 Cor 13.....LOVE!

Welcome Kyrgyzstan people...Кыргызстан элин тосуп Kırgızstan elin tosup

Кыргызстан элин тосуп! бизге кошулуу үчүн рахмат .... Plz сиздин үй-бүлөсү жана досторун айтып, алар бул блог күндөрү иш сапары менен тосуп алышат. Кудай сага батасын берсин! Энджи

Kırgızstan elin tosup! bizge koşuluu üçün rahmat .... Plz sizdin üy-bülösü jana dostorun aytıp, alar bul blog kündörü iş saparı menen tosup alışat. Kuday saga batasın bersin! Endji

welcome Kyrgyzstan people!  Thank you for joining us....plz tell your family and friends they are welcomed to visit this blog anytime.  May God bless you!  angie

Let's tame our tongues!!!!

James 3:17  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity!"

i was at Trader Joe's shopping and saw a situation that made me cry.  A beautiful mid aged woman was trying to back out of a parking spot and a mid aged man came quickly around the corner and they almost hit....almost...She started to curse and yell and i encouraged her to stay calm and go on her day and thank God nothing serious happened.  Then the man came out of his car arrogant and nasty and accused her of a thousand mistakes....she was waiting for him..wanted a fight....opened her window and then it began...i tried to reason with them with few words....plz be civil with each other....plz....they were so cruel....ugly....abusive...nasty...sarcastic...angry.....hateful...and they subjected everyone around them with their hate and foul language......i hung my head in sorrow....wept for the hate that two people showed each other...how can we treat another living being like this?...how can we be so out of control that Love cannot be the way we express ourselves....how can we not be respectful of  this person who carries the Breath of God in them?....oh my sorrow....i ached and everyone around me went about their business untouched by it....indifferent to this horrible experience.

The condition of this world starts with me....and you....one person at a time....This is how wars start....one person so self righteous they feel they have a right to scream at someone else as if they are garbage....i have a saying....'We better watch out how we treat God's kids....and all of us are His children!'....God is a Protective Parent and we surely must stop and speak with kindness to all.
We must think before we talk....we need to all develop self control....yes...i said it....SELF CONTROL....and patience.  Our mouths have the potential of 'killing' someone deep inside.  Better not to speak if we cannot do so civilly....in kindness....we can express our anger...we can express our feelings, but it better be in control or not at all.  When the anger is too high....wait.....when we are a lose canon, wait....when we feel like punching something....we must close our mouths and wait until our frontal lobe of reasoning begins to engage again.  Write the letter and do not send it .....edit it 10 times before you ever think of sending it.....until it is a mature respectful expression of what you want to say....talk to them only when you can do it in the same way. Very funny how you feel a day or two later after the incident....it loses power as time passes....How important is it anyway...if someone is not bleeding or dying there is no need for this rise in us....

Let's really evaluate our words, facial expressions...accusations....we can never really know a person's motive or background info from their lives.....i knew a priest who i particularly was not fond of because he worked mostly from his intellect and i am drawn to those who have mastered intellect expressed thru the heart....but there was one huge contribution he made to my life....every time he preached he expressed this line....."Always....Always give the benefit of the doubt!".....God bless him...for that is his gift to us....reminding us to cut some slack to everyone because we all are carrying burdens....and just maybe that person you are screaming at may have a cross in their life that is 100 times greater than anything you are walking thru.

til next time...let's pray James 3....Great Wisdom....and meditate on this great lesson in 'Taming the tongue'......be assured of my continued prayers and look for miracles in your lives...everyday is full of them...ang


http://www.usccb.org/bible/james/3

"The Truth shall set you free!" John 8:32

32"and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”

i found an insert from the The New York Times i had saved.....Their title, "Truth, it's more important now than ever!"...what great depth and insight in their version....but i wanted to spin off their title and make my opening Scripture the title ...& end with Scripture also...Using a capital T instead of a small case t.  They repeated over and over, "The truth is"....for each and every description... but i condensed it. 

There is One Truth....and God plays no favorites in revealing His Truth....if one is sincere..and truly desires to find God and Truth, God will bestow it on them....and so the insert reads (edited a bit):

The Truth is hard....hidden.... & must be pursued....
The Truth is hard to hear....rarely simple....& rarely obvious...
The Truth doesn't take sides....is not red or blue...
The Truth is necessary....it can't be glossed over....& it has no agenda
The Truth is hard to accept...pulls no punches....yet is worth defending...
The Truth requires taking a stand...

32"and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.”

til next time....Let's increase our prayer time....silent time with the Living God...and allow Him to infuse Absolute Truth in our minds, hearts and souls....here are some Scritpures that talk about Truth.....ang

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Absolute-Truth

i am sorry....and be a Fruit inspector!

i have been reading some greats who lived before us who fought to change the wrongs of the Catholic Church for yrs yet remained Catholic because of the Fullness of Truth they found there.

i want to apologize to anyone who did not encounter the full Love of God in people while in my church....to anyone deeply hurt by a priest, sister, nun, brother or lay person.    Too often we profess we are holy, religious, active in church, yet we have no resemblance to the One and Only True God!  Fr. Jim Ferry, a charismatic priest who was on Fire with Love for Jesus, always said, "Be a Fruit inspector"....this matches a quote in Scripture....Mt 7:15-16

15“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves.16By their fruits you will know them."

Let us today examine ourselves to see what type of Fruit we give.  Let's simplify....go deeper than anyone we have ever known who is holy.....Love like our life depends on It....knowing others' lives are sooo hungry and in need of It.  

And if we find ourselves depleted, let's take a break...go for a walk..eat something..sit silently with eyes closed and experience His Restoration and then go forward again ,when our cup is full,to bring His Love to everyone we meet....to every situation in our lives....remembering....Prayer is not for God....it is for us....let's make more time for it...for without serious prayer  many times a day, we can never reflect the Full Love of Jesus in a world desperately in need.  

And when we find someone in a place of worship who really lacks in kindness and Love, let us move away if need be or stay and be an example of Love.... and ask God for the ability to forgive, and pray for that person to be  healed and for them to experience God's Love for themselves fully so they can also carry His Light to a darkened world one day.  

til next time.....let's be Fruit inspectors starting with ourselves.....be assured of my continued prayers for all of  you!  Plz remember me in yours....ang

Welcome Singapore!

Welcome Singapore!!!  Being English is one of the four languages from your country....i will list my welcome in English only...Thanks for joining us.  We are a very diverse group from many countries.  i hope and pray you join us again and encourage you to invite all those you love and know.  Be assured of my continued prayers.  angie

OH...HOW HE LOVES US!!!!!

Our God is soooo Merciful He knows the Solutions even before we even utter the questions.  Oh how i love Him!!!  Unfailing....Always On Time....Miraculous....Fair.....Impartial.....Unconditionally Loving....Affectionate....Forgiving...Beautiful....Omnipotent...King.....Majesty....Creator...Confidant....Redeemer....Lover....Comforter....Shield....Refuge...Hiding Place...Fortress....Stronghold...Defender....Rock...Liberating...Reliable...Trustworthy....(now start your own list of Adjectives to describe God.)...the list goes on and on.....

"Oh how He Loves us!!!"....My favorite song...sometimes i weep and twirl and dance and worship with this song.  Enjoy!...take it in....God really really loves us!!!!  Til next time....let's watch this video twice....ang

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzfPHnoT0-0

Welcome Sweden... Välkommen Sverige

Välkommen Sverige .... snälla kom igen och bjud in all din familj och vänner. Tack för att du kom med oss.Jag ber för dig.


Welcome Sweden....please come back an visit again and invite all your family and friends.  Thank you for joining us.  i am praying for you!

National Family Meeting Oct. 24, 2017

On Oct. 24 there is  A NATIONAL FAMILY MEETING being broadcast live from Washington DC from the new Bible Museum being opened in Nov. It's called REVIVE US 2.

https://reviveus.com/

They will focus on our need for  Revival and Restoration in the United States of America and how we can put God First again helping us heal and return once again to ONE NATION UNDER GOD !!

It will not include any issues because it is NOT about issues.  This meeting is about God....and our need to return to a life of prayer....a deep relationship with Him...it will be a time of prayer and worshipping...great music and discussions....revival....it is time for everyone to forget what they are fighting for....their agendas...and turn to God sincerely and be willing to change...it always starts with ME!...It is time for all of us seriously to ask God what in our lives  needs adjusting....what displeases you Lord that i can change and better myself, my family, my community,. my country....His Will over ours....and it is time to tell God we are sincerely sorry for these wrongs....these compromises that are against Him and all He has taught us in His Holy Word!  And if we start to change....it becomes contagious....Chase God and we will find Him....hang out with Him...and we will start to act like Him....read His Word and listen to Him....and we will start to sound like Him....

May our country return to ONE NATION UNDER GOD THAT  WE MIGHT ENJOY THE PROTECTION OF THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CORRECT, SPARE AND PROVIDE US WITH ALL WE NEED! 

Faith and Works.... JAMES 2:14-17

14"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?15If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day,16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,” but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it?17So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

spoken so well....one of my Favorite Scriptures...we cannot bring forward though, anything of value unless it comes directly from The Source...otherwise it is ours, not God's....and so in light of the horrors going on in our unloving and hateful world...the First and Only Place to start is me with God...get filled deeply with His Love and Compassion....and then be able to go forward and pour that Love on every single one we encounter...most of us are seriously bankrupt of God's Serious Love...and so taking our cup to the Throne to fill up is the best way to start!....and then our actions....our works will be so virtuous that everyone who encounters us will encounter Jesus....the world will then be changed...

Til next time....maybe we can find a location where we can be part of this revival and pray the impact will be Marvelously Miraculous!  And if you do not have it in your area or your own country, make that day a day of fasting, prayer and almsgiving for your country, its leaders and all your own people and all those around the world.  God bless all of us, our countries and all the world!

                     

Welcome Macau.....歡迎澳門 Huānyíng àomén

Welcome to all my friends in Macau.  Your country is very interesting..  i hope and pray you can visit again and brings some of your family and friends!  Be assured of my continued prayers!  i never knew you existed until now....peace, ang

歡迎來到我所有在澳門的朋友。你的國家很有趣..我希望並祈禱你可以再次訪問並帶來一些你的家人和朋友！放心我繼續禱告！昂

Huānyíng lái dào wǒ suǒyǒu zài àomén de péngyǒu. Nǐ de guójiā hěn yǒuqù.. Wǒ xīwàng bìng qídǎo nǐ kěyǐ zàicì fǎngwèn bìng dài lái yīxiē nǐ de jiārén hé péngyǒu! Fàngxīn wǒ jìxù dǎogào! Áng

我永遠不知道你到現在為止......和平，安



Wǒ yǒngyuǎn bù zhīdào nǐ dào xiànzài wéizhǐ...... Hépíng, ān

Be Radical for Christ regardless of the negative comments/opinions of others

How often people joke with those trying to live radical lives for Christ.  i have both experienced it first hand and counseled many who encounter ridicule for their beliefs and for living the extreme.  It is so easy to say we believe and quote the Word, but living it is an entirely different thing.

i want to encourage all those who often feel small because of the cutting words and actions of others. Those who are choosing to be pure....choosing to obey God's Commandments...choosing to live chaste....i love this Scripture from Philippians!  It is what we all should aspire to.  And we should never have to defend doing the right thing.

Phil 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

TRUE, HONORABLE, JUST, PURE, LOVELY, GRACIOUS, EXCELLENCE, WORTHY OF PRAISE...Many call this being a 'nerd'...God calls it a saint in the making!....Chase God and His Ways....His Principles....and watch the miracles in your life unfold.  And let's take inventory to see if we are compromising in any areas of our lives that need to be changed to please God!

i am very proud of all who continue to stand up to family, friends and anyone else to follow the Calling of God!  

Aspire to be different...aspire to be holy....aspire to emulate Jesus....aspire to obey God...and the reward will be 'OUT OF THIS WORLD'....

til next time....let's read Phil 4 in its entirety!  God bless, ang

Welcome Morocco! marhabaan almaghrb!مرحبا المغرب!

Welcome visitors from Morocco!  i hope you will visit again and invite your  family and friends to join us also.  Be assured of my continued prayers, ang

مرحبا بالزوار من المغرب! وآمل أن زيارة مرة أخرى ودعوة عائلتك وأصدقائك للانضمام إلينا أيضا. تطمئن من صلواتي المستمرة، أنغ

marhabaan bialzuwwar min almughrib! wamal 'ana ziaratan maratan 'ukhraa wadaewat eayilatuk wa'asdaqayik lilaindimam 'iilayna 'ayda. tatmayinu min slwati almustamirat, 'angh

Welcome Sweden... Välkommen Sverige!

Welcome Sweden!  So nice of you to join us.  Hope you visit again and let your family and friends know they are welcome here.  Be assured of my continued prayers, ang


Välkommen Sverige! Så trevligt att vara med oss. Hoppas du besöker igen och låt din familj och vänner veta att de är välkomna här. Var säker på mina fortsatta böner, ang

12 step programs...

The twelve step programs are available with so many variations today that everyone could find a place in at least one of them.  They are very helpful for overcoming  weak areas in our lives.

Programs patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous

Fellowships in this section follow reasonably close variations of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.

• AA – Alcoholics Anonymous
• ACA – Adult Children of Alcoholics
• Al-Anon/Alateen, for friends and families of alcoholics
• CA – Cocaine Anonymous
• CLA – Clutterers Anonymous
• CMA – Crystal Meth Anonymous
• Co-Anon, for friends and family of addicts
• CoDA – Co-Dependents Anonymous, for people working to end patterns of dysfunctional relationships and develop functional and healthy relationships
• COSA – an auxiliary group of Sex Addicts Anonymous
• COSLAA – CoSex and Love Addicts Anonymous
• DA – Debtors Anonymous
• EA – Emotions Anonymous, for recovery from mental and emotional illness
• FA – Families Anonymous, for relatives and friends of addicts
• FA – Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous
• FAA – Food Addicts Anonymous
• GA – Gamblers Anonymous
• Gam-Anon/Gam-A-Teen, for friends and family members of problem gamblers
• HA – Heroin Anonymous
• MA – Marijuana Anonymous
• NA – Narcotics Anonymous
• N/A – Neurotics Anonymous, for recovery from mental and emotional illness
• Nar-Anon, for friends and family members of addicts
• NicA – Nicotine Anonymous
• OA – Overeaters Anonymous
• OLGA – Online Gamers Anonymous
• PA – Pills Anonymous, for recovery from prescription pill addiction.
• SA – Sexaholics Anonymous
• SA – Smokers Anonymous
• SAA – Sex Addicts Anonymous
• SCA – Sexual Compulsives Anonymous
• SIA – Survivors of Incest Anonymous
• SLAA – Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous
• SRA – Sexual Recovery Anonymous
• UA – Underearners Anonymous
• WA – Workaholics Anonymous

There are also Christian twelve step programs in these areas as well.  click this link for more info on it: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHRISTIAN RECOVERY

http://www.nacr.org/referral-center/finding-a-group

These twelve steps are serious religious principles that can be applied to all our lives.  i suggest steps 1,2,3, and 11.  These alone take a lifetime to work on:

1.  admitted i am powerless and my life has become unmanageable.
2.  Came to believe that God can restore me to 'sanity'
3.  Made a decision to turn my life and will over to the care of God.
11.  Sought thru prayer and meditation to improve my conscious contact with God praying only for knowledge of His Will for me and the Power to carry it out.

If we pray for God's Perfect Will for our lives only, that is enough to bring freedom....it is not wrong to make lists and share them with God....to ask for specific things...but His Will is what will make us happier....more fulfilled....help us go deeper...it is very nice and freeing to leave the details to Him...He Who knows all....and surely knows what is best for us.

til next time...consider an online meeting...or go to one if it feels right even to just experience something different...you will make new friends who are trying hard to work on themselves...and will accept you as you are...you can talk at a meeting or not....your choice...and if not a meeting....try to apply these four steps to your prayer time.  You will start to have great freedom and peace....and remember if you are uncomfortable at one meeting, try another...

Remember, that although these programs are wonderful and help many, they should never take the place of our faith and church practices.  They should only be a supplement to them.

be assured of my continued prayers for all of you....ang

ps:  always remember.....whenever you are being given information...or reading....or dialoguing..., nomatter what a person tries to share with you...listen carefully to all they say...then take it to God and pray to see if any of their points or suggestions are right for you....if 10 suggestions...listen...pray and then take what you like and leave the rest.  Only take what resonates with you.  Never be closed minded to not listen for you may miss something very important for your growth....and don't be rigid thinking you must do everything people tell you...God will help you make a prescription for your healing that fits you and you alone.

Humility: a must in our lives!

i am reading the book, "Revelations of Divine Love" by St. Juliana of Norwich..  How often people compliment those of us walking close to God.  Humility must be the highest held virtue always remembering God gets all the Glory and Honor for every good thing done by anyone.   St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, "i am the pencil in God's Hand".  i love how the saints before us can confirm things for us.  They verify we are hearing from the Living God by confirming little things God inspires us to do or not do, to say or not say.  Juliana did not wish attention focused on herself.  Her reason is quite simple; she expresses it at the end of chapter 8.  Julian writes:

"AND THEREFORE I BEG YOU ALL FOR GOD'S SAKE,. AND ADVISE YOU FOR YOUR OWN PROFIT, STOP LOOKING AT THE WRETCH TO WHOM THIS REVELATION WAS SHOWN.  INTENTLY, WISELY AND MEEKLY LOOK AT GOD, WHO BECAUSE OF HIS COURTEOUS LOVE AND UNENDING GOODNESS WILLS TO SHOW IT TO ALL OF US IN GENERAL, FOR OUR COMFORT.'

The book goes on to say....
'It is God, not Juliana, Who is to be attended to and heeded; the creature is simply his instrument.  Heeding the transmitter, rather than the message and Him who sends it, would be a grave and wasteful error.

St Benedict's Regula stresses the importance of "leveling" among the monks:  all were to be equals in Christ.  The Rule makes a particular point of the need for humility, describing twelve steps in the practice of this virtue which all but eliminate any attention to self."

til next time let's pray for the gift of humility and look up St. Padre Pios Movie Part 1 and 2 on youtube that was shown on EWTN the past two Saturdays.  He exemplifies greatly the humility God wants in all of us.  St. Padre Pio, St. Mother Teresa, St. Julian of Norwich please pray for us!  And always remember St. John The Baptist's words from Scripture, John 3:30

"He must increase; i must decrease!"
30s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCl_ipixbUs&t=1243s

A Warm Welcome to India.. भारत में एक गर्म आपका स्वागत है bhaarat mein ek garm aapaka svaagat hai

What a joy to see India has joined us.  i hope you will return and visit again and  let others know they are welcome here.  God bless!  angie

भारत को देखने के लिए हमें क्या खुशी है कि वह हमारे साथ जुड़ चुका है। मुझे आशा है कि आप वापस आकर लौटेंगे और दूसरों को पता चलेगा कि वे यहां स्वागत करते हैं। भगवान भला करे! एंजी

bhaarat ko dekhane ke lie hamen kya khushee hai ki vah hamaare saath jud chuka hai. mujhe aasha hai ki aap vaapas aakar lautenge aur doosaron ko pata chalega ki ve yahaan svaagat karate hain. bhagavaan bhala kare! enjee

Welcome Romania .. Bine ați venit România

How lovely to see Romania join us on this blog.  Encourage all those you know and love to join us.  All are welcome here.  God bless!  Hope you come back soon.  angie

Cât de minunat este să ne vedeți România pe acest blog. Încurajați-i pe toți cei pe care îi cunoașteți și pe cei dragi să ni se alăture. Toate sunt binevenite aici. Dumnezeu să ajute! Sper că vii în curând. angie

My Act of Contrition...

MY SWEETEST JESUS.....i COME ONCE AGAIN WITH A LONG LIST OF THINGS i HAVE NOT HANDLED WELL...OF OFFENSES AND POOR EXAMPLE TO OTHERS...OF FALLING VERY SHORT OF THE ASPIRATIONS YOU HAVE FOR ME.  i COME ONCE AGAIN TO SAY i AM VERY VERY SORRY...FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART....i AM SORRY AND DESIRE NOTHING MORE THAN TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE...BE PLIABLE...CLAY IN YOUR PERFECT HANDS...TO BECOME ALL YOU HAVE CREATED ME TO BE.  TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO BECOME THE SAINT i WAS CREATED TO BE...TO MAKE UP FOR WRONG TURNS AND POOR DECISIONS....MISTAKES THAT HAVE MOVED ME FROM YOUR PERFECT WILL.  PLEASE GIVE ME THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY TO ACCOMPLISH ALL YOU HAD ENVISIONED FOR MY LIFE.....FOR YOU ARE A GOD OF U-TURNS AND MAKING NEW MEALS OUT OF LEFT OVERS!

THE SCRIPTURES CLEARLY STATE,"i CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME!"..."ALL THINGS"....AND SO AS i KNEEL HERE BEFORE YOU WITH FACE TO THE GROUND i LIFT MYSELF UP TO STAND AGAIN...BUT ONLY WITH YOUR HELP...YOUR HELP TO CHANGE, GROW, EVOLVE, AND DO BETTER EACH AND EVERY DAY.  MOST OF US ARE SORRY AND REPENT SOLELY OUT OF FEAR OF HELL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF LOSING HEAVEN...THAT IS IMPERFECT CONTRITION AND GOOD ENOUGH IF IT PROMOTES US TO GROW AND CHANGE.  BUT FOR ME, THAT IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THIS REASON....

i LOVE YOU JESUS...i REALLY REALLY LOVE YOU MY LORD WITH ALL MY HEART, ALL MY SOUL, ALL MY MIND AND ALL MY STRENGTH IN AS FAR AS i CAN...AND i DO NOT WANT TO OFFEND YOU ANY MORE...OR HURT YOU .. YOU HAVE PLANTED THIS GREAT LOVE IN ME AND FOR THIS I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL.  MY FEAR OF LOSING HEAVEN IS GREAT ONLY BECAUSE i SO DESIRE TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH YOU ONE DAY...MY DEAREST OF LOVES!

i ASK FOR THE GRACE TO BE ABLE TO LOVE ALL PEOPLE WITH YOUR LOVE...TO CARE FOR, TO LISTEN TO EVEN WHEN i THINK i CAN'T LISTEN ANY LONGER, TO GIVE HELP EVEN THROUGH THE NIGHT, TO SACRIFICE IN MANY LITTLE WAYS, TO WASH AND CLEAN OTHERS INCAPABLE OF CLEANING THEMSELVES , TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN ALL THESE SMALL THINGS I DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT.... i AM CARING FOR YOU...AND THERE IS NO GREATER JOB IN THIS WORLD...NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN THIS MINISTRY OF 1 ON 1 CARE FOR FIRST MY OWN (as the Word says,"Don't turn your back on your own!") AND THEN FOR ALL THOSE YOU SEND INTO MY LIFE.

MAY MY LIFE BE SIMPLY AN "ADVERTISEMENT" FOR YOU....MAY YOU BE SEEN AND i BE INVISIBLE.  TO YOU ALWAYS BE ALL THE HONOR FOR ANY GOOD OR WORTHY THING i SAY OR DO FOR YOU ARE THE ONLY SOURCE OF EVERYTHING GOOD AND HOLY.  THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS AFFORDING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO START AGAIN...THANK YOU FOR CONFESSION...THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT OF PRIESTHOOD.......PLEASE ALWAYS STAY CLOSE....i NEED YOU!

IN YOUR (JESUS') SWEET NAME i PRAY!  AMEN!!!

Act of Contrition/Confession

i had the privilege of going to Confession again today.  How marvelous this deep experience of owning and confessing one's weaknesses to God..receiving His Marvelous Compassionate Forgiveness and Freedom....and experiencing His Peace that surpasses all understanding.  One of the things we as Catholics do at the end of our confession is say an Act of Contrition...a prayer that expresses our sorrow for offending so Great a God....a warming of the heart to truly be sorry and want to do better.  This cleansing is healing each and every time.  The more one experiences this Sacrament, the more one wants to go.....for it is not so much what happens in Confession that is visible but the Invisible that is Life Changing.  Christ gave this to us and all the early churches all had Confession as part of their practises...Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican (episcopal), and Methodist....

You can easily look online for different versions of the Act of Contrition.  All of them good.  One can even write their own.  i will blog another day of my prayer of contrition as my heart likes to express it.  For now...enjoy reading the three versions below...

til next time....let's take a good look in the mirror...bow before Our Creator and own our weaknesses asking for forgiveness and promising to try and change and grow more and more into a reflection of Jesus and His Love.......and if you are Catholic...get to a good Confession...it will be life changing....i promise...One requirement for being Roman Catholic is to make a good confession once a year prior to Easter...those seeking higher ground and really wanting deep interior conversion and change in their lives go much more frequently......

and read below what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches on conversion....True Conversion...

"Jesus' call to conversion and penance, like that of the prophets before Him, does not aim first at outward works, "sackcloth and ashes," fasting and mortification, but at the CONVERSION OF THE HEART, INTERIOR CONVERSION. Without this, such penances remain sterile and false; however, interior conversion urges expression in visible signs, gestures and works of penance.
Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of His grace."
- from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 1430-31. 

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=43

be assured of my continued prayers...

Welcome Taiwan 歡迎台灣

What a joy when a new country joins us on this blog.  People of Taiwan, welcome.  Plz let your family and friends know they can visit here and find family.    Be assured of my continued prayers for you and all those you love and for your country and all its leaders.  God bless!

當一個新的國家在這個博客上加入我們的時候，這是什麼樂趣。 台灣人歡迎。 Plz讓你的家人和朋友知道他們可以到這裡找到家人。 確保我繼續為你和所有你所愛的人，為你們的國家和所有的領導禱告。 上帝保佑！

St. Gregory Nazianzen: 328-389 AD

"Each of us can say to the tempter, 'Unlike you, i have not yet become an outcast from Heaven through my pride.  By my Baptism i have become one with Him(God...Jesus).  It is you that should fall prostrate before me."'

This is a very deep and meaningful quote from St Gregory....each day...many times we battle with an enemy and we often cower in fear with the wrong perception of this relationship.  One with Christ is always the Majority!  'We can do ALL Things thru Christ Who strengthens us!'

Scripture is clear Phil 2:9-11

9Because of this, God greatly exalted Him

and bestowed on Him the Name

that is Above every name,

10that at the Name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11and every tongue confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the Glory of God the Father.

Let us take time to read the life of  St. Gregory Nazianzen and become more empowered to imitate his virtues so that our perspective of the evil one will have it proper place.   And then we will not go forward powerless on our own but with Jesus  and have all the Power required to fight and win the battles life presents to us and those of the people we are called to minister to as well.  

The Church needs to be an informed and deeply holy body so that our Fruits will match those of the great ones that came before us and have already won the crown of victory.  

May we be open, pliable and courageous enough to chase God, pray for His Perfect Will in our lives and have the courage to act on it.  May we become the saints we each were created to be.  Praised be Jesus Christ NOW AND FOREVER!

St Gregory pray for us!

http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/gregnazi.htm

"Nearing Home"

i am reading the book "Nearing Home" by Billy Graham to my 93 yr old Mom.  This book is for all ages but is incredibly helpful to those in their 80's 90's +++.  i have never read anything so encouraging ....and i am only on page 36.  It is sensitive to elder suffering which is a suffering all its own.  Too often we younger ones think we know everything when the older generation shares their deepest thoughts and emotions....the only thing i have learned in caring for my elders is we know NOTHING!  And we think we have an intellectual answer for everything they say and/or do.

He wrote this book at 93 and will be 99 shortly so he has the right to speak to them/us because he speaks from experience.  He is compassionate to suffering listing well the list of pains of growing older...while not letting one dwell there.  He then takes the Word of God and uses it to help us soar upward toward our purpose even if we are older.  The book is my recommendation to all ages.  If you do have an elder in your life, by all means read it to them and discuss it together.  These are the great moments caregivers/family/friends get to share on a daily basis...these deep beautiful sharing of ideas...opinions...prayer...don't miss that time with your loved ones....be willing to change your priorities and schedule for what matters...people...before they are gone!  i have seen it too well...especially in my Mom's case and all those who are privileged to live into their 90s that i know and serve...family forget you exist...or you are just important 3-4 times a year for a holiday if that much.  Yesterday was Grandparents Day and many elders were ignored by their own grandchildren because they are so wrapped up in their little children's grandparents, that they forget they themselves still have  living grandparents.

After reading these few pages....i wrote this in the front cover of the book...and continued to encourage my Mom with these words....

"YOU CAN BE BLESSED, YOU CAN BE CHOSEN, BUT TO LIVE INTO YOUR 90s...A LONG LIFE...IS TO BE FAVORED BY GOD BECAUSE IT IS A PRIVILEGE DENIED TO MANY!!

Every life matters!!!..Billy writes,"Sadly the days when the aged were admired, looked up to and respected are gone. "....This is so true...i see it all the time....

til next time....let's get his book and read it for ourselves and possibly read it to someone older who could use visits.  And maybe we will develop more compassion for this special group of people that we will make it priority to call and visit more often with very creative ideas in how to enhance their lives listening carefully to what we can learn from them.  Don't focus on a memory lapse...don't focus on their lack of energy...don't focus on their body statue....listen...because at their feet there is much to learn even if only to learn to Love in a much deeper way by listening...developing patience...for...

"FOR WHEN YOU DID IT TO THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DID IT UNTO ME!"

be assured of my continued prayers....ang

Happy Birthday Mary, Mother of GOD!!!

A dear friend of mine sent me this text to me this morning:

"Today is The Feast of the Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary....Therefore, let all creation sing and dance and unite to make a worthy contribution to the celebration of this day.  Let there be one common Festival for Saints in Heaven and men on Earth!"

i added to it :

Sing her Happy Birthday.  Put up her picture.  Jesus had to resemble His Mother Mary both physically an in speech, mannerism an personality as all children do their parents.  Light a candle. Get a cake.  We owe her much.  She gave us Jesus, Our Savior.  She was the very first Tabernacle. Her performed His First Miracle at her bidding changing His Mind for Love of His Mother.  Let us reread Luke 1 an utter an memorize The Scriptures....The words Elizabeth said of her," HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE!!!! " Bona Festa!

til next time....let's reread Luke 1:39-45.....and memorize the words Elizabeth spoke to Mary...
Mary Visits Elizabeth.39During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah,40where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit,42cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.43And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?44For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.45Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”
----------------------------------------------------------

Read and view The Church of St. Anne in Jerusalem.... It was erected over the site of a grotto believed by the Crusaders to be the childhood home of the Virgin Mary....enjoy..and celebrate!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Saint_Anne,_Jerusalem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IKIxzHAH5Q

Welcome Thailand... ต้อนรับประเทศไทย T̂xnrạb pratheṣ̄thịy

Thank you so much for joining this blog.  Please invite all your family and friends to join us.  We are all God's family nomatter where we live or the language we speak.  Hope you come back soon.  Be assured of my prayers, angie

ขอบคุณมากสำหรับการเข้าร่วมบล็อกนี้ โปรดเชิญทุกคนในครอบครัวและเพื่อน ๆ มาร่วมงานกับเรา เราทุกคนเป็นครอบครัวของพระเจ้าที่เราอาศัยอยู่หรือเป็นภาษาที่เราพูด หวังว่าคุณจะกลับมาเร็ว ๆ นี้ มั่นใจในคำอธิษฐานของฉัน angie

K̄hxbkhuṇ māk s̄ảh̄rạb kār k̄hêā r̀wm bl̆xk nī̂ pord cheiỵ thuk khnnı khrxbkhrạw læa pheụ̄̀xn «mā r̀wm ngān kạb reā reā thuk khn pĕn khrxbkhrạw k̄hxng phracêā thī̀ reā xāṣ̄ạy xyū̀ h̄rụ̄x pĕn p̣hās̄ʹā thī̀ reā phūd h̄wạng ẁā khuṇ ca klạb mā rĕw «nī̂ mạ̀ncı nı khả xṭhis̄ʹṭ̄hān k̄hxng c̄hạn angie