tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54533998068959701032024-03-17T18:32:58.822-07:00Truth, Beauty, and Goodness in the Works..."Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Phil. 4:8Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.comBlogger163125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-752178030898907672023-12-09T17:55:00.000-08:002023-12-09T17:55:09.766-08:00Complete Healing <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_aE_2u0jOcdfTDToVsJl3Lj2XiqTLyjDb1-TAbfP6gtvbgXTspcCIo11jkUaxi0xBXh8rF4dXc6RcKAhv151C0LHD7POCyy8PiswbqjMhglkfhw7tXa7HqgC3T5hMVSEVwyAShgUf-U3AxLLSBbzmeyUkLXL6eFMNve6KBySG75vlYUHWK5GzsEJkbMy/s500/IMG_5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="436" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_aE_2u0jOcdfTDToVsJl3Lj2XiqTLyjDb1-TAbfP6gtvbgXTspcCIo11jkUaxi0xBXh8rF4dXc6RcKAhv151C0LHD7POCyy8PiswbqjMhglkfhw7tXa7HqgC3T5hMVSEVwyAShgUf-U3AxLLSBbzmeyUkLXL6eFMNve6KBySG75vlYUHWK5GzsEJkbMy/s320/IMG_5739.JPG" width="279" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>There is a common trend, of picking a word of phrase for the new year, to inspire you or even tell you what the coming year has in store for you. While I don't give credence to any kind of "sign" as such unless given by God Himself, after listening to a great faith-based podcast called "Abiding Together" at the beginning of this last year, they discussed the idea of praying and asking God to give you a word for the year, so in a quiet place, free of distractions, I did pray this prayer, and was surprised when I heard the words in my heart "complete healing". I thought, ok, that's a nice thought, and quite honestly didn't think much of it. </p><p>For over a decade now, I have followed a winding path of searching for answers to healing, what I have always believed to be, a physical health condition. I have written many posts about it. It has been worse or better to varying degrees depending on the year, month, or day even. I have worked with many doctors, nutritionists, and health professionals, had lab work done multiple times, showing negative results, read many books about it, tried more medications, shots, and supplements than I could possibly list here. I have learned a lot along the way, mostly coming to the conclusion on one side of it, that gut health is paramount to all other health. Refined sugars, processed foods and frequent use of antibiotics will damage your health over time, and keeping your diet and life "clean" of chemicals, dyes, and synthetic fragrances is the easiest way to minimize things like frequent illness, allergies, headaches, skin conditions and other chronic health problems. </p><p>But nothing is a guarantee. I know that. Illness still comes to the healthiest of people. What I started to ponder though over a year ago, was that many times, I would start a new regimen with a doctor or health professional, get better for a time, my skin and gut health issues would clear up, then out of the blue it would all get worse again. </p><p>I am not convinced there is only one type of diet that is right for everyone, except that we all need to eat more fruits and vegetables, healthy forms of protein, and less processed food. Trim, Healthy Mama, of all the ways of eating I have tried, and believe me, I've tried it all, has been the most balanced way I have found, including all parts of the human person, body, soul, and mind. </p><p>And it is this last part that was the final piece for me, the mind. </p><p>Several years ago, they came out with a book after all their cookbooks called "I'm That Girl" about the power of your thoughts, and how your health can be seriously affected by them, for better and for worse. Having listened to their podcast which focused a lot on this theme, I was so excited about the book when it came out. I ordered a copy, and when it came, I promptly opened it, read a page or two, and put it, on my bedside table, where it sat for quite a few months. Ahem.</p><p>In the meantime, one day I started listening to a different health podcast called "The Less Stressed Life" in which the host shared how she had helped many people with gut health, food sensitivities, and chronic eczema. She spoke often about stress being a huge factor to health issues. As I continued to listen to her and her guest speakers, I began to think she might be able to help me. I set up an appointment to speak with her, and sent her the MANY labs, medications and supplements I had been on. </p><p>After listening to me and looking at all the evidence, she said "What do you want me to do for you?" I said "I need to know the missing piece. What's next. Hormones? more labs? what?" She paused, and looked at me thoughtfully and said "I don't think you need to take any more supplements or do any more labs, or spend any more money on your health." </p><p>Um. huh?</p><p>"No one has told you to work on your nervous system. Go learn everything you can about neuroplasticity. and apply it diligently to your life. All your mind and your body has known for years, is that you are a sick person and you react to everything. It doesn't know how to heal. Start telling it- you are well. Focus on de-stressing, and this relaxed breathing method I am going to send you, and you will see a difference in a few weeks."</p><p>I was, to say the least, incredulous. She was about to end the call and I said "Wait, do we do a follow-up? What is the next step?" She said "we don't need a follow-up. If you do what I tell you to you will see a difference. The science is there if you research it." And she ended the meeting. </p><p> So after being dumbfounded for a bit, I began to research neuroplasticity, and started the relaxed breathing nightly, making times for eliminating stress, a priority. There was much scientific evidence for the healing of the body, through the power of the mind. Transforming your thoughts from negative to positive, from dying to living, from sickness, to health. </p><p>The book sitting on my bedside table, that I had been ignoring,"I'm That Girl" was basically all about that, but using God's Word to do it. So my next thought was "well, if I am going to do this neuroplasticity thing, I want to do it with scripture, guess I should finally read that book." It was transformative for me. Each chapter in the book dealt with a different aspect of negative thinking and how to combat it with scripture. I began to see an immediate connection between my negative thinking including anxiety, depression or hopeless thoughts, and my symptoms. On a more stressful day or a day when I would let my thoughts spiral into a negative place, my symptoms would be worse that night and the following day. </p><p>Scriptures I had never noticed before were sticking out to me like a sore thumb. </p><p><i><b>"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Proverbs 18:21</b></i></p><p><i><b>"Let the weak say I am strong." Joel 3:10</b></i></p><p><i><b>"Take every thought captive to obey Christ." 2nd Corinthians 10:5</b></i></p><p><i><b>"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24</b></i></p><p><i><b>"Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Romans 12:2</b></i></p><p><i><b>"As a man thinketh, so is he." Proverbs 23:7</b></i></p><p><i><b>"Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trust in thee." Isaiah 26:3</b></i></p><p>And probably the most important one, which has become my mantra...</p><p><i><b>"I am the Lord, your healer." Exodus 14:26</b></i></p><p>I have put these on memory cards, and keep them on my bedside table, in my car, in my purse. I try to look at them often. I also try to guard my thoughts, and turn them around. Some days I do better than others. Are there still some types of foods and triggers that seem to give me symptoms? Yes. Am I determined I will always have those symptoms? Not anymore. I am still trying to grasp all this, but stress and my thought patterns seem to be the biggest factor to my healing. </p><p>In addition to this new discovery, God has been introducing healing to my soul and to my marriage. My husband and I attended a healing conference through JP II healing center that was phenomenal. We both experienced some deep inner healing, and began going to a counselor that has helped us to heal parts of our relationship that needed healing. To better love each other and ourselves. Yes even after being married for 25 years you have a lot to learn about how to love each other, and your family. I tell you all this because I want you to know that no one is perfect, but God is. and he has a perfect plan for you. He WANTS your healing. He WANTS your family's healing. It's not just a fairytale. It's not a cute Christian idea. And he is absolutely capable. Put all your hopes, your brokenness, and your hurts in his hands. He can handle it. I promise. Not just that, he is waiting to heal you. Be persistent in faith and prayer, and above all, TRUST HIM!</p><p><i><b>"And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be open." Luke 11:9-10</b></i></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-30415137227438992972023-12-09T14:25:00.000-08:002023-12-10T13:15:59.776-08:00Neurodiversity, Brilliance in Color <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoBmZl6eDOvbCjMN6i1Mp8Fk-bK4W7TDhgchGEG9QynWyxJYc_Ta_pu2yy22sOA9GGxK0tsab_g0B0zn1-fFCLVsfNhLEKYoyvVeI8DOrCSNtMQbED1dDB0YJsURHe4lQBlucgfou1a9veyegKmEev74Sniqax0OD4SpN-tGJlzU0OvAEo-VenGSZNcPv/s262/IMG_7186.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="190" data-original-width="262" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoBmZl6eDOvbCjMN6i1Mp8Fk-bK4W7TDhgchGEG9QynWyxJYc_Ta_pu2yy22sOA9GGxK0tsab_g0B0zn1-fFCLVsfNhLEKYoyvVeI8DOrCSNtMQbED1dDB0YJsURHe4lQBlucgfou1a9veyegKmEev74Sniqax0OD4SpN-tGJlzU0OvAEo-VenGSZNcPv/s1600/IMG_7186.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px;">As I read back through all the stories of my young motherhood, the phrase “hindsight is 20/20” comes to mind. Because just in the past few years, a great many things have been brought to light, by the knowledge that my family is predominantly on the spectrum with autism, a beautiful vivid variety of colors. We are as neurodiverse as they come.</span><span style="font-size: 18.3px;"> </span>
</span><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">I was thinking today what a picture would look like of neurodiversity and I looked up and saw a beautiful, still glowing with orange and yellow, autumn tree. And I thought about how one person’s perspective of that tree might be that it is broken, even dying, in the way of giving life. While another person’s perspective is, that it is at its most beautiful and fullest version of itself. Maybe I’m biased as my favorite season is Autumn. But it felt like a revelation. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">There are certain aspects of autism that from outward appearances, can seem unacceptable to society. That make life in general, more challenging on a daily basis than someone who is not, on the spectrum. Processing all things sensory, lights, tastes, sounds, textures, new experiences, new people, large social gatherings, social customs and cues, can all be so overwhelming that it can cause internal (and sometimes external) meltdowns, shutdowns, or just a complete lack of comprehension of that given circumstance. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">The ability to follow multi-step instructions, keep a daily routine, even the simplest one, can seem like an insurmountable task, a mountain of impossibility. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">Autistic people can feel and experience emotions very intensely, this can create a beautiful advantage in relationships, but also present a huge challenge in communication combined with the difficulty in understanding the meaning or intention of another.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">They have a supreme sense of justice. And have difficulty seeing and accepting the grave injustices we have all around us on a daily basis. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">When not distracted by other things, they can be very empathetic, almost to a superlative degree. This also, can be a blessing or a curse. As they may feel a sense of unresolved conflict if someone in their life is upset or unhappy, as if they are going through it themselves. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">They have an amazing ability to consume the knowledge of a particular thing or topic to the point of obsession, memorizing details, and being able to share vast amounts of information on a subject, as well as become highly skilled in a particular area of interest. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">In short, their brains are wired differently. But where I used to see the struggle, I more often see the incredible gifts that accompany it. And how blessed I am to be a part of it. That God decided to give me a significant role n their lives, as I am certain they will all do amazing things, with the gifts God has given them, for His greater glory. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 18.3px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 18.3px; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">And as I can hardly wait for fall each year, to see the vibrant colors on all the trees, I can hardly wait to see what beautiful “colors” my neurodiverse family will bring forth, both now and as they continue to grow into the person God has planned them to be! </span></p><p></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-37709735917788882222021-06-01T20:06:00.005-07:002021-06-01T20:10:32.111-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Pentecost <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EAfTyDoO-Z9b1ssXP9O3FLVVwE9ZQJWU1lckne0WP3Mpg2RCAlblqCe6Z2nER_iWWTpZfHCX1uD-810s5N1U8LAimUQJd-3R7ON1IrDnAU3TfEWUDOzJqe1KJ7tqJs2WiTu6_13Y4mz7/s1080/F71E9725-A949-49FB-AECC-76D1E0FF1EFA.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8EAfTyDoO-Z9b1ssXP9O3FLVVwE9ZQJWU1lckne0WP3Mpg2RCAlblqCe6Z2nER_iWWTpZfHCX1uD-810s5N1U8LAimUQJd-3R7ON1IrDnAU3TfEWUDOzJqe1KJ7tqJs2WiTu6_13Y4mz7/s320/F71E9725-A949-49FB-AECC-76D1E0FF1EFA.png" /></a></p><p></p><p class="chapter-1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i><span class="text Acts-2-1">“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. </span><span class="text Acts-2-2" id="en-RSV-26934">And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. </span><span class="text Acts-2-3" id="en-RSV-26935">And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. </span><span class="text Acts-2-4" id="en-RSV-26936">And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”</span></i></span></p><p class="chapter-1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-align: center;"><span class="text Acts-2-4"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><i>Acts 2:2-4</i></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Sometimes a theological idea, liturgical theme, feast day, or simple teaching, has to “slow cook” in my mind and heart for quite a while. We are all a work in progress, aren’t we? The way I understood the sacrament of marriage, for instance, 23 yrs. ago, when I first said my vows, looks very different than how I understand it now. Because of experiences God has given me, insights, observing other marriages that have been around longer than my own, obstacles we have faced, joys we have experienced. It will look very different to me 20 more years from now for the same reason. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">We celebrated the feast of the Pentecost 2 Sundays ago. I have been thinking about it ever since. It is also the 3rd glorious mystery of the Rosary, right after the Resurrection, and the Ascension. I used to and even still sometimes, be tempted to expect some kind of “experience” on Pentecost. After all, the Holy Spirit is alive and working, is He not? and I am a baptized Christian, a follower of Christ, so couldn’t I experience maybe even just 1 “tongue of fire”? 🤔 </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Don’t mistake me, I have had experiences, with the Holy Spirit. And I have felt His presence strongly, at certain moments of my life. But the day to day work of the Holy Spirit in me, is not usually “consumed with tongues of fire” or emotionally exhilarating ecstasies or visions (sorry to disappoint). </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It is a sloooow, refining, burn. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">It is the gentle but sometimes it hurts a little, stripping of my attachments- be they actual possessions and people, or personal ideals and principles, pride, vanity, and the like. It’s Him shining a flashlight in the dark areas of my heart, one corner at a time and whispering “it’s time for this to go, so you can make more room for me.” It’s the reminder to get back up and try again, say “I’m sorry”, die to self. over and over again, every day, until it slowly, starts to get a little easier. Then, He moves to the next room. 😄 And we begin to clean the house of my soul, little, by little by little. And I try not to look at the things we’ve left behind, and focus on what He places in front of me. </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-25483777846878481452021-05-16T10:22:00.001-07:002021-05-16T10:22:31.019-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Ascension <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImG76ynHO4OBfAxm2o7Yb8vbNY1qkFPGwVb8Ro1Lxcl-7VrvvRMx-NJmA6g8h5vCRZHZPMnGj8_DybuT_HsXpawOquIsape3XmerTwzUXXUFuSlAFX485vk9sE5T1aVyA459gubIP_fRd/s1080/18DCD0C0-BF16-43F2-9C6A-D4F33DEDC1F2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImG76ynHO4OBfAxm2o7Yb8vbNY1qkFPGwVb8Ro1Lxcl-7VrvvRMx-NJmA6g8h5vCRZHZPMnGj8_DybuT_HsXpawOquIsape3XmerTwzUXXUFuSlAFX485vk9sE5T1aVyA459gubIP_fRd/s320/18DCD0C0-BF16-43F2-9C6A-D4F33DEDC1F2.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">The Ascension of the Lord Jesus is the 2nd of the Glorious mysteries of the rosary. We celebrate the feast of the Ascension, today, Sunday. It’s the moment the apostles see their master in all His glory, rising up to heaven to sit on His throne. It’s the great commission, when Jesus calls upon them to go and preach the gospel to every nation, and baptize them into His Church. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When I imagine myself at the moment of the Ascension, I can’t help but think, there may have been mixed feelings. While I would feel joy and complete awe at the sight of my Savior in glory, I might also feel some sadness and a little childlike fear, when my sight of Him is covered by clouds. “What am I going to do without you?!” and “Did we not just get you back Lord? after having grieved so horribly over your death? Where will I find the courage to press forward in your name?” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I was with my mother today. I am blessed to still have her in my life. Some of my friends do not have that privilege. Even when I can be so burdened by the cares of life, anxious about current events and about the future, being with her always gives me hope, joy, and courage to keep on in my vocation. To just keep being faithful. As she has been so many years. to the Lord and to her family. Don’t you know that’s why the Lord left his mother with the apostles and the church? That she must have longed to leave this world with Him more than we can imagine? But she was needed here, to encourage the apostles, console them. Being the first spouse of the Holy Spirit, she needed to be with them when He came to anoint them all with His Holy fire. Being the mother of Christ she was called to the great purpose, of being a mother to us all. She is mother to you now. In the dark, in the unknown, she will gently lead you in the path of light to her Son. When she spoke to St. Juan Diego in 1531, a peasant man from Mexico in Guadalupe, as he was distressed about the health of his dying uncle, she said “Am I not here who am your mother?” and continued with many other comforting words. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">And so, while we still await the Lord’s return, and with all creation groaning (Romans 8:22) for the fulfillment of God’s kingdom and glory, she is still saying “Am I not here? Who am your mother?” There is no one longing for the fulfillment of the kingdom of her Son more than the Blessed Mother. She went through everything with Him; she knows the level of faith required of us right now. Ask her to intercede for you every day, to be faithful, have courage, and never lose hope. Christ is in fact, still coming back. And what a glorious day it will be! </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-57292712646842920322021-04-27T20:28:00.001-07:002021-04-27T20:28:39.401-07:00Great Things <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE71VFAtwL0IjGHg12tl6f1b5IXQwrGUNgQihxPUa18uAERCy5xZ0kJIe6XuOJmU5mhdRbEJAzA9tvun_xCCa5iBS1aUB0chDM_0Rs4-sgREuxbHAwZ965FjffYsQ0quEP0pPCw-HCOiX/s2048/52449E21-D62E-4FB6-B4A7-0D32B09D6C6A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1174" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsE71VFAtwL0IjGHg12tl6f1b5IXQwrGUNgQihxPUa18uAERCy5xZ0kJIe6XuOJmU5mhdRbEJAzA9tvun_xCCa5iBS1aUB0chDM_0Rs4-sgREuxbHAwZ965FjffYsQ0quEP0pPCw-HCOiX/s320/52449E21-D62E-4FB6-B4A7-0D32B09D6C6A.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture I stopped to take on a run today </td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I am in my mid-forties and have had 6 children. I was diagnosed with a hypothyroid a little over 10 yrs. ago. In addition to that, adrenal fatigue, candida overgrowth, and a hyperactive immune system. Some of those conditions are improving, some have disappeared. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">You know what I say to all of that? Whatever🤷🏻♀️. I started running again a few weeks ago. Actually, I started walking. But one day I was walking and I heard in my heart “Run towards Me and hold nothing back!” So I literally started running and kept it up for at least 20 minutes. I don’t plan on doing marathons, yet. But I’ve been running ever since. And on every run, I pray and think, about running towards my Savior, in all areas of my life. Because my coach is Jesus, and he’s not bothered by my age, diagnoses, or what anyone else says I am capable of. Maybe right now it’s running, further down the road it may be something else. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I am not saying there are not legitimate health problems that may immobilize a person, or keep people from doing things in life. But I do believe this. You are as “old” as you believe and tell yourself you are. Your health, your life, every day, is an opportunity laid at your feet. How will you defy what’s “expected” for you? Because God expects and plans great things. Great things. </span></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><br /></span></p><p>
</p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-15784864339555435902021-04-22T12:49:00.003-07:002021-04-22T12:49:41.196-07:00Defer to One Another <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OWdy38uYujf0vxwcfRj-utOz4c3tV-WIGADsEJM_0LOOhB3mJuGo1VV4KgvW4aV9CdXAgdm4avvWB0Zlz8NPUpKl8-tiC0CclGfvME1_SOvnBUl6c-o22CTdsv4u3DcCud4h6YAv0y2s/s1080/83428E07-106C-4AE8-AF58-E9A3F1C170E2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4OWdy38uYujf0vxwcfRj-utOz4c3tV-WIGADsEJM_0LOOhB3mJuGo1VV4KgvW4aV9CdXAgdm4avvWB0Zlz8NPUpKl8-tiC0CclGfvME1_SOvnBUl6c-o22CTdsv4u3DcCud4h6YAv0y2s/s320/83428E07-106C-4AE8-AF58-E9A3F1C170E2.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /> I left the house for a walk after a heated discussion the other day with my beloved 😄,to cool my head, get some fresh sunshine and air, maybe a fresh perspective. At first I was thinking, what was important to me was not being acknowledged, and felt indignant. Then I thought of this verse. I once had a professor in college say, this was an overlying instruction given for both husband and wife. I also had a priest in my life I greatly admired, say that we should be “obedient to all” in a way, as a practice of humility. A way of dying to self. </span><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">This does not apply of course in cases of immoral acts being imposed upon us, or abusive behavior. Just, maybe it’s not our cup of tea. Maybe it’s a little against our will. But wouldn’t hurt us to give in to the other. That’s what I’m talking about. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I then thought of Christ our Lord. And how with what great self-control, because He could have wiped all of them out with a single thought, He submitted to His persecutors, even people He Himself had created at the beginning of time as the Word. I wasn’t even being persecuted, nor have I made anyone without God’s help. Just having a conversation with someone who loved me. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I pondered that quite a bit. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">When Jesus’ true identity was questioned, He did establish who He was... </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">“Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am; and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">(Mark 14:61-62) </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">But He knew what the Father’s will was. And so, He submitted. And it was not an act of weakness, it was actually a show of strength. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">See what we can get confused about, is that humbling yourself before another, especially when it’s hard, is evidence of a great deal of strength and humility. Not weakness. And a tremendous act of real love. Think of Christ, who was God, practicing this to such an extreme. And if we are in fact, his disciples, sons and daughters of the Father, are we not to imitate Him in all things? </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">I pray I can begin, little by little. </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-61438614524596548352021-04-09T20:24:00.001-07:002021-04-09T20:39:54.064-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Resurrection <p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBKUAuouf-vj7RYaGYrRYWF6QQK9fLGDrqihxtfvkITVE7dBUeJ-XHp9NlhgCOkpFlRp64Jd8R2GOsfy1rZbviN6UJ3zhaRJE6sGgDEBHx5TNn8-8tixfrrLJ4u-3yupn3KYhwYK3ked1/s1080/BE85FA12-64F5-44A5-B6C2-A2F84666E9AD.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBKUAuouf-vj7RYaGYrRYWF6QQK9fLGDrqihxtfvkITVE7dBUeJ-XHp9NlhgCOkpFlRp64Jd8R2GOsfy1rZbviN6UJ3zhaRJE6sGgDEBHx5TNn8-8tixfrrLJ4u-3yupn3KYhwYK3ked1/s320/BE85FA12-64F5-44A5-B6C2-A2F84666E9AD.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luke 24:38-39<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Easter! In the Catholic Church we celebrate Easter for longer than just 1 day. There are 8 days in what is called the octave of Easter, and then the Easter “season” lasts until Pentecost Sunday, May 23rd. So I still get to say, Happy Easter! </span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: justify;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption">
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Resurrection of Jesus is the first in 5 mysteries of the Glorious mysteries of the rosary. The story of the Resurrection to some, appears to be a fairytale. I think we have honestly been jaded by so much cynicism and hard life experiences, that it is nearly impossible for us to believe in real miracles. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Resurrection reminds me, we have a God of the impossible, and He enjoys surprising us when things look bleak and as dark as can be. One of my favorite passages surrounding the resurrection is when Jesus appeared to the disciples in Jerusalem. They were afraid and thought He was a ghost. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Luke 24:38-42) </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span>“Then He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.’ And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. </span></span><span>While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?”’</span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First of all, they were incredulous (still couldn’t believe it) for joy. I love that phrase! That is where God wants us to be in our lives. And He intends to take us there. Not the unbelieving part, but so blown away by His power, we are incredulous for joy. 2nd of all, I love that Our Lord’s last resort after appearing to them and still dealing with unbelief, is to eat food in front of them! He is literally trying every possible way to say to them “I’m real! I’m here! I’m alive!” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And He’s saying that to you now. Meet your savior, maybe for the first time, at the Resurrection, go to the tomb with Mary Magdalene, kneel before Him and dump all the impossibilities of your life out at His feet. Tell Him “I’m ready to see your power in my life.” Ask Mary his mother, to take your hand and lead you in that step of faith, to her glorious Son. That His miraculous grace, will flood your life. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more meditations on the mysteries of the rosary, click on the link in my bio/fb page and go to the menu tab “Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary” at the top. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span>May the hope of the Resurrection fill your heart</span><span>! </span></span></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-28307723785875183522021-04-03T08:32:00.002-07:002021-04-03T08:32:37.719-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Crucifixion <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS603SXn-v4vcjhZenY91FSf2FysbryrKLi47aAiH6B9tF2-HWkm5TwRGTv-UTqt_Xosej9ksam1mawup26kuViCeJqqfhOhWkfnAaMqLnPipN90u7a2Ue5LZCdg0_ixGsU6Ll8wOe7ba/s2048/6695F6E4-DDF3-4AF8-B093-31C174C28765.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS603SXn-v4vcjhZenY91FSf2FysbryrKLi47aAiH6B9tF2-HWkm5TwRGTv-UTqt_Xosej9ksam1mawup26kuViCeJqqfhOhWkfnAaMqLnPipN90u7a2Ue5LZCdg0_ixGsU6Ll8wOe7ba/s320/6695F6E4-DDF3-4AF8-B093-31C174C28765.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH3U75AAnE3iUdVYTtDKgKKlOf5GgOTd1JqRlcqxULDV3o6jQVn5_h40VRdAzebULCuq1o6UHcmPv32PMrT2ClJnnmKaNuRsr6s9h_Fx-R61vSH9J3o0P-vSQGvEWFXBr4L22r0YiLLoy/s1080/93053AFD-B942-4C80-A84E-3C1065AAE4A6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Isaiah 53:4" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsH3U75AAnE3iUdVYTtDKgKKlOf5GgOTd1JqRlcqxULDV3o6jQVn5_h40VRdAzebULCuq1o6UHcmPv32PMrT2ClJnnmKaNuRsr6s9h_Fx-R61vSH9J3o0P-vSQGvEWFXBr4L22r0YiLLoy/w320-h320/93053AFD-B942-4C80-A84E-3C1065AAE4A6.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaiah 53:4 </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The 5th Sorrowful mystery of the rosary, is the Crucifixion. There is one reason Christ Jesus is on the cross. Perfect love. You may be tempted to look at a crucifix and only feel guilt. Or horror that the human race is capable of such a thing. But consider, He had the power to end it at any moment, and to destroy those inflicting pain upon Himself, but love kept Him there. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All consuming love that He could not contain, and the desire to save our soul so He could be with us, overcame all fear, sorrow, exhaustion, and pain He was enduring. But not only for Himself. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is what has me in awe. He took on all of OUR fear, exhaustion, sorrow and pain. He took on the worst of what life had to give us and wanted to experience it, for love of us. When you look up at the cross and see His arms outstretched, see them extended to you in desperate love. When you see them overextended, see how much He has in His hands. All your suffering in this life, He says to you “I have taken it upon myself. Come and rest in my love.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If we were to ask our Lady, what she saw on His face and in His eyes when she gazed up at Him hanging there on the cross, herself desperate for His relief, desperate even to take some of His suffering upon herself (as all mothers do when watching their child suffer) she would say “All I saw was love. Uncontrollable, unrelenting love, for you.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And so I stand at the foot of the cross with Mary His mother, Mary Magdalene and John, and as I pray this decade, I gaze up at the face of love. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He is in the tomb today friends, but Easter is coming. God bless you. </span></span></p></div><p><br /> </p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-22591000124737463932021-03-31T08:59:00.001-07:002021-03-31T08:59:27.483-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Carrying of the Cross <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DQDzLp9_I44ZTVSnq7H11C2duCqFrpFWxqDM3GOMklmmRJ7poQ55mYmTjN3xovH-VtGPoxBj9W6esiUjDbTIsjsIwQdF6AD6QaR3qoFSPADqBc2KNftetLmX47moAemUCpiAKo4R0WRy/s1080/82D5A880-BA56-4DD7-BD43-424AA36059EF.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DQDzLp9_I44ZTVSnq7H11C2duCqFrpFWxqDM3GOMklmmRJ7poQ55mYmTjN3xovH-VtGPoxBj9W6esiUjDbTIsjsIwQdF6AD6QaR3qoFSPADqBc2KNftetLmX47moAemUCpiAKo4R0WRy/s320/82D5A880-BA56-4DD7-BD43-424AA36059EF.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Matthew 11:28-30)</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God speaks to me most often through what is true, beautiful. and good. Classical art in particular, can leave such a deep impression in my soul. This is a close-up of the painting “Christ and the Cyrenian” by Titian, an artist from the late 15th, 16th centuries, and is what I most often remember when meditating on the 4th Sorrowful mystery of the rosary, the Carrying of the Cross. It conveys to me, the strength of my Savior to suffer, for love of me. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQbLlQS5meUwIHPEJmF3ZucjvxzgCMI1YmDbWfcESSZsHv7r5wl5xUj4CDY6pKbHonPBRl3pLEoLsbwmiYXK3qok8sUkBcDN7L2_7ZMFfW4x48BJK8EPS4CtNNxGxWUZiN2dIjTcdn8Ox/s1658/CD810057-5BA2-4704-9B7F-A740089FC0D8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1658" data-original-width="1259" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQbLlQS5meUwIHPEJmF3ZucjvxzgCMI1YmDbWfcESSZsHv7r5wl5xUj4CDY6pKbHonPBRl3pLEoLsbwmiYXK3qok8sUkBcDN7L2_7ZMFfW4x48BJK8EPS4CtNNxGxWUZiN2dIjTcdn8Ox/s320/CD810057-5BA2-4704-9B7F-A740089FC0D8.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And He is not looking at us, with such a determined look as to procure feelings of guilt, but rather to say “Whatever it is, whatever heavy burdens you are carrying, I carried them. And I am here now, to carry them with you. I am here in the middle of your mess. In the blood, sweat, and tears, I am holding up this cross for you. I will continue to hold it but we must go together, on this way of the Cross, to get through to Easter. Your Easter is coming, my beloved. See the strength of my cross. And be not afraid of your own. For I am here with you.”</span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I then think of what tremendous faith Mary herself had to have, to see her beloved son, suffer so horribly, walk the way of the cross with Him, all the while having to hope, that somehow, God would make things right. I ask for the same faith. For the same grace to believe when the cross seems too heavy, and the grace to lean on Him when I want to give up. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For more meditations on the mysteries of the rosary and a brief explanation of the rosary, look on the page I created in the menu bar above “Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary”. God bless you. </p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-55200173900607669352021-03-28T11:26:00.000-07:002021-03-28T11:26:08.378-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Crowning of Thorns <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0hZx2yrktiiWNm7BIrcLnE84fNZ6A68cRYQnuWtcjnkOscH2JbTfE8x3SZLigDKiY7jokRHQm9m0K9HPFVFF9maT9tS1fun0Sz8lEGyu5F0n38FM7Sgq5N-oZBSejYVuw37LJ4B4F8L8/s1080/F9AC461C-D116-4972-B491-235372043AC2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0hZx2yrktiiWNm7BIrcLnE84fNZ6A68cRYQnuWtcjnkOscH2JbTfE8x3SZLigDKiY7jokRHQm9m0K9HPFVFF9maT9tS1fun0Sz8lEGyu5F0n38FM7Sgq5N-oZBSejYVuw37LJ4B4F8L8/s320/F9AC461C-D116-4972-B491-235372043AC2.png" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">The third sorrowful mystery of the rosary, the Crowning of Thorns, has me simply, on my knees. With Mary,</span> together before Him, I watch as her Son, deserving of all honor and glory and adoration, is mocked in the very essence of who He is, Lord and King. With great humility snd self control, He receives it all, out of love for us, the spitting, jeers, blows, and piercing thorns in His sacred head. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I kneel before Him and as I watch, I say, “I’m sorry Lord! for all the times you have not been king in all areas of my life. I’m sorry also Lord, for the many times your name is taken in vain, for the many times things that are holy pertaining to you, and your sacrifice for us, are made light of, or not reverenced as deserved.” I make reparation for these, because I am in fact, my brother’s keeper, and I ask forgiveness for those that do not. I worship and adore Him and ask Him for even an inkling of the level of humility He has in this beautiful act of love. King Jesus, may your name be praised, today and forever. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more simple meditations on the mysteries of the rosary, and a brief introduction to the rosary, please check out the tab titled “Meditations on the mysteries of the Rosary” in the menu bar. A very blessed Palm Sunday to you all! </span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-2998350749693831592021-03-26T16:06:00.000-07:002023-12-02T18:39:01.747-08:00Fighting the enemy.. <p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> If you want to stay young, have a baby in your forties. If I did not have this little fireball, I would be sitting on the couch likely way too often. 2nd is this. A priest in my life, who has passed on, but heavily influenced my thinking, once said “Let the little ones teach you.“ He also told me every encounter with my family, was an encounter with God. He meant (by little ones) not only the poor and humble people you encounter, but children as well. And while my children will tell you I am not perfect at this, I try to listen to them. </span><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nz7vckK88FNiHMTmlb0x2IVRAPBHvQ4ICbr9_gvvt3C79k89GcmLEe47kOPLs7j23aYBg9b0D6mwY6YMrJoJh_0WFyYg0ohUpnrB8tU5mph63YxpYoyG90Ddbqe3SPSZq7VtoOleDYCrvz55oDKY6kGjB_Y0Hoi8yGKffz-vTxu1imXj4zYDtS8iUaOk/s1408/IMG_7148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1408" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nz7vckK88FNiHMTmlb0x2IVRAPBHvQ4ICbr9_gvvt3C79k89GcmLEe47kOPLs7j23aYBg9b0D6mwY6YMrJoJh_0WFyYg0ohUpnrB8tU5mph63YxpYoyG90Ddbqe3SPSZq7VtoOleDYCrvz55oDKY6kGjB_Y0Hoi8yGKffz-vTxu1imXj4zYDtS8iUaOk/s320/IMG_7148.jpg" width="188" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today as we played on the trampoline together waiting to pick up siblings, he said “Mommy we are going to play a game called ‘fight the gummies’” Though he tried to explain the rules several times, what was clear to me was, I was not allowed to stand still. So I thought, ok, as long as I am moving I can fake it. But no, this too, was not enough. He said “mom you have to FIGHT the gummies!” I said “but I am just going to run away from them?!” And he said “No, mom. You can’t just run away. You have to fight them.”<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, being a person that believes everything happens for a reason, that God wants to teach us something at every opportunity, even in the littlest simple things, I thought, isn’t that what many of us need to hear right now? I know I do. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You can’t just run away from the enemy, you have to fight. Not with your own strength. That will get you no where, but with the strength that comes from Almighty God. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speak the truth boldly. Live the gospel loudly. Fight the enemy even when you want to run. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s the message God spoke to me through my 4 yr. old today. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Matt-18-3" id="en-RSV-23728" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%;">“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. </span><span class="text Matt-18-4" id="en-RSV-23729" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%;">Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.“</span></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span class="text Matt-18-4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span class="text Matt-18-4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Matthew 18:3-6 </span></span></span></p></div>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-26595433461653828212021-03-23T09:23:00.005-07:002021-03-23T09:23:41.266-07:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Scourging at the Pillar <p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69G00gDdLtO_MB3pUNnFc9qKuWX6ZZu6vZK0f5FUqyZ157CCrsu1aO_Rizl6GLYUhQM1P5uG8pLZzBPz0z3vChZxaSrt9xG1dhCP22X1RvmqCqtG-vEeeYeUkURTdJIQX8HeJusQTTCGo/s1080/FE4CA9AA-0EF2-4C1D-B9F6-E45F4204F05E.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69G00gDdLtO_MB3pUNnFc9qKuWX6ZZu6vZK0f5FUqyZ157CCrsu1aO_Rizl6GLYUhQM1P5uG8pLZzBPz0z3vChZxaSrt9xG1dhCP22X1RvmqCqtG-vEeeYeUkURTdJIQX8HeJusQTTCGo/s320/FE4CA9AA-0EF2-4C1D-B9F6-E45F4204F05E.png" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaiah 53:5</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Confession. I used to really struggle with meditating on the 2nd Sorrowful Mystery of the rosary, The Scourging at the Pillar. When I was able to understand, how excruciatingly painful this experience was for Him, coupled with my growing love for Him, I couldn’t bear the thought of so much suffering, and ultimately, at my hands, due to my own sin. And so every time I would go to meditate, I would prepare myself to feel dreadfully horrible for all the pain I had been responsible for, inflicted on my precious savior. Now I know, this is not what Jesus desires. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A priest in my life once said, “As I was gazing at the cross feeling so sad, the Lord said to me, why are you not happy? Be happy to see me on the cross. Because I did this out of so much love for you.” </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And so I think, with each lash the Lord suffered in the scourging, He was saying “I love you Virginia.” over, and over, and over again. And each time I remember and meditate on what He suffered, praying the prayers of the rosary I’m saying “Thank you Jesus!” And “I love you!” over and over again. It’s just a small token to offer, but I know He receives it with joy. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s so difficult to ponder, He doesn’t need us, but He thirsts for us. He is desperate for us. The magnitude of His love, can be seen most poignantly, in His passion, in the Sorrowful mysteries. It is His love story, with each of us. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For more brief meditations on the mysteries of the rosary, including a brief explanation of the rosary at the beginning, click on “meditations on the mysteries of the rosary” in the menu bar. God bless you. </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-47855934704109990562021-03-02T16:53:00.000-08:002021-03-02T16:53:23.431-08:00Why We are Here<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0KSf6dr4rYe4MtFuMXzfoYzSI7ahlGRjI70Vbn9RILFeRQi_pYe_A2sA4ETvpocbQjAh0vO2_by-dB_zIIAYuY2HOoPEUg_zkt82TCHmKVVBZHRw8MD41W2KF2Yy9FZMcjqPbtCvZ4X0/s1080/262B961A-4BC3-4098-92E5-DF6809DB88F5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0KSf6dr4rYe4MtFuMXzfoYzSI7ahlGRjI70Vbn9RILFeRQi_pYe_A2sA4ETvpocbQjAh0vO2_by-dB_zIIAYuY2HOoPEUg_zkt82TCHmKVVBZHRw8MD41W2KF2Yy9FZMcjqPbtCvZ4X0/s320/262B961A-4BC3-4098-92E5-DF6809DB88F5.png" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;">This is the first statement of the first paragraph in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The rest of it is as follows: </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“...For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.”</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is such a beautiful way, to give a clear picture of who God is, and why we are here. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In an age where reason and facts take precedent, and even sometimes, a self-centered drive for happiness, some of us may be tempted to read that and think “Really? That’s all? That’s why I was made and why I’m here? Because God is perfect and good and wanted to share that with me?” It seems too good to be true. At least to me. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then my second thought is, if He is truly perfect, good and blessed in himself, why deal with such inferior imperfect beings such as us? (Sorry, but true) I will continue to wrestle with that for the rest of my life. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But I think the answer is, simply, he can’t help himself. It’s who he is. He is love. And real love, gives, without thinking of self. The extent to which he goes to love us though, is also baffling to me. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“His blessed life” that I get to partake in, includes delving deeper and deeper into this infinite abyss of love, for the rest of my life, and after I die, for all eternity. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So think on that. You were created in love, by LOVE, and for love. and that love is a person. and He created you, wanting a chance to love you and bless you SO badly, not only in this life, but for all eternity, that he was even willing to become one of us and suffer and die. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If everything else is falling apart in your life right now, this truth should give a peace, satisfaction, and joy no one can take away from you. Today, or ever</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">. </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-34999913860837067272021-02-28T07:17:00.002-08:002021-02-28T07:17:29.979-08:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Agony in the Garden <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZF8LBJ832n6vcVecuVRJw7U3r2raL1xrQAdeX1hn5Ng1LxHGO0ds4qSkJNKcypqWGuLC4EJziF8htYVQqEkmVrDdILwvoTPATbz0sgcbMTaToMjTwDHWIuuMMYwwKdXE9u1I5Uv_GNWn/s1080/FEE9F37B-30D5-4AEF-BDA9-E9E59D1D959A.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZF8LBJ832n6vcVecuVRJw7U3r2raL1xrQAdeX1hn5Ng1LxHGO0ds4qSkJNKcypqWGuLC4EJziF8htYVQqEkmVrDdILwvoTPATbz0sgcbMTaToMjTwDHWIuuMMYwwKdXE9u1I5Uv_GNWn/s320/FEE9F37B-30D5-4AEF-BDA9-E9E59D1D959A.png" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-size: 14px;">After having meditated on all the different mysteries of the rosary throughout my life, the Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and Luminous, while each have their own merit, the Sorrowful Mysteries have been the most comforting to me. Not because I love to be sad, or love to dwell on trials and sufferings, but because they make me feel closest to my Savior.</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Sorrowful mysteries of the rosary include: The Agony in the Garden (my focus today) the Scourging at the Pillar, The Crowning of Thorns, The Carrying of the Cross, and the Crucifixion. I can see how much He loves me when I meditate on His sufferings. I know by them that He’s been through the very worst version of whatever hard thing I’m going through or will go through, and offers the strength of His nail-scarred hands to take me through them. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Luke 22:41-46</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground. When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meditating on this agony He suffered, I see an opportunity to love my Savior as I imagine myself kneeling next to Him in the garden, thanking Him for what He’s about to do for me, telling Him I’m sorry for my sins, laying my head on His shoulder. I consider the humility it took for Him, as the creator of all things, to accept comfort from an angel, to allow Himself to be weak for my sake. I think of all the souls that have and will reject Him regardless of His sacrifice, and I beg for the grace to never do so myself, no matter the cost. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;">For more meditations on the mysteries of the rosary and a brief explanation of how it’s prayed, I created a page for them in the menu up above. Have a look. 😊 and God bless you. </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-35908564164822549182021-01-28T11:49:00.001-08:002021-01-28T11:49:16.119-08:00Speak Words of Life <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV11wsKnja17BF6SjtpWZFgpvro-IAYpHH6QhOwFHFnlZOP9tpssAJd48YEGW90vjAjY2-goJ6NtQ2e-_nyCp5Xp8y3-rJPLijn5X5zDpliU1lzR5ABsB2AEiRYrFXcFpQizYQ6FwavBwj/s1080/3E392C1B-E9A3-4C33-85A0-44CEDC79DD05.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV11wsKnja17BF6SjtpWZFgpvro-IAYpHH6QhOwFHFnlZOP9tpssAJd48YEGW90vjAjY2-goJ6NtQ2e-_nyCp5Xp8y3-rJPLijn5X5zDpliU1lzR5ABsB2AEiRYrFXcFpQizYQ6FwavBwj/s320/3E392C1B-E9A3-4C33-85A0-44CEDC79DD05.png" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> <span style="font-size: 21px;">Speak life. Into your marriage.</span><span style="font-size: 21px;"> Into</span><span style="font-size: 21px;"> the lives of your children. Into your own journey. Into your health. Into your future.</span><span style="font-size: 21px;"> </span></span><p></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you label your health? Your life? Your marriage? Your children? Your career? with negativet things? For example: </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“My family has a history of health problems (weight, fatigue, diabetes, thyroid, mental health, etc.), that’s just a part of my life.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“My marriage is never going to get better. My spouse will never change.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This child has always had a hard time with___ (fill in the blank) and probably always will.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Bad things just happen to me, that’s just my lot in life.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“My future is looking pretty grim.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I am a failure as a ____(mom, dad, student, whatever your career is, as a human being) </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I am just not like (that other person) and not able to do the things they do.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you say things like this? In your head? Before you go to bed? When you wake up? When you make a mistake or your family members do? </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">STOP TODAY. Make a decision to purge negative thinking from your life. It is draining, life-sucking poison. For you, for your physical and spiritual health, and for the well being of your loved ones. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who is your God?! Is He not all-powerful and ever faithful? Do you (and those you love) not belong to Him? </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every time a negative thought comes into your mind, replace it with the opposite. Start training your brain to think and speak life. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Write down all the blessing and good you want to see in your life. And read and speak it several times a day. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some things I have written down include: I am healthy and strong. My body is healing itself. Because I am giving it the tools to do so. I have the grace and energy to raise 6 kids. My marriage is getting better every day and will continue to grow. My kids are going to thrive. I am a beautiful daughter of God. </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Friends, speak healing and life! Speak it to yourself, your spouse and your kids! </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat it’s fruits.” Proverbs 18:21</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Set a guard over my mouth O Lord! Keep watch over the door of my lips!” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 141:3</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings rhealing.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Proverbs 12:18</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail. the words that I have spoken to you are Spirit and life.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">John 6:63</span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16.1px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"></span><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for peace not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” </span></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: no-common-ligatures;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeremiah 29:11 </span></span></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-37155847584986914862021-01-10T11:16:00.002-08:002021-01-10T11:16:43.260-08:00Love Hunger and Healing <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb2cNT4iXABU3XjV69Wej3n_C4nsIMvYkea9dfhJY1Nhk8rl1pVK_L6J0WSNiELkxfc6wT43BDDPOX9ireTBqZ5k1icSkZ-kBKt84jsT3noHFzCOirMwQUnphJWMShvFH41k-dDBoI7Zp/s1440/8806623D-E198-4526-9F7A-52B48A4345FA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwb2cNT4iXABU3XjV69Wej3n_C4nsIMvYkea9dfhJY1Nhk8rl1pVK_L6J0WSNiELkxfc6wT43BDDPOX9ireTBqZ5k1icSkZ-kBKt84jsT3noHFzCOirMwQUnphJWMShvFH41k-dDBoI7Zp/w200-h200/8806623D-E198-4526-9F7A-52B48A4345FA.jpeg" width="200" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsJfvHPEQ1Vdqh2YPel4XAAjg6FtJZIR0fG9xx_vbngyqfdiFwhKQa4lwHsHILzAeX-2ZlE2fAAQCbtfo50W7Xpb8uK6DcIsGb11qRTfJTjSIkOAdBdvgdAcnAiOU9fmkaNWAs7Dnx5Qj/s1440/77E2171C-819B-40B7-8D7C-E55A9CD914D5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsJfvHPEQ1Vdqh2YPel4XAAjg6FtJZIR0fG9xx_vbngyqfdiFwhKQa4lwHsHILzAeX-2ZlE2fAAQCbtfo50W7Xpb8uK6DcIsGb11qRTfJTjSIkOAdBdvgdAcnAiOU9fmkaNWAs7Dnx5Qj/w200-h200/77E2171C-819B-40B7-8D7C-E55A9CD914D5.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Recently, I had a moment where I sat down to a meal, and stopped in the middle of it, overcome with gratitude to God, for celery. But I never would have pictured myself 30, 20, even 15 yrs. ago, ever feeling that way. </div><div><br /></div><div>I want to talk about food, my evolving relationship with it, and how God is healing me from the inside out, through it. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a child I developed an addiction to sugar, partly going to it for comfort, and partly as I learned later in life, due to an unhealthy gut balance. When I say sugar, I don’t just mean the white granulated stuff, I also mean starches, breads, cereals, and of course sweets. </div><div><br /></div><div>As a pre-teen/teen I began to develop food allergies (though I had eczema and asthma before this) and GI issues, as well as staph infections. This is the physical health part of my story. Sugar in combination with multiple doses of antibiotics and steroids was wrecking my gut health and immune system. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the spiritual side, I remember reading a book called “Love Hunger” by Frank Minirth. God opened up my eyes and heart to see, that sometimes I was going to food for affirmation and comfort, instead of Him, either as a fun “party” friend, or to help me reach that goal of perfection that the world around me seemed to hold up as standard, and I always felt I was falling short of. I have been on ALL the diets. The worst was a 4 day fast on nothing but beet juice. I still hate the taste of beets. 🤢</div><div><br /></div><div>I would like to say I turned the corner at this point. But that book did plant a seed in me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to motherhood, my first pregnancy I can remember treating myself to cookies every afternoon, because after all, I was eating for 2. I believe after the birth of my 2nd baby, having borderline gestational diabetes myself, and her blood sugar not being stable right at birth, I tried to cut out sweets with my 3rd child. She was at least, smaller at birth, and I gained less. </div><div><br /></div><div>I quickly returned to old habits though and after the birth of my 5th baby, playtime was over. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had to take an antibiotic due to a UTI, and multiple sensitivities, food and other, became impossible to live with. I had GI symptoms and rashes/hives constantly, and could rarely leave the house. My first diagnosis, proposed by a naturopath but later confirmed by a doctor, was candida overgrowth. Candida feeds on sugar and thrives in an unhealthy gut. There were many other issues discovered further on, but all related to my gut health, ultimately. </div><div><br /></div><div>I had no choice but to start eliminating foods. I was forced to eat healthier than I had ever considered. This was full on “tough love” from my Heavenly Father, as I look back on it. Because I now had immediate painful consequences to every abusive choice I had made with food, and even some healthy foods I was deprived of now. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the same time though, before it got really bad, I saw that food was an obstacle to my relationship with God. And I began asking Him to change my heart, and remove anything keeping me from Him. </div><div><br /></div><div>So guess what? I became allergic to everything. Food became my enemy. It no longer gave me joy, it gave me great suffering. </div><div><br /></div><div>I can remember a pivotal experience. It was Thanksgiving. My favorite meal of the year. And I couldn’t eat anything I enjoyed previously. But in my heart a spontaneous prayer rose up, a healing moment only possible by God’s grace, and I said “YOU are my banquet, my God. You are the delight of my heart.” And I was happy and satisfied, in Him alone. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’m not going to tell you, I have always felt that way when I had to watch others eat things I couldn’t. But it was the beginning of a new freedom in my way of thinking.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another lesson He began to teach me, was the serious responsibility I had to the temple He had given me, my body. I not only was accountable for the stewardship of this gift, but accountable because my family, my future grandchildren maybe, need my presence in their life. My full, healthy presence. Not taking care of my health was not only irresponsible but even selfish. </div><div><br /></div><div>After everything was stripped, all food, except for a few things to survive, He had to teach me from scratch, by reintroducing me to food again, in a way that was nourishing, balanced, and healing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I could go into great detail about all the cleanses, supplements, and treatments I have tried. But would rather dwell here, on what I have learned thus far, because I am still on this journey of healing- body, mind, heart, soul. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve learned that every meal counts, towards healing my health, or destroying it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve learned that all the things God has created for food, *can* be good for me, in moderate amounts, and preferably, in their pure forms. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve learned my limits and “near occasions of sin” which is a catholic phrase regarding avoiding moral temptations, but for anyone </div><div>trying to avoid any forms of destructive behavior, can be understood as, know your triggers. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve learned that no magic number on the scale, approval from others, or even a nice big tasty brownie, will make you feel loved. Only God and your confidence in His love for you, can fulfill that need. This is honestly, the most important lesson I have learned, and central to all the others. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve learned that sugar is addictive. The more you eat the more you want. It sets you up for cravings, then crashes, and repeat. I’ve learned (thanks to Trim Healthy Mama) that keeping your blood sugar under control is everything. It’s also taught me self-control and given me a new perspective on trusting in God for the freedom to eat to live, and even enjoy it while doing it, but NOT live to eat, a slave to cravings, and destructive behavior. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have become more and more dependent on my loving Father ultimately to satisfy a hunger that goes way deeper than an empty belly. </div><div><br /></div><div>Recently, thanks to a special doctor helping me and being able to implement some gut healing in my diet, I have been able to add back foods, slowly. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I said at the beginning of this post, I sat down to a meal I have had countless times, once just eggs, then able to add turkey, then peppers, and most recently added, celery. </div><div><br /></div><div>There was a time when I never would have imagined getting excited about celery, much less it’s nutritional benefits to me, endowed by my Creator, but I started eating and I had a moment. I tasted celery, really tasted it, for the first time. It’s distinct flavor and texture added so much to my previously repetitive meal.</div><div><br /></div><div> I was overwhelmed with gratitude. and I seriously stopped to thank God, for celery. </div><div><br /></div><div>It took a long and arduous road to get to that point. I still have more to go. But I am grateful now, for every step of the way. Even if I wouldn’t have chosen it. We never think to choose the hard path. But it’s where growth happens. </div>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-70442601462875901622021-01-06T21:51:00.001-08:002021-01-06T21:51:32.914-08:00Stayed on You <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-earTYCiOCOCk0WABM6iVBwYVIMFigpCPX3w-LwRhjp1kwje3nT9F1G04LaDHfW53XgGSA44BpNq-M-Bh9um-DtOlzsigMkDesiFoiirYFaBH-YjYIbsfAOI-RNAXnR6hhJ7IwS-b1J1/s769/24855287-114A-4C9A-998E-FE3E4EA04F9F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="769" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-earTYCiOCOCk0WABM6iVBwYVIMFigpCPX3w-LwRhjp1kwje3nT9F1G04LaDHfW53XgGSA44BpNq-M-Bh9um-DtOlzsigMkDesiFoiirYFaBH-YjYIbsfAOI-RNAXnR6hhJ7IwS-b1J1/s320/24855287-114A-4C9A-998E-FE3E4EA04F9F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Sometimes the Lord sends me a message through a song, then through scripture, then repeats it in a life experience, and so on until it dawns on me, “Maybe you are trying to tell me something?” 🤔<p></p><p>The song was “Stayed on You” (by Eben) while listening to some praise and worship music during personal prayer time. The refrain was: </p><p>“I will keep my mind stayed on you</p><p>All I want to do is to worship you</p><p>For you are great and greatly to be praised</p><p>You alone are God...”</p><p>The refrain “stayed” with me for days. For the past several nights since recovering from the more acute symptoms of this insipid virus, I have been experiencing insomnia. Not a usual thing for me. It’s been pretty intense too. My brain is wired sometimes with anxious thoughts, or just thinking through my day ahead, and it can’t seem to shut down. I mean, until 2:30 or 3 a.m. No matter what aids and methods to prepare myself for sleep. No matter. So I researched it. </p><p>Apparently it’s a common after-affect. The virus affects people neurologically somehow in addition to other commonly known symptoms and many people have experienced acute insomnia even after seemingly getting over it. </p><p>So last night, rather than allow my anxiety to build and build, no end in sight, I thought of that song. And I remembered a priest that greatly influenced my spiritual life before he passed away, teaching us (fellow disciples) a method of praying, repeating the name of Jesus in a simple phrase over and over such as “Jesus I trust in you.” Or the one he had learned based on what God had done in his life was “My Jesus I trust in your mercy and love.” He had developed such a habit, that he was saying it out loud in his sleep, like breathing it in and out. And I thought “this is one simple way, to keep my mind “stayed on you.” And I began praying “My Jesus I love you I give you my heart.” Because it is what came to me when he taught us this method, over and over. Gradually, peace came to my mind. I probably prayed this way for over an hour. And eventually, I was asleep. </p><p>Then today I thought, I bet there’s a scripture about “keeping my mind stayed on you” and there it was, in Isaiah. </p><p>Isaiah 26:3 “You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” </p><p>“Because he trusts in you” I thought to myself. And today the Bible in a Year podcast I am following with Fr. Mike Schmitz from Ascension Press, was about Abraham trusting the Lord, and Job, trusting the Lord. Especially, when it’s really hard to. </p><p>Being at peace is really simple. It’s shutting out the noise around us, no matter how intense, and keeping our mind stayed on Him. Because He’s trustworthy. </p><p><br /></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-28957146974859951202021-01-03T12:29:00.000-08:002021-01-03T12:29:04.753-08:00Face Down <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ5UIt1wTaItf2aVRKw_XCy7Xshz7hLJqF487bjzAKR-6GJB0Tqdb3__q6B1HUzfnIH-f27iNmGM2C9ONro90C_KCYeSw2c0SLb0oi_cBs9tx8Y-4Vxk8NXsXffaqgM-qAh7H3x6K-UQ0/s2048/141FBBAC-C113-4C95-9323-7C8803D7D4C0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZ5UIt1wTaItf2aVRKw_XCy7Xshz7hLJqF487bjzAKR-6GJB0Tqdb3__q6B1HUzfnIH-f27iNmGM2C9ONro90C_KCYeSw2c0SLb0oi_cBs9tx8Y-4Vxk8NXsXffaqgM-qAh7H3x6K-UQ0/s320/141FBBAC-C113-4C95-9323-7C8803D7D4C0.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I noticed this wiseman toppled over a few days ago and chuckled to myself thinking “that’s about how I’m rolling into 2021, falling into it.” But then I looked at it again later and saw it differently. He’s on his face. In complete surrender and adoration to his king. And he’s the only one! I left him that way. Here’s hoping all of us can surrender everything to Him this year, seeking Him like the Magi, adoring Him, and trusting Him completely, no matter what anyone else is doing around us. Happy feast of the Epiphany! ✨</p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-70450414104238203672020-12-30T08:58:00.001-08:002020-12-30T08:58:28.876-08:00Our Life Goal <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE93OifKHDTCB7rezD4szOVaWfsDb6LY5Pv8heqJteGdK75agWf6xXIP8Uqvk2H0arGWW6dqC260d8W1h7f81O5F6M_EC9aAPMeULZ1spEVU9vepUhy-DaenCcuhaXpVhyE_Ini1K5AKhs/s761/570BB61E-794B-4A04-9826-BEC11C2B046C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="761" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE93OifKHDTCB7rezD4szOVaWfsDb6LY5Pv8heqJteGdK75agWf6xXIP8Uqvk2H0arGWW6dqC260d8W1h7f81O5F6M_EC9aAPMeULZ1spEVU9vepUhy-DaenCcuhaXpVhyE_Ini1K5AKhs/s320/570BB61E-794B-4A04-9826-BEC11C2B046C.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have some “life goals” you are working towards? Maybe it’s a milestone in your career, earning a certain degree, getting to a point to where you are independent, able to support yourself even be with that “special” someone. Maybe you just want to be healthier, so you can live longer, and be there for your loved ones, feel more confident in yourself. Maybe there’s some dream home or car or life you want to have, and you are working towards financially being able to afford it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Simeon, a man “righteous and devout” encountered by the Holy Family while coming to the temple for the Presentation of Jesus, had a life long goal, to see the Messiah- the one promised to his people as the savior. It says that he was “awaiting the consolation of Israel” and that God told him to go to the temple when Jesus would be there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What he says upon holding the Christ-child and seeing him finally, blows me away. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He says, ““Lord, now let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">my own eyes have seen the salvation</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">which you prepared in the sight of every people, a light to reveal you to the nations,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and the glory of your people Israel.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In other words, “I am ready to die now. My life’s goal has been met. I’ve seen the savior.” </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I read this today, I thought, but wait, all he did, was see and hold baby Jesus. He didn’t even get to see the miracles He would do, or witness Him dying on the cross for our sins, or ask Him for anything. He simply saw Jesus, and was utterly and completely satisfied with his life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then it hit me. Simeon is a man with his priorities in order. He spent his whole life looking for, seeking after the Savior, and when he finally saw Him, said, that’s it. There is no other goal in my life. I have seen Him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My friends, life goals, they are good things, especially if they are leading us to become better people. I would even say the Holy Spirit inspires us with those goals, as God wants us to be the very best version of ourselves, but if “seeing” Jesus for the first time, isn’t our first life goal, and our ultimate and final life goal, what are we even doing? What is the purpose of anything, if He is not our end? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As you make your new Year’s resolutions, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to “see” Jesus maybe for the first time. Move towards Him. The time is now. Maybe it’s going back to church, maybe it’s daily prayer, daily scripture reading, giving up things that are separating you from an intimate relationship with Him. Ask God to show you what steps you need to take towards Him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><p><br /> </p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-32980928047802737022020-12-20T21:32:00.001-08:002020-12-20T21:32:49.912-08:00When God is speaking to you, are you listening? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNAln6D22brE4GnML35PRU4qOrzxZ40KFAt1L7fxi4xANtm7e1nj4FO7XXRqLvrrH9BDELDUaau-jYOGjbjD9l-901vUv-4QHZldwK54O-LLyMgfKGhHH4khkUm0O8_DSZRO-QxW59XLd/s758/81A3F433-E5F3-4F2C-ADF2-922FABCE07CC.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="758" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNAln6D22brE4GnML35PRU4qOrzxZ40KFAt1L7fxi4xANtm7e1nj4FO7XXRqLvrrH9BDELDUaau-jYOGjbjD9l-901vUv-4QHZldwK54O-LLyMgfKGhHH4khkUm0O8_DSZRO-QxW59XLd/s320/81A3F433-E5F3-4F2C-ADF2-922FABCE07CC.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>A few days ago I was listening to Nigerian worship music (a favorite music genre), during some quiet, personal praise and worship time. A song came on (Idinma by Eben, a Nigerian gospel musician) I was unfamiliar with it, but as it played, it brought me to tears and I was overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. I texted a Nigerian priest, a close friend of mine (I often ask him the meaning of words I don’t know). I said “Father! Is this Igbo? What do these words mean?! ‘Chineke Idinma’ This song has brought me to tears and I don’t even know why!” </p><p>He replied “It is Igbo and it means, God you are good. God the Creator you’re awesome!”</p><p>So beautiful! </p><p>Soon after I was scrolling Instagram, and this picture shows up. posted from @reformedbychrist , Notice a theme yet? </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TxSFNbDOlFe2C6Jrzl82S2mCfw5vr2lm8stpvep10Y7_aYty-jx8EehKrYwcBr8DbyBBc9mKaUx01OOctZwvG4LiMEHEuw-WocuoZ0eY71WiCFUlQDPAiZh468C9e1mcaBTBeBmwuZAQ/s911/4263E470-6B93-4854-ABA9-DC433D0FB7AA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TxSFNbDOlFe2C6Jrzl82S2mCfw5vr2lm8stpvep10Y7_aYty-jx8EehKrYwcBr8DbyBBc9mKaUx01OOctZwvG4LiMEHEuw-WocuoZ0eY71WiCFUlQDPAiZh468C9e1mcaBTBeBmwuZAQ/s320/4263E470-6B93-4854-ABA9-DC433D0FB7AA.jpeg" /></a></p><p>Then I went to practice the psalm response for Sunday as I was cantoring, and guess what it was? </p><p>“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.”</p><p>(Psalm 89) </p><p>At the same time, within our household, a crisis had occurred. My oldest daughter who is a senior and a very devoted student, has a job as well. She works just about every day and has been saving up for a car. Her paycheck of hard earned money, got misplaced, and after having looked everywhere, she had despaired of finding it. As I sat in her room trying to comfort her, I heard the Lord say in my heart, “tell her it will be found, and that she only need ask me.” </p><p>So I told her, and we both went to bed. </p><p>In the morning, she said “Mom, do you think I should go back to work and look again?” </p><p>I said “YES.” </p><p>She returned with a big smile on her face, and, you guessed it, found the check. </p><p>If you don’t think God is real. If you don’t think He can speak to you. You may just not be paying attention. He will speak to you through experiences, people, even while scrolling on your phone. He is not bound by anything. </p><p>Clearly He wanted to communicate to me this weekend, His goodness. What is He trying to say to you? </p><p><br /></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-46724162409102327372020-12-09T13:12:00.000-08:002020-12-09T13:12:58.286-08:00Juicing Lemons <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSuNEABY73WlGXjm0kAtZbUr18Cq_Kizh2m5A08HS7WNATYDdfgNFEu5hhtXGf0Bt03IXM7OzUwGksZ7qCb8iImGTEtK4WsQ3p5I8QL8UCs0wm0iDYUzkCyvMRn4pZ17zK3qPgZvlosml/s1440/A922D449-D29C-4B4C-A5EC-2EF0B99912DC.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSuNEABY73WlGXjm0kAtZbUr18Cq_Kizh2m5A08HS7WNATYDdfgNFEu5hhtXGf0Bt03IXM7OzUwGksZ7qCb8iImGTEtK4WsQ3p5I8QL8UCs0wm0iDYUzkCyvMRn4pZ17zK3qPgZvlosml/s320/A922D449-D29C-4B4C-A5EC-2EF0B99912DC.jpeg" /></a></div><p> I’m calling this, “the Lemon Post”. Because for the past 2 days all I have heard from that still small voice in my heart is “write the lemon post”. 🍋😅</p><p>This is the list of foods I can eat without my mouth breaking out, gastrointestinal distress or rashes and inflammation all over...turkey, eggs, goat butter, ghee, olive oil, monk fruit and stevia, a few spices like salt, pepper, paprika, sage, basil, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, pecans, lemons and lemon juice, celery, broccoli and cauliflower, asparagus, lettuce, bell peppers, tomato, cocoa powder, unsweetened chocolate, vanilla, cherries, apples, baking soda. </p><p>Since starting immunotherapy through an out of town doctor in Charleston I have worked with in the past back in July, 7 of those things I was able to add to an already very restrictive diet, after going through some very thorough allergy testing. Progress so far is that, chronic staph infections have ceased, and I no longer have daily routine intense reactions every morning as before, only when I try to add back a new food. </p><p>Now to the lemons. Lemon juice is something I use frequently to make dressings and sauces, since I still have so few things to choose from. I was trying to use store bought (even organic) lemon juice but was reacting to it and after some research realized there is probably something added to it not listed. As companies are not required to list everything. Plus did you know citric acid, a common preservative in most foods, is made from a black mold on corn being fed sugar which then produces the desired product? Yep. Do your research. </p><p>As I started juicing fresh lemons recently I have a great electric juicer that produces juice pretty quickly and efficiently. As I began to juice lemons for myself the other day one of the parts to the juicer was missing. I looked for it for a good 20 minutes. I was annoyed at first as, being a big family, everyone pitches in putting stuff away, and sometimes if someone doesn’t know what it is, a part gets thrown in a random place. </p><p>I could have let my day get ruined. Here I am pitiful me, juicing my lemons, and someone is responsible for making my life even harder. Realizing I was going to have to juice them by hand because I needed it now, I began. And while grumbling in my heart, I heard “Can you offer up this hard thing right now? For someone? Can you do this for me my child?” And I began to think of all the intentions I pour out to God every day, and I began to pour myself into that task with each name, each intention, in my mind. And you know what? It was a lot better than grumbling and being resentful. And I am confident God heard and saw, and poured out His Grace. </p><p>What frustrating experience can you turn into a moment of sacrifice, a powerful prayer, an opportunity for grace? It’s simply a flip of your thoughts in the right direction. God can do great things with your tiny offerings. He wastes nothing, and can multiply anything.</p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-30187841261165340062020-12-05T09:37:00.002-08:002020-12-05T09:37:56.235-08:00Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary: The Last Supper<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTFeQzxFtGNAn_ZrYeP8sT1Va3_RasucCvL_DfoZaS_5mdlcvjl0vNz0YnQ2YTEkRiV4ZZ4WUPxfFu3p8_PbdroJ9g0q8uf-h3TCygC2H4RAdvSOC38R_giudLp1vBYYH145fPOAFAcym/s1080/A2FCE2E4-9F4A-4D26-BA80-E334B9D66AC5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTFeQzxFtGNAn_ZrYeP8sT1Va3_RasucCvL_DfoZaS_5mdlcvjl0vNz0YnQ2YTEkRiV4ZZ4WUPxfFu3p8_PbdroJ9g0q8uf-h3TCygC2H4RAdvSOC38R_giudLp1vBYYH145fPOAFAcym/s320/A2FCE2E4-9F4A-4D26-BA80-E334B9D66AC5.png" /></a></p><p> I’ve thought many times about how I would write a simple mediation on the 5th Luminous (full of light) Mystery of the Rosary, which is the Institution of the Eucharist/The Last Supper. When the catechism calls it the “source and summit of the Christian Life” (CCC 1324) the thought of simplifying it into a short meditation seems impossible and even ridiculous. </p><p>But the idea that the God of the Universe, perfect in all His ways, and more beautiful than any perfect vision of beauty ever witnessed wants to dwell inside of us and even become a piece of bread to be consumed is also, a bit ridiculous. I mean. He is the great I Am. And we, are specks of dust. In comparison. But what I believe it boils down to is this. </p><p>He wants to dine, with us. </p><p>And He can’t wait until the final wedding banquet prepared for us in heaven. </p><p>He is not even satisfied with sitting closest at the table. </p><p>He wants to BE the banquet. </p><p>“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever, and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh...” (John6:51) and “Truly truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” (John 6:53-55)</p><p>This is why disciples began to question Him in John 6:60 and then walk away in John 6:66. Because who can fathom so desperate a love, that someone would choose to become food, for the beloved? </p><p>That is what He did though. And as He introduced this Sacrament for the first time at the Last Supper, He said “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you..” </p><p>That is my friends, the bottom line. He earnestly desires, us. So much so He humbled himself to become a little host, a piece of bread, not only to be consumed but to remain in that state, in every tabernacle of the world, until the end of time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-37049426943810646892020-11-29T21:51:00.000-08:002020-11-29T21:51:11.172-08:00Extravagant Gift<p>I have never been good at receiving gifts. Especially generous ones. I like to be the giver. And receiving something in my mind I haven’t “earned” is often difficult for me. We have been through some hard things as a family recently, some I have talked about here, my health issues for instance. Some I have not. </p><p>We just recently lost one of our cars in an accident (no one was hurt, but the person responsible left the scene). We were down to 2 cars and 4 drivers, while aiming to gain another driver next summer, but decided to just make it work for now. My parents decided though, to go and do something crazy, and give me a new car. My husband searched high and low for what he thought would be the perfect choice for me, a hybrid 8 passenger Toyota Highlander, and after they all agreed, they surprised me with it on my birthday. To say I was overwhelmed, humbled and completely shocked would be an understatement. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZco4u684sp5caQYWed2wsICWXDrlLdbostTS_6pF8sBAhuR7BPEmQhvt7Hx9zlJ7peei4lPF1cnyp2KpqQM5boIfn8NBAQ0T7bONIwlM4A3m8bFxxAzgmZzvXhMLII6l9wAfdyvIrfAa/s2048/9E92542A-2C28-4002-8AE7-8BC93E03A1C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZco4u684sp5caQYWed2wsICWXDrlLdbostTS_6pF8sBAhuR7BPEmQhvt7Hx9zlJ7peei4lPF1cnyp2KpqQM5boIfn8NBAQ0T7bONIwlM4A3m8bFxxAzgmZzvXhMLII6l9wAfdyvIrfAa/s320/9E92542A-2C28-4002-8AE7-8BC93E03A1C2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I was telling a friend about it today. She asked me about the color. I said, it looks black but in the sun there are sparkles of dark blue. She said “Oh! It’s like, Our Lady in the Dark!” I almost cried. (Our Lady, Mary, has been associated throughout the history of the church with the color blue)</p><p>I started thinking about all the “darkness” we have felt as a culture this past year, and then personally as a family. As we begin Advent and wait for the Light of the World, but are still sitting in darkness, who is our companion waiting with us, holding our hand, encouraging us to have hope and not despair? I am throwing out a new name, Our Lady in the Dark. This afternoon, My 18 yr. old daughter, gave this to me as a belated birthday present. Having not been privy to any of these thoughts. Just. Wow. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIg36liBUf60xLEezRInPm0nyVFWVUHFBGtkKyM-k3bbhUVTa-zVvSDHK0leLtTlJqkoYAH6GYAezdRU0HdFHnMaabPiOmeTJD8LVdIgQDgQtd_BGqG19UnuE2qegOYisjVTamAIAVkgN/s1440/8210468C-A3D1-47A2-9E97-7ABBF8FC6B8D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFIg36liBUf60xLEezRInPm0nyVFWVUHFBGtkKyM-k3bbhUVTa-zVvSDHK0leLtTlJqkoYAH6GYAezdRU0HdFHnMaabPiOmeTJD8LVdIgQDgQtd_BGqG19UnuE2qegOYisjVTamAIAVkgN/s320/8210468C-A3D1-47A2-9E97-7ABBF8FC6B8D.jpeg" /></a></div><p> I also started thinking about the season we are approaching. How salvation is an unmerited gift. And we can either embrace it and accept it with joy, seeing the extravagant love of God the Father for us, or ignore it, even reject it. </p><p>I received an extravagant gift. And I see God the Father’s love for me all over it. but we all received an extravagant gift. wrapped in swaddling clothes. And as we prepare this Advent season to rejoice in that gift, Mary is whispering in the dark “hold on, something good is coming, something amazing, just wait and hope in God.” </p><p>And that’s how me telling you about my birthday present, turned into a post about Advent, Our Lady, and Christ our Savior all wrapped up in one. 🤷🏻♀️</p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-90490632274313954142020-11-25T19:04:00.002-08:002020-11-25T19:04:29.238-08:00Grateful in the Now <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWJc3JDggwTpxuZkFZo8-usNkTw2P-aJk_4nHmGygGlKg7leVGczYzFA1wl-PCpOgNzL0_qasNuIGS5esxedk-3K87U22f8yDEheS5Y174yjcdBXZNYZ7bGQRquO0pGwdCbpb8i4nlc0w/s1080/D3258202-3DC0-49E1-A2D2-FA47986827B9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWJc3JDggwTpxuZkFZo8-usNkTw2P-aJk_4nHmGygGlKg7leVGczYzFA1wl-PCpOgNzL0_qasNuIGS5esxedk-3K87U22f8yDEheS5Y174yjcdBXZNYZ7bGQRquO0pGwdCbpb8i4nlc0w/s320/D3258202-3DC0-49E1-A2D2-FA47986827B9.jpeg" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was praying the other day briefly, alone. Sometimes I self-evaluate. I go over what I’ve done or not done. I am a goal-oriented person. Accomplishing tasks or long term goals gives me a sense of satisfaction. </p><p>This is a wonderful quality when it keeps me motivated and energized. It’s not great however, when I decide I am not accomplishing what I had hoped to that day, or by a certain time period. </p><p>Here is the conclusion I came to while sitting before our Lord in His Eucharistic presence. </p><p>Goals and dreams can be good to have, but sometimes they can suck the happiness out of your life. Sometimes you miss the good in front of you, because you’re dwelling on the good you wish you had. </p><p>That’s not to say that the good thing, that goal, isn’t something you should aspire to, but maybe God has given you something right now to do, and if you skip it, your dreams may be a disappointment, or may have been fulfilled if you would just pour yourself into “the now”. I think about my children, for example. The now for them, is mostly their education, growing in the mind and the heart. They have dreams that won’t just show up without the hard work that is necessary in their present circumstances. </p><p>I was looking at beautiful art. And during prayer I had the thought, I wish I had the time to invest in creating beautiful things. And I heard “but what if you *are* creating beautiful things right now, in working on your relationships- your relationship with God, your family, your friendships, in trying to be a good example, in giving and loving? And what if the time spent on that will only enhance the dreams you have for the future, when the time is right?” </p><p>And to be fair. I do have some time. But never what I in my mind, think I need, to make it worth the while. We all look at other things, not our life, and think “I wish I had____ or I wish I could do____”. It’s part of our fallen human nature. </p><p>But let’s not let the things we dream of, and aspire to, suck the joy out of our present, and steal the good God has before us. Because He has a purpose for everything. And He can see what you cannot see, the things you need to learn and go through before that next milestone. </p><p>God is a good God and loves to give us good things. He is also a giver of hopes and dreams. He IS the God of Hope. Look at what’s in front of you, and ask Him to show you “what’s the good you have for me right now?” -while He’s preparing good things for your future as well, and you trust Him to. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5453399806895970103.post-72328809363546888682020-11-09T19:30:00.000-08:002020-11-09T19:30:09.972-08:00Even the Darkness is Not Dark to You <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ3GcN5YM0q5JCGVZcpty5CurYQZCf6WyEyB-uS6Gl5fsQBOqzvQet5uw-XznV98V3Tv2FW_s66l7_hWinGnyYVIgg6Jq6Onuh4CHm3ngrptm2FaeM3A-U2LK_rSsv7VwTGssDmNMv3AB/s1080/A4ED83C2-A942-46E1-890F-52C8797A12E9.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZ3GcN5YM0q5JCGVZcpty5CurYQZCf6WyEyB-uS6Gl5fsQBOqzvQet5uw-XznV98V3Tv2FW_s66l7_hWinGnyYVIgg6Jq6Onuh4CHm3ngrptm2FaeM3A-U2LK_rSsv7VwTGssDmNMv3AB/s320/A4ED83C2-A942-46E1-890F-52C8797A12E9.png" /></a></div><br /> “If I say, let only darkness cover me, and the light about me be night, even the darkness is not dark to you. The night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” <div>Psalm 139:11-12</div><div><br /></div><div>A priest suggested Psalm 139 to me to meditate on after confession yesterday, and though I have read it many times, even memorized it as a teen, I saw this in a new light today. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Even the darkness is not dark to you.”</div><div><br /></div><div>I began to think about the darkest of darks. For many people it’s deep depression. Others, an addiction. An abusive relationship. Maybe paralyzing anxiety. The death of a loved one. Many of us feel a growing darkness around us, of immorality and truly evil activity. We feel overwhelmed and sometimes hopeless. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then I thought about, being in a dark room. At first you can’t see anything, but when your eyes adjust, you see there is in fact, still light. </div><div><br /></div><div>And I thought of an experience I would wish to forget, when I was truly in the dark, in a pitch black cave in a small space (I was already feeling claustrophobic and then the tour guide decided to eliminate all light sources). I began to panic but my husband reached out to squeeze my hand, and I found I could endure it, a little longer. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Even the darkness is not dark to you.” </div><div><br /></div><div>“The night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.” </div><div><br /></div><div>I was overwhelmed with a peace, a confidence that my God, cannot be held back, by anything. He will always find me, He will always be there. In the darkest of dark places. </div><div><br /></div><div>And He is always going to be there with you. He is there, in your darkness. He wants to be there, holding your hand, saying, “Be not afraid! I am with you!” You may not see Him, but quiet your heart. Call out to Him. Your darkness is as light to Him. Because He IS the light. Any darkness, your darkness cannot overcome Him. But He can overcome yours. </div><p></p>Cathmom2sixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02708397672619213519noreply@blogger.com0