I watched a great show on the Bethlehem Star on EWTN.
Here is a link for more information:
http://www.bethlehemstar.net/
Reflecting
It is time to start reflecting on all of the blessings of the past year. So many things have went wrong this year, but there is still a great deal of things to be thankful for.
Remember, when something goes wrong - someone else had a worse day or a worse year. We can think of losing a job or a business, but someone lost a loved one or is dieing.
Count your blessings instead of looking at the negative things that happen. Remember that God has a plan for each of us and He knows what He is doing. Like I always say, we may not like God's plan but we need to go along for the ride either way - so make the most of it.
God Bless you at the end of 2009 and may He Bless you abundantly in 2010!
Remember, when something goes wrong - someone else had a worse day or a worse year. We can think of losing a job or a business, but someone lost a loved one or is dieing.
Count your blessings instead of looking at the negative things that happen. Remember that God has a plan for each of us and He knows what He is doing. Like I always say, we may not like God's plan but we need to go along for the ride either way - so make the most of it.
God Bless you at the end of 2009 and may He Bless you abundantly in 2010!
Full
I feel like all I have done for the last 5 days is eat! What a Blessing it is to say that.
Simple blessings are things that we delight in and don't give much thought to. Being full after a wonderful feast prepared for Christmas. Seeing the smiling faces of children happy and satisfied. Seeing a tiny baby smile. Seeing family playing games and laughing together. Reminiscing about old times.
These are all simple blessings and they all cause us to be "full". Full of hope. Full of happiness. Full of cheer. Full of peace.
May we all remember to look at these simple blessings as Gifts from God. These are the gifts that we should be ever thankful for.
Set these special gifts in a place before the Infant Jesus this Christmas season and let Him know how much you appreciate them. Gifts for Him that are gifts to us.
Simple.
Our Lady's December 25, 2009 Message
Our Lady's December 25, 2009 Christmas message
as provided by the Information Center in Medjugorje.
December 25, 2009
“Dear children! On this joyful day, I bring all of you before my Son, the King of Peace, that He may give you His peace and blessing. Little children, in love share that peace and blessing with others. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
as provided by the Information Center in Medjugorje.
December 25, 2009
“Dear children! On this joyful day, I bring all of you before my Son, the King of Peace, that He may give you His peace and blessing. Little children, in love share that peace and blessing with others. Thank you for having responded to my call.”
A Shepherds Story
It was a strange night in many ways. It was very bright last night - there was a star that was shining so bright that it lit up the fields. I could count my sheep easily.
I was just tending my sheep as usual, when suddenly I heard singing - beautiful singing, coming from the sky. I looked around to see if other shepherds could hear it as well and they were looking up at the sky too.
I was looking up and I thought I was seeing ghosts. The sky was shining with angels - many, many angels. We were all so frightened. We didn't know what it was. They were singing and they were not trying to scare us. They told us not to be fearful.
They told us that a King was born that very night. They told us that he was a King that loves us very much and wants us to tell others and come to see Him.
They told us to follow the shining star to the location were this great King could be seen.
I could see a beam of light shining down in the valley and I knew that is were I wanted to go as fast as I could.
I made my way to an area that housed animals. It was a cold place for a King to be born. I was wondering why a Queen would give birth to a King in such poor conditions.
As I got closer I could see the Mother of this great King. She was radiating beauty and warmth that seemed to be coming from the Infant.
The Infant King was illuminating a glow that created a reverence within me. I knew he was a special King, not like the others. I knew He would do great things. The feeling I had, caused me to kneel before the entry and bow my head to the great King Child.
I stayed for quite some time because it was so peaceful there. As more and more people started to arrive, I wanted to give them room to see as well. I got up, with anguish, and left this Holy sight.
I went as quickly as I could to spread the good news about this great King.
The Journey
Mary and Joseph are on a journey to Bethlehem to be counted. It is a very long journey.
Mary is very uncomfortable riding on the donkey's back. She is very much with child and very close to deliver. She feels every rock under the hooves. She feels every sway of the animal as she rocks on his back.
Joseph leads the Virgin Mary, he knows she is uncomfortable but she does not complain.
Joseph and Mary pray out load together and sing canticles to God for His blessings.
Mary thinks about the small clothing that she has labored in making for her Child. She knows that her Child will need clothing to stay warm against the elements and she wants her Child to have every comfort possible.
Joseph thinks about Mary and how holy she is - never complain and what a great model of motherhood she has proven to be at such a young age.
They pass the time in holy thoughts, prayer and singing. Mile after mile, step after step.
They finally come to the city of Bethlehem. There are people everywhere walking the streets, riding in carts, on horse and on foot. People searching for places to settle in to eat and sleep. There are people lining the streets. The places to stay are all full.
Joseph finds the location where they need to be accounted for. He does all of the necessary work and goes back to finding somewhere to take Mary to rest.
He asks and asks with no success. There is no place for him to take Mary.
Finally an inn keeper sees the condition of Mary and offers an animal dwelling for them to stay warm and give Mary the rest she needs.
Mary and Joseph thank them for the generous gift. Mary and Joseph pray together, thanking God for the shelter.
They enter the cave together, Joseph giving Mary his hand to guide her steps inside.
Mary takes off her veil and starts to remove dust and cobwebs. She takes it outside and shakes it to the wind.
Joseph arranges clean straw on a feed bunk so Mary can take some rest. Before Mary lays down to rest, she gets on her knees and thanks God for this wonderful place He has sent them to.
Joseph continues to unpack the donkey and arranges all things in order.
It is very bright ouside from the light of a very large star.
Slow Down and Look at Jesus
Christmas is almost here. The long wait is coming to an end. Next week this time, we will be thinking of the New Year and many will forget about the reason we had the wait in the first place.
Christmas doesn't start until Christmas Day. Then the Christmas Season is in full swing. Unfortunately, that is when it ends for many people. They are in a hurry to rush Christmas back into storage until next year.
That is that saddest thing to see. The Christmas music stops on Christmas Day. The stores rush to get rid of anything remotely involved with Christmas.
Rush, rush, rush. If we would only slow down a bit and enjoy the season, we would see that it is just getting started. Right now so many people are rushing to get done with the shopping and rushing to get done with the wrapping and cleaning and packing and ............
We need to sit back and look at Jesus. Our priest told us to go before a nativity and look at Jesus. Pick him up and hold him. Really look and think about his toes wiggling and his voice as he cries. Think about the humanity of this God Child.
I have a beautiful old statue of the infant Jesus in a manger. He is quite large and was part of a large church nativity that was refurbished by the Nuns at Mankato on Good Council Hill. I was fortunate to be there as He was finished and was able to purchase Him.
He is in the center of our living room on a table by Himself. I put gold tinsel under His body and a gold ring around His head. I shouldn't put him out until Christmas Day, but I always put Him out early. He is the last thing to be put away after the Baptism. He is the center of our festivities so that everyone can enjoy Him.
Take some time to slow down and look at Jesus and find true peace.
Christmas doesn't start until Christmas Day. Then the Christmas Season is in full swing. Unfortunately, that is when it ends for many people. They are in a hurry to rush Christmas back into storage until next year.
That is that saddest thing to see. The Christmas music stops on Christmas Day. The stores rush to get rid of anything remotely involved with Christmas.
Rush, rush, rush. If we would only slow down a bit and enjoy the season, we would see that it is just getting started. Right now so many people are rushing to get done with the shopping and rushing to get done with the wrapping and cleaning and packing and ............
We need to sit back and look at Jesus. Our priest told us to go before a nativity and look at Jesus. Pick him up and hold him. Really look and think about his toes wiggling and his voice as he cries. Think about the humanity of this God Child.
I have a beautiful old statue of the infant Jesus in a manger. He is quite large and was part of a large church nativity that was refurbished by the Nuns at Mankato on Good Council Hill. I was fortunate to be there as He was finished and was able to purchase Him.
He is in the center of our living room on a table by Himself. I put gold tinsel under His body and a gold ring around His head. I shouldn't put him out until Christmas Day, but I always put Him out early. He is the last thing to be put away after the Baptism. He is the center of our festivities so that everyone can enjoy Him.
Take some time to slow down and look at Jesus and find true peace.
Good VS Evil
Every once in a while I get a forwarded email that is worthy of submitting... Here is another one.
'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.' The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely. '
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment, 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues.
'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'
The student remains silent. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one, 'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters, 'From God.'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir...'
Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Again, the student has no answer.
'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?' The student squirms on his feet.
'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question, 'Who created them?' There is still no answer.... Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.
'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing, 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him.'
'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't..'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain... 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.'
'Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time, 'Flawed? Can you explain how?
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains...
'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it...' 'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed. 'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
The class is in uproar.
The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'
The student looks around the room, 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?'
The class breaks out into laughter.
'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.'
'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers, 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues, 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'
Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.' The professor sat down.
The student was Albert Einstein.
'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.' The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks one of his new students to stand.
'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'
'Yes sir,' the student says.
'So you believe in God?'
'Absolutely. '
'Is God good?'
'Sure! God's good.'
'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'
'Yes.'
'Are you good or evil?'
'The Bible says I'm evil.'
The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a moment, 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here and you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?'
'Yes sir, I would.'
'So you're good!'
'I wouldn't say that.'
'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'
The student does not answer, so the professor continues.
'He doesn't, does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Hmmm? Can you answer that one?'
The student remains silent. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says. He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time to relax.
'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'
'Er...yes,' the student says.
'Is Satan good?'
The student doesn't hesitate on this one, 'No.'
'Then where does Satan come from?'
The student falters, 'From God.'
'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?'
'Yes, sir...'
Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'
'Yes.'
'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'
Again, the student has no answer.
'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?' The student squirms on his feet.
'Yes.'
'So who created them?'
The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question, 'Who created them?' There is still no answer.... Suddenly the lecturer breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.
'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus Christ, son?'
The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'
The old man stops pacing, 'Science says you have five senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'
'No sir. I've never seen Him.'
'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus? Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that matter?'
'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'
'Yet you still believe in him?'
'Yes.'
'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?'
'Nothing,' the student replies. 'I only have my faith.'
'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'
The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'
'Yes,' the professor replies. 'There's heat.'
'And is there such a thing as cold?'
'Yes, son, there's cold too.'
'No sir, there isn't..'
The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain... 'You can have lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called 'cold'. We can hit up to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold; otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.'
'Everybody or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'
Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding like a hammer.
'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'
'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation. 'What is night if it isn't darkness?'
'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and its called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?'
The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'
'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'
The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time, 'Flawed? Can you explain how?
'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains...
'You argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life, just the absence of it...' 'Now tell me, professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'
'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man, yes, of course I do.'
'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'
The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed. 'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
The class is in uproar.
The student remains silent until the commotion has subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other student, let me give you an example of what I mean.'
The student looks around the room, 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the professor's brain?'
The class breaks out into laughter.
'Is there anyone here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due respect, sir.'
'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust your lectures, sir?'
Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man answers, 'I guess you'll have to take them on faith.'
'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with life,' the student continues, 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?'
Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.'
To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.' The professor sat down.
The student was Albert Einstein.
God Child
We are awaiting the fast approaching Birthday of our Savior.
God allowed himself to be born as an infant. A tiny child that needed the comfort and support of his loving Mother. Just like all of us.... he was vulnerable. God and Child. Human and Divine.
Jesus needed to be taken care of... God needed to be taken care of. When we think of this, it is hard to imagine God needing to be cared for; fed, changed, clothed....
This is the greatest Gift of all. A Gift for all ages. A priceless, endless love.
Thank you God for this Gift.
God allowed himself to be born as an infant. A tiny child that needed the comfort and support of his loving Mother. Just like all of us.... he was vulnerable. God and Child. Human and Divine.
Jesus needed to be taken care of... God needed to be taken care of. When we think of this, it is hard to imagine God needing to be cared for; fed, changed, clothed....
This is the greatest Gift of all. A Gift for all ages. A priceless, endless love.
Thank you God for this Gift.
Write to Ease the Pain
You always hear that everyone should carry a pen and paper to write things down. Well this is once in my life that I need to write something down.
My family has a lot to be thankful for. We are thankful to be alive and healthy. We have seen a great deal of misery this past 2 weeks.
It all started with something I wrote about in an earlier blog post a few days ago. Our neighbor passed away. It is very unusual for me to be home at that time of day, but school was 2 hours late because of the snow and I decided to stay home until our girls left for school at 10am. About 9:50 my husband called and asked if I had left yet because he needed to do a parts run. I told him no and he should pick me up on the way and I would ride with him. He called me a few minutes before he would be home and told me to be ready to go. About 10 minutes passed and I heard sirens and looked out the window to emergency vehicles going into our neighbors drive.
I watch and assumed someone had fallen and help was there. I thought about walking over, but didn't want to get in the way. I tried to call my husband to tell him about it but he didn't answer his phone. I kept calling as minutes passed and I gazed out the kitchen window. Then half hour passed and 45 minutes. I continued to call Pat with no success. Panic started to grip me. I think it was from all the commotion outside. I was worried he had an accident on the way home.
Soon I saw people blocking the road and I don't know how, but I just knew there was a helicopter on the way. I was worried about my neighbors, but I was worried about my husband too.
I called my son to drive out and see if his dad was in the ditch somewhere. When he got here he said, "Dad's truck is at the neighbors." I felt relieved for 2 reasons. One, he was safe and 2 - the helicopter had just left empty. I knew someone had died at that point. I was glad he was there to give comfort.
I didn't know at the time that he had helped perform CPR until help arrived. If I would have went to work, we would have left from the shop and Pat wouldn't have been home to help.
That was Thursday.
Tuesday was the funeral. I needed to get to the bank Tuesday morning and Pat offered to drive in for me. He almost got hit by a semi. He was at a green light and saw a tractor trailer coming up to a red light - cars in front of the semi - and started to jack knife. Pat didn't pull out, but he watched as the truck got straightened out and went between vehicles, barely missing all of them and himself, going through a red light going about 50 miles per hour. Thank God.
Tuesday afternoon, funeral. Allen's wife called Pat her angel for being there. Pat had a very hard time at the funeral.
We get back to the office and are told a sheriff had been in earlier.
Wednesday morning the sheriff is back and serves us with foreclosure papers on our business.
Friday night, we are visiting our daughter and another daughter calls us from home and tells us our dog just got killed by a car. We don't even know how to tell our youngest daughter that her dog, that she adores, is dead. She has a friend over tonight so hopefully she won't notice he is gone yet.
My family has a lot to be thankful for. We are thankful to be alive and healthy. We have seen a great deal of misery this past 2 weeks.
It all started with something I wrote about in an earlier blog post a few days ago. Our neighbor passed away. It is very unusual for me to be home at that time of day, but school was 2 hours late because of the snow and I decided to stay home until our girls left for school at 10am. About 9:50 my husband called and asked if I had left yet because he needed to do a parts run. I told him no and he should pick me up on the way and I would ride with him. He called me a few minutes before he would be home and told me to be ready to go. About 10 minutes passed and I heard sirens and looked out the window to emergency vehicles going into our neighbors drive.
I watch and assumed someone had fallen and help was there. I thought about walking over, but didn't want to get in the way. I tried to call my husband to tell him about it but he didn't answer his phone. I kept calling as minutes passed and I gazed out the kitchen window. Then half hour passed and 45 minutes. I continued to call Pat with no success. Panic started to grip me. I think it was from all the commotion outside. I was worried he had an accident on the way home.
Soon I saw people blocking the road and I don't know how, but I just knew there was a helicopter on the way. I was worried about my neighbors, but I was worried about my husband too.
I called my son to drive out and see if his dad was in the ditch somewhere. When he got here he said, "Dad's truck is at the neighbors." I felt relieved for 2 reasons. One, he was safe and 2 - the helicopter had just left empty. I knew someone had died at that point. I was glad he was there to give comfort.
I didn't know at the time that he had helped perform CPR until help arrived. If I would have went to work, we would have left from the shop and Pat wouldn't have been home to help.
That was Thursday.
Tuesday was the funeral. I needed to get to the bank Tuesday morning and Pat offered to drive in for me. He almost got hit by a semi. He was at a green light and saw a tractor trailer coming up to a red light - cars in front of the semi - and started to jack knife. Pat didn't pull out, but he watched as the truck got straightened out and went between vehicles, barely missing all of them and himself, going through a red light going about 50 miles per hour. Thank God.
Tuesday afternoon, funeral. Allen's wife called Pat her angel for being there. Pat had a very hard time at the funeral.
We get back to the office and are told a sheriff had been in earlier.
Wednesday morning the sheriff is back and serves us with foreclosure papers on our business.
Friday night, we are visiting our daughter and another daughter calls us from home and tells us our dog just got killed by a car. We don't even know how to tell our youngest daughter that her dog, that she adores, is dead. She has a friend over tonight so hopefully she won't notice he is gone yet.
We will see the tears of our 12 year old daughter when she realizes her dog is gone.
All of this a few days before Christmas.
All of this a few days before Christmas.
I needed to write these down so that I can offer them up to Jesus at this time and let him help heal me. Jesus takes our worries and stress from us like a gift.
We will always question why things happen, but we need to remember that it is all in His glorious plan.
My friend told me that Jesus is walking with us - what a beautiful picture.
Our love for each other and God will see us through.
Our love for each other and God will see us through.
Dear God, Give us strength to cope and thank you for the gift of family and friends. Amen.
Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
“Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus”
Come, thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us;
From our fears and sins release us;
Let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.
Born thy people to deliver,
Born thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By thine all-sufficient merit
Raise us to thy glorious throne.
—Charles Wesley
Mary Did You Know?
That is the big question - Mary did you know?
To me Mary was created to be the Mother of God. At her age, did she know? Fourteen years old when our Saviour was born of her.
She is a model of what it means to have faith and trust God. The angel Gabriel appeared to her and asked her to be the Mother of God. She was old enough to know that a male was needed for that to happen. When the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would give her the child, she didn't question it - she just made her choice to trust in the Glory of the Lord. Then the "yes" was given. Her consent to let God work through her, gave us the greatest Gift that we could ever be given.
She knew that if people found out that she was an unwed mother, they would probably stone her to death. She had complete faith in God's plan.
She knew she was chosen to nurture, care for and be Mother to the Son of God. She knew that a Savior was coming and she knew that she was to be His Mother.
Oh Mary, ever virgin, thank you for saying yes to God and having faith and trust to let his will be carried out through you. Amen.
Over Population Myth
There are so many fanatics that think that we are over populating the world. China is a good example - they have the one child rule and force sterilization and abortion.
As absurd as this sounds, there are still people around us that think we should do the same thing in the America's. Remove the unfortunate and ill from society to make room for the well to do and healthy. Keep reproduction to a minimum.
Which one of my seven children should I have kept and which ones should I have destroyed?? What kind of radical thinking is this? Sounds like making a choice of which child should go to the gas chambers during the Holocaust.
Yes, there are people in our world that would try to force these things. Don't think it can't happen. Look at China and remember Hitler. Look at the legalization of human murder that we so lightly call abortion!
We cannot allow a radical person or group to change our thinking on these issues. Stay strong, stay focused and know what is right!
Watch this video clip to see where this all originated and how crazy the whole thing is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZVOU5bfHrM&feature=player_embedded
Here is an example of this radical thinking by a very famous person:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6JLvIxdbjQ&feature=fvw
HERE IS THE ULTIMATE LIE -"People can't afford children":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9--Zp-d5Zs
I tell you here and now - CHILDREN CAN LIVE ON LESS! We do not need to give our children whatever their hearts desire! Our children will be better adults if we regulate their living. I have seen this with my own children.
The problem lies with people wanting more for themselves and giving less. The meaning of that is purely selfishness. Society that believes that they should be perfect and protected.
Thank you God for the gift of life. Give us the courage to protect it! Amen
As absurd as this sounds, there are still people around us that think we should do the same thing in the America's. Remove the unfortunate and ill from society to make room for the well to do and healthy. Keep reproduction to a minimum.
Which one of my seven children should I have kept and which ones should I have destroyed?? What kind of radical thinking is this? Sounds like making a choice of which child should go to the gas chambers during the Holocaust.
Yes, there are people in our world that would try to force these things. Don't think it can't happen. Look at China and remember Hitler. Look at the legalization of human murder that we so lightly call abortion!
We cannot allow a radical person or group to change our thinking on these issues. Stay strong, stay focused and know what is right!
Watch this video clip to see where this all originated and how crazy the whole thing is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZVOU5bfHrM&feature=player_embedded
Here is an example of this radical thinking by a very famous person:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6JLvIxdbjQ&feature=fvw
HERE IS THE ULTIMATE LIE -"People can't afford children":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9--Zp-d5Zs
I tell you here and now - CHILDREN CAN LIVE ON LESS! We do not need to give our children whatever their hearts desire! Our children will be better adults if we regulate their living. I have seen this with my own children.
The problem lies with people wanting more for themselves and giving less. The meaning of that is purely selfishness. Society that believes that they should be perfect and protected.
Thank you God for the gift of life. Give us the courage to protect it! Amen
To Every Thing There is a Season
Time keeps on moving. Seasons change. We change, we grow, we prepare ourselves for peace.
To every thing, there is a season....
Things happen that we don't understand why. Things happen that we are thankful for and things happen that we are disappointed by.
Times change, we change, seasons change, the world changes. We need to go along for the ride no matter where God takes us. We need to find the good in every thing because to every thing there is a purpose!
When I was a child, one of my favorite songs was Turn, Turn, Turn. I didn't know it was Bible verses from Ecclesiastes until I was much older.
To me, this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.
(Click on the title link to hear the song.)
To every thing, there is a season....
Things happen that we don't understand why. Things happen that we are thankful for and things happen that we are disappointed by.
Times change, we change, seasons change, the world changes. We need to go along for the ride no matter where God takes us. We need to find the good in every thing because to every thing there is a purpose!
When I was a child, one of my favorite songs was Turn, Turn, Turn. I didn't know it was Bible verses from Ecclesiastes until I was much older.
To me, this is one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.
(Click on the title link to hear the song.)
Filled with Enduring Love
Jesus is God
"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" wrote St. John (1:14). So, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity assumed human nature. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Divine Word of whom John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word; the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
"And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" wrote St. John (1:14). So, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity assumed human nature. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Divine Word of whom John wrote, "In the beginning was the Word; the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
He Became Man
"In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman" (Gal 4:4). In order to become a member of the human race in the fullest sense, the Second Person of the Trinity became man by being born of a human woman, Mary. He was conceived by her without the help of a human father, but rather, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the God-man Jesus Christ had only God as His Father, and the Virgin Mary as His Mother. (See the section on Mary, the Mother of God.)
exerts from article by Fr. William G. Most
"In fact, the One whom she conceived as man by the Holy Spirit, who truly became her Son according to the flesh, was none other than the Father's eternal Son, the second person of the Holy Trinity. Hence the Church confesses that Mary is truly
'Mother of God' (Theotokos)" (CCC, No. 495).
'Mother of God' (Theotokos)" (CCC, No. 495).
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we have seen His glory: The glory of an only Son coming from the Father filled with enduring love (Jn 1:14).
In this time of waiting, hoping, peace and joy - we come to the realization of how much God loves us. God sent His only Son to us so that we can be a part of Eternity. We are offered Eternal Life.
We can accept this invitation by being good and just. Use this Advent to make yourself better. Be a better person -better wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, niece, granddaughter, grandmother, christian. Better husband, father, son, brother, friend, nephew, grandson, grandfather, employee, employer. Whatever the circumstance is, we can always strive to be better.
Mary opened herself up to being the Mother of God, making herself the best that she could possibly be. See if there is room inside your heart to become great at love.
God Bless You this Advent Season!
Joy, Peace and Hope
The Third Sunday of Advent has arrived. Today we light the rose candle in our wreath.
We are joyful for the coming of our Savior and we are joyfully awaiting the second coming of Christ.
This past week we had an experience with a neighbor that was very horrific and eye opening. We never know when our time will come to be taken.
Our neighbor was a very healthy, slim man. He was blowing snow after our big snow storm on Thursday morning and collapsed. My husband just happened to be coming home within minutes of him falling to the ground and saw his wife kneeling over him. He went and started chest compressions, which his wife was already doing, as they waited for help to arrive.
He passed away - and the efforts of numerous people and even the helicopter attendants proved useless.
This was the time that our Lord was calling him home.
This week of Advent that represents joy, will be sorrowful to his family, but they know that there is great joy with him being with God.
Joy because our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born to a humble Virgin and allowed himself to be crucified for us, for our sins, for the sins of all of us.
He will raise us up on eagle's wings....
"O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest forever". Amen.
We are joyful for the coming of our Savior and we are joyfully awaiting the second coming of Christ.
This past week we had an experience with a neighbor that was very horrific and eye opening. We never know when our time will come to be taken.
Our neighbor was a very healthy, slim man. He was blowing snow after our big snow storm on Thursday morning and collapsed. My husband just happened to be coming home within minutes of him falling to the ground and saw his wife kneeling over him. He went and started chest compressions, which his wife was already doing, as they waited for help to arrive.
He passed away - and the efforts of numerous people and even the helicopter attendants proved useless.
This was the time that our Lord was calling him home.
This week of Advent that represents joy, will be sorrowful to his family, but they know that there is great joy with him being with God.
Joy because our Lord, Jesus Christ, was born to a humble Virgin and allowed himself to be crucified for us, for our sins, for the sins of all of us.
He will raise us up on eagle's wings....
"O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation. Who livest and reignest forever". Amen.
Hard Times for Everyone
During this Advent think of some people that you know that are having hard times.
It shouldn't take much effort to think of people, you probably know so many. It is hard times for all.
Search your heart to see if there is anything that you can do to help someone that is struggling.
Make donations to your local food shelf. Give blankets, jackets, mittens, boots and anything else that you have at home that you could part with to the Salvation Army or other similar organization.
If you can afford to, give a child a gift of hope by a donation to your local toy drive. Children don't understand the economic crisis and they are like every other child, waiting for St. Nick.
Give a gift of a donation to an organization that feeds the poor. Give it in honor of someone that you were going to buy a gift for anyway. There is nothing better than receiving a gift that has helped others.
Most importantly, pray for the people that you know are in need. Prayer changes things. It is free, it is simple and it is honest.
Pray always... make your life a living prayer.
God Bless you this Advent.
It shouldn't take much effort to think of people, you probably know so many. It is hard times for all.
Search your heart to see if there is anything that you can do to help someone that is struggling.
Make donations to your local food shelf. Give blankets, jackets, mittens, boots and anything else that you have at home that you could part with to the Salvation Army or other similar organization.
If you can afford to, give a child a gift of hope by a donation to your local toy drive. Children don't understand the economic crisis and they are like every other child, waiting for St. Nick.
Give a gift of a donation to an organization that feeds the poor. Give it in honor of someone that you were going to buy a gift for anyway. There is nothing better than receiving a gift that has helped others.
Most importantly, pray for the people that you know are in need. Prayer changes things. It is free, it is simple and it is honest.
Pray always... make your life a living prayer.
God Bless you this Advent.
Immaculate Conception
Some may think of the Immaculate Conception as being the conception of Jesus, but it is not.
It is the conception of our Mother in Heaven.
Mary was conceived without sin. Prepared from the very beginning.
She was chosen by God, but not forced to be the Blessed Mother.
Mary was allowed to give her consent or resignation on becoming the Mother of God.
Through her yes, she gave us Salvation!
What a great Feast Day to have during Advent. Advent is a time of preparation, and Mary was being prepared for the first Advent all her life, for the birth of Christ ~ from the moment of her Immaculate Conception.
This picture depicts the Virgin Mary in her mothers womb. Mary, being all human, is a perfect example of what we should strive to become.
Imagine what she faced being a single woman and being asked to have a child. In those days, being pregnant and unmarried meant being stoned to death. She had complete trust in God and let herself be led by the Holy Spirit.
What a great Woman. What a great Saint. What a great Example.
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, the Lord is with you
Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the
Blessed are you among women and Blessed is the
fruit of your womb ~ Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us sinners -
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Season of Giving
In this season of Advent and soon to be Christmas, it is the time of giving.
Give something that doesn't involve money. Give the gift of yourself.
Lend someone your ear. Listen to what is going on in their life and see if you can do anything to help ~ or just be a listening ear.
A kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear, these are all things that come from the heart.
Look around at home, school or work or where ever you may be. There is always someone in need.
My daughter is giving my mother the gift of taking her shopping. She is taking her to get most of her needs for Christmas and then helping her with the wrapping. That is the gift that my daughter is giving her Grandmother for Christmas.
It can be something as simple as a smile to someone on the street. You can change someones life with a kind smile or gentle words.
Take some time - slow down - see the little things that can make a big difference.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the time, talents and treasures to be of help to others. Amen.
Give something that doesn't involve money. Give the gift of yourself.
Lend someone your ear. Listen to what is going on in their life and see if you can do anything to help ~ or just be a listening ear.
A kind word, a helping hand, a listening ear, these are all things that come from the heart.
Look around at home, school or work or where ever you may be. There is always someone in need.
My daughter is giving my mother the gift of taking her shopping. She is taking her to get most of her needs for Christmas and then helping her with the wrapping. That is the gift that my daughter is giving her Grandmother for Christmas.
It can be something as simple as a smile to someone on the street. You can change someones life with a kind smile or gentle words.
Take some time - slow down - see the little things that can make a big difference.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the time, talents and treasures to be of help to others. Amen.
Waiting and Preparing
Advent is a time of waiting.
We should prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, for Christmas and for "the coming".
Prepare your hearts and your soul to receive our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Try to make yourself worthy to receive our Lord in Holy Eucharist. As sinners, we are never fully worthy to receive our Lord in Communion, but through the Grace of God, we are healed.
Jesus wants to come to us and He wants us to use the gift of His presence to always do good.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, sent from Heaven to take care of us, His flock.
Keep your heart clean to shelter the Child Jesus this Advent Season.
As John the Baptist, with a voice crying out in the wilderness, proclaimed, "Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight the path."
Stay on the straight path to be ready for Christ.
We should prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ, for Christmas and for "the coming".
Prepare your hearts and your soul to receive our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Try to make yourself worthy to receive our Lord in Holy Eucharist. As sinners, we are never fully worthy to receive our Lord in Communion, but through the Grace of God, we are healed.
Jesus wants to come to us and He wants us to use the gift of His presence to always do good.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, sent from Heaven to take care of us, His flock.
Keep your heart clean to shelter the Child Jesus this Advent Season.
As John the Baptist, with a voice crying out in the wilderness, proclaimed, "Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight the path."
Stay on the straight path to be ready for Christ.
Second Sunday of Advent
Second Sunday of Advent (From EWTN.com)
Prayer for the Advent Wreath
Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ,
for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people.
He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us.
He is the Savior of us all.
O Lord,let your blessing come upon us as we light
the first and second (purple) candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of
Christ’s promise of salvation.
May He come quickly and not delay.
We ask this in His holy name. Amen.
Waiting
We light a candle today, a small dim light against a world that
often seems forbidding and dark. But we light it because we
are a people of hope, a people whose faith is marked by an
expectation that we should always be ready for the coming of the Master.
The joy and anticipation of this season is captured
beautifully in the antiphons of hope from the monastic liturgies:
See! The ruler of the earth shall come, the Lord
who will take from us the heavy burden of our exile.
The Lord will come soon, will not delay.
The Lord will make the darkest places bright.
We must capture that urgency today in the small flame of our candle.
We light the candle because we know that the coming of
Christ is tied to our building of the kingdom.
Lighting the flame, feeding the hungry, comforting the sick,
reconciling the divided, praying for the repentant,
greeting the lonely and forgotten – doing all these works hastens His coming.
Prayer for the Advent Wreath
Lord, our God, we praise You for Your Son, Jesus Christ,
for He is Emmanuel, the Hope of all people.
He is the Wisdom that teaches and guides us.
He is the Savior of us all.
O Lord,let your blessing come upon us as we light
the first and second (purple) candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light be a sign of
Christ’s promise of salvation.
May He come quickly and not delay.
We ask this in His holy name. Amen.
Waiting
We light a candle today, a small dim light against a world that
often seems forbidding and dark. But we light it because we
are a people of hope, a people whose faith is marked by an
expectation that we should always be ready for the coming of the Master.
The joy and anticipation of this season is captured
beautifully in the antiphons of hope from the monastic liturgies:
See! The ruler of the earth shall come, the Lord
who will take from us the heavy burden of our exile.
The Lord will come soon, will not delay.
The Lord will make the darkest places bright.
We must capture that urgency today in the small flame of our candle.
We light the candle because we know that the coming of
Christ is tied to our building of the kingdom.
Lighting the flame, feeding the hungry, comforting the sick,
reconciling the divided, praying for the repentant,
greeting the lonely and forgotten – doing all these works hastens His coming.
The Sorrow and Joy
Why do we ache with pain?
Offer it to Jesus for gain.
Why do we suffer so?
He takes it and never says no.
Help me Lord, fill my heart with joy~
Take this sadness, don't let it destroy.
Keep me in your heart
so I will n'er depart.
Offer it to Jesus for gain.
Why do we suffer so?
He takes it and never says no.
Help me Lord, fill my heart with joy~
Take this sadness, don't let it destroy.
Keep me in your heart
so I will n'er depart.
Advent Retreat
An Advent Retreat
From Secular to Sacred: Go All Out!
by Vinita on December 2, 2009
As you prepare for the holidays this year, go all out!
Literally—get OUT of the house, go OUTside, experience the great OUTdoors. Yes, you’ve got too much to do, but that’s no excuse. If it’s cold, bundle up and allow your cheeks to get rosy and your body to become energized by the brisk air.
If you’re not in a cold climate, then spend a little more time wandering a nearby lake/ocean/mountain/park.
Take along your camera or sketchbook or journal. Breathe deeply and slow your steps. Become aware of the sky’s color and the land’s fragrance.
You are created by God, living on a planet created by God. One of the best cures for holiday stress is to reconnect to the basic miracle of being alive among so many beautiful living things.
In fact, when the holiday rush becomes too frantic, simply find a window. Maybe it’s at home or maybe it’s at a mall or airport, but stand there and gaze for at least five minutes.
Look for one created thing and say a prayer of thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad7KU9bCTAM&feature=related
From Secular to Sacred: Go All Out!
by Vinita on December 2, 2009
As you prepare for the holidays this year, go all out!
Literally—get OUT of the house, go OUTside, experience the great OUTdoors. Yes, you’ve got too much to do, but that’s no excuse. If it’s cold, bundle up and allow your cheeks to get rosy and your body to become energized by the brisk air.
If you’re not in a cold climate, then spend a little more time wandering a nearby lake/ocean/mountain/park.
Take along your camera or sketchbook or journal. Breathe deeply and slow your steps. Become aware of the sky’s color and the land’s fragrance.
You are created by God, living on a planet created by God. One of the best cures for holiday stress is to reconnect to the basic miracle of being alive among so many beautiful living things.
In fact, when the holiday rush becomes too frantic, simply find a window. Maybe it’s at home or maybe it’s at a mall or airport, but stand there and gaze for at least five minutes.
Look for one created thing and say a prayer of thanks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad7KU9bCTAM&feature=related
Our Lady's December 2, 2009 message given to Mirjana.
Our Lady's December 2, 2009 message given to Mirjana.
December 2, 2009
Message to Mirjana
"Dear children. At this time of preparation and joyful expectation I, as a mother, desire to point you to what is the most important, to your soul. Can my Son be born in it? Is it cleansed by love from lies, arrogance, hatred and malice? Above all else does your soul love God as your Father and does it love your fellow brother in Christ? I am pointing you to the way which will raise your soul to a complete union with my Son. I desire for my Son to be born in you. What a joy that would be for me as mother. Thank you."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85tfBBmbuMc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVz6vuNq7s&feature=fvw
December 2, 2009
Message to Mirjana
"Dear children. At this time of preparation and joyful expectation I, as a mother, desire to point you to what is the most important, to your soul. Can my Son be born in it? Is it cleansed by love from lies, arrogance, hatred and malice? Above all else does your soul love God as your Father and does it love your fellow brother in Christ? I am pointing you to the way which will raise your soul to a complete union with my Son. I desire for my Son to be born in you. What a joy that would be for me as mother. Thank you."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85tfBBmbuMc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQVz6vuNq7s&feature=fvw
A Time to Relax
I was given the gift of a massage from my daughter and her husband for taking care of their children when they were on vacation. I used it today.
It is amazing to have someone pamper you and take such good care of you. It was such a wonderful time to relax. She told me to have this time be for me. After 7 children, it is hard to think of taking time for yourself.
I like to read and that is something that I have always considered "my time". We should all have some sort of meditative time. It is a stress reliever. Stress is one of the worse things for our bodies and minds.
God wants us to give all of our stress and turmoils up to him. He wants us to release them to his care. Try it ~ release your stress and anxiety and give them up to Jesus.
Thank you God for taking the stress and turmoil from us and accepting it with grace - like a gift. Amen.
It is amazing to have someone pamper you and take such good care of you. It was such a wonderful time to relax. She told me to have this time be for me. After 7 children, it is hard to think of taking time for yourself.
I like to read and that is something that I have always considered "my time". We should all have some sort of meditative time. It is a stress reliever. Stress is one of the worse things for our bodies and minds.
God wants us to give all of our stress and turmoils up to him. He wants us to release them to his care. Try it ~ release your stress and anxiety and give them up to Jesus.
Thank you God for taking the stress and turmoil from us and accepting it with grace - like a gift. Amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
