Obligation to attend holiday function or choice?

Feelings don't matter....
conscious decision of mind an will r all we need...a decision to Love God...decision to continue to grow...decision to Love even wen it is not deserved

As the 12 step programs teach make a decision to turn our will and life over to God.

If a ride alone is too much for u to attend a function don't go....friend/family gatherings r often superficial....we want to invest our energy in relationships an events that will fill us not drain us . wen in a weaker state..we must trust our inner voice....an ignore everyone else s guilt trip to do it their way or attend something that we r not comfortable with .
We may be putting ourselves in harm's way if we go an don't listen to our inner voice.

We have to learn to follow wat we no works for us regardless of opinions or obligation....no one will then come an cook or wash for us....or care for our responsibilities after.

Decide in wisdom...pray...but listen deeply an b sure God is first..you second in all our decisions

Move slowly...pray first before u decide anything

We must b cautious not to say we will pray for an answer without stopping an doing so ...otherwise it is our decision not Gods.

He knows wat is best...best 4 u an i.

Blessed Christmas to all...remember it is Jesus Birthday....not ours...take time to give Him a present...

Keep Holy The Sabbath

Always remember...if u profess to b Christian or Catholic... Sunday is Sabbath an we need to give Him his due first before anything else....Keep Holy The Sabbath Day....find a way to put Him first on Sunday then the social things

.praying for all of us.. to clearly discern an hear Gods Perfect Will an have the power to carry it out!

Trust God...go to Him for everything an u can then trust urself to know wat to do an wen

Urgent Prayer request for CARE GIVERS

I am calling out for prayers...fasting...an alms giving for all caregivers.Only with ur prayerful participation carrying us...will we b able to press on care giving for the ill an elderly.   Every day requires a 'dying' to self...a saintly patience...an virtuous courage an endurance which sadly run short in this world. We carry home..an
work..
an we do it mostly alone.  I write in confident Hope that HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT..an with the girding up from all of u we will b able to complete the mission God has called us to well. For every failure we beg His Mercy...for every Victory Jesus Alone gets all The Glory!  Ty...how rich we are to have Warriors who will fight with us..an for us.. an beside us...before Our Faithful God an King!!  Our weariness only allows Our God to shine more in our lives an in  these situations. TO HIM ALONE B ALL HONOR AN GLORY AN PRAISE!!! remembering All Life is precious from conception to natural death...an we will honor our mothers an fathers....all our elders..an continue to care for our disabled children..
relatives...
friends without
rest because God says they r Special an they r His...an therefore they r ours. God bless u for ur participation in this most important calling!...God bless all caregivers who go unnoticed...
unsupported...
an r viewed as unimportant by men....but treasures to God!

Til next time find a care giver in ur life an bless them in a tangible way...a meal...flowers...bag of groceries...some time off...invite them out...a gift..etc...etc...in this way u will gift Jesus in the Manger...
"FOR WEN U DID IT FOR THE LEAST IF THESE...U DID IT UNTO ME!!"

MERRY...HOLY...BLESSED CHRISTMAS!!!

Life is precious from conception to natural death!

Forgive me for not writing. My 95 yr old Mom was very ill an in hospital an rehab for 2 mths. By the grace of God she is home an i am her full time care giver an so my limited time to b able to write. Many people r caring for the sick an i thought it might b gd to share the following with u.

I can never agree with a persons choice to die...assisted suicide or euthanasia. It is a totally different thing when naturally the body shuts down ..wen we choose not to use extraordinary means to save a life...but if we stop giving food an water a person starves or dehydrates to death...a painful process...not to say thirst an hunger don't naturally diminish close to death but small amounts of food an water r given until a person naturally goes leaving the decision of death to God. Here is a long but clear view of the Catholic Church's view on the Bioethics of death an dying based in The Scriptures from The Old Testament

"God did not make death, nor does He rejoice in the destruction of the living."
WISDOM 1:13

I think it may b good  to read this in its entirety to better understand  our Catholic view ...mayb a different view from our own. An even now as we all journey towards God...this process for my Mom an i is a time of growth an development.  For where in life does a soul learn real total dependence on God but in the position we r in?..where does a soul develop Godly patience an heroic courage an kindness an luv...qualities of the great saints before us?  There is an appointed time for our passing...an we must never rush that nor interfere with that ...an prayer is the only vehicle that can give us  deep discernment where we may hear from God an obey without full understanding following the example of Father Abraham before us. May God Himself guide us an invade our privacy to hear ONLY HIS VOICE...that we may know His Perfect Will an have the courage to do it!!  All Life from conception to natural death is precious!  May we live according to this Truth ..

Til next time lets read this an take this deep into prayer to understand better God's approach to life an death.

Blessed Christmas to u!  B assured of my continued prayers!!

Heaven an becoming Extraordinary Heroic Saints

Lost a friend of many yrs...2 songs always help me thru...

REMEMBER ME by Marc Schultz

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE by MERCY Me which also has a movie that is available on Netflix an elsewhere.

These songs remind us there is a Heaven an it is a beautiful experience to go there. An the other to remember the beautiful qualities of a person who has gone before us...while reflecting on who we r...who God calls us to b...how to grow so wen we pass, others will have beautiful memories of us too...hopefully those memories will point others to God the Source of All Gd.

We r aspiring to be more than ordinary. In a world like this that we live in we need to desire to become extraordinary heroic saints ...nothing less...an we can then impact our world 1 person at a time.

Til next time let's take a few moments to listen to these songs an see wat message God has for us in becoming the extraordinary heroic saints He created us to be. Praised be Jesus Christ now an Forever!

https://www.google.com/search?q=remember+me+mark+schuktz&oq=remember+me+mark+schuktz&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.12839j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-metropcs-us&q=mercyme+i+can+only+imagine&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgecQYyi3w8sc9YSmfSWtOXmN04-IKzsgvd80rySypFNLhYoOylLgEpHj00_UNC02zKsyMy1I0GKT4uFBElLia9q04xMbCwSjAwAMA5yMpIFoAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjI4ZGN3rneAhWLVN8KHUQFD-0Q3LoBMAF6BAgKEAM&biw=320&bih=448

https://www.google.com/search?q=i+can+only+imagine&oq=i+can+only&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.4776j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

CONQUER WITH LOVE

Lets be different...fighting for wat matters...doing the rt thing regardless of wat everyone else tells us....lets stand in the gap for our parents... children...spouse....lets do wat is loving regardless if we r the only ones. Lets not make our own decisions...lets ask God an have courage to obey even if it hurts. God has the record bk an knows our sacrifice for Love of Him!!  This will never go unrewarded. Never!!!

We r a light in a very dark world!!!  Lets conquer with Love!

God is so proud of us wen we do this....we r a hero...😂lets crush the enemys head with Jesus...Our Lady...and LOVE..

LOVE WINS IN JESUS' NAME EVERY TIME ...an thru the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lets be proud to be on Their Team...an win decisively for our spouse...our parents...our children...our friends...our neighbors...our world...and Our God!!!

TO GOD ALONE ALWAYS B THE GLORY ....

So the next time we r faced with responding in justice...we will pause for just a minute...an beg for the grace to b able to conquer the situation with Love...i promise we will never regret it!

Til next time...lets reread 1 Cor chapter 13....all of it...."LOVE NEVER FAILS!"

"GOD IS BEAUTIFUL!!"

My friend wrote me a response to an answered prayer....my New Favorite Adjective for God...he wrote

GOD IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

That says enough...lets chew that over for a while...til next time..

A few ideas...keeping life simple

😄be creative in making meals...simple meals...easy foods to get ready ..prepare...fun things to eat ...variety....u will no...ask God an He will guide...if u cant shop the whole store...check out wen u r saturated tired or had enough...take someone  to help

Pray for the healing of ur family

Pray for a miracle

Open ur heart an let Love in!

Consider  Mass  tomoro morning an bring ur family...but if they choose not to come go alone...Gid must b First in our lives....then go out for breakfast..doesnt have to cost mych....find a cheep diner

Caution seeking human healers...Jesus The Only Real Healer

...about healers....i recommend great caution with going to healers. One has to b tried n true to b able to claim that they heal..an those who have the gift know it is not them but Jesus Who heals as The Word says only "thru prayer an fasting" ...& "almsgiving"....a real healer would never charge u a penny...an these false healers open us up to negativity....an also weary God Who desires all our time an attention because He is THE ONE AN ONLY HEALER ... The Healer Par Excellant..... Maybe we can sit with God ......pray...listen..just be..
...an let God heal us as He sees fit....

I'm "Worn"

.2nd row of videos...2nd video.."Worn"....hope it feeds u like it did me this morning.

https://www.google.com/search?q=worn+lyrics+tenth+avenue+north+chords&oq=worn+lyrics&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l3.7891j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#scso=_Mlp9W_qFELKq_QbCm5m4Dw11:263

Confession...lets consider going...take a nap an shut the phone...we need our rest

"With Open Hands"

Best book to read starting a deep journey with God
WITH OPEN HANDS by Henri Nouwen.....easy.. small ..quick ..tender...u may want to look this up

Reminders...stay close to God....Make sure you eat well...  ...take a short walk daily....an get enough rest

enjoy the rest of your God bless you

"HE Knows My Name" Christian Radio

Listen to this song....go to link...scroll down to second row of videos an click the one with a man on a mountain with hands up in air an words on the screen...enjoy...
.... This song is healing...be healed an raised up in Jesus Name!!! An ur family too!!!

https://www.google.com/search?q=isreal+new+breed+he+knows+my+name+lyrics&oq=isreal+new+breed+he+knows+my+name+lyrics&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.14164j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#scso=uid_fgV8W5fKIY2n5gKh-a2IDA_0:0

Suggestion:  try listening to 99.1 fm or 96.7 fm ny area....great healing Christian modern music...all positive an uplifting with God's Message...if u r not in the tri state area look up ur local Christian Radio Stations an listen in.... enjoy ur day....this is the only one we r guaranteed...we have it...so treasure every minute!!!

Some words . to help center us..

We must continue to learn to b very spontaneous and flexible. God has an appointed moment for everything.

Stop...eat calmly....deep breaths....look far away to rest eyes from close work...an stop trying to solve everything fast...it will come...just pray

B at peace...b present an do ur work unto the Glory of God...HE has given u this job....do it well...b obedient an give gd labor for fair pay...everything can b a prayer...offer ur last hour up to just tell God how much u love Him...wen u put a value like that on something as trivial as work it becomes the greatest privilege to do well

Remember...less caffeine

Forgiveness & Love heals families

Remember Love an Forgiveness is wat makes families thrive. And sometimes we must b the bigger person an start the healing... sometimes being silent wen we want to justify ourselves letting God defend us in His time an in His Way... Sometimes we say we r sorry even wen we did nothing wrong for God to ultimately win the war....we do this knowing that as we "die" a little... resurrection can come. This is true humility an Deep Love that can only come from The Perfect Father pouring it out into those of us chasing Him.  If we do the same things we have done the same way..we get the same results...but wen we r willing to go where no one else has gone...Gods Miracles await!!!
USHER MIRACLES INTO UR FAMILY !!  U R A GREAT PERSON SEEKING HOLINESS...
DONT B AFRAID TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY ....Always ask..."How would Jesus handle this"  an b courageous enough to do it!!!  Be assured of my continued prayers for u......an all those u love...

Husbands an wives: Gods Truth can never change...

This weekend was the Conference of the Family in Ireland with Pope Francis. Many stories of different families an their struggles...
celebrations...
Masses...
concerts ...500,000 people from families an children from all over the world just like u an i. The Catholic Church is very much still alive an flourishing. It was no surprise that the reading at Mass yesterday was the one below to coordinate with this theme of Marriage.....rather than read it listing wat our spouse is not doing right...maybe we can read it an see where we r falling short of living Gods Principles ourselves...God surely knows better than we an yet we continue to hear Gods Words an Ways an say "no"..how foolish we r. God wants us to follow Jesus all the Way especially now ....
remember God is merciful if we ask forgiveness but He can never change wat is The Truth in the Gospel...His Words Stand at all time regardless of wat the society an man say....an i am the first who needs The Words of this blog an to apply them in my own sinful life!

Til next time lets read Ephesians 5:21-32 an see wat God might b speaking to us....areas that need change...

No negative ...only Charity with elders, caregivers...everyone!

Just a word to those who have elderly they no...people 80+...older people should not be burdened or focused on people's illnesses....the details of hospitalizations...people dying...things that r heavy an stressful. They have much to carry an less coping skills. We burden them thinking they need to carry us an our lists of complaints an sorrows.  Even if they look gd dont b deceived...as soon as u hang up they cry an become overwhelmed by the details of ur conversation.   Only we caregivers no because we r on 24/7.  Even if they have some form of memory issues..dementia...or Alzheimers..they whimper all nite....have  bad nites sleep...cry....have full body or partial tremor in fear an anxiety an r not themselves. We caregivers lose too much sleep because of the ignorance or arrogance of people not willing to listen to caregivers nor b sensitive to the plight of both elder an caregiver. We r up at nite...have no misconception...but extra problems at nite must b prevented because we caregivers also cant run on empty an have to work an function too. Too often most family think a 5 min call or 1 hour visit makes a dent in 24 hours...Elders who r limited an have lots of time get haunted by negative info like this an their suffering becomes ongoing wen younger ones dump or feel a need to be 'totally' honest even if it hurts the listener..it doesnt just go away an this has a serious impact on their lives an ours... details like this over an over again can push them over the edge mentally an emotionally. Keep ur conversations with elderly lite...an even spare every person by being sensitive to their fears an anxieties. I always shut the tv on those negative commercials or shows...we do not have to live every detail of another's sufferings...we can help...listen..be compassionate..but we always must preserve our own peace of mind an heart as well an no our limits to not become overwhelmed or burdened. We were never meant to carry the sufferings of the world...our own r enough . An we deny people the opportunity to go to God wen we try to b Him.  Although media has its place..it often overloads our already burdened nervous systems

We all carry alot in life...but we must not assume our burden is better or worse than another's. This is a common sense issue...everyone should understand not burdening an elder ....an not overburdening anyone is true charity.  B sensitive, compassionate an watch an listen for signals wen u r sharing ur pain an sufferings or negative stories to the listener's response.   Have the wisdom an self control to stop wen the other is saturated...Anything u can do to help we caregivers an our patients ....all people..is greatly appreciated. All of us r in agreement that we need to protect each others well being especially in the last days of life...

Til next time lets call an elder in our family an 1 friend an bring only Love Hope an Joy leaving our problems to God Alone!!

Small sentences of encouragement

TO WHOM THE LORD SETS FREE HE SETS FREE INDEED!

There is no addiction God can't balance out....TRUST HIM

No fear... No fear in Jesus name. Our God lives!!

U r a beautiful person..child of The Most High God!  NEVER FORGET UR DIGNITY!!!

Pray in all things...God will always tell u wat to do...b peaceful...there is a much bigger picture here than just u. TRUST GOD.....go an pray...that is where all the answers lie...All is well....Trust Him...

.be gentle with urself ..Be Gentle!

Til next time consider watching the movie "War Room"...an start the process of taking back wat the devil has stolen from u...do so in Jesus' Name!!!

Ps:  my son texted me this from a comic book..."If you want to lead you have to be a servant. If you want to be served you are not fit to lead."...(that's my son...wat a gem!!) He says ,"Comic books can bring as much substance as they do spectacle"...

God can use anything He wants to speak to us!

Some of my maxims to live by...

With God all things r possible....make a list of all the gd things in ur life.

Keep it simple...wen u r in panic all things look distorted.  ....b patient

God can get where u cant. Trust in Him!

Ground....deep breath.. Relax ...pray....have patience first with urself....an then with all those around u. ...bring ur body an mind an soul back to a peaceful state....

Til next time...let's look up some quotes from our favorite saints....an meditate on those that resonate with us...an then have an ice cream😄

Deserted Wives...there is hope!

Abandoned an deserted wives can find great strength an consolation in the following chapter in The Bible.  It assures us of God becoming our husband wen our earthly husband has left an it promises beautiful things.

FOR HE WHO HAS BECOME YOUR HUSBAND IS YOUR MAKER; HIS NAME IS THE LORD OF HOSTS. an

ALL YOUR SONS WILL BE TAUGHT BY THE LORD AN GREAT SHALL B THE PEACE OF YOUR CHILDREN

Read an reread This Chapter an soak in Gods Soothing Love.  It is my favorite!

Read Isaiah CHAPTER  54....especially these verses 5 an 13

Til next time lets pray for all women who have been deserted by their husbands...that God Himself will step in an be Our All in All...especially in our darkest hours. Amen!!

An if u know a woman who has suffered separation...divorce...
widowhood find a way to reach out an help them with life...home an car needs... children....finances....be creative in supporting them because sadly most families dont do anything tangible to help as in yrs past. God bless!

Parenting resources

Parenting is an extremely hard task....resources to help us along the journey r so needed that r balanced...
find below info on a person an Christian organization i trust for aids in this area...an on all aspects of family life.

Dr James Dobson Focus in the Family...great books Dare to Discipline an Raising the Strong Willed Child....an much more. Happy shopping for what u need....they used to have a free counseling phone line and they would even help those get resources who have financial limitations...

https://www.focusonthefamily.com

https://www.google.com/search?q=dr+james+dobson+books&oq=dr+janes+dobson&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0l3.10164j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

hope this helps....til next time lets pray for all parents...that they may turn to The Only Perfect Parent..God...for Guidance an Wisdom knowing He will supply all that our human limitations cannot. ang

Slow down to hear God

In order to hear from God we need quiet...we need to do things differently...we need time to sit in His Rays of Unconditional Love at The Masters Feet in order to b able to Love others....some suggestions:

Above all Pray....get back to church... slow down, be flexible, less rigidity, less electronics, simplify, schedule Less in a day, and schedule a nap as often as you can , be spontaneous, take your time, be gentle with yourself , fast, b charitable, relax...take a walk.....an as u learn to do this with urself...practice doing it with others.

Be set free!!!

Bible says : "to whom The Lord sets free...He sets free indeed"
Ask to be set free....
Also read Luke chapter 12: only verses 22-24...

http://www.usccb.org/bible/luke/12:1

"Nomatter What!" God loves us!

"No matter what" is a song that says sooo much to a soul.  Til next time give a listen an let the Unconditional Love of God soak in!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=It_xQ4NYtDQ

A lot of us grew up believing
At any moment we could lose it all
And at the drop of a hat
God might turn His back and move on
A lot of us feel like we blew it
Thinking that we're just too far gone
But I want you to know
There's still a hope for you now

No matter what you've done
You can't erase His love
Nothing can change it
You're not separated
No matter what

There's never been a better time to get honest
There's never been a better time to get clean
So come as you are
Run to the cross and be free
Oh, be free

No matter what you've done
You can't erase His love
Nothing can change it
You're not separated
No matter where you run
He's always holding on
You're still a daughter, you're still a son
No matter what

I don't know what you've been taught
Don't know what you've been told
All I know is my God
Will never let go of you, no
And I don't know what you've seen
Don't know what you've been through
All I know is my God
Will never let go of you
He'll never let go!
He'll never, never, never let you go

No matter what you've done
You can't erase His love
Nothing can change it
You're not separated
No matter where you run
He's always holding on
You're still a daughter, you're still a son
No matter what

You're still a daughter, you're still a son!
No matter what

Songwriters: Ryan Stevenson / Bryan Fowler / Jonathan Smith

No Matter What lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol Christian Music Group

2 Verses that can carry us daily

"My Grace is sufficient for you!" 2 Cor 12:9a

"i have the strength for everything through Him Who Empowers me!!" Phil 4:13

These 2 verses r worth memorizing to b able to remind oneself of Truth on those weaker days...til next time let's take time to read the 2 chapters in their entirety.  Always in my prayers...ang

Priest scandal...REMNANT ARISE!!!!

With the priest scandal in the headlines again this week here is a perfect sermon given by a great Catholic priest Fr. John Hollowell titled. PRIESTS ABUSING KIDS.  Til next time let's listen to him...an look up all his videos on youtube. He covers all the difficult issues gracefully an straight on target. He is one of the thousands of  good an holy priests brave enough to withstand the flames of disgrace made by others an stay an continue the course to put out the fire an help heal an rebuild our Roman Catholic Church to greater than before....we r the Remnant The Scripture July 22,2018 at Mass speaks of...God's Words r Clear an Prophetic:
Jeremiah 23:1-6

Reading 1JER 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds
who mislead and scatter the flock of my pasture,
says the LORD. 
Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of Israel,
against the shepherds who shepherd my people:
You have scattered my sheep and driven them away. 
You have not cared for them,
but I will take care to punish your evil deeds. 
I myself will gather the remnant of my flock
from all the lands to which I have driven them
and bring them back to their meadow;
there they shall increase and multiply. 
I will appoint shepherds for them who will shepherd them
so that they need no longer fear and tremble;
and none shall be missing, says the LORD.

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD,
when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David;
as king he shall reign and govern wisely,
he shall do what is just and right in the land.
In his days Judah shall be saved,
Israel shall dwell in security.
This is the name they give him:
"The LORD our justice."

https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-metropcs-us&ei=upRiW-61IIXe5gL4zq_YCQ&q=fr+john+hollowell+ptiests+abusing+kids&oq=fr+john+hollowell+ptiests+abusing+kids&gs_l=mobile-gws-wiz-serp.12...17794.32562..36147...6.0...155.4122.1j32......0....1.........0j41j0i71j0i22i30j33i21j33i160j30i10j33i22i29i30.UT55-QJUPuA

Pope Francis ...gender identity...just beautiful!

There is a 2 minute video from Pope Francis on gender identity....simple...beautiful..
God honoring....til next time watch this an let if warm ur heart to Gods Divine Plan. ang

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LVwgxQD8EgM

To caregivers an their families

After asking for prayer support in my care giving of my 94 yr old Mother ,a friend replied to my plea as i explained that it is not so much the physical exhaustion but the mental an emotional as one learns to exercise an develop muscles in patience, compassion an self control that i received this most beautiful reply:

"Angie, when I cared for my Mom, and later Dad, at the end of their lives I had the same exhaustion you described. I determined that each of them were my priority in their need. I was guided by the thought that I would never regret the blessed moments I had with each of them and I have been overly rewarded as result. Be well always."

These words r for all who take on the exhausting an lonely task of caring for elderly parents....or any sick an disabled family member...be encouraged...we r doing God's work an putting His Words, so easily spoken by most, into action. To Him Alone be all Glory an Honor an Power forever!  May He complete the good work He has begun in us for it is only by His Grace that we do wat we do.

Til next time...find a caregiver in ur circle an bless them first with ur deep prayer support an second in some beautiful tangible action of Love an support.  Remember, if u r related to them, that they have no obligation to do wat they do. They just stepped up to the plate wen no one else would so b kind an gracious to them.  (A card...soup...take over an give them some time off...flowers...a gift...invite them out for coffee or a meal...shop for them...help with household chores, give them a certificate for a massage....a letter...have a mass said for them...be creative...an it does not have to cost much of. anything) angie

"THERE IS GENIUS IN CATHOLICISM" Matthew Kelly

There is an authentic Catholic site that has books an other things for free if u order one for yourself...an they offer them in bulk for just a few dollars each...it is time for us to evangelize our Catholics an remind ourselves ..our families ..all those we know.. an our congregations that "THERE'S GENIUS IN CATHOLICISM!" Which is Matthew Kelly ,the founder of Dynamic Catholic an Catholic
author's favorite saying. It is time for us all to be reminded that the Catholic Church, regardless of its scandals, coverups, abuse, an tarnishing of the priesthood by a small group of lost clergy, is much more than wat the news portrays. Go to this site....research...there r many great resources available for pastor , catechist, church an lay person alike. It is time for us to rise an bring visible the Dignity of Our Roman Catholic Church to Light again.  I will help anyone i can thru spiritual direction or retreat for home groups an churches...feel free to call on me for help.  Matt's book REDISCOVER CATHOLICISM an RESISTING HAPPINESS r two books i got for my choir as retreats for summer reading. They r excellent an r not just for beginners to the faith.  I pray u will  take a minute to search this site an become the leader in passing on our wonderful gems of faith...helping catholics regain who they really are.  God bless u an God bless our Roman Catholic Church!!! Til next time ck out the site angie

https://dynamiccatholic.com/shop/free-resources/books

"Lord i need You" song by Matt Maher my favoritel

Moms...an my favorite song especially on a hard day...listen wen u have a quiet moment...the 1st video. Happy Sunday!

www.google.com/search?q=lord+i+need+you+lyrics&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&prmd=vsin&source=lnms&tbm=vid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdnb-OmsTcAhXDqlkKHcnICG4Q_AUIESgB&biw=320&bih=448&dpr=2.25

My reply to those disillusioned by some Catholics

Fake Christians r  everywhere sadly to say.  In all churches there r the remnant an then those who still r working on finding their relationship with God.  We pray for all.  Our conversion happened wen we were ready at that moment an hopefully continues daily.   My intimacy became espousal with Christ in the Catholic Church an because of This Church as well.  Conversion happens wen people r in the Catholic or Orthodox or Coptic or other denominations too....but it happens at the appointed time an wen a soul is ready to receive.  Sadly most do not understand the road is narrow yet ..but our trust is in His Mercy.  Maybe most havent been given the capacity to hunger like us.  Maybe they r simple an like little children an we have much more to learn from them then they from us. There is a whole Truth an it is important for us who hunger to understand the why in things to continue to ask God to reveal Truth in All Its Fullness...also important to no that God is way beyond our own thoughts
understanding.
We must pray an always b open to being taught.  He reveals fullness of Truths wen He wants... an wen we r open an ready.

May we continue to b God chasers in Jesus Name. May we continue to be teachable by Him Alone.  May we remember we no nothing an God knows everything. May we b simple an humble an prideless an recognize we do not have all the answers but He does. He needs no help from us to bring us ,His children ,to fullness of Truth. Silently sitting quiet with Him an not always using words allows us to hear...may we embrace this quiet letting Him lead. It is no mistake that u may be  back in the Catholic Church at this time in ur life. U r not here to convert us out of this church. God has put you here an drawn u in at this time of ur life for a good reason. Consider sitting with your priest to talk...u might b very surprised in wat u hear. Always praying for u an all ur loved ones. Ty for covering me an mine.

Martin Luther and Mary, Mother of Jesus

Often people who r not Catholic or Orthodox ridicule us for our views on Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  I just had this conversation with a woman who was Catholic an left to become Protestant. Wat great animosity she had for Mary....forgetting that this Mary gave us Our Savior!  ..Also forgetting the Words in Luke 1....we cannot accept Scriptures we agree with an give no value to others that dont fit our belief system. If All of Scripture is Gods Breathe, than we must believe it all including Luke 1.   Below is an article written by a previous Evangelical Christian on MARTIN LUTHER AND MARY. He has since converted to Catholicism. Til next time lets read this article and Luke 1 in The Bible an ask God Himself to clarify this issue in our minds an hearts for us that we might fully adopt His Opinion Alone on the matter.

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=788

Possible Spiritual Direction with me

I have more time to devote to spiritual direction at this time....if u want to grow spiritually an would like someone to journey with ..  pray first an if u r so led by God contact me at the bottom of this blog in comments. Nothing gets published wen u write to me there. It is a personal note to me. Only i can publish comments after previewing wat has been sent. An it doesn't matter where u live because we can b in contact by email...or telephone ...once u contact me i then will pray to see if God wants me to assist u. In direction We are always free to stop at anytime we feel that it is not working out.

Praying for all those seeking Spiritual Direction that they find Gods pick for them. The saints before us all had a director...someone to help us get closer to God an listen to Him rather than do only whatever we want...

Til next time let us look at our own life an pray about seekin a gd holy director...consider ur local priests...religious...or lay people....take it to prayer an ask God...He will lead u to the right persin for u.

Order "With Open Hands" an The Value of Mass

Go to this site to see book WITH OPEN HANDS...if u click preview u can read 2 chapters online scrolling down pages...i highly recommend this book...u will never regret it...an dont forget to pray all week deeply especially for everyone who visits this blog...  i am supporting u  deeply in prayer fasting an almsgiving ...God is Great an we await miracles in our lives cause we r His Kids whom He loves sooo much!!

An try to go to Mass during the weekdays...nothing tops Mass...receiving Him cannot be topped. ..The Word made Flesh...It was His Greatest Gift to us to strengthen an gird us up to be more an more like Him...

Peaceful day an great nite sleep to all of us with Godly dreams an restorative sleep. Talk soon!  Til next time...ck out With Open Hands.

https://www.google.com/search?q=henri+nouwen+with+open+hands&oq=henri+nouwen+with+open+hands&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l2.11403j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Mary an Elizabeth JUMP FOR JOY!

Someone gifted me this painting which is 1 of my favorites... something i would never buy for myself...very expensive...an big...i just

Picked it up framed...i hesitated because to frame it was alot of money...but i felt it was a valuable spiritual aide...an i deserved to treat myself to it.... now to figure out where to hang it.....i luv this....it captures my spirituality...wat an instrument to take me into deep ecstatic prayer with My Living Lord!!!!  Oh the hours of meditation it will provide.  Mary, a Virgin, carrying the Savior after being visited by an Angel goes to visit Elizabeth her cousin who is past child rearing years but also conceived miraculously for her age an was also visited by an Angel...John The Baptist is her son in her womb.  He who would prepare the way for Jesus. When these women met John lept for Joy in his mothers womb at the meeting of his Cousin Jesus announcing His Coming...Both women an children are ecstatic

..the title of this is JUMP FOR JOY!!!  What a gift we women have to be able to bring forth life!  I would have loved to have been a fly in the room to hear an experience their conversation....

their joy...their astonishment.......thnk You God for This Gift....thnk you Mary an Elizabeth for your contribution for the Salvation of the world an the Salvation of each of us!!!

Til next time ck out this beautiful picture!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/172836474/jump-for-joy-mary-and-elizabeth-on

Tradition ,Church an Bible not solo Scriptura

Just had this discussion with a friend an decided to post about it. This topic confuses many....Solo Scriptura(meaning only what is in The Bible) isnt spoken of in The Bible...an there was no Bible til after around 400 ad wen The Catholic Church compiled The Old an New Testaments into wat we call The Bible today. Before that much was taught person to person by Tradition...400 yrs...a long time...an so this is why The Catholic Church does not preach solo Scriptura but Tradition an Scripture...if one researches the early church  mothers an fathers from Christ til 400 ad one finds in their writings many direction correlations to wat we celebrate an believe in the Mass as Catholics today.  One famous early church Father was St Justin Martyr. ..look him up

Here is an article that is quite elaborate... u may b interested some day to read an understand why catholics believe this way...fyi

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/a-quick-ten-step-refutation-of-sola-scriptura

Til next time lets look up the early church fathers an mothers...

Catholic Daily Devotional

The best daily devotional that is Catholic is from Presentation Ministries. You can get them mailed to your house every 3 months or you can go online to read them daily ... sent to your email here's the information in case it's something you would like to try. It is free....donations accepted i included a sample for u to see. Everyday includes the readings from Mass for that day an the saint for the day plus a reflection.  Try it...til next time happy reading.

www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

No bullying...an Coming Home

I was thinking about wen a person said to me they had a lump in their stomach wen thinking of a spouse's reaction to them taking their children to church....it hurts me to hear this because that means they r afraid of their husband an cant just reason an dialogue with him. I know this too well ...intimidation on behalf of machismo runs in my family line...we need to disown this!!  No man is smarter or better than we r ....an God does not want us ever to live under their bullying.....we must work on this because we r Gods women an dont have to answer to any human person... just Our God has to approve us..... As we overcome this our daughters will learn it an hopefully never suffer wat we have suffered. God is calling our children an our families home to Him an it will happen thru our faithful return to The Holy Roman Catholic Church.  Dont b distracted to look left or rt...eyes on Jesus Alone. An b reminded God is a jealous God an asks us to get everyone an everything off the Throne an put God back there. B alert an cautious because as u try to return to the Church an Its Sacraments every possible distraction will come to try an stop u. Let nothing get in ur way.  Ur greatest achievements lie in front of u...u will be doing great things u never imagined!!  Watch an wait!  This evolution is going to b so beautiful to see ...i promise!!  An the lump in the stomach should be there only wen we an our children r denied our rightful knowing an loving of Our Most Marvelous God! Wen we have done something wrong an offended so Great a Father in Heaven.

This song is perfect for the day we go to confession...wen we look at ourselves an finally realize Jesus new wat He was doing wen He left us Confession...the first step to coming Home!!
When God Ran
www.google.com/search?q=utube+wen+god+ran&oq=utube+wen+god+ran&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l3.6539j0j4&client=ms-android-metropcs-us&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

Til next time...read about The Prodigal Son in The Bible...which son r we?....peace

Always Hope awaiting Jesus Return!

Look for the Whole Truth to bring Light to every situation...God will give that to us if we seek it sincerely...
two things i believe may be gd for us to work on in all our relationships:  never assume we no why someone does something...that is judgement an only God knows others' entire situation an make up an reasons for doing things. We must ALWAYS GIVE THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT!!!  ALWAYS if we want to become saints.  ....  and we need to work on forgiving our enemies....we need to forgive if we want to continue to find True Peace an become more an more like Christ.

 This week was the feast of St Peter and Paul ...two examples of the worst of sinners.. 1 who killed Christians because they believed in Jesus Christ and lived the different way and the other who denied him three times after being with him day and night ..night and day and who when he walked on the water had so little faith he fell beneath the waves with Christ right in front of him. This example shows us that no person is beyond Redemption and that there's always hope and we're supposed to believe and Hope because that's what Love does from 1st Corinthians... it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, Love never fails.  If we are foolish then God will reveal it to us ... we understand better the sinfulness an the brokenness and the ugliness and the demonic influence everywhere it is to be found by God's Grace we know but we cannot abandon people who have come to us and so we love on them hoping beyond hope.. praying ,fasting and giving arms that they can be saved in whatever capacity God Himself will do it in whatever way He knows how ..little by little, inch by inch our job is to just continue to have Compassion and Love on His people speaking truth ..gently ,gingerly and continuing to point them towards Gods Altar !

The woman who brings me Holy Communion every day because I cannot get to Mass daily with caring for my Mom at home ... she was going for some tests today at the hospital and I asked her how do you do this and not be really anxious and nervous ?and her answer was delightful:
" Angie I don't care ...I'm just waiting for the Big Guy" and she pointed up toward Heaven...she had a smile ear-to-ear ...an then my reply... "me too Debbie me too" ..I so look forward to seeing Our Lord...just like the words we say at every mass "as we wait in Joyful Hope for the coming of Our Savior Jesus Christ!"  ..an in the Light of that...all this stuff in this world is trivial!!!  Lets chew on those words from ur elder women in faith...delightful...just delightful!!

Til next time...lets  look up toward Heaven this week...an wink at Jesus ...letting Him know we cant wait to finally see Him Face to face one day...not wishing for death but waiting on our appointed time to finally go Home...remember we r pilgrims...just passing thru...sojourners...on our way Home.....MARANATHA !!  COME LORD JESUS, COME!!!

I love you all and I'm deeply proud of your hard work with the Lord and your interior work. Keep going ...Eyes On Jesus!!... let nothing distract you to the left or to the right. So proud to call you my true brothers an sisters!  And remember ,we want no one to burn in hell forever and hell Is Real and if we can separate and detach, especially from our family, and recognize that they are not just blood relation, but they are daughters and sons of God... true brothers and sisters in the Lord ...we can look at them differently... treat them differently, especially when they are in serious sin.  Even if we have been very hurt by them and this be a painful process , be at peace. God may need others to minister to them ...we go forward but remember we must forgive. Lets work on that... Forgiving those who injure us...an forgive me for being so straightforward but our job is to become Saints and that's hard work...BECOME THE SAINT GOD CREATED U TO BE!!!  Til next time...God Bless!

a few thougts....

Just a few thoughts....

1.  Padre Pio was a priest who has been made a saint by the Catholic Church....he suffered the stigmata (wounds of Christ)....had gifts like bi location....healing...reading of souls...the list goes on and on...He promised he would not enter heaven until all his spiritual children arrived...i often visit his statue at a Benedictine Monastery where i go weekly to pray and i wink and remind him, please don't enter until i get there...i asked him to adopt me as one of his spiritual children a long time ago..He is a marvelous father figure....go to this site to learn more about him...He lived during our lifetime...

https://www.ewtn.com/padrepio/

2.  We often worry about what we would do if someone we love dies...one that supports and cares for us....remember ..God is the Only One we have to have...others are helpful, but God is the Only One we can't live without....He is a Faithful Shield and Buckler....and Ever Present Help in times of trouble...Let's Trust God more...

3.  Listen to one of my favorite songs,"How can i keep from singing" by Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman.  The ending of the video has powerful words that i luv...enjoy...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh_8rTBpvRU

4.  Listen to The Father's Love Letter....Words from the Bible...a letter from God to us...enjoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJvqmhGs1Y8

Let's continue to stay very close to God....to chase Him...reviewing  some of the older blogs and renew our commitment to keeping Him in First Place in our lives....my time is very limited to be able to blog...so wen i catch a moment...i write...forgive me that it is short and not too deep...caring for my 94 yr old Mom takes all my time...plz pray for us....and i promise to continue praying for you daily. 

til next time...ang

Long time no blog....

i am very sorry....i have not been available to write....My 94 yr old Mom was in the hospital and rehab again and is now home and requires much of my time and attention.  But i was able to sneak away for a bit to share some things with you...

First i wanted to share information about the Daily TV Mass every day on the computer...this is a half hour Mass each day that we can listen to and pray with.  just google Daily TV Mass....This past Monday they had a sermon that was unbelievable on judgment...... go to 8 minutes in and you can listen to just the sermone on the link below...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pV9dIHWUys

i also wanted to share with you about One Bread, One Body(OBOB)...a daily devotional...one page to read for each day of the yr.  They have a hard copy to read that can be mailed to you in booklet form every 3 months or you can sign up to read it online...below is a reading that touched me deeply so i included it for us to review and on that same link you can find info on ordering these resources which i highly recommend.

http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp

Watch this song......"Grace God You" by Mercy Me...i expect we all will be singing and dancing with it by the 3rd time we watch it...enjoy!!!

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

Do not worry about anything.....read this...
http://www.presentationministries.com/obob/obob.asp?lang=en&d=6/23/2018

Try to read from Give Us This Day...Monday June 25, 2008 reflection...'Consider the Merits'

https://giveusthisday.org/Preview

Sirach 30:21-25
DO NOT GIVE IN TO SADNESS, OR TORMENT YOURSELF DELIBERATELY.  GLADNESS OF HEART IS THE VERY LIFE OF A PERSON AND CHEERFULNESS PROLONGS HIS DAYS.  DISTRACT YOURSELF AND RENEW YOUR COURAGE, DRIVE RESENTMENT FAR AWAY FROM YOU; for GRIEF HAS KILLED MANY, AND NOTHING IS TO BE GAINED  FROM RESENTMENT.  ENVY AND ANGER SHORTEN ONE'S DAYS AND ANXIETY BRINGS ON PREMATURE OLD AGE.  THOSE WHO ARE CHEERFUL AND MERRY AT TABLE BENEFIT FROM THEIR FOOD.

Well these are a few things God has given me over these weeks....hope they help....til next time....prayers...ang

prayer request...

Plz join me in keeping my oldest brother in prayer, fasting and alms giving....he is having a heart procedure tomorrow.  thanks....

til next time let us read Is 53 in its entirety...focusing on
"By His Stripes we were healed!"

"BY JESUS' PRECIOUS STRIPES MY BROTHER IS HEALED AND MADE WHOLE..."

"Your King does not sleep or slumber!"

i wrote a few texts today...and thought i would share some of the words with you in the hope that it may be just what you might need at this time in your life.  i ask your forgiveness in not being consistent in my writing on this blog.  i have brought my 94 yr. old Mom home from a 4 and a half month run with hospital and rehabs.  My hands are very full in service at this time.  Plz keep us in prayer and i promise to continue to keep you in mine.  Don't be afraid to go back and start from the first blog and re-read them.  There are lots of good writings and information and hopefully as things slow down a bit, i will be able to write more often and more regularly. 

"My heart and my deepest prayers r with u all at his most difficult time in your lives. Plz try to remember that you are very strong and courageous individuals an have endured many many trials in the past and have always come thru.  Though your knees may feel weak at times remember that the same blood that brought your parents thru many trials runs thru your own veins too.  You are warriors whose armors may be dented and scratched by life's wear, but are totally uncompromised and perfectly intact to again protect you thru this all.  And greater than that is:   your King does not sleep or slumber.  Again God calls you to honor and serve your parents...the only commandment that comes with a great promise.  Kindness to a parent will not go unrewarded.  Plz try to be peaceful and strong for them and extremely patient with yourself.  Yet it may be your turn to be served and cared for.  If so, give others that opportunity because as you know from your own life experience, Service is a beautiful school that teaches all of us things we could never learn from a teacher or from a book.  i promise you my deepest prayers trusting in the simplest of prayers:  Jesus be your Doctor, Mary be your nurse and Good St. Joseph hold your hand now and always.  And may Our Lady keep you and your families tucked tightly in her Motherly Mantel warm and safe...strong and prayerful now and always as only a Good Mother would.   And if you are the primary caregiver, take very good care of yourself.  If i can help you in any way, plz don't hesitate to send me a note.  "

til next time...lets re-read an older blog from this site....ang

a quick note....

i recently was sharing with someone....and thought i should post this:

Nothing worthwhile happens overnight.  Much brokenness needs alot of time to heal in us and in others.  All our prayers are being answered regardless if you do not see them, understand them, or if they do not turn out exactly as we thought.  God truly knows best!  Those of us chasing God r already far on our journey and though our body belongs here on earth...our heart belongs to Jesus!!!...we just need to keep walking with Him...chasing Him...never looking left or rt...eyes on Christ alone...Jesus...then all is and will continue to be well...And remember we  r safe and no one will ever be able to hurt us like in the past ever again because of the deep God Work you have begun. All Praise goes only to Him.

hoping some word or two may be of help to you today....til next time....let's read psalm 121...be assured of my continued prayers....and plz remember me in yours!  ang

HE IS ALIVE!

Billy Graham passed away recently.  In an interview many years ago he said,
     "One day the newspapers will have a headline which will read,'Billy Graham is dead'. 
     Don't you believe it!  At that moment i will be more alive at that moment than
     ever before in my life here on earth!"

This is what we are celebrating.....Jesus' Resurrection from the dead...Any man could have died....but to rise again?....that is the proof we needed that Jesus was Who He said He was!...

As we remember all those who have died....remember Billy's words....remember Christ....for even though one should die....they will live forever!  Heaven is real...God is Love and Mercy beyond our wildest imagining.   Trust in Him....

Blessed Easter....if time allows i will ellaborate more on this Holy Resurrection Event.....til next time....sit at the tomb and await His Resurrection!...hugs, ang

The Greatest Love Affair....

This week....This Holy Week is the story of The Greatest Love Affair known to man.  It is a dance...a meditation....a deep interior ecstasy that exceeds all others.  Many preach on the existence of Heaven and Hell this week....but i am so moved to go way beyond that reality....This is the week that reminds us of the Love beyond all Loves....beyond all passionate loves in this world...spousal love....sibling love...parental love....fraternal love....take all the loving for all time among people...add to it the most beautiful, most passionate, delicious, joyful, happy things and experiences in this world that ever happened, multiply it by a billion and it does not touch the Love God has for YOU.....the Love God has for me!  You see God sent Jesus to take on our sins....to offer Himself as a Sacrifice that Heaven's Doors might be open to all who choose to walk with Him and aspire to be like Him.  Do not let this week slide by like the others....it is good for us to walk this week in deep holiness and prayer.  The Catholic Church has marvelous Masses and Services all week long that help us to journey thru this week.  Easter is not about food....it is not about family gatherings...it is not about a bunny....Easter is God....Jesus Christ....Who really loves us!....give more time to God this week than any other preparation....than all the shopping....than all the people....There is no sin in the other things....and most are very wholesome....but if they are the focus of this week, then yes there is sin....because God deserves our undivided attention....and then we can bring Him to all the other things we do this week.

Sunday was Palm Sunday....we celebrated the Triumphant entrance of Christ into Jerusalem...then solemnly readed the Passion of Our Lord to begin the Solemn Week....Last night at all Catholic Churches the Holy Thursday celebration of The Lord's Last Supper was celebrated.  Three gifts were given on Holy Thursday....The Gift of Jesus washing the feet of His Followers....teaching us that Service and Love need to be the center of our lives following His Example....become the servant of all!...Second is the gift of His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, also referred to as The Eucharist.  Without reception of Holy Communion one cannot Love fully...every time we take in Jesus in This Gift, we become a little more like Him...We need this Divine Food to continue to grow and go Higher......At the end of Mass was a procession with the Consecrated Hosts and they are brought to another altar, beautifully decorated that we might adore Him til midnight.  All Catholic Churches were opened for prayer til midnight last night.  and finally is the gift of Priesthood...."Do this in remembrance of me!"...a command...a calling forth  of Apostolic Succession....meaning to be a priest is not to be an administrator, although he may be good at that, or a counselor....and he still might be good at that....many have forgotten that without the priest, we cannot have Holy Communion...This is the primary role, focus, value of a Priest's Life...TO BRING US JESUS....IN THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR!  We must pray for priests...those who have ministered sacraments to us, those who have spiritually directed us, those who have prayed for us, those who have no one to pray for them, those who have lost their first Love, those who are lost, those who have died, those who are sick, those who have been so very faithful....every last one of them past, present and future....The symbolism this week at our Masses and Services are beyond compare.  Incense, colors of vestments and altar cloths, covers on statues, candles, crosses, processions, ...wow...the list is endless....and each year it becomes more beautiful as we grow and understand and notice things we missed the years before. It is during this week that the Mass of Chrism, when the Bishop meets with all His Priests and they bless all the Sacred Oils....Oil of Baptism, Oil of Confirmation...Oil of the Sick...Oil for Ordination....and then all the  Oils are then sent to all the parishes for use on the faithful in the coming year.  a Glorious Week....of Holy Events.

For those who have missed up til now....Wake up!!!...Start now....get to a Good Friday Service today...it is the only day we do not have Mass.  The Hosts that were Consecrated last night will be distributed in Holy Communion today...and today we will venerate...kiss, bow, kneel before the Cross remembering what Jesus did for each one of us....More important than bowing with our bodies is to bow deep in the recesses of our being....bow to our Maker...bow....show reverence,,,Love ....Respect....Adoration....Gratitude....get to a service today...and pay close attention to all the details....i won't share more on today's service....you must go to see for yourself!

Remember if you cannot attend due to illness or care giving, or another legitimate reason, put on EWTN....on the TV...or look online and find when they will have their services...and watch and pray from home if necessary.  This is a gift to the sick and home bound....but remember it surely does not equal the experience of  being there in attendance live....experiencing the sights and sounds and fragrances in the church.

i pray we all will have the best Holy Week of our lives...i pray we will devote great time and attention...prayer and deep meditation to God....Jesus His Son....We never know...this may be our last Holy Week...surely if we won't have this opportunity again, we would want this week to be our best ever.

Be assured of my continued prayers....please pray for me.  Take note i have brought my 94 yrs. old Mom home after a 4 and a half month run in hospitals and rehab and as her care giver, my hands are full right now.  i therefore do not have much time to write...please forgive me...and know i will try to write more often ....til next time...celebrate these days in church...celebrate them differently than ever before....hugs, ang

A HOLY AND FRUITFUL LIFE CHANGING HOLY WEEK TO ALL OF US!

"A PRICELESS DIGNITY AND VALUE"

"IF WE HAD THE VISION OF FAITH, WE WOULD SEE BENEATH EVERY BEHAVIOR--NO MATTER HOW REPULSIVE--BENEATH EVERY BODILY APPEARANCE--NO MATTER HOW DIRTY OR DEFORMED--A PRICELESS DIGNITY AND VALUE THAT MAKES ALL MATERIAL FACTS AND SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES FADE INTO INSIGNIFICANCE.
                                                                   
                                                            ---FR. DANIEL EGAN

nothing to add to such a powerful statement...til next time....we meditate on Fr. Daniel's quote and hopefully allow it to bring deep interior change to our lives and the way we live!  ang

"POSITIVELY PRECIOUS!"

i started to read a women's devotional to my Mom tonight and the title says it all....POSITIVELY PRECIOUS!....that is what each of us are in the Eyes of God...a Treasure....positively precious!...not much to add to those great words...

Take time to absorb this concept...everyone in this world gives us limited acceptance and love...it is all we know.....but God Himself says something different...you and i are POSITIVELY PRECIOUS...

That does not give us freedom to live and continue to do wrong....to continue in sinful ways without consequence...but it is the absolute starting point for a deep intimate relationship with God...to know that He really just Loves us...and thinks we are really someone special!

Let's take some time to read some of these Scriptures and soak them in...maybe one a day....and as we learn our value, we then will look and treat everyone we meet with that same look of Love and Preciousness we have received.  ...even those who are masked in  illness...hatred....anger....grumpiness...complaining...etc.  There is only one way the world will change...when i start with myself....learning my own value and soaking in the Love of God and then being able to share that Treasure with others.  Be transformed and you will help transform others...especially those in your own circle who are broken....lost....ill....young or old....clear minded or tormented....and remember....We never give up on anyone..Never......Scripture says.." never give up on your own..."....no matter how tired you get.... no matter how much you sacrifice....it is always worth doing the right things....and investing in your own relationship with God that then others may find God for themselves...may every soul experience "THE GLANCE OF GOD" that they may then pass on that Look of Love to everyone they come in contact with.  Praised be Jesus Christ Now and Forever!"  FRUITFUL AND LIFE CHANGING LENT TO ALL OF US!  stay prayerful....ang

1. Isaiah 43:1-2
2. Isaiah 49:16
3. John 3:16
4. Ephesians 2:10
5. Jeremiah 31:3
6. Psalm 139:13-16
7. Psalm 100
8. Romans 5:8
9. 1 John 3:1a
10. Zephaniah 3:17

Welcome India and Netherlands!

Welcome to India and the Netherlands...thank you for joining us on this blog...Please invite all your family and friends to join us...be assured of our prayers....ang

Don't be afraid to lay down your life...

The calling to do something great is always a scary thing to discern.  But remember that God is never in confusion or fear.  When in doubt ,always stand still and wait.  i promise you, if you sincerely are seeking God's Perfect Will for your life ,He will clarify things for you like never before.  You will awake and know without a shadow of a doubt of the Mission before you and you will have the courage necessary to accomplish It.  The only way to stay true is to stay on your knees in prayer....stay in very close contact with God....follow your conscience, not what you want or "have to do" as viewed by others or society....and in forgetting yourself and your own desires, keep God's Perfect Will as your only Aim or Goal.  We don't neglect ourselves, we put God First and our self care second so to be able to serve others and not run out of strength mid stream, but we always keep before our eyes the Truth of the Gospel, "NO GREATER LOVE HATH ANY MAN THAN TO LAY DOWN HIS/HER LIFE FOR A FRIEND!" John 15:13

If we are true believers, we march by A Different Drum than all the world.  No one will understand our decisions and sacrifices unless they know God's Beat fully.  We will often be looked at as failures...people with great potential who never achieved what they could have done.  Little do they know that the Choice ....the Heroic Choice and Courage we have made and been generously given by God to do, is the Exact Thing that will bring Innumerable Graces and Miracles into our lives and all the lives that we touch....because all the Credit and Honor goes to Him and Him Alone because the Call and Our Yes all come from Him!!

Look at your life...pray and ask God What is His Perfect Will for you and before you tell me...education, health, money, homes, cars, prestige are first....look around you at your circle of family and friends and insure that you are not missing the Calling to, as The Scriptures say clearly..."Don't turn your back on your own!" Is 58:7...It starts at home....It starts with people...souls...lives....invest yourself...be willing to die to some of your desires that others might live...It is very easy to send a check to a  mission....much harder to be the missionary in your own home, family, neighborhood.

i pray that the world changes...that each of us takes seriously our Lenten Walk...and tries to become more and more like Christ...."What does it matter if we gain the whole world and lose our soul in the process!" Mark 8:36...Follow your conscience...be willing to go so deep with God that all those around you are touched by your words, example and even your meer presence because of your holiness.  Be a God Chaser....and become the saint you were created to be!

a fruitful and life changing Lent to all of us!

til next time...find the charity in your own "home" and family that you can tithe to...  in your time, talent and treasure....don't be afraid to be generous....sacrificial....and deeply passionate in your giving.  you will never regret it!

All the countries visiting this blog!

AUSTRALIA, ROMANIA, MACAO, MOROCCO, US VIRGIN ISLES, UKRAINE QATAR, KYRGYZSTAN, SINGAPORE, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM, RUSSIA, MEXICO, CAMBODIA, THAILAND, TAIWAN, CHILE, PORTUGAL, S. AFRICA, INDONESIA, SPAIN, SERBIA, TURKMENISTAN, PAKISTAN, BRAZIL, FRANCE, ECUADOR, HONDURAS, GREECE,CANADA, GERMANY, POLAND, KENYA, USA,

Let us celebrate the Love of God that reaches all over the world....the newsroom will never cover a story like this.  A simple woman starts a simple blog to encourage people to chase God....to look for The Glance of God ....to become the saints we were created to be.....and without pomp....art....pictures....without having computer knowledge...it reaches all these countries....that is God!...it is Only Him!  That is how Big Our God is!  Imagine what a wonderful time it is to live when we can post something about God and it can go all over the world in seconds...

Invite some friends and family to visit....God bless...Fruitful and life changing Lent to all of us!  ang

Welcome Honduras! Bienvenido Honduras!

Welcome Honduras!  Thank you for joining us!  Invite your family and friends to visit our blog!  May God be praised, adored and loved!


Bienvenido Honduras! ¡Gracias por estar con nosotros! ¡Invita a tus familiares y amigos a visitar nuestro blog! ¡Que Dios sea alabado, adorado y amado!

Welcome Greece! Καλωσορίστε την Ελλάδα Kalosoríste tin Elláda

Our God never ceases to amaze me.  Greece is all the way around the world and you join us on our blog!  Welcome...and please invite all your family and friends to join us!  Praised be Jesus Christ!

Ο Θεός μας δεν παύει ποτέ να με εκπλήσσει. Η Ελλάδα είναι όλος ο κόσμος και μπείτε μαζί μας στο blog μας! Καλώς ήρθατε ... και παρακαλώ καλέστε όλη την οικογένεια και τους φίλους σας να έρθουν μαζί μας! Εξυπηρέθηκε ο Ιησούς Χριστός!

O Theós mas den pávei poté na me ekplíssei. I Elláda eínai ólos o kósmos kai beíte mazí mas sto blog mas! Kalós írthate ... kai parakaló kaléste óli tin oikogéneia kai tous fílous sas na érthoun mazí mas! Exypiréthike o Iisoús Christós!

His Gaze...

His Gaze....Gazing goes in two directions....Silence allows us to experience the Marvelous Gaze of God....His Looking upon us in a Love never experienced on this earth....not even from the accumulation of all those who love us most in this world ...nothing can come close to This....When one has experienced God's Unconditional Love....meaning...Love we do nothing to deserve....and it does not matter where we are in our walk...His Love just is...period!  Never stops....never diminishes...

And then our gaze on Him....to just take in His Majesty....Our Creator...Our Love.......

And when we sit in His Gaze and are gazing.....it is a time of adoring....Loving....thanking....digesting....Receiving....giving...dancing...singing...Healing....
Understanding...Growing.......(the list is endless.....take time to add your own to this list)

til next time....meditate on His Gaze....The Glance of God....and stay with It .....and like St. Mary His Mother, ponder....ponder....soak It All in...and gaze back on The One and Only!!! and you will  be changed forever....

be patient with the evolving process....it takes a long time for growing deeply....change and new things are never easy...but ,"WE CAN DO ALL THINGS THRU CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS US!"....

be assured of my prayers....and let's join in praying for all who are part of this blog....ang

Welcome Kenya! "Karibu Kenya!

What a blessing to have you join us from Kenya.  Oh how beautiful it is when brethren dwell in unity!  Please invite your family and friends to join us here also.  All are welcome!  Be assured of my continued prayers!  angie

Ni baraka gani wewe kujiunga na sisi kutoka Kenya. Oo ni nzuri sana wakati ndugu wanaishi katika umoja! Tafadhali waalike familia yako na marafiki kujiunga nasi pia. Wote wanakaribishwa! Uwe na uhakika wa maombi yangu ya kuendelea! angie

Do Not Judge...

We must never judge.....a very hard thing to put into practice....the Word of God is clear in Mt 7:1-5:

“Stop judging, that you may not be judged.2For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you.3Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye?4How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove that splinter from your eye,’ while the wooden beam is in your eye?5You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother’s eye.
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i was watching a religious show last night and they had an author talking about her book about clutter.  They labeled people who clutter with so many sins it was very sad.  

As i have journeyed, i have learned much and supported many.  How easy it is to say or imply with looks of disgrace and shame to someone who has clutter that there is no reason for that.  Let me give you just a few reasons i have found over the yrs....homelessness, marriage problems, domestic violence, caring for elderly parents, abuse, disabled children, financial difficulties, job issues, divorce or separation, illness, disabilities, death...etc....the list is endless and we all fall into a catagory.  i use this example because most of us have experienced this with ourselves to some degree or others.  

The Love of Jesus Christ is beyond anything we could ever imagine.  Healing....Growth....Evolving happens slowly over an entire lifetime and just because we may not understand or know the whys behind someone's behavior, we better be cautious in listening to our own opinions about others, for we never know what someone is living with until we have lived it ourselves.  

This show cut deep and made me very sad to know that people in my own religion had such legalistic approaches to life.  Yes someone with clutter might have an opportunity to grow with time management....being less materialistic....sharing what they have....or even asking others for help, but we have no right to tell another there is a weak area of sin when we never have the full picture.  God will mercifully reach out and help them discover over time whatever they need to know and how to promote their own healing.  All we need to do is pray....and God will show up in a Big Way...and also send His Workers who really know how to Love someone thru to assist.  

Maybe next time we see a mess, we can easily ask how we can serve....if visiting and they are washing their dishes, pick up the towel and dry....if they are folding laundry, offer a hand....if they are alone, offer to baby sit....bring a meal....i have been very fortunate to have a dear friend for many years who taught me first hand what it is to Love someone thru without judgment ...Her name is Estelle.  Estelle served me, my son and my parents with the Love of Jesus Christ for many years after my husband left.  More than any family or friend, this woman reached out and nurtured us thru the hardest of times.  

Our prayer is that we could become an Estelle for someone else.  That we might look for extraordinary ways to Love everyone and help them thru.  We all need someone to help us at various times of our lives.

til next time....let's look for someone we have judged as less than and reach out a Loving helping hand instead....eventually we will all realize that we are all the same....we change this world one soul...one person at a time and it starts with me!  

FRUITFUL AND LIFE CHANGING LENT TO ALL!  ang

Lent: STOP, BE SILENT AND LISTEN

Mt 6:6

"But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you."

Today we begin the beautiful new season of Lent.  A time to grow....a time to spend in the Warm and Replenishing Light of Jesus in prayer...The Lord gave his Disciples instruction to go out to all the world and that is our calling, but we must first learn at the Feet of the Master...and so this time....we must walk with Jesus thru His Teachings...Miracles...Prayer...and watch, listen and learn from Him.  We can never go out to teach...or talk...or do ...unless we have learned...loved...listened...and spent time with Jesus alone.  And so prayer is the place to start....not with our demands...requests and everything we deem important, but in silence with gratitude....silence to listen and learn....Fr. Isaiah Powers recommends we sit for 15 minutes in silence reminding ourselves if we get distracted that, "This is God's Time".  This is deep heart and soul work....to let His Majesty lead us....instead of us doing the leading....to stop thinking with our limited resources and let God do the thinking, arranging, instructing, healing and leading in us...and thru us He will be able to do great things...but first we stop....be silent and listen...

i pray we all have a fruitful,  life changing Lent....and may it begin like all things should start, in deep silence with Our Creator....listening and learning from the Best!  Then and only then will we be ready to hear the Commission  in Mark 16:15 at Easter time....and be able to act on it!

  “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature."

til next time....Here are some resources to help us go deeper....
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https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/category/seasons/lent/40-day-challenge/?inf_contact_key=6b15c313f2657834b5218f2610e55de6207d1570e9af13dd050ff171616f8622

https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/media/articles/season-of-lent-40-ideas-to-get-the-most-out-of-it/?inf_contact_key=25d4b2d34f398c04b474664986c0ad10cdf3f9d1b006fb304e39c1e8aa3328d6

http://thereasonforourhope.org/

https://breadforspirit.wordpress.com/2017/09/13/chapter-33-necessary-care-of-oneself/

https://dynamiccatholic.com/bestlentever

A Beautiful Experience in a different church!

This week i was asked to sing at the cemetery for the burial of my dear Greek neighbors' Mother.  i had the awesome privilege to attend the service at the local Greek Orthodox Church.  As everyone entered there was alot of talking by the normal parishioners.  They had become very accustomed to their environment as in every church, but for me, it was a deeply Heavenly Experience.  i was speechless and wanted to be silent and take it all in.  The Artwork and Icons were so gorgeous ...the environment invited one to a deep religious experience.  Their traditions and use of Icons and Incense and the beautiful chanting of the entire service was breathtaking.  It is important for us to take in the visual at churches and experience other Praying Spaces so that when we are in our own, we won't take it all for granted.  Who knew that going to serve my friends i would be so deeply touched.  This experience reminded me of everything i believe in....the Mystery  and Majesty behind Our God.  If you have never visited a Catholic Orthodox Church...they exist...they do the Eastern Rite but are under the Pope.  Look up Melkite Catholic Church....Coptic Catholic Church....Eastern Rite Catholic Church......you will find one close to you....and go and visit .  i guarantee the environment will be very conducive to deep meditative prayer....it will be a very beautiful addition to your collection of Beautiful Images of God and His Saints that can be very helpful in trying to raise your heart, mind and soul to God in prayer...Also find out if you have any local monasteries that you can visit and pray in.... Nurture your soul....chase God....and let all the senses be reminded that HE IS REAL...AND HE LOVES US!

til next time....visit a new church or monastery....and let your faith experience rise higher...an bring back the New Spark you experience to your own congregation....ang