Dare

Dare to be different in all walks of your life.

Dare to stand alone.

Dare to stand up for your convictions even if the crowd around you may move in another way.

Dare to be fools for the sake of Christ.

With the Word of God & power of the spirit, dare to be a Crusader for Christ.

Dare to follow the footsteps of our heavenly Father.

Dare to take up the cross & follow him wherever He leads you.

Dare to be a real Christian with a strong backbone.

Dare to say "no" to momentary pleasures that the world has to offer.

Dare to tell others about your Heavenly Dad.

Dare to stand for holiness, purity, & sanctity as a dove, no matter what it takes.

Anon

The Cold Within

The Cold Within

Six humans trapped by happenstance

in black and bitter cold

Each possessed a stick of wood,

Or so the story's told.

Their dying fire in need of logs,

the first woman held hers back

For on the faces around the fire

She noticed one was black.

The next man looking 'cross the way

Saw one not of his church

And couldn't bring himself to give

The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes

He gave his coat a hitch,

Why should his log be put to use

To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought

Of the wealth he had in store,

And how to keep what he had earned

From the lazy, shiftless poor.

The black man's face bespoke revenge

As the fire passed from his sight,

For all he saw in his stick of wood

Was a chance to spite the white.

And the last man of this forlorn group

Did naught except for gain,

Giving only to those who gave

Was how he played the game.

The logs held tight in death's stilled hands

Was proof of human sin,

They didn't die from the cold without,

They died from the cold within.

James Patrick Kinney

Lift Up Your Eyes

Every morning lean your arms awhile up on the windowsill of heaven and gaze upon the Lord. Then with the vision in your heart, turn strong to meet your day.

Thomas Blake

Wake up call

The Great Temptation

We live in a future culture, a state of mind that says: Tomorrow, tomorrow I will do it. I will turn to God tomorrow. I will apologize tomorrow, I will be happy tomorrow, I will make peace tomorrow, I will give up wine and women tomorrow, I will study for that exam tomorrow. The list is endless. It’s as if we are saying “as soon as I get though school I will start living.” We get through school and say “when I get a job I will start living.” We get the job and then we say” when I get married I will start living.” We get married and have children and say “ as soon as the children have grown up an leave home I will live.” All this time has passed and we realize we don’t know what it means to live and we will most likely die with out ever having lived.

Henry David Thoreau wrote “Oh, to reach the point of death only to find out that you haven’t lived at all.” Think about it!!

Being a tomorrow man or woman is one of the greatest temptations. It is the temptation to wait until tomorrow to do what needs to be done today. We wait for the stars to be in their right orbit to make a move in our lives. We wait until the financial situation improves, the house is built and the baby is born. We go on waiting and in the meantime life passes us by like a ship in the night. We are left behind, we have not lived, we have merely existed.

Life Is Now

Life is not yesterday nor is it tomorrow. Life is NOW. God is not tomorrow, God is not yesterday, God is NOW. Love is now. Forgiveness is now. Peace is now. You cannot produce it but if you come into the present, into the now, you will experience all that life has to offer you. Everything seems to have changed once we reach this realization yet indeed no change has taken place. The world has not changed; the sun still rises and sets every day. We simply see it with new eyes!

Let us remember to live in the now, the present. When we eat, eat, when we sleep, sleep, when we look, look. The fact is hardly anyone does this because hardly anyone lives in the present. It is in the present that we find God and find life. This is why Jesus, St. Paul and the Church urges us to wake up….. wake up before it is too late and we end up dying … without ever having lived.

Truths to Remember

1. Faith is the ability to not panic.

2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

3. As a child of God, Prayer is like calling home every day.

4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still, So He can untangle the knot.

6. Do the math. Count your blessings.

7. God wants spiritual fruit not religious nuts.

8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.

9. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.

10. Laugh every day; it's like inner jogging.

11. The most important things in your home are the people.

12. Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.

13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast, so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.

18. It is all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle; it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are. While your reputation is merely what others think you are.

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.

Jesus Wept

Jesus walked one morning in a Church.

A family, visiting there, dark of skin and light of spirit, was greeted and welcomed by an assistant pastor. The senior pastor took him aside and chastised him, saying "We don't need their kind here. They have their own churches."

Jesus said, "Did I not die that all my children might be one? Why do you see only the differences among you?"

...and Jesus wept.

Jesus walked one morning in a Seminary.

As he entered a classroom, he heard a heated debate concerning signs and wonders and tongues and dispensations.

Jesus said, "Did I not send my Holy Spirit to be a comforter and to bring you peace? But you have grieved Him with your battles. Did not my servant Paul tell you all to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Why do you not pray with an open heart that I might fill you, and allow me to do so as I will: according to my gracious and varied and bountiful gifts?"

...and Jesus wept.

Jesus walked one morning near the Capital in Washington, D.C.

As he passed among a few of His children who worked there in Congress, he heard them fighting with words. He pressed closer to listen to them as they argued over the political sides they had taken.

Jesus said, "Did I not call you to be Kings and Priests? How shall you rule in my coming Kingdom if you cannot love each other and listen for my wisdom speaking from the hearts of all my redeemed servants? Am I a Republican? A Democrat? Will you not consider that you see through a glass darkly, and that your brother may have been shown a different view, that between you that you may share in the discovery of the best solutions?

...and Jesus wept.

Jesus walked one afternoon on a college campus.

He heard a man preaching in his name, shouting out to the young women who walked by that they were whores because they wore trousers, shouting out against drunkenness and sloth, alienating the students by his assumptions and accusations.

Jesus said, "Did not my servant Peter tell you to share my hope with gentleness and respect? Will not your love draw men unto me?"

...and Jesus wept.

Jesus walked one afternoon in a park.

A young woman sat there with tears running down her face, sobs wrenching her body, hopeless and not knowing where to turn. He saw his children walk by deep in conversation, not seeing her need.

Jesus said, "Did I not say that faith without works is dead? How can you ignore this one who is hurting? I have given you answers for this woman's cry; can you not take time out to listen to her plea?

...and Jesus wept.

Jesus walked one evening in a restaurant.

His children were gathered there to dine. He heard them discussing their waiter. "He's obviously a homosexual! I'm not even sure I want to touch this food after him. How disgusting he is!

Jesus said, "Did I not come to cleanse all men? How is his sin more disgusting to me than yours? Shall you pick up the first stone? Then He turned to the waiter and said gently, with all His love filling His voice, "Go, my son, and sin no more."

...and Jesus wept.

Jesus walked one night on the Internet.

Where His children gathered in His name. He saw some of them preaching His word, comforting the hurting, defending the helpless, and praising His name. He walked among them, touching their hearts with his love.

But then He saw many others, His children all, and watched and listened to their words and hearts.

...and Jesus wept.

Love Thee More Dearly

Day by day

Day by day, dear Lord,
of thee three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly,
day by day.

The title is taken from one of my favourite prayers, Day by Day, written by Richard of Chichester. It is an absolute lovely prayer. The line I want to highlight is to love thee more dearly. It acknowledges God as a down-to-earth God, a God in flesh, a God who loves passionately the flesh and blood of his own creation and a God who invites us to love with His kind of feelings.

Once an artist was commissioned to do a painting of a church. He chose as his subject the Family of God. After working on the painting tirelessly for many months, he completed the painting. He retired to bed that night feeling very pleased. As he slept, he had a dream. In the dream he woke to the sound of noise coming from his studio. He got up at once to investigate the disturbance. He was shocked to find a stranger painting over his picture. He screamed “Stop you are ruining my painting!”

“You have ruined it already,” replied the stranger.

“What do you mean I have ruined it already?”

“You have used many beautiful colours in your picture but you have used only one colour to paint the children of the world. Who told you that only children with white faces are in heaven?”

“No one told me but I always thought of it that way.”

“I will paint some of the faces yellow, some brown, some red, some white and some black because people of all colours, nations and languages have answered my call.”

“Answered your call? Who are you?”

“Long, long ago I said ‘ Let the children come to me and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these’ and I am still saying it.”

The stranger disappeared. Next morning when the artist awoke, he remembered the dream. He went to the studio picked up the brush and began painting the faces of every race, colour and nationality. The painting was placed in the church. The people saw it and all agreed that truly this is God’s family.

When we pray to love thee more dearly, we are praying to see and to love with the eyes and heart of Christ. It is a love that sees us as equals, sisters and brothers and that there is no place in the vision for inequality, prejudice, discrimination or racism, in any shape or form.

The Building

Ten Little Christians, standing in a line,
one disliked the pastor, then there were nine.

Nine little Christians stayed up very late,
one slept too late on Sunday, then there were eight.

Eight little Christians on their way to Heaven,
one took the low road, then there were seven.

Seven little Christians chirping like some chicks,
one disliked the music, then there were six.

Six little Christians seemed very much alive,
but one lost his interest then there were five.

Five little Christians pulling for heaven's shore,
but one stopped to rest, then there were only four.

Four little Christians, each busy as a bee,
one got her feelings hurt, then there were three.

Three little Christians knew not what to do,
one joined the sporting crowd, then there were two.

Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done,
differed with each other, then there was one.

One little Christian, can't do much its true,
brought his friend to Bible study-then there were two.

Two earnest Christians, each won one more,
that doubled the number, then there were four.

Four sincere Christians worked early and worked late,
Each won another, then there were eight.

Eight splendid Christians,
if they doubled as before,
In just a few short weeks, we'd have 1,024.

In this little rhyme, there is a lesson true,
you either belong to The Building Crew,
Or to the wrecking crew!

The Pit

A man fell into a pit and couldn't get himself out.

A subjective person came along and said, "I feel for you down there."

An objective person walked by and said, "It's logical that someone would fall down there."

A Pharisee said, "Only bad people fall into pits."

A mathematician calculated how he fell into the pit.

A news reporter wanted the exclusive story on the pit.

An IRS agent asked if he was paying taxes on the pit.

A self-pitying person said, "You haven't seen anything until you've seen my pit!"

A fire-and-brimstone preacher said, "You deserve your pit."

A Christian Scientist said, "The pit is just in your mind."

A psychologist noted, "Your mother and father are to blame for your being in that pit."

A self-esteem therapist said, "Believe in yourself and you can get out of that pit."

An optimist said, "Things could get worse."

A pessimist claimed, "Things WILL get worse."

Jesus, seeing the man, took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.

When Your Home Is Your Prison

Over at Marie Cecile blog she brought up an interesting topic about reorganization that got me thinking. What comes first to many of us, a home that is spotless at all times? Or a lived in home where people feel comfortable?

As you all know I have had a bad dose of flu this past week or so and have basically ignored the housework in favour of bed rest. You guessed it. Yesterday we had a visitor and the house was a mess any other time and the house would have been OK with its cosy lived in look. Why is it that people seem to choose our 'bad housework days' to pay us a visit?

You know the old saying 'cleanliness is next to Godliness' there is also the opposite when many women and men turn cleanliness into obsession.

As I commented to Marie Cecile on her blog. I remember two ladies who were obsessed with cleanliness. One lady had a velvet lounge suite which was her pride and joy the problem was she couldnt stand anyone to actually sit on it. Once when a group of us descended on her we all sat on her lounge suite, while she sat on the edge of her own chair I could tell that something wasn't right. It was only when one of our friends got up that I discovered what it was, the lady of the house immediately ran over and began brushing down the lounge so that it all looked 'perfect'. This knowledge then had me in a lather wondering if I was messing up her perfect lounge. I ended up sitting on some cushions on the floor as did the rest of my friends while we were waiting for her kids to get ready to go out.

Another time many years later I visited a friend at her home. All went well until my friend discovered her husband had taken one of her magazines from its rack, this sent her berserk. My friend then yelled at her husband and ran around the house looking for this particular magazine. Eventually she found it and then proceeded to place the magazine in alphabetical order. As she ran around fussing over this one magazine I then noted how perfect her house was. There wasn't a sign of dust or anything out of place. Her house was a showcase home. It made me and my other friends too scared to move in case we 'upset' or moved something that would annoy her.

What I discovered was that these ladies had created 'chains' they did not enjoy their homes they had made themselves prisoners of it.

When it comes to your own homes do you keep it absolutely perfect or does your home have a cosy lived in feel?

If you do keep a cosy, lived in home do you encounter criticism from others?

As for me am I the only one who seems to get visitors on the days when the housework has NOT been done? Heehee!

A Prayer To Reach Out

Send me, O God, as your messenger, to hearts without a home, to lives without love, to the crowds without a guide. Send me to children whom none has blessed, to the lonely whom none has visited, to the fallen whom none has lifted, to the bereaved whom none has comforted. Kindle your flame on the altar of my heart that others may be warmed thereby, cause your light to shine in my soul that others may see your way, and ever keep my sympathy and insight ready, my will keen, and my hands quick to help my brothers and sisters in their need, through Jesus Christ my Lord,

Amen.

Memos from your child

Don't spoil me. I know quite well I shouldn't have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.

Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It makes me secure.

Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

Don't make me feel smaller than I really am. It only makes me behave stupidly.

Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it. I'll take much more notice if you talk to me in private.

Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

Don't make me feel my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense of values.

Don't be upset when I say "I hate you". It is not you I hate, but your power to thwart me.

Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they get the attention I need.

Don't nag - if you do, I'll have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

Don't make rash promises. I feel badly let down when these promises are broken.

Don't forget I can't explain myself as well as I would like to. This is why I am not always very accurate.

Don't tax my honesty too much. I'm easily frightened into telling lies.

Don't be inconsistent. It completely confuses me and makes me lose my faith in you.

Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do, you'll find I stop asking and seek information elsewhere.

Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real to me.

Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives me to great a shock when I find out your are neither.

Don't ever think it's beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An honest apology makes me surprisingly warm towards you.

Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be hard to keep pace with me, but please try.

"Train up a child in the way he is to go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it"

....Proverbs 22:6

WHAT KIND OF DAY SHALL I HAVE?

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the day ends. I have responsibilities
to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or ...
I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or ...
I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or ...
I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or ...
I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or ...
I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or ...
I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or ...
I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or ...

I can eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.

Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or ...

I can feel honored because Life has provided shelter for my mind, body, and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me.

Have a GREAT DAY ... unless you have other plans

Not Yet

Sometimes I ask the question,
"My Lord, is this your will?"
It's then I hear you answer me,
"My Precious Child... be still."

Sometimes I feel frustrated,
‘cause I think I know what's best.
It's then I hear you say to me,
"My Busy Child... just rest."

Sometimes I feel so lonely
and I think I'd like a mate.
Your still small voice gets, oh, so clear and says,
"My Child... please wait.

I know the plans I have for you,
the wondrous things you'll see;
If you can just be patient, Child,
and put your trust in me.

"I've plans to draw you closer.
I've plans to help you grow.
There's much I do you cannot see
and much you do not know.

"But know this, Child ..... I LOVE YOU.
You are Precious unto Me.
Before I formed you in the womb,
I planned your destiny.

"I've something very special
I hope for you to learn.
The gifts I wish to give to you
are gifts you cannot earn.

"They come without a price tag,
but not without a cost;
at Calvary, I gave My Son,
so You would not be lost.

"Rest, Child, and do not weary
of doing what is good.
I promise I'll come back for you
just like I said I would.

"Your name is written on my palm,
I never could forget;
Therefore, do not be discouraged when
my answer is... ‘Not Yet.'"

What Makes a Happy Home?

We were born to live joy filled lives, is your life full of joy or woe or maybe a mixture of both? Why is it that some families seem to 'have it all' while others bicker, feud and end up dysfunctional? Why do some people seem able to always be happy and a joy to be around while for many more life seems to be an unequal struggle, against budgets, time constraints and deadlines?

When we look back to simpler days when life was less hectic and people had time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, many of us sigh at the image we are presented and also long for the 'good ole days' but was it that good? Looking back at our grandparents era they seemed to live happier and more content lives, but how can this be when they had less than what we enjoy today? Perhaps it is not so much about having 'things' as having substance and meaning, to everything they did, and that through their combined hard work they enjoyed the simple pleasures of life rather than gripe about the things they could not afford. Are we in a quest to gain the best for our families or are we longing to own what everybody else has?

In order to simplify our lives we need to understand that this will take effort, some self sacrifice and a realignment of our previous priorities, for the key to family happiness is inner contentment with what you have now and not a longing and discontent for what you do not have or can afford. Another key component is to understand what happiness is and what it is not, for in those who strive to gain things for themselves and their families often find they are leading lives of quiet desperation as their families neediness of 'things' increases while your own health and peace decreases, is it worth the price?

If you raise your children to take all you do for granted, they will do exactly that! If you don't respect your own work or worth then why should others? As Eleanor Roosevelt once told an audience, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." If you make small of all the work you do within and outside of your home then why should your spouse or children respect what you yourself do not? Children will reflect what the parents have placed as all important in their lives.This is not to say that all children are angels or that every fault they display is the fault of the parents but a lack of appreciation and gratitude is indicative of a learned behaviour pattern.

When we fail to acknowledge what our Spouses contribute within the family unit whether it be providing a decent wage in order to live with the necessities of life or whether to provide a clean, healthy and happy environment, then it is the entire family that suffers. It is when children see the appreciation expressed by their parents for each other which validates and honors their own position within the family unit that children will soon follow suit and give their parents the respect they deserve. Also when we de-value our partners, by either ignoring their input or by taking for granted all the little things that make life bearable, are we not setting ourselves up for the unbearable alife devoid of love and mutual respect? No divorce ever went through the courts because a husband or wife was too appreciative of their partner, it is usually always the reverse.

Our homes should be an oasis of peace in an often hectic and volatile world, where families who have placed God, Faith, The Sacraments of the Church and family at the centre of their lives can gain the peace of heart that only Christ can give. This peace is then rejuvenated within the family as both husband and wife appreciate each others work and efforts to help maintain a loving and cozy family atmosphere where the children feel loved and needed.

In order to understand what will make your family happy and healthy one's goal must be to raise your children to have character and integrity by serving God, their families and community. It also means ignoring what society and the worldly try and seduce families into believing that God means nothing and self comes first! As Pope John Paul II warned with these wise words, "The fear of making permanent commitments can change the mutual love of husband and wife into two loves of self-two loves existing side by side, until they end in separation."

Where have you placed your spiritual priorities?

Little Things

A little drop of rain that falls,
A little ray of sun,
A little flower that soon grows,
And we've only just begun...
The little things we see in life
Can mean the very most,
Much more than big accomplishments
Of which we often boast.
A little leaf breaks loose and falls
In such a gentle way;
A little smile can warm the heart
And brighten up our day.
A little garden means so much,
That little seed just needs God's touch;
A little faith, a little prayer...
What a big God we meet there!

I Cannot Pray

I cannot say OUR if my religion has no room for others and their needs.

I cannot say FATHER if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME if I, who am called by His name am not holy.

I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN unless I am truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.

I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow men.

I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.

I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say FOREVER if I am too anxious about each day's affairs.

I cannot say AMEN unless I honestly say, "Cost what it may, this is my prayer."

Pointers for Life

Give God what’s right- not left.

Man’s way leads to a hopeless end! – God’s way leads to an endless hope.

A lot of kneeling will help keep you in good standing.

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma – but never let him be the period.

Don’t put a question mark where God puts a period.

Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.

When praying, don’t give God instructions – just report for duty.

Don’t wait for six strong men to take you to church.

We don’t change God’s message- His message changes us!

The church is prayer- conditioned.

When God ordains, He sustains.

WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.

Plan ahead – it was not raining when Noah built the ark.

Most people want to serve God but only in an advisory position.

Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.

Exercise daily- walk with the Lord.

Never give the devil a ride- he will always want to drive!

Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.

Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.

He who angers you controls you.

If you give the devil an inch, he’ll be a ruler.

God doesn’t call the qualified. He qualifies the called.

Pre-marital Sex

We are all concerned with the physical environment, oil spills, acid rain, depletion of the ozone layer etc. Yet how may of us are concerned with Spiritual Pollution??? Low Morals??? Is not disrespect for our bodies, Spiritual Pollution??? Premarital sex is dangerous because it robs your Spirituality!


Most of us would become very annoyed if we were called a thief or a liar. If we are accused of premarital sex, we say, "We're not hurting anyone." or "We're taking precautions. So its O.K." Well, neither your parents, teachers or priests can be with you at all times and at all places. But they trust you. Even so, Our Lord is with you at all times... at all places.. and loves you. Remember it is GOD THAT YOU ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE TO.


It is a mistake to think like this: If we engage in premarital sex and don't contract a disease or we don't become pregnant, then it’s OK. As far as sex is concerned the physical and the emotional are most closely linked. How many have said, "I only did it because I loved him." or "If I didn't do it, he wouldn't see me anymore." We must understand that there is a physical and emotional aspect to life. The difference between boys and girls as far as sex is concerned is this, a boy wants to have Sex and then ... get to know you. A girl wants to know a boy first and then perhaps have sex.


A physical relationship is a privileged aspect of love. We are all aware of its importance. It is part of God’s plan to bless the union of man and woman (Genesis 1:2). It is a very special part of the relationship in which the spouses give themselves joyfully to one another and through which they may have a child.


We often hear that having sexual relations before marriage is a way of "getting to know each other better." This is a misconception! Very often, sex takes away from real affection and deep communication. Body language ends up replacing dialogue. Moreover, the sexual harmony of a couple depends on the quality of their love for one another, and not on how they get along physically.

The world today trivializes sexual relations as if they were merely a physical act. We need to understand that a sexual act involves the whole person. Civil law, for instance, considers rape to be not only a physical attack, but an attack against human dignity and against the integrity of the person. Indeed, a man and a woman become deeply involved when they unite in a sexual act.

To give one’s body is to give one’s self. That means something! And a gift is not a loan. If what we live is at odds with our deepest choices, then we are not living in the truth. Is it right to give my body when I have not given myself? The truth is that a physical union can only have true meaning if it reflects a personal gift of oneself, a gift that is lasting and definite. This gift is marriage.


Even if it does not conform to today’s fashion, we can make the decision to remain chaste, to keep ourselves whole for the one whom we will marry one day. Don't rob your spirit of the graces and the blessings that our Lord bestows upon us. Sins against chastity are against the spirit and the soul. This is the truly dangerous aspect, not only of premarital sex, but of all the actions that we take. Chastity is synonymous with a love that wants to give itself totally and respectfully to the other. It is a decision that we can make at whatever stage we are at in our lives. If we have had sexual relations in the past, this should not prevent us from making that choice. Chastity is a road to freedom.

Let us remember to pray each day and ask Our Lord and His Mother to strengthen us against ALL temptation.