Verse of the Day
"When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be well?'"
Song of the Day
"Thank You" by Ray Boltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y
My Thoughts
Thank you for praying for my dad today while he went to the healing conference. The man that prayed over him, Chris White I believe, spoke healing to his mind as if the Lord spoke to him and told him exactly what was wrong with my dad. My dad had the miracle of experiencing peace from his anxiety for about 10 minutes. He wants to go back again tomorrow. Please keep praying that if it be the Lord's will, he will remove my dad's anxiety.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
April 29, 2010
Verse of the Day
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." March 12:30
Song of the Day
"Look Me in the Eye" by Margaret Becker
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Margaret+Becker:Look+Me+In+The+Eye:2822641:s34521313.9637967.6125552.0.2.135%2Cstd_15b4b34ecf6f4785bc49eb7ffc92ee36
My Thoughts
I always learn the darnedest things in Joke-A-Lots reader, McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader (as seen on Little House on the Prairie)
Copyright originally 1879
The title was "Courage and Cowardice"
Robert and Henry were going home from school, when, on turning a corner, Robert cried out, "A fight! Let Us go and see!"
"No," said Henry: "let us go quietly home and not meddle with this quarrel. We have nothing to do with it and may get into mischief."
"You are a coward, and afraid to go," said Robert, and off he ran. Henry went straight home, and in the afternoon went to school, as usual.
But Robert had told all the boys that Henry was a coward, and they laughed at him a great deal.
Henry had learned, however, that true courage is shown most in bearing reproach when not deserved, and that he ought to be afraid of nothing but doing wrong.
A few days after, Robert was bathing with some schoolmates, and got out of his depth. He struggled, and screamed for help, but all in vain.
The boys who had called Henry a coward, got out of the water as fast as they could, but they did not even try to help him.
Robert was fast sinking, when Henry threw off his clothes, and sprang into the water. He reached Robert just as he was sinking the last time.
By great effort, and with much danger to himself, he brought Robert to the shore, and thus saved his life.
Robert and his schoolmates were ashamed at having called Henry a coward. They owned that he had more courage than any of them.
Never be afraid to do good, but always fear to do evil.
So, this story led to a great discussion about who we are on earth to please- Our Lord! I explained that we often go to activities with expectations. We usually judge them on how well it went, how excited we felt, how much fun we had, when really we should look at them and discern if our behavior was pleasing to God. So, even if a particular activity wasn't a blast, if we pleased God with our behavior than it was a success for that is to be our primary goal. I also made sure she knew her own Mommy could use this advice very much as well.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." March 12:30
Song of the Day
"Look Me in the Eye" by Margaret Becker
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Margaret+Becker:Look+Me+In+The+Eye:2822641:s34521313.9637967.6125552.0.2.135%2Cstd_15b4b34ecf6f4785bc49eb7ffc92ee36
My Thoughts
I always learn the darnedest things in Joke-A-Lots reader, McGuffey's Third Eclectic Reader (as seen on Little House on the Prairie)
Copyright originally 1879
The title was "Courage and Cowardice"
Robert and Henry were going home from school, when, on turning a corner, Robert cried out, "A fight! Let Us go and see!"
"No," said Henry: "let us go quietly home and not meddle with this quarrel. We have nothing to do with it and may get into mischief."
"You are a coward, and afraid to go," said Robert, and off he ran. Henry went straight home, and in the afternoon went to school, as usual.
But Robert had told all the boys that Henry was a coward, and they laughed at him a great deal.
Henry had learned, however, that true courage is shown most in bearing reproach when not deserved, and that he ought to be afraid of nothing but doing wrong.
A few days after, Robert was bathing with some schoolmates, and got out of his depth. He struggled, and screamed for help, but all in vain.
The boys who had called Henry a coward, got out of the water as fast as they could, but they did not even try to help him.
Robert was fast sinking, when Henry threw off his clothes, and sprang into the water. He reached Robert just as he was sinking the last time.
By great effort, and with much danger to himself, he brought Robert to the shore, and thus saved his life.
Robert and his schoolmates were ashamed at having called Henry a coward. They owned that he had more courage than any of them.
Never be afraid to do good, but always fear to do evil.
So, this story led to a great discussion about who we are on earth to please- Our Lord! I explained that we often go to activities with expectations. We usually judge them on how well it went, how excited we felt, how much fun we had, when really we should look at them and discern if our behavior was pleasing to God. So, even if a particular activity wasn't a blast, if we pleased God with our behavior than it was a success for that is to be our primary goal. I also made sure she knew her own Mommy could use this advice very much as well.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 27, 2010
Verse of the Day
Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." Luke 5:5
Song of the Day
"I Wish You Jesus" by Scott Wesley Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xz5gaOJwec&feature=related
My Thoughts
The verse of the day made me think of my dad again. We (my dad's family and friends) have worked hard to help my dad and we have caught nothing, not even a glimmer of hope, but we are lowering the nets. He is going to the healing conference as we feel strongly that the Lord is calling him go. If the Lord desires it, my dad will leave and the nets will be full.
I also think of prayer life and wishing I could do better. I really struggled with patience with Artsy today. But why is it so difficult to turn to the Lord at those times to restore our peace. It needs to become a regular part of my prayer life.
One last thought from the book on peace that stuck with me today.
"If we wait until we are saints to have a regular life of prayer, we could wait a long time. On the contrary, it is in accepting to appear before the Lord in our state of sin that we will receive healing and will be transformed little by little, into saints." (page 65 Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques)
Simon said in reply, "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets." Luke 5:5
Song of the Day
"I Wish You Jesus" by Scott Wesley Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xz5gaOJwec&feature=related
My Thoughts
The verse of the day made me think of my dad again. We (my dad's family and friends) have worked hard to help my dad and we have caught nothing, not even a glimmer of hope, but we are lowering the nets. He is going to the healing conference as we feel strongly that the Lord is calling him go. If the Lord desires it, my dad will leave and the nets will be full.
I also think of prayer life and wishing I could do better. I really struggled with patience with Artsy today. But why is it so difficult to turn to the Lord at those times to restore our peace. It needs to become a regular part of my prayer life.
One last thought from the book on peace that stuck with me today.
"If we wait until we are saints to have a regular life of prayer, we could wait a long time. On the contrary, it is in accepting to appear before the Lord in our state of sin that we will receive healing and will be transformed little by little, into saints." (page 65 Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques)
Monday, April 26, 2010
April 26, 2010
Verse of the Day
"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Song of the Day
"I'll be your hands" by River
Go to this site. There will be a song playing on the bottom of the screen. Turn it off. Then click on "media" at the top of the screen. Then click on "music". Go to #12. You should get an almost 2 minute clip. Reminds me tremendously of my dad whom I will be discussing in my blog. It will probably touch you as well in your lives, worth the extra effort to hear it.
http://www.riverministries.net/
My Thoughts
My dad's 66th birthday is this week. He looks more like he is turning 80. My wonderful aunt is taking him to a healing conference soon. I ask for your prayers for him. I hope the fact that he is willing to go shows enough faith for the Lord to work to heal him in any of the three areas, physical, spiritual, or emotional. He is a train wreck in all three areas. He has been blind since a few days before I was married years ago. When my mom died, he was walking 11 miles a day. Now, 3 years later, he can barely make it to the neighbors house. He has suffered from severe anxiety and depression since my mom died. And I won't share his private spiritual issues, but he has them. He needs to know the love and forgiveness of our Lord in a powerful way. I pray that he will receive this at the healing conference.
Losing my mom at 62 was one thing, but then to switch roles so quickly with my dad too, was certainly something I didn't expect. But I go back to the verse of the day, knowing that God wants to not only give life to my dad but to give it abundantly. And the Lord hasn't abandoned me either, he has left me a beautiful Heavenly mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Heavenly Father to grasp onto since my mother isn't alive and my dad isn't mentally present.
On the flip side, I noticed a small, red tractor in our yard today that didn't belong to us. After questioning Race Car, I found out he took it from the neighbors yard. I am so thrilled with myself that I didn't blow a gasket. I calmly asked him what it is called if you take something that doesn't belong to you without permission or paying for it. Then we went into the ten commandments and how it was so important that people don't steal, that it made the top 10. Then we proceeded next door with the tractor in hand. Race Car did good. He was very serious and said "I am sorry. I took this tractor from your yard. I want to give it back to you." The wheel was broken. Thankfully, the boy from their house said it was already broken. Hopefully, I handled this one good and it will be the last experience with stealing. I don't think he wants to next door again and do that.
"I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly." John 10:10
Song of the Day
"I'll be your hands" by River
Go to this site. There will be a song playing on the bottom of the screen. Turn it off. Then click on "media" at the top of the screen. Then click on "music". Go to #12. You should get an almost 2 minute clip. Reminds me tremendously of my dad whom I will be discussing in my blog. It will probably touch you as well in your lives, worth the extra effort to hear it.
http://www.riverministries.net/
My Thoughts
My dad's 66th birthday is this week. He looks more like he is turning 80. My wonderful aunt is taking him to a healing conference soon. I ask for your prayers for him. I hope the fact that he is willing to go shows enough faith for the Lord to work to heal him in any of the three areas, physical, spiritual, or emotional. He is a train wreck in all three areas. He has been blind since a few days before I was married years ago. When my mom died, he was walking 11 miles a day. Now, 3 years later, he can barely make it to the neighbors house. He has suffered from severe anxiety and depression since my mom died. And I won't share his private spiritual issues, but he has them. He needs to know the love and forgiveness of our Lord in a powerful way. I pray that he will receive this at the healing conference.
Losing my mom at 62 was one thing, but then to switch roles so quickly with my dad too, was certainly something I didn't expect. But I go back to the verse of the day, knowing that God wants to not only give life to my dad but to give it abundantly. And the Lord hasn't abandoned me either, he has left me a beautiful Heavenly mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Heavenly Father to grasp onto since my mother isn't alive and my dad isn't mentally present.
On the flip side, I noticed a small, red tractor in our yard today that didn't belong to us. After questioning Race Car, I found out he took it from the neighbors yard. I am so thrilled with myself that I didn't blow a gasket. I calmly asked him what it is called if you take something that doesn't belong to you without permission or paying for it. Then we went into the ten commandments and how it was so important that people don't steal, that it made the top 10. Then we proceeded next door with the tractor in hand. Race Car did good. He was very serious and said "I am sorry. I took this tractor from your yard. I want to give it back to you." The wheel was broken. Thankfully, the boy from their house said it was already broken. Hopefully, I handled this one good and it will be the last experience with stealing. I don't think he wants to next door again and do that.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
April 25, 2010
Verse of the Day
"We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one." 2 John 5:19
I didn't have a quote that stuck out to me today, so I said "Okay Lord, I am going to put the first highlighted verse I see as my verse for the day". So, this may not have been my choice, but it must have been God's.
Song of the Day
"I'll Lead You Home" by Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcakUX2swGI
My Thoughts
I am currently printing off important things from my old computer, so that we can get rid of it. In its day, it was a fine piece of machinery. But my first computer right out of college, the 165C Mac, has past its glory days. But as I sit here multi-tasking, I have also found the perfect job for Curly. He stands at perfect height to see the papers coming out of the printer and then hands them to me. He is fully entertained at this moment. Praise God!
I am feeling a lack of direction today, so I will keep this short and leave you with one thought from my book.
"We must know that one of the weapons that the devil used most commonly to prevent souls from advancing toward God is precisely to try to make them lose their peace and discourage them by the sight of their faults." (Pg. 63 Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques)
"We know that we belong to God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one." 2 John 5:19
I didn't have a quote that stuck out to me today, so I said "Okay Lord, I am going to put the first highlighted verse I see as my verse for the day". So, this may not have been my choice, but it must have been God's.
Song of the Day
"I'll Lead You Home" by Michael W. Smith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcakUX2swGI
My Thoughts
I am currently printing off important things from my old computer, so that we can get rid of it. In its day, it was a fine piece of machinery. But my first computer right out of college, the 165C Mac, has past its glory days. But as I sit here multi-tasking, I have also found the perfect job for Curly. He stands at perfect height to see the papers coming out of the printer and then hands them to me. He is fully entertained at this moment. Praise God!
I am feeling a lack of direction today, so I will keep this short and leave you with one thought from my book.
"We must know that one of the weapons that the devil used most commonly to prevent souls from advancing toward God is precisely to try to make them lose their peace and discourage them by the sight of their faults." (Pg. 63 Searching for and Maintaining Peace by Fr. Jacques)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
April 24, 2010
Verse of the Day
"The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers." Acts 9:31
Song of the Day
"Everything Falls" by Fee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V11E0VTlmY&feature=related
My Thoughts
Peace as described in the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary has several listings, but the most important for my soul is "freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions". This peace is only found in our Lord, but how to obtain it seems to be my quest right now. My children are young, yet I lose my peace so quickly. I can't imagine what I will be like when they are older if I don't learn how to embrace this peace from our Lord. I know He has it there for the taking despite what life deals out to me.
I think of my life and how much I enjoy it, but yet how much I allow Satan to steal that peace away. It can get extremely frustrating to have a strong desire to react differently to experiences my children go through, but despite that strong desire I continue going down the path that rips my peace away. According to the book on peace that I have mentioned in my earlier blogs, it becomes a question of how to regain our peace as quickly as possible when we have been troubled by our imperfections, therefore avoiding more sadness and discouragement.
The reasons I need to do this are #1) God acts in the peace of one's soul. I loved the verse of the day because the church was in peace and Holy Spirit's consolation was upon them. Was it no surprise that there were so many miracles in the book of Acts? So, peace is essential to allow God to work. "Rather than troubling ourselves, it is more efficacious to regain our peace and let God act." (p 58)
The second reason is that it is more pleasing to God for us to react this way. Fr. Jacques listed a beautiful prayer that I am going to copy to use frequently. I mean what could be better than when we are discouraged and tormented to react by saying this prayer:
"Lord, I ask Your pardon, I have sinned again. This, alas, is what I am capable of doing on my own! But I abandon myself with confidence to Your mercy and Your pardon, I thank You for not allowing me to sin even more grievously. I abandon myself to You with confidence because I know that one day You will heal me completely and, in the meantime, I ask You that the experience of my misery would cause me to be more humble, more considerate of other, more conscious that I can do nothing by myself, but that I must rely solely on Your love and Your mercy."
The third reason is that when we are troubled, the sadness and discouragement are rarely pure, usually pride exists in there somewhere. In fact, this excessive pain is actually a sign that we have put our trust in ourselves - in our own strength and not in God.
I don't know. Maybe by focusing on peace and working to obtain it, I will get better at handing things over to God and over analyzing the kids experiences less. It is as if I wish I could just get my brain to stop thinking sometimes, but I am realizing that isn't the solution. Maybe I need to stop thinking about a certain situation, but I need to start thinking more about God. This blog is helping me to do that. It is just so evident why I felt such a strong call to blog my experience of Lent this past Ash Wednesday - to help me keep my focus where it belongs, on Our Lord!
"The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers." Acts 9:31
Song of the Day
"Everything Falls" by Fee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V11E0VTlmY&feature=related
My Thoughts
Peace as described in the Merriam-Webster Online dictionary has several listings, but the most important for my soul is "freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions". This peace is only found in our Lord, but how to obtain it seems to be my quest right now. My children are young, yet I lose my peace so quickly. I can't imagine what I will be like when they are older if I don't learn how to embrace this peace from our Lord. I know He has it there for the taking despite what life deals out to me.
I think of my life and how much I enjoy it, but yet how much I allow Satan to steal that peace away. It can get extremely frustrating to have a strong desire to react differently to experiences my children go through, but despite that strong desire I continue going down the path that rips my peace away. According to the book on peace that I have mentioned in my earlier blogs, it becomes a question of how to regain our peace as quickly as possible when we have been troubled by our imperfections, therefore avoiding more sadness and discouragement.
The reasons I need to do this are #1) God acts in the peace of one's soul. I loved the verse of the day because the church was in peace and Holy Spirit's consolation was upon them. Was it no surprise that there were so many miracles in the book of Acts? So, peace is essential to allow God to work. "Rather than troubling ourselves, it is more efficacious to regain our peace and let God act." (p 58)
The second reason is that it is more pleasing to God for us to react this way. Fr. Jacques listed a beautiful prayer that I am going to copy to use frequently. I mean what could be better than when we are discouraged and tormented to react by saying this prayer:
"Lord, I ask Your pardon, I have sinned again. This, alas, is what I am capable of doing on my own! But I abandon myself with confidence to Your mercy and Your pardon, I thank You for not allowing me to sin even more grievously. I abandon myself to You with confidence because I know that one day You will heal me completely and, in the meantime, I ask You that the experience of my misery would cause me to be more humble, more considerate of other, more conscious that I can do nothing by myself, but that I must rely solely on Your love and Your mercy."
The third reason is that when we are troubled, the sadness and discouragement are rarely pure, usually pride exists in there somewhere. In fact, this excessive pain is actually a sign that we have put our trust in ourselves - in our own strength and not in God.
I don't know. Maybe by focusing on peace and working to obtain it, I will get better at handing things over to God and over analyzing the kids experiences less. It is as if I wish I could just get my brain to stop thinking sometimes, but I am realizing that isn't the solution. Maybe I need to stop thinking about a certain situation, but I need to start thinking more about God. This blog is helping me to do that. It is just so evident why I felt such a strong call to blog my experience of Lent this past Ash Wednesday - to help me keep my focus where it belongs, on Our Lord!
Friday, April 23, 2010
April 23, 2010
Verse of the Day
"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27
Song of the Day
"Be Not Afraid" by Michael John Talbot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBH-Eh9Bjjg&feature=PlayList&p=0FFD26345FE4A297&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=4
My Thoughts
Parenting isn't for the faint of heart. I struggle continuously with fear and letting go of control, entrusting my children to God daily. To me these are monumental tasks. Today, I even put on my Pope John Paul II bracelet on that says "Be Not Afraid". I get so anxious in regards to certain areas of my children's lives. Gratefully, I have friends that remind me that God does have a mission for each child. He loves them. He is preparing them, so they can successfully complete that mission. I view all situations that aren't perfect as horrible, instead of viewing them as a great opportunity to teach my children how to deal with adversity and quite frankly how to deal with other children that aren't nice. I am an adult and there are still people that simply aren't nice, but how does God want us to handle this?
I went back to my book on peace as I was feeling a definite lack of peace. Interestingly enough, the next section I was on was "Patience Toward Others". I am thinking "Okay Lord, I am listening." I always think that if others would behave better than I would be peaceful and without distress. Well, I will spend my lifetime waiting for that. "How many people lose their peace because they want, at any price, to change those around them!" (page 55) But again, what does the Lord ask us to do? He asks us to bear with patience the faults of others. So often I get upset, but what I need to do is pray for these people. "This patience is all the more important in that it brings about in us a purification that is absolutely indispensable." (page 56)
So, I feel great blogging again. Today while my compulsive head was spinning about one of my children, the 3:00pm alarm went off. Time for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. All the kids gathered round, except Curly who was sleeping. Again, I was reminded of our goal here on earth: To know, love, and serve our Lord in this life, so that we can be forever happy with him in the next. I revelled in that five minutes with Race Car on my lap and Joke-a-Lot and Artsy on either side. Life is good.
"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27
Song of the Day
"Be Not Afraid" by Michael John Talbot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBH-Eh9Bjjg&feature=PlayList&p=0FFD26345FE4A297&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=4
My Thoughts
Parenting isn't for the faint of heart. I struggle continuously with fear and letting go of control, entrusting my children to God daily. To me these are monumental tasks. Today, I even put on my Pope John Paul II bracelet on that says "Be Not Afraid". I get so anxious in regards to certain areas of my children's lives. Gratefully, I have friends that remind me that God does have a mission for each child. He loves them. He is preparing them, so they can successfully complete that mission. I view all situations that aren't perfect as horrible, instead of viewing them as a great opportunity to teach my children how to deal with adversity and quite frankly how to deal with other children that aren't nice. I am an adult and there are still people that simply aren't nice, but how does God want us to handle this?
I went back to my book on peace as I was feeling a definite lack of peace. Interestingly enough, the next section I was on was "Patience Toward Others". I am thinking "Okay Lord, I am listening." I always think that if others would behave better than I would be peaceful and without distress. Well, I will spend my lifetime waiting for that. "How many people lose their peace because they want, at any price, to change those around them!" (page 55) But again, what does the Lord ask us to do? He asks us to bear with patience the faults of others. So often I get upset, but what I need to do is pray for these people. "This patience is all the more important in that it brings about in us a purification that is absolutely indispensable." (page 56)
So, I feel great blogging again. Today while my compulsive head was spinning about one of my children, the 3:00pm alarm went off. Time for the Divine Mercy Chaplet. All the kids gathered round, except Curly who was sleeping. Again, I was reminded of our goal here on earth: To know, love, and serve our Lord in this life, so that we can be forever happy with him in the next. I revelled in that five minutes with Race Car on my lap and Joke-a-Lot and Artsy on either side. Life is good.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
April 22, 2010
I am thinking out loud now. On Ash Wednesday, I felt the Lord calling me to blog about my experience of going through Lent with a family off of sugar. I had no idea why. Can't help but to wish the reason was that my blog was going to be wildly popular and I would end up using this as a source of income. But in reality, God's intentions are clear to me. Doing the blog helped me to focus on the positive things in life and helped me to focus on God. Period. End of Story. That is why I have decided that I need to once again begin blogging. I am still trying to figure out how to adjust things to make it more reasonable. I used to spend 2 hours doing my blog, which is just not possible to sustain long term. Thirty minutes is my goal. I also have another idea for a different blog, more of a monthly blog, but I don't want to let the secret out until I have it set up. This one will stay spiritual in nature. I like the verse of the day and the song of the day. I know the family stories were a hit. Unfortunately, I have probably lost most of my followers since I took such a long break while preparing for Joke-a-Lots First Holy Communion. But true be known, I have to do this for me. I am seeing that this is a necessity for my spiritual walk. Stay tuned for more as I figure out the layout.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
April 20, 2010
I am finally getting back to let you know how Easter went, although I fear many of you are no longer checking. Joke-a-Lot had her First Holy Communion on Saturday, so I have been busily preparing for that. It was an absolutely beautiful day from beginning to end.
As far as Easter goes, they all really enjoyed the sweets. I haven't noticed a huge change in behavior except for Curly. When he has sugar, he acts crazy. Even the girls have picked up on it. One night when we (the girls and I) came home from religion and Curly was in that crazy mode, Joke-a-Lot said "Dad must have given him sugar" and sure enough he had. So, I try to skip the sugar for him giving him Lara bars as his treat. He enjoys those, too.
When pondering what to do with the blog, I am still unsure. I have to admit that doing the blog helped me tremendously to keep my focus on God and on the blessings in my life, but I can't justify the two hours a night it takes me. I have considered doing it once a week, or possibly maintaining it throughout the year with a monthly update and then repeat the daily blogs through Lent again next year. So, all I can say is check back periodically and when I feel more direction I will make it known.
Thank you to all my faithful followers who kept up with me during Lent. It was really fun and spiritually enriching for me.
As far as Easter goes, they all really enjoyed the sweets. I haven't noticed a huge change in behavior except for Curly. When he has sugar, he acts crazy. Even the girls have picked up on it. One night when we (the girls and I) came home from religion and Curly was in that crazy mode, Joke-a-Lot said "Dad must have given him sugar" and sure enough he had. So, I try to skip the sugar for him giving him Lara bars as his treat. He enjoys those, too.
When pondering what to do with the blog, I am still unsure. I have to admit that doing the blog helped me tremendously to keep my focus on God and on the blessings in my life, but I can't justify the two hours a night it takes me. I have considered doing it once a week, or possibly maintaining it throughout the year with a monthly update and then repeat the daily blogs through Lent again next year. So, all I can say is check back periodically and when I feel more direction I will make it known.
Thank you to all my faithful followers who kept up with me during Lent. It was really fun and spiritually enriching for me.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
April 4, 2010
Song of the Day
He's Alive by Don Francisco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbSnk1R31vg
I am so exhausted today. I will be back soon to tell you how everything went with Easter, but not today.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
THIRD DAY
"Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
He's Alive by Don Francisco
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbSnk1R31vg
I am so exhausted today. I will be back soon to tell you how everything went with Easter, but not today.
Divine Mercy Chaplet
THIRD DAY
"Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. These souls brought Me consolation on the Way of the Cross. They were that drop of consolation in the midst of an ocean of bitterness."
Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wondrous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
April 3, 2010
Verse of the Day
"Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." James 4:10
Songs of the Day
Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCezEbaMHdA
Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord by Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8MAQKSbEI
Food
This Lent was successful. They will thoroughly enjoy their sweets tomorrow. I haven't had refined sugar in 4.5 years, so I will continue with my journey of recovery. I am one of those people who does not respond positively to sugar. It causes too much obsessive thinking within me, whereas now I am free from that.
"Stuff" Detachment
I cleaned out another cupboard and got rid of things that I haven't used EVER.
Spiritual Growth
I will continue with the Divine Mercy Novena. See Good Friday for a further explanation of this. I thought parts of the Jars of Clay song above went well with this novena.
SECOND DAY
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the souls of preists and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
"Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you." James 4:10
Songs of the Day
Worlds Apart by Jars of Clay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCezEbaMHdA
Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord by Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sU8MAQKSbEI
Food
This Lent was successful. They will thoroughly enjoy their sweets tomorrow. I haven't had refined sugar in 4.5 years, so I will continue with my journey of recovery. I am one of those people who does not respond positively to sugar. It causes too much obsessive thinking within me, whereas now I am free from that.
"Stuff" Detachment
I cleaned out another cupboard and got rid of things that I haven't used EVER.
Spiritual Growth
I will continue with the Divine Mercy Novena. See Good Friday for a further explanation of this. I thought parts of the Jars of Clay song above went well with this novena.
SECOND DAY
"Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."
Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.
Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard - upon the souls of preists and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.
Friday, April 2, 2010
April 2, 2010
Being that today is Good Friday, I am going to depart from the norm. Today is the day that many people start the novena to the Divine Mercy. Understanding that many of you may not be familiar with what a novena is in general and particularly what the Divine Mercy novena is, I thought I would do my best to explain.
Taken from EWTN (Eternal World Television Network) website http://www.ewtn.com/index.asp, a novena is a nine-day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors, or to make special petitions. (Novena is derived from the Latin "novem", meaning nine.) As the definition suggests, the novena has always had more of a sense of urgency and neediness.
The Nine days represents the nine days of prayer performed by the apostles as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension.
The Divine Mercy Novena is my absolute favorite. On Good Friday, 1937, Jesus requested that St. Faustina make a special novena before the Feast of Mercy, from Good Friday through the following Saturday. He, himself, dictated the intentions for each day. By means of a specific prayer she was to bring to His Heart a different group of souls each day and thus immerse them in the ocean of His mercy, begging the Father - on the strength of Jesus' Passion - for graces for them.
Each year, the Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday thanks to Pope John Paul II declaring it such. Not by coincidence, Pope John Paul II actually died on the feast of Divine Mercy, April 2, 2005. Today is the anniversary of his death, but I believe he will become a saint and then today will be called his feast day, the day he entered into Heaven. This is clear in my memory because today is also Joke-A-Lot's 8th birthday, so I remember him dying on her birthday, but also remember how crazy it was that it was also Divine Mercy Sunday, the day that he declared.
Our Lord described a very specific image of himself to St. Faustina which I will display on my page during this novena period from today until the Sunday after Easter. This image must say "Jesus I trust in you" below it and it will have two rays representing the showering of the depths of His mercy upon us.
It is recommended to say this novena with the actual Divine Mercy Chaplet, but I am going to keep things simple and state the daily prayers.
The Novena to the Divine Mercy
First Day of the Novena
"Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Taken from EWTN (Eternal World Television Network) website http://www.ewtn.com/index.asp, a novena is a nine-day period of private or public prayer to obtain special graces, to implore special favors, or to make special petitions. (Novena is derived from the Latin "novem", meaning nine.) As the definition suggests, the novena has always had more of a sense of urgency and neediness.
The Nine days represents the nine days of prayer performed by the apostles as they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension.
The Divine Mercy Novena is my absolute favorite. On Good Friday, 1937, Jesus requested that St. Faustina make a special novena before the Feast of Mercy, from Good Friday through the following Saturday. He, himself, dictated the intentions for each day. By means of a specific prayer she was to bring to His Heart a different group of souls each day and thus immerse them in the ocean of His mercy, begging the Father - on the strength of Jesus' Passion - for graces for them.
Each year, the Sunday after Easter is Divine Mercy Sunday thanks to Pope John Paul II declaring it such. Not by coincidence, Pope John Paul II actually died on the feast of Divine Mercy, April 2, 2005. Today is the anniversary of his death, but I believe he will become a saint and then today will be called his feast day, the day he entered into Heaven. This is clear in my memory because today is also Joke-A-Lot's 8th birthday, so I remember him dying on her birthday, but also remember how crazy it was that it was also Divine Mercy Sunday, the day that he declared.
Our Lord described a very specific image of himself to St. Faustina which I will display on my page during this novena period from today until the Sunday after Easter. This image must say "Jesus I trust in you" below it and it will have two rays representing the showering of the depths of His mercy upon us.
It is recommended to say this novena with the actual Divine Mercy Chaplet, but I am going to keep things simple and state the daily prayers.
The Novena to the Divine Mercy
First Day of the Novena
"Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me."
Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Father, turn your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
April 1, 2010
Verse of the Day
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Song of the Day
In the Light by DC Talk
http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=undefined&id=alb.7149801&remote=undefined&page=undefined&pageregion=undefined&guid=undefined&from=undefined&__pcode=
Food
Curly pulled a fast one today. When I was getting his haircut another kid was screaming, so then Curly joined in the party and started screaming. Soooo, he got a yummy sugared sucker. Seemed to soothe him just fine, yet another exception.
"Stuff" Detachment
We have a nice pair of girls clogs that for some reason the girls don't like, so I will donate them, along with a rosary and a couple belts.
Spiritual Growth
I am not feeling much spiritual growth right now. I just went in the kitchen to find out that the water container thing in the refrigerator was leaking all over. Recall that I just cleaned out the entire fridge yesterday. It was all over the floor, under the refrigerator, in all the fridge drawers. I completely blew a gasket and there was Mr. Fix-it sound asleep through it all despite my requests for help. He never heard a word. In fact, water continues to be under the refrigerator because I can't move it. So, I once again see my sin before me, to completely lose my cool over something so minuscule.
On a more positive note, since it was Holy Thursday and we had some colds in the family, we decided to stay home from church. But tonight before bed, I read the reading from the Bible about when Jesus washed the disciples feet at the last supper. Now, all the children had already had a bath, so they didn't need their feet washed, but after the reading, I did rub lotion on their feet and then kissed each of their feet. Other than the giggles because they are so ticklish, they loved it and asked if we could do that again. I would rather have done the actual feet washing, but this worked okay for this year.
Book Discussion
Title: Searching for and Maintaining Peace
Author: Fr. Jacques Philippe
Section: The Faults and Shortcomings of Others
This was a fabulous section for me. "It often happens that we lose our peace not because suffering affects us or threatens to affect us personally, but rather because of the behavior of an individual person or group of persons who hurt us or preoccupy us. . . Or, more simply, in everyday life, one becomes irritated, because one close to him behaves in a way that he imagines he should not behave. How many nervous tensions are due to this type of situation!" Nervous tension is exactly what I would call my previous reactions to my neighbor kid.
"Because the thing that we want is good, even seen as desired by God, we feel justified in wanting it with that much more impatience and displeasure if it is not realized. The more a thing seems good to us, the more we are agitated and preoccupied to realize it! . . . That is to say that our wanting must always be caring, peaceful, patient, detached and abandoned to God. It should not be an impatient wanting, hurried, restless, irritated, etc. In the spiritual life it is often there that our attitude is defective."
"A desire that causes us to lose peace, even if the thing desired is excellent in itself, is not of God. It is necessary to want and desire, but in a free and detached way, in abandoning to God the realization of these desires, as He desires and when He wishes."
Next Section: Patience Towards Others
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for today and help us all to have a good and holy Triduum. Help us to continue to show your love in all that we do. Amen.
Today's Menu
Breakfast: Tortillas with cheese and ham, fruit cup (grapes, grapefruits, oranges)
Lunch: Pepperoni pizza, pears
Dinner: Hodge Podge of leftovers
"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Song of the Day
In the Light by DC Talk
http://www.rhapsody.com/player?type=undefined&id=alb.7149801&remote=undefined&page=undefined&pageregion=undefined&guid=undefined&from=undefined&__pcode=
Food
Curly pulled a fast one today. When I was getting his haircut another kid was screaming, so then Curly joined in the party and started screaming. Soooo, he got a yummy sugared sucker. Seemed to soothe him just fine, yet another exception.
"Stuff" Detachment
We have a nice pair of girls clogs that for some reason the girls don't like, so I will donate them, along with a rosary and a couple belts.
Spiritual Growth
I am not feeling much spiritual growth right now. I just went in the kitchen to find out that the water container thing in the refrigerator was leaking all over. Recall that I just cleaned out the entire fridge yesterday. It was all over the floor, under the refrigerator, in all the fridge drawers. I completely blew a gasket and there was Mr. Fix-it sound asleep through it all despite my requests for help. He never heard a word. In fact, water continues to be under the refrigerator because I can't move it. So, I once again see my sin before me, to completely lose my cool over something so minuscule.
On a more positive note, since it was Holy Thursday and we had some colds in the family, we decided to stay home from church. But tonight before bed, I read the reading from the Bible about when Jesus washed the disciples feet at the last supper. Now, all the children had already had a bath, so they didn't need their feet washed, but after the reading, I did rub lotion on their feet and then kissed each of their feet. Other than the giggles because they are so ticklish, they loved it and asked if we could do that again. I would rather have done the actual feet washing, but this worked okay for this year.
Book Discussion
Title: Searching for and Maintaining Peace
Author: Fr. Jacques Philippe
Section: The Faults and Shortcomings of Others
This was a fabulous section for me. "It often happens that we lose our peace not because suffering affects us or threatens to affect us personally, but rather because of the behavior of an individual person or group of persons who hurt us or preoccupy us. . . Or, more simply, in everyday life, one becomes irritated, because one close to him behaves in a way that he imagines he should not behave. How many nervous tensions are due to this type of situation!" Nervous tension is exactly what I would call my previous reactions to my neighbor kid.
"Because the thing that we want is good, even seen as desired by God, we feel justified in wanting it with that much more impatience and displeasure if it is not realized. The more a thing seems good to us, the more we are agitated and preoccupied to realize it! . . . That is to say that our wanting must always be caring, peaceful, patient, detached and abandoned to God. It should not be an impatient wanting, hurried, restless, irritated, etc. In the spiritual life it is often there that our attitude is defective."
"A desire that causes us to lose peace, even if the thing desired is excellent in itself, is not of God. It is necessary to want and desire, but in a free and detached way, in abandoning to God the realization of these desires, as He desires and when He wishes."
Next Section: Patience Towards Others
Prayer:
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for today and help us all to have a good and holy Triduum. Help us to continue to show your love in all that we do. Amen.
Today's Menu
Breakfast: Tortillas with cheese and ham, fruit cup (grapes, grapefruits, oranges)
Lunch: Pepperoni pizza, pears
Dinner: Hodge Podge of leftovers
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