Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Thank God For Friendship

It seems that God sends blessings
In very mysterious ways.
He always finds the perfect time
To brighten all our days.

He finds someone to be our friend,
Someone who really cares,
A friend to fill the lonely hours;
An answer to all our prayers.

He blesses us all with laughter
And the gift of understanding,
To brighten up the lives of those
Who's needs seem so demanding.

The Lord, He blessed my heart
With many a wonderful friend.
I thank you, Lord, most humbly
For the happiness they lend.

Do You Love Me ?


One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah... the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do and thought about the things that I take for granted. I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me, God wants us to sing from our very hearts and souls. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"

I thought I had answered well, but God asked, "Then why do you sin?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?"

I had no answers, only tears.

The Lord continued. "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?" The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all. Do you truly love me?

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so?"

The Lord answered, " Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you until the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.


Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Britney church shocker

Britney Spears is now set to outrage the Catholic Church with this kinky "confession" photo-shoot.

In the shortest of skirts, the troubled star flashes her fishnet stocking-clad legs in the confessional box while a handsome priest listens to her repenting.

In another "very naughty" pose for her new album Blackout, she even sits on his lap in the cubicle, an insider revealed last night.

We all know that Britney has problems, I feel sorry for the girl but it makes me irate! Why is it always the Catholic Church and Catholic religion that is always targeted by these celebrities? Why don't they dress like this and go to a mosque and strip dance with an Imam? To me these celebrities, I can name a couple off the top of my head, KNOW what they are doing! I wait to hear what our Church leaders have to say and do about this.

What are your thoughts?

Let Go of the Past


My child,

Give up! Give up those hurts of the past. It's time to move on. Satan loves to have you live in the past because that renders you ineffective to live in the present-in the now.

Tell Me, child. What is it that has happened to you? Who hurt you?
What mistakes have you made that you regret? Did what happen to you change the fact that Jesus loves you, and He died on the cross for you so you could live in heaven with Him for all eternity?

Can anything or anyone ever change that fact? You know that nothing can ever nullify what Jesus did for you on the cross. If that's true, and it is, then nothing else matters, does it?

There is nothing that can happen to you, nothing anyone can do to you that can ever change the fact that My Son, Jesus, loves you and died on the cross for you so you gain heaven for all eternity. No one can ever take that away from you. No One!

Hold on to that thought. Put things in their proper perspective. When you do that, you'll see that being loved unconditionally, attaining salvation and the right to go to heaven is your ultimate goal. Everything else pales in comparison to that.

Even physical death cannot take heaven away from you, for then the real you-your spirit-just changes abodes. Physical death for Christians is moving from living in the temple of the Holy Spirit, your body, to living in heaven.

I know, My child, I know. Your mind is often filled with hurtful things that happen to you. Sometimes you even say to people "You don't know how much it hurt Me when such and such happened." Well, I ask you again, does what happen to you in the past change the fact that Jesus loves you and died for you, and now you can spend eternity with Him in heaven? I don't have to wait for your answer, because I know immediately your mind said, "No!"

Then, child, nothing else matters! Compared to eternity, all problems are nothing. Loving Me, being in My family, gaining the right to live in heaven for eternity-that's what's important in life. If you lose that, you've lost it all. Don't hold grudges. forgive! Nothing you can gain on earth can make up for that loss, and nothing can happen to you on earth that can take that away from you- Nothing!

Love,
God.

THE BE ATTITUDES


Be understanding to your enemies.
Be loyal to your friends.

Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.

Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need yourself.

Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.

Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.

Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.

Be first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be last to criticise a colleague who fails.

Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.

Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you; they may change.

Above all, be yourself.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Art Or A Public Health Crisis?


I was flipping through the news channels today and heard someone say that they think that the infusion of pornography into mainstream culture has reached “epidemic” proportions. I have to admit that I was staring at the TV thinking they “think” it is an epidemic?!?!

Well I think it should be classified as a public health crisis. How did I come to this conclusion? Let’s see, when it comes to smoking and alcohol (drunk driving), everyone knows that its harmful not only to the one doing it but also to those around, second hand smoke and other drivers on the roads. But when it comes to pornography it’s as if we have on blinders as to the effect it has on not only the men but also the women and on the family and society.

Many argue that pornography is just another expression of art. Its not and anyone arguing on that platform does not have a clear understanding as to what art is. We can define art as the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others. With that said, why is it that the man or woman indulge in watching it alone, in the dark, hiding? If its art and something to be shared why watch it alone, in the dark, out in the open, why not share the ‘experience’?

We need to call pornography what it is, its lewd, crude, objectifying, self indulgent and it’s a distortion not art! The distortion is the objectifying of men and women for their self indulgent desires, it’s sexualizing our kids, destroying marriages, families and the society as a whole. The pornography industry won’t tell us that more than 50% of divorce cases are as a result of one party’s obsessive interest in pornography via the TV or internet.

Pornography, especially internet porn, wreaks havoc on society because it is easily accessible, anonymous, and addictive. Not only do pornographic pop-ups infiltrate cable channels and internet sites, but its the ability to view the material in the privacy of your own home removes any shame associated with the act. Tragically, most viewers buy into the illusion that this pornographic fantasy world is merely entertainment. They have little understanding that this addiction is detrimental to their own physical, spiritual and emotional well-being.

I remember this time I had a little cousin over and I trying to get to the Disney website to check something. I made a typo with the url and I was shocked and horrified that there was a porn site with a url so close to Disney! And I’m sure that there are countless others, that’s how easy it is to stumble across these sites.

Pornography separates the sexual act from the intimacy of spouses and places it on display for pleasure and profit. It perverts and strips the conjugal act of its meaning. In addition, those involved in the act exploit themselves and those who view the material. Respect for the gift of sexuality diminishes along with the reverence owed to the dignity of the human person.

Simply put, pornography exploits for pleasure and profit. And, this pornographic mentality is infiltrating our daily print, radio, and televised media in ways we don’t even recognize. For instance, when flipping through fashion magazines, almost every advertisement exploits a certain feature of a woman. We all know the ads for Victoria’s Secret over-sexualize women and use obvious pornographic poses to sell their products. Similarly, an increasing number of network television programs like Desperate Housewives or Sex in the City are known for their provocative portrayal of sex and sexuality.

This messaging is very dangerous, especially for women today. It not only objectifies the women in the ads or programs, but subconsciously convinces us that we must exploit or objectify ourselves. As a woman, I have to be aware of these advertising ploys and guard my heart and mind from objectification. The same should go for a man. In addition, we need to educate and safeguard our families against the addictive accessibility of pornography, which seeks to undermine the inherent dignity of the human person.

So is it art or a real public health crisis? You decide. You know what gets my vote.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Changes


Day 1.

I walk down a street and there's a deep hole in the sidewalk. I fall in. It takes forever to get out. It's not my fault.

Day 2.

I walk down the same street. I fall in the hole again. It still takes a long time to get out. It's my fault.

Day 3.

I walk down the same street. I fall in the hole again. It's becoming a habit. It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Day 4.

I walk down the same street and see the deep hole in the sidewalk. I walk around it.

Day 5.

I walk down a different street.

Commandments For Life


1. Thou shall not worry needlessly over mistakes.

You aren't unworthy or incapable just because you made some mistakes. Remember that mistakes are necessary for growth.

2. Thou shall not control things.

Your way is not always the best way. Remain open-minded, and don't worry if things don't go as expected.

3. Thou shall not blame others.

Don't make others responsible for your happiness. You are in control of your happiness, and you can choose to make the day a positive one.

4. Thou shall not worry needlessly.

Try not to fret about the things you can't change or have no control over. Have faith that storms never last long and tomorrow will be brighter.

5. Thou shall never surrender.

You must try to climb that hill even when it seems too steep. No matter how difficult the task seems, it's better to try than to wonder if you could have succeeded.

6. Thou shall grow.

Never think that you have to stay where you are in life. Every new day offers an opportunity for change.

7. Thou shall not judge others harshly.

Try to accept other people for who they are. Just because someone is different from you, doesn't mean they are inferior. Everyone was created in God's image.

8. Thou shall not fret over other's opinions.

Not everyone will like you, and some people will criticize you, but you must not feel unworthy. You need no one's approval to be you.

9. Thou shall not doubt your ability.

You should always have faith in yourself. Refuse to give the negative voice in your head an audience.

10. Thou shall not fix the world.

It's good to help others, but remember that you can't fix everyone's problems.

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Be Quiet and Listen


One of my favorite songs is Be Still My Soul by Ginny Owens. The scripture reference (which is a favorite of mine) is taken from Psalm 46:10 — a simple yet profound verse. I sometimes wonder which part of the verse is most desired by God — that I am still or that I know He is God? I think the answer to my own question would be that you can't have one without the other. Something to think about…

I also love Psalm 37:7, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him." It's so difficult for me, in my flesh, to be still. So often God says, "Be still my child," as a gentle reminder to me that I can only hear what he is asking of me, I can only see the unimaginable power He possesses, when I decide to quit talking, thinking asking and simply ... listen.

For me sometimes God has to go to extremes to get my attention. He decided in the last two weeks or so to take the "be still" part of my life into his own hands. I have had the flu for almost three weeks now and all I could do for about two weeks was be still. Here I was thinking well OK if I have to stay in bed I’ll do some reading but I could not even do that, could do nothing and it was driving me nuts! There are so many things that I’m working on that I would like to see finished and so many things I could have been doing even though I was sick, none of which I could do.

God sometimes has to purposely remove us from what is “comfortable” and "normal" so He can show us how distracted and "busy" we are in this big noisy world we live in. He so desperately wants to show himself to us, to tell us he loves us, but so often we can't hear him speak words of love or see His fingerprints in our lives because we are so busy being busy.

As much as I hated being still now as I look back it was BEAUTIFUL …it was quiet, and peaceful. Outside my bedroom window, He brings an incredible sunrise every morning, and almost every morning He sent so many birds and butterflies within my sight it made me realize how much I don’t stop and really savor and enjoy.

The gentle wind blowing reminded me of His angels that are protecting us everyday. At some times of the day you can hear nothing, NOTHING. The blessing of this is that in the quietness I actually could hear God because there are no distractions.

Like me I know that so many of us need to be still ... we need to find a quiet place where God can show himself to you in a mighty way so you can, possibly for the first time in your life, "know that He is God." I know that I desperately needed Him to help me be in a place of solitude so I could hear what he was asking of me and to give me a bit of direction.

He wanted me to watch the sunrise every morning, to just be in His presence, not trying to do anything, He just wanted me and nothing else. He wanted me to see through His eyes and not my own, see the direction I needed to go. He wanted for me to prioritize things differently and allow Him to be the love of my life and the only guide in my journey, to let go of the reigns.

God is gently calling us to be still ... can we hear Him? What amazing truth is almighty God going to reveal to you when you surrender your heart to the quietness of his presence? We can only find out if we are still and listen.

God is the Friend of Silence




We Need to Find God,
He Cannot Be Found in Noise and Restlessness.

God Is the Friend of Silence.

See How Nature . . .
Trees, Flowers, Grass
Grow in Silence.

See the Stars, the Moon and Sun . . .
How They Move in Silence.
The More We Receive in Silent Prayer,
The More We Can Give in Our Active Life.

We Need Silence to Be Able to Touch Souls.

The Essential Thing Is Not What We Say,
But What God Says . . .
To us and Through us.

All Our Words Will Be Useless
Unless They Come from Within.
Words Which Do Not Give the Light of Christ . . .
Increase the Darkness.


Friday, October 26, 2007

Fun Meme - Seven Random and Weird Things About Moi



  1. I can cross my toes.
  1. One of my favourite snacks is baby cereal, dry baby cereal out of the tin with some powered milk and a spoon, have to see it to believe it LOL.
  1. I speak more with my eyes than I do with my mouth sometimes.
  1. I’m generally quiet and shy but once I get to know ya I can talk your ears off.
  1. Being around me is never boring. You will always be amused and entertained cause trouble follows me and I always seem to find myself in these circumstances and situations. ( I must put up about when I had a run in with the monkeys)
  1. I’m a klutz but I’m a graceful swan on the dance floor.
  1. I cant say that I am really good at one thing. I can do lots of things well but I can’t say that I’m like a writer, a poet, a singer, a dancer etc. And yes it does frustrate me.

I'm back - Some thoughts and stuff


So I have not been around and have missed out on so much that has been going on, I have to do the seven weird things or facts about you meme, looks like fun. Hope that everyone is doing okay and that you’ll don’t catch the awful flu I am still getting over. I am really NOT good at the having to lie down in bed and not be able to do anything not only cause I was feeling so sick but I think sometimes God uses stuff like this to get our attention to just be still and listen. I’ll write more on this tomorrow.

While in bed I did watch a lot more TV than I’m used to watching. We have elections here on November 5th and it has been campaigning and political advertisements and I’m just really glad that the election is almost here and over with cause I don’t understand how Americans can live through years of campaigning for their elections. Do keep our country in your prayers.

I want to know your views on Halloween. It is not really celebrated here, the night clubs have picked up on it and on that night you have to be in a costume to get in and all that but we don’t have the decorating or the trick or treating expect for the areas where a lot of Americans live. But I do have my own thoughts on this holiday. I have been in the States for this holiday and to be quite honest I don’t like it. I think it’s a dangerous holiday not only for your teeth but I think the fact that it is associated with the occult and its so easy to subtly make things that are not good seem good and fun. Its not only the fact that people enjoy dressing up as these disgusting creatures and characters but the fact that they go all out on the decorations and really get into the spirit of Halloween yet when it comes to holidays like Christmas for instance folks find it hard to put out a nativity set or anything associated with Christ who is the real reason for the season. These are my thoughts, what are yours?

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Laughter Is The Best Medicine LOL


Simply Living


Whenever anyone moves into a new home it is always amazing how much 'stuff' we have accumulated over the years, and most of it unnecessary clutter. As we begin to pack up our belongings we also begin to purge our unnecessary extravagances, and rid ourselves of this mess, in order to begin afresh.


This can also apply to our inner lives. At times it is necessary to de-clutter our souls and find out what has been beneficial to us and what has caused undo problems. In order to de-clutter our souls we also must purge ourselves of the 'things' that have drawn us away from God.

God should never be an after-thought He should be our entire thought, does obeying God's Will come first or our own comforts? Until we understand and grasp this important point we will not be able to de-clutter our souls from the spiritual debris we have accumulated over the years.

To live simplified lives does not mean we must live in poverty or become long-faced humourless people. It simply means defining what will bring you closer to understanding God's Will and then implementing it in your daily lives. Much of our clutter lay in our inability to see what brings us true happiness and what is false happiness. Authentic happiness can only happen when we accept both adversity and joy with equality.

In order to properly de-clutter our inner lives we must ask ourselves who we are trying to impress, ourselves, our friends or God? Unlike us, God is not interested in the opinion of others, He is interested in you alone, are you as interested in God?

The word patience is the key to our happiness. Prayer takes time after all, what relationship would last if one partner was totally silent while the other is left to talk to themselves? God does not refuse to listen to us in so much as we refuse to listen to Him. If we only pray for what we want as if it were a shopping list for God to fulfill, then a soul is in relationship with its own ego.

In our race to acquire the best, we enter into a vicious cycle for who defines what is best? Who are the dictators of consumerism, the product or yourselves?

To be in a relationship with God we need to incorporate a prayerful attitude in all our activities, whether it be in the workplace or at home.

In the end God longs for you....who do you long for?

Pick Up Your Pen


When the darkness falls

And you're just barely clinging

to a single,

rapidly unraveling thread

on life's frayed garment.


Pick up your pen

And in the broadest,

boldest strokes

you can manage


Write the name of love

across the sky

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Blogger Bouquet To Rachel & Paula


This weeks blog bouquets go to Rachel's blog 'Just Another Day' and Paula at 'Receiving Light'.


Rachel actually has two blogs one in which she shares her thoughts about her faith and things that affect her life. I admire the courage that this young girl displays in her ongoing battle against depression. Through her own pain she is reaching out to others by sharing her own experiences and also shining a light in the darkest corners of the human mind.

On Rachel's other blog 'Mere Flesh' this young lady shares her thoughts in her poetry. It is confronting, challenging and edgy with a rawness born of the human struggle to overcome the abyss of depression. It truly IS a light in the dark. Please DO read both her blogs.

Paula also has two blogs. In one Paula shares her own faith with deep and compassionate insight into the suffering of others, while never losing focus on the Joy of Loving God. It is a blog written with deep sensitivity and compassionate Truth. This is a soul who has seen & experienced the blackness of man's inhumanity towards man. Yet one leaves her blog inspired to be a better person. That is indeed Gift.

We see Paula share these dark experiences in her other blog 'Victims of the Romanian Gulag'. It is here that Paula bear's witness to those who paid the highest price when confronting evil. It is a testimony to the strength of the human spirit to be Overcomers but never bystanders when evil knocks at our own door. Please read both her blogs you will walk away both challenged and uplifted.

Peace & blessings to ALL

Marie

Bloggers For World Peace Prayer



It Don't Make Sense


You have made great planes to span the skies

You gave sight to the blind with other mens' eyes

You even made submarines stay submerged for weeks

But it don't make sense you can't make peace

You take one man's heart and make another man live

You even go to the moon and come back thrilled

Why you can crush any country in a matter of weeks

But it don't make sense you can't make peace

You can make a transfusion that can save a life

Why you can change the darkness into broad daylight

You make the deaf man hear and the dumb man speak

But it don't make sense you can't make peace


Tuesday, October 23, 2007

What Does Being Catholic Mean?


In order to understand our Faith one has to study what Catholics believe and why. This is done by studying the Bible alongside the Catholic Catechism it is also crucial to read and believe Church Doctrine and all the Tenets of our Faith.


There are also matters that are considered Dogma. This means that all Catholics must hold true any specific Dogma declared by the Pontiff and the Magisterium.

There is also the understanding that as Catholics we cannot pick and choose what we wish to believe. This is where obedience must come in for we are to embrace, believe, and explain what the Catholic Church Teaches and not what we think it should teach. This is a crucial point in that many Catholics choose to speak a different gospel than what was given us by Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. St. Augustine put it quite succinctly, "If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself." In order for us to understand what we believe it is imperative for all Catholics to study the Word of God within the guidance of the Catholic Church.

To live one's life as a devout Catholic also means we must not embrace every new fad or novel experience for the sake of it. As Pope Benedict XVI has spoken with these words, "An Adult faith does not follow the waves of fashion and the latest novelties." Where one day what has been outlawed by man may become legal through due process, even though the man made law brings with it God's condemnation such as the case with Roe V Wade.

When society embraces the culture of death which is outside God's Holy Ordinances it is inherent upon the Catholic Church to rebuke and correct such a deceitful and sinful law. As devout Catholics it is also incumbent upon all Catholics to support the Church in its stance against the legalized death of unborn babies. Either by peaceful protests, or through the the ballet box.

If we attend Mass from a sense of duty or out of habit are we giving to God our love and reverence or only our physical presence minus the love? It is the Pharisee's who chained their people with the law. So it stands to reason that if in your own heart you attend Mass only for the above reasons, have you not fallen prey to lawfulness rather than sincere Worship of the Triune God?

We also cannot reject one aspect of the Churches Teachings because it does not align itself with the social issues of the day while accepting only what suits the particular individual.

As Catholics we were not created to accommodate the world or the worldly. We are here to speak the Truth as The Catholic Church specifies and not mistake our own 'ideas' as 'truth', for fear of being ashamed to proclaim it. When we become embarrassed by the Catholic Churches Teaching and too ashamed to proclaim it as it is, then whom do you serve, God or man?

A good Catholic is not one who embraces every new fad and every novel idea. A good Catholic is one who speaks the Truths of the Church with fierce courage irrespective of one's own safety and of one's popularity with others. To be a Catholic requires more than just saying the word, it means believing and then living what you hold Sacred which is ALL the Doctrines of the Catholic Church.

Two Meme's-From Tracy & Joakim


Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them). Then, tag 7 other bloggers! Thanks Tracy.


1: I read several books at a time.

2: I dream that I am singing and know all the lyrics

3: I like to dance

4: I can mimic the Queen

5: I faint in the heat

6: I get brain fog and once put the phone in the freezer.

7: I once blew kisses at my dogs and my neighbour thought I was blowing him kisses..(E-gads lol)

I now tag










+++++++++++++++

The Extraodinary Meme in response to Joakim

1. Do you attend the Traditional Latin Mass or the Novus Ordo?
I attend Norvus Ordo

2. If you attend the TLM, how far do you drive to get there?
I have never attended a TLM and have NO idea

3: If you had to apply a Catholic label to yourself, what would it be?
Non judgemental conservative.

4. Are you a comment junkie?
It's polite to leave a comment and respond to comments.

5. Do you go back to read the comments on the blogs you’ve commented on?
Yes

6. Have you ever left an anonymous comment on another blog?
No.

7. Which blogroll would you most like to be on?
Doesnt worry me

8. Which blog is the first one you check?
My own in order to reply to comments.

9. Have you met any other bloggers in person?
No.

10. What are you reading?
A biography of St. Faustina and Beatrix Potter

Bonus Question! Has your site been banned by Spirit of Vatican II
I have no idea.

I tag anyone who wishes to do this Meme.





Monday, October 22, 2007

Why I stayed-A Catholic Conversion


Aimee at her blog Historical Catholic brought forward a very interesting topic 'Are We Catholic Enough'. Please do read her thoughts on this and the commentary following it.


Below is the reason why I stayed.

There are some Catholics who feel that the Church belongs solely to those born into it and fail to understand what being Catholic means. The dictionary defines the word Catholic as "universal in extent; involving all." If a Catholic uses such statements as 'that person is not quite 'Catholic' enough' then they need to understand that they are the one's out of step with what Catholicism truly represents.

If you wish to understand what happened within my Parish, then feel free to read my post, 'No Converts Please We're Catholics'. Within this topic you will discover that my former Parish is indeed dysfunctional and very unwelcoming to Converts.

The reason for this post is to let the reader know why I stayed. The most important point is not what happened to me, no matter how hurtful or painful. It is why I stayed within the fold of the Catholic Church.

During this most painful time when many within my Parish were making it obvious they did not consider Converts as 'real Catholics' my family discovered that my mother had terminal cancer. My mother had a great devotion to Our Lady. I feel her love for our Blessed Mother was Divinely inspired in that my mother was too ill to read about her, but she spent hours praying her Rosary or simply gazing at a picture of Our Lady. Thankfully before she died the Priest did agree to Baptize my mother into the Catholic Church.

During this tumultuous time, my heart at times felt torn asunder. My Mother was dying and the Catholics within my Parish were making it obvious they would not accept me or any other 'ingrates'.

Rather than be overcome and leave, I discovered something greater, something more meaningful and depthful. I asked myself the question, why am I staying? I then discovered the answer, for God alone.

I could not walk away from The Eucharist or the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, nor could I leave Our Lady and our great Saints.

God is a dangerous Lover, He seduces the soul until we can no longer be satiated by the trivialities of the world. It is a thirst that only The Divine can quench yet we are still like deer that panteth after the water.

What I went through, scorched away my own superficiality in that I did not have to face those who opposed me, I instead faced my own weakness and fears.

I found myself in the Fire of God's Divine Love, but God's love does not destroy us. It instead refines and strengthens that which is weakest in our frail human nature.

Where I was weak God steeled me to remain where He wished me to be. When I suffered hurt God helped me realise that it was my Ego that was paining and not the inner sanctum of my soul. When I vaccilated, God helped me realise who was I following Him or people? When I wished to flee God helped me understand to whom was I running from, people or God Himself?

I finally understood that to follow Christ comes at a price. We are not meant to be safe or comfortable or look for safe havens. The only way to Christ is through the Cross.

Faith has nothing to do with how nice people are or if they are welcoming. Faith is staying the course, it is steeling yourself to run the good race. It is to run into the Unknowing and trusting that God knows the Way better than you. It is to love God for Himself alone and not for what He gives you or how you are treated.

Faith is not about gaining it is about giving and to give till it costs. Faith IS God's Love working within YOU.

"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life" (Jn 6: 68).

This is why I stayed.

Blessed Mary MacKillop Nearing Sainthood



The road to sainthood for Mary MacKillop may be one step closer as a second miracle has been revealed. Click here for MORE.

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Search Me


You’re my best friend yet I don’t treat You that way,
Sometimes I ignore You all through the day.
You don’t ask for much, just some time spent with You,
And to trust You in everything that I do.
 
But I don’t always talk to You throughout my day,
Sometimes I get stubborn and try things my way.
I sometimes act like I really don’t care,
I turn away even though You are there.
 
I feel so ashamed, I don’t deserve You,
Yet You stay beside me helping me through.
I want You to know that I love You so much,
I need Your forgiveness and Your gentle touch.
 
I need Your strength to help get me through
And I ask that You help me stay focused on You.
Search me and send selfish thoughts from my mind,
Then open my eyes so it's You that I find.
 
Remind me each day that it’s You that I need
That no matter the trial You’ll always lead.
Don’t let me dwell on the pain and the strife,
Fill me with your joy all the days of my life.
So when hard times hit I will be prepared,
I’ll just trust in You and I will not be scared.
 
Oh Father forgive me for the way I hurt You,
For acting unkind and for being untrue.
Thank You dear Lord for being my light, 
Even though I messed up You made things right.
 
That’s why I am here Lord, You got me through,
Your compassion and mercy brought me to you.
So search me and cleanse me then use me for You,

Cause I long to serve You in all that I do.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

He Is The Great


He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him,
and The leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him,
and The people couldn't hold Him!

Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him,
and Donahue can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.

He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.

He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful, the ancient of days,
the ruler of rulers, the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers, and the sovereign Lord
of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me,
Never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me,
and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
every time, and every way.

He is God,
He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven can whip the father
of this world. So, if you're wondering why I
feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control,
I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.

Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Salsa Night!

Friday nights were made for dancing, any night is perfect for dancing but there is something special about Friday. Two of the best Latin singers of all time, my opinion that is. For those of you who enjoy Latin music and dancing, Salsa!!



Thursday, October 18, 2007

I Am Yours


Lord, I am yours,
and I must belong to no one but you.
My soul is yours,
and must live only by you.
My will is yours,
and must love only for you.
I must love you as my first cause,
since I am from you.
I must love you as my end and rest,
since I am for you.
I must love you more than my own being,
since my being subsists by you.
I must love you more than myself,
since I am all yours and all in you.

AMEN & AMEN!

The Clay Upon the Wheel


I am that clay today that sets upon His Wheel
To be molded with the Potters Hands
His vessel to Reveal

There seems so many chunks in me
That The Master must toss away
And Press me back upon the wheel
A more pliable piece of clay

It sometimes hurts when on this wheel
The things He makes of me
A vessel that sometimes cracks
One he may repair again, or leave for all to see

You see I'm not made perfect yet
But willing I choose to stay
Upon this wheel for him to mold
Allowing Him to create from this lump of clay.


Wednesday, October 17, 2007

The Sexual Revolution- The Use and be Used Philosophy


The sexual revolution promised freedom, but resulted in captivity. It promised enlightenment, but led to new darkness. It was, in truth, a god that failed. Almost half a century ago, the prophets of the sexual revolution went mainstream, preaching a gospel of joy and fulfillment through the practice of free love.

Those prophets attracted an army of true believers, and their gospel became the unofficial creed of the postmodern West, weaving itself into the culture’s films, art, literature and lifestyle. Another gospel, however, once warned that a tree is known by its fruit and 40-plus years after the sexual revolution began, its fruit isn’t looking so good.

The dawn of contraception brought with it the deception of ‘safe sex’, a do whatever you want world, if it feels good do it, just do it! Lust and sin increase the rupture between body and spirit. When we use our own and others bodies as objects for pleasure or to fill the emptiness inside us, there is an increased break. And this is indeed what we are seeing today.

The making and breaking of feminism, the divorce culture, the sexualisation of our children, the rise of the porn culture, sex education, the break-up of marriage and family, the meaning of love, and the importance of morality in our thinking and discussions of sex all came with this sexual revolution.

Everyone has been a loser in this revolution, but it is the children who have especially suffered. We are really letting our kids down big time because of the new sexual paradigm that now reigns. It is the gospel of non-judgementalism, libertarianism and market-driven sexploitation. And its the kids that have been the major casualties.

Let’s consider the tweens, those aged between eight and twelve. They are a market niche group who are being robbed of their childhood while parents are being robbed of their hard-earned cash. We have kids being sold g-strings and coerced into looking like a porn star, or at least a rock star (often one and the same, at least in terms of appearances).

There are two main themes that run through the lives of tweens, both directly related to the sexual revolution. One is absentee parents, and all the problems associated with that major social malady. Then there is the corporate world which markets tween sexuality, promoting the media image that to be cool is to be sexual, and the younger the better.

Thus peer pressure, driven by the corporate marketeers, is replacing parental authority, as the major formative force in the lives of tweens. And the outcomes do not look good.

Sex is a passion too powerful to be left unconstrained, and in the old days, conscience, religion and the personal sense of shame kept sex in check. Today it is running out of control, and ‘stigma’ needs to be regained. Sexual mores are a matter of public concern, and we need all the help we can get in curbing harmful sexual appetites.

Mere legislation cannot compensate for the loss of social sanction. The inner directed sense of shame and guilt used to perform a wondrous task of keeping people out of mischief. But now that we have thrown out stigma, we have either the heavy hand of the law, or nothing, to help keep ourselves, and especially our young people, from engaging in harmful and destructive sexual practices.

I’m not saying that we should teach kids that sex is something shameful, it’s a beautiful, awesome, humbling experience within the constraints of marriage. I mean something where two become one, something used by God as the pro-creative mechanism can be nothing but beautiful. I’m not saying to shout it from the mountain tops, ones sex life should be private, between husband and wife, not the daily soap opera gossip as what it has become. But one does have to talk to their children about it because trust me its better for them to hear it from you. If you don’t teach them, talk to them, the world is more than willing to teach them about free love and self indulgent ‘love’. The fact remains that sex outside marriage is wrong and needs to be regarded as such.

The popular television series, Sex and the City, and now Desperate Housewives, a major premise of the show, at least expressed through its female characters, is that equality means having women acting as debauched as sex crazed men. But aping male promiscuity and crudity is hardly the path of women’s liberation. Instead it drags them down to the same vulgar and animal level. Some of the earlier feminists disapproved of promiscuity, because they knew that real power for women came through morality, not immorality.

Sadness best describes the four females on the show. And that is exactly one of the bitter fruits of radical feminism and the sexual revolution. Women were promised freedom but instead have been newly enslaved. Indeed, while men can now much more easily love ‘em and leave ‘em, women are often left literally holding the baby. So much for liberation!

Obviously, the problems with sexuality are nothing new. Sexual misuse and abuse have existed for centuries. However, since the onset of the "sexual revolution" in the late sixties, an ever wider variety of sexual problems has confronted us, these problems are more numerous and severe than ever before in human history.

The number of illegitimate births is increasing dramatically, sexually transmitted diseases are infecting adults, teenagers, and newborns at record levels, new diseases and new manifestations of old diseases are surfacing at an unprecedented rate, debate over abortion is more impassioned than ever, censorship by those offended by sexually graphic works is bitterly opposed by the artists, hate-filled confrontations escalate in the battle over homosexual rights, women express outrage over sexual harassment and date rape and the divorce rate has skyrocketed.

Today, the harmful consequences of sexual behavior are increasing at an alarming rate among the young, the old, the single, and the married. I am afraid for my relatives and friends and my children to be, in this time of sexual crisis. But through all this some of us still believe that sex can and should be the source of the greatest pleasure and human joy.

In the early decades of this century, many people were dismayed with what they saw as repressive, "Victorian" attitudes toward sex. They may have been right that some sort of change was needed, but what we now have is the wrong revolution. Ideas of the past have been replaced with worse ideas.

Any thoughts ??

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Have you seen God ?


A college student was in a philosophy class, where there was a class discussion about whether or not God exists, The professor had the following logic:

"Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke.

"Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, nobody spoke.

"Has anyone in this class seen God?" When nobody spoke for the third time, he simply stated, "Then there is no God."

The student did not like the sound of this at all, and asked for permission to speak. The professor granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates:

"Has anyone in this class heard our professor's brain?" Silence.

"Has anyone in this class touched our professor's brain?" Absolute silence.

"Has anyone in this class seen our professor's brain?" When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded, "Then, according to our professor's logic, it must be true that our professor has no brain!"

The student received an "A" in the class.


Answer the Athiest-At Catholic Fire Blog


There is a fiery, YET fruitful discussion going on at Catholic Fire. Check it out here:

Answer the Athiest.

You are invited to join in. I would encourage all readers to defend the Faith by joining the discussion on Jean's blog 'Catholic Fire'.
May the Holy Spirit guide you in your words.
Peace to ALL
Marie

What Is Love ???


What is love?

When we claim that it's love
that we have for someone,
are we correct?

********************************

Something to ponder upon.....

Are your palms sweaty,
is your heart racing and
is your voice caught within your chest?

It isn't love, it's LIKE

You can't keep your eyes or hands
off them, am i right?

It isn't love, it's LUST

Are you proud and eager
to show them off?

It isn't love, it's LUCK

Do you want them because you know they're there?

It isn't love, it's LONELINESS

Are you there because it's what everyone wants?

It isn't love, it's LOYALTY

Are you there because they
kissed you, or held your hand?

It isn't love, it's LOW CONFIDENCE

Do you stay for their confessions
of love, because you don't
want to hurt them?

It isn't love, it's PITY

Do you belong to them because
their sight makes your heart
skip a beat?

It isn't love, it's INFATUATION

Do you pardon their faults
because you care about them?

It isn't love, it's FRIENDSHIP

Do you tell them every day
they are the only one you think of?

It isn't love, it's a LIE

Are you willing to give all of your favorite thing for their sake?

It isn't love, it's CHARITY

************** LOVE **************

Does your heart ache and break
when they're sad?

then it's LOVE

Do you cry for their pain, even
when they're strong?

then it's LOVE

Do their eyes see your true heart,
and touch your soul so deeply it hurts?

then it's LOVE

Do you stay because a blinding,
incomprehensible mix of pain
and relation pulls you close
and holds you there?

then it's LOVE

Do you accept their faults
because they're a part of who they are?

then it's LOVE

Are you attracted to others, but stay with them faithfully without regret?

then it's LOVE

Would you allow them to leave you
not because they want to
but because they have to?

then it's LOVE

Would you give them you're heart,
your life, your death?

then it's LOVE

**************** ? ****************

Now, if love is painful,
and tortures us so,
why do we love?

Why is it all we search for in life?

This pain, this agony?

Why is it all we long for?

This torture, this powerful death of self

************ why? *************

The answer is so simple cause it's...

LOVE.

It is such an addiction that even people who don't have love,
wish to experience it and share it!