tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27642876878181242262024-03-18T00:53:36.062-05:00Becoming Women of Peacebecomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-12670903332048977392023-10-05T10:22:00.001-05:002023-10-05T22:35:04.679-05:00RATTLED<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are those times when we feel rattled, when there seems to be an endless list of things to do, when we do not know how it's all going to come together, when things seem almost impossible, when the weariness sets in, when the anxiety tries to creep back into the heart. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">When the mind doubts that it can all be done, but then the grace of God sweeps in and I find myself sitting at your feet. I cry out to you and I say, "Lord here I am--my rattled self. Take me as I am."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSMBdRpCzSFi84cxPwCjr0EGdSP6Hhtr4Jo-UgYJKtvBEDpUNiPYZDHPtzDym_WagGooc5rfIP-gW5qXfPUniwUX4TJNoC1DwhF2VW8W9qJOdWKTmX0Ujh46v62BWpmi_FJkJBm6gQnJHP05WCGHcvaumK4eiyDC-xNXHSpIv4Yft8kHlDSTfr4oMObiBA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="509" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSMBdRpCzSFi84cxPwCjr0EGdSP6Hhtr4Jo-UgYJKtvBEDpUNiPYZDHPtzDym_WagGooc5rfIP-gW5qXfPUniwUX4TJNoC1DwhF2VW8W9qJOdWKTmX0Ujh46v62BWpmi_FJkJBm6gQnJHP05WCGHcvaumK4eiyDC-xNXHSpIv4Yft8kHlDSTfr4oMObiBA=w430-h366" width="430" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know you love and accept me; help me to accept myself, help me to take a deep breath, and to know that everything will get done in the power of your spirit, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">with your overflowing grace, with your faithful love that flows like a river when I open up and say, " FIAT!" </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Come, Lord Jesus, I need you!'</span></p>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-23285330132605054382023-07-01T15:06:00.002-05:002023-07-03T12:56:41.280-05:00Simple Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was admiring the stately and brilliant zinnias in our flower garden yesterday morning when a monarch butterfly came and posed for a photo. This simple blessing surely came from above. Over eleven years ago when my precious sister, Linda, passed away we released monarch butterflies in her honor after her Funeral Mass. You can imagine any time now that I see a monarch butterfly I sense her nearness.<br />
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What simple blessings do you experience each day as you gaze at the beauty of the earth--the sun, the moon and the stars above, or the flowers, the trees and birds of the air?<br />
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<br />becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-8282304419237726712023-07-01T14:53:00.000-05:002023-07-01T14:53:13.688-05:00A New Creation One morning my husband and I were reading part of a letter from St. Paul to the Colossians, found in the New Testament of the Bible. It was actually the First Reading in Liturgy of the Hours. I know--too much information. Let me get to the point...As I read I was a struck by the great message contained in this Word. The title of the excerpt was <i>Life </i><i>of </i><i>a New Man.</i> Isn't that what we long to be--a new and better creation?--a better version of ourselves as author, Matthew Kelly, would say.<br />
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I'll just list some of the things Paul says to the Colossians and let's imagine he's speaking to us. He starts out with strong commands about what to stop doing.<i style="text-align: center;">"Put to death whatever in your nature is rooted in earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and that lust that is idolatry."</i><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">Col 3: 5 </span>How's that for nailing it right off the bat? In other words, absolutely get rid of any of that. Either we put it to death or it puts us to death.<div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span> </span>"Put this aside now: all the anger and quick temper, the malice, the insults, the foul language...and stop lying to one another."</i> Col 3: 8-9 <span style="text-align: left;">So we need to renounce anger, renounce lies and other destructive behaviors that we might engage in and pray for the grace to act maturely, that is, to exercise self-control with the words that come out of our mouths and to have the courage to speak with honesty. When we simply begin to choose and practice these virtues it gets easier and easier to live as mature people who then get into the flow of being the creative people we are meant to be.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span> </span>As St. Paul continues speaking he softens and instructs the Colossians to do these things: <i>"Clothe yourselves with heartfelt mercy, with kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another, forgive whatever grievances you have against one another. Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you." </i>Col 3: 12-13 <span style="text-align: left;">In order to bear the fruit of those five virtues of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, we need to become </span><span style="text-align: left;">aware of who we might need to forgive and have the willingness to forgive them, even when we may </span><span style="text-align: left;">not feel </span><span style="text-align: left;">like it. We choose to take the higher road. We keep in mind we are setting ourselves free </span><span style="text-align: left;">when we forgive others and more wonderful things can happen when blocks, like unforgiveness, are </span><span style="text-align: left;">removed from within us. </span></div>
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And then my favorite part of St. Paul's admonition--<i style="text-align: center;">"Over all these virtues put on love. Christ's peace must reign in your hearts.</i><span style="text-align: center;">" Colossians 3: 14-15 </span>There is truly nothing more powerful than love. Love transcends everything. It can speak all the languages of the universe. It can powerfully impact the hearts of everyone. We seek to be love in this world. And peace reigns in our hearts when we choose this path of life.<br />
<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> Finally, Paul says...<i style="text-align: center;">"Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness. Let the word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. In wisdom made perfect instruct and admonish one another. Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and inspired songs." </i><span style="text-align: center;">Col 3: 15-16 T</span><span>hanksgiving needs to </span><span>be every day. Dedicate means to commit. We commit ourself to be a thankful person. When we </span><span>remember to give thanks daily for all the gifts we take for granted--for breath, for life, for the people </span><span>we love, for a place to live and food to eat, for the basics and all the extra surprises that happen </span><span>unexpectedly, we enter into a more heavenly place on earth. Thanksgiving is a gateway into the </span><span>presence of the Father Almighty.</span></div></div><div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span> </span>Imagine someone who is dressed in filthy garments. You are watching as they remove those dirty clothes and they say, "I don't need these anymore because there is something much better laying right here for me." When Paul spoke of "put to death" and "put this aside", it's getting rid of the filth that has turned us into selfish and, oftentimes, violent people. And now you can see them picking up clean, beautiful, royal-like garments and redressing themselves. They are choosing to clothe themselves with the beautiful virtues. Then they see a gorgeous velvet robe laying there too and put it over all the new clothes--that's the LOVE robe.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> And so I humbly pray+</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-style: italic;"> </i> <i> Lord Jesus, we desire to live as new creations, as new women and new men. Put to death, by the power of your Holy Spirit, whatever may be "rooted in earth" within us. Give us an increase of virtue to replace all that we need to put aside. Especially bless our mouths and all that comes from them. We command the stronghold of a lying spirit to leave us and ask for the spirit of truth to reign in our lives. </i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span> </span>Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with the same heartfelt compassion that Jesus had as he walked the earth. We long for the river of grace to flow through us. We will that all unforgiveness be gone toward those we have hardened our hearts against. Set us free, Lord, to forgive as you have forgiven. We surrender to love. Fill us with more of your Holy Spirit who is the love between you and the Father. We surrender to peace. Touch our minds that we may be transformed with good, holy, and pure thoughts that increase the peace within our hearts. </i></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i> We thank you, Lord Jesus, for everything--for breathe, life, for each new day, for grace to be transformed, and power to turn from all that is not good, for your Holy Spirit that fills us, and your word that dwells richly within us. Increase our wisdom so we may help one another to find the right path that leads to eternal life. And finally, put a song of grateful joy ever in our mouths as we honor and praise you for all you have done for us. Amen.</i></div>
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<br /></div></div>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-43653986604505635482023-07-01T14:48:00.000-05:002023-07-01T14:48:28.496-05:00Resist Discouragement<span style="font-size: x-large;">S</span>ometimes do you feel like numerous thoughts or emotions have collided within you and are beginning to weigh you down? Like maybe you're missing a loved one, someone said something that bothered you, you're not sure what next step to take, someone doesn't seem interested in your project, someone didn't reply after you asked them to get back with you, or you've lost some connections with people. And all these kinds of thoughts are making you feel sad or even depressed? These are simply a few examples of some very real instances that could mount up in our minds.<br />
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Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Don't go too far in that thinking. Right here and now you need to resist the temptation to think things are going wrong. Get a grip on your emotions. Talk to them. Tell the negative emotions to get out.<br />
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Say, "Sadness, you have no place here. Go! Getty up. Good-bye!"A most powerful way to rid ourselves of negative spirits is to say, "In the name of Jesus, I renounce ______(whatever it is). Ask it to go directly and immediately to the foot of the cross.<br />
<br />Then go immediately to thankfulness. Surely some things are going right. Speak 'em out! Thank you for the sunshine, for the rain, for the person that was kind, for my friend...whatever you are thankful for that day.<div><br /></div><div>We must develop good habits to stand firm against the temptations of the evil one who comes to rob, steal and destroy our peace. The victory is ours but we must exercise our authority as a child of God. <br />
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<br /></div>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-51440757761637943772023-07-01T14:43:00.000-05:002023-07-01T14:43:47.188-05:00True Peace<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">My dear brothers and sisters,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444;">W</span>ho wants true peace? Or maybe the better question is, who doesn't want true peace? Our pastor preached a good homily at church sharing from Psalm 23 where the true definition of peace can be found. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">“The Lord is my shepherd there is nothing I lack. </span></i><i><span style="color: #444444;">In green pastures you let me graze; to safe waters you lead me;...”</span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></i><span style="text-align: center;">Ps 23: 1-2</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></div>
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Not only does the Lord give us true peace, but also an everlasting fullness of measure.</div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><i>“You set a table before me as my enemies watch;</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444;">I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.” </span></i><span style="text-align: center;">Psalm 23: 5-6</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: center;">The Lord guides, protects, provides and nourishes forever! </span>Christ Jesus is our peace.<span style="color: white;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span><span style="caret-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Cambria; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><i style="font-family: cambria; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;">"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been <b>brought near </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;">in the blood of Christ. <b>For he is our peace</b>, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, <u>thereby bringing the hostility to an end. </u>And <b>he came and preached peace </b>to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." </span><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: cambria; text-align: center;">Ephesians 2: 13-18</span></div>
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We read in Ephesians how <b>Christ is our peace.</b> He broke down walls of division, especially "divisions within our own heart," said our Pastor.<br />
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Have you thought about that before? It's pretty powerful to reflect on. If He broke down these dividing walls within us and among us, why are we allowing them to remain?<br />
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We were encouraged that Sunday to first examine our own hearts and "let God’s love permeate every aspect of our lives." We were exhorted to heal any division within our hearts in order to find peace and to allow our faith to permeate every aspect of our being as well.</div>
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I don't know about you, but for me, this teaching brings me to another point of surrender, of throwing my arms up to my Heavenly Papa and praying, <i>Come, Lord. Jesus. I am yours. Help me. Take me. Mold me into your likeness. I give you my heart. Heal its divisions. Make me whole so I may serve you better and love </i><i>my brothers and sisters in this world with</i><i> deeper compassion.</i></div>
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becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-2546060298154242022022-08-15T18:40:00.003-05:002024-01-06T12:34:56.327-06:00CAN YOU HEAR?<span style="background-color: white; color: #365f91; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 96px;">C</span>an you<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> hear me calling your name</span><br /><div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">inviting you to a freedom you have never known before? </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Do you sense my hand holding yours </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">and my presence ever before you? </span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">All this time I've been whispering sweet nothings in your ears, </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">telling you of my great love for you, </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">reassuring you that all is well. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">I long to give you a greater disposition of trust, </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">a deeper surrender to my power, </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">a fuller openness to what I'm doing and will do in your life, </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">and understanding of who I am inviting you to become.</span></div><div><div> <span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, .SFNSText-Regular, sans-serif" style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"></span>
</div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyF5wxYeZNJU3Ty2atYVZzHvd6hcTPZo0tm4OkEiCAt0UUTViI0F3AUrv858BNKlOoZGc2Tdojd8oVey9_tfpoxab2X7Y21-DU1v6m6hTkjV4E_HgbcVIlbaeekoorkD025K5SV_w8uZh/s1600/abstract-979682__340.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="476" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyF5wxYeZNJU3Ty2atYVZzHvd6hcTPZo0tm4OkEiCAt0UUTViI0F3AUrv858BNKlOoZGc2Tdojd8oVey9_tfpoxab2X7Y21-DU1v6m6hTkjV4E_HgbcVIlbaeekoorkD025K5SV_w8uZh/s320/abstract-979682__340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></blockquote></blockquote><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Shalom</span></div><div><br /></div><div>
<br /></div></div></div>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-18251104875271447442022-03-08T10:47:00.000-06:002022-03-08T10:47:04.112-06:00HONEY THAT FLOWS<div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My little children, your hearts are small, but prayer stretches them and makes them capable of loving God. Through <g class="gr_ gr_2427 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="2427" id="2427">prayer</g> we receive a foretaste of Heaven and something of paradise comes down upon us. Prayer never leaves us without sweetness. It is honey that flows into the souls and makes all things sweet. When we pray properly, sorrows disappear like snow before the sun. St. John Vianney</span></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql oi732d6d ik7dh3pa ht8s03o8 jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v b1v8xokw oo9gr5id" color="var(--primary-text)" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 0.9375rem; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ0iR_YDiB7C2ux0Sh2DxizlPmFLF29resrKbnFznT_3PoWT4-LWzryHIW8hYlaSRhbtJBQXybG2aKkyGFP5-vuWbQBKI7DbUZBq5aiVZSXkPb_vUlHHyvGOEDV8YRiAuj_ORu82ERRiMuJ-Is-XLoIZlB-3tpQZDKE2N3XNcDi6hfs9-FDZSwQN2Y9g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJ0iR_YDiB7C2ux0Sh2DxizlPmFLF29resrKbnFznT_3PoWT4-LWzryHIW8hYlaSRhbtJBQXybG2aKkyGFP5-vuWbQBKI7DbUZBq5aiVZSXkPb_vUlHHyvGOEDV8YRiAuj_ORu82ERRiMuJ-Is-XLoIZlB-3tpQZDKE2N3XNcDi6hfs9-FDZSwQN2Y9g=w624-h415" width="624" /></a></div></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the middle of the night, I felt an invitation to arise from my slumber and pray. I said, "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. You have the words of eternal life." What I discerned him saying was, "Things are serious, very serious. The world is in a precarious way. You must intercede as never before. Pray, pray, pray. Pray with urgency. Pray with faith. Pray with joy. Pray with sorrow. Pray at all times."</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes, Lord. I hear you. Give us the grace to respond wholeheartedly to your plea for prayer. Help us to make that priority first in our lives. Give us perseverance by the power of your spirit to pray at all times. Like St. Paul exhorted the Ephesians: "<i>Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints..." </i>give us an increase of perseverance. Eph 6:18</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: georgia;">As I googled the word "perseverance"</span><b style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: georgia;"> </b><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: georgia;">I learned it "is a strength within the virtue category of courage" and that "c</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: georgia;">ourage describes strengths that help you exercise your will and face adversity." The Greek meaning of the word is to accomplish thoroughly, patient enduring, steadfastness, to abide in, and bearing against. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: georgia;">The Hebrew meaning is to exert oneself. </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 36); color: #202124; font-family: georgia;">All of those definitions are food for meditation, especially as we consider the state of our world and the Lord's invitation to pray, pray, pray as never before.</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We want to respond, we want to obey, and we need you, Lord, to work this grace deeply within our souls. In the powerful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!</span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="bi6gxh9e" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; margin-bottom: 8px;"><br /></div>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-86936475500289765622021-12-19T14:40:00.001-06:002022-01-02T16:37:59.209-06:00Led By The SpiritMy husband and I serve in ministry at our city's jail.<br />
<br />One Friday after a chapel service I was led into a women's pod. Usually, I have a reason to enter a pod. Oftentimes during the week, women make a kiosk request for bibles, rosaries, holy cards, daily meditations, etc. and we deliver those items to them. But this particular day, I had nothing to deliver. I was simply led by the Spirit to enter through the heavy steel doors into this pod (F 17) where some of the women live. Inside the large pods are the cells where they sleep.<br />
<br />As I crossed over the threshold of the second set of heavy steel doors, the guard at the front desk said to me, "I am happy to see you!" Such a warm hospitable remark, I thought. We don't always encounter that kind of hospitality inside the pods. I told this female guard who radiated a beautiful smile that I had nothing to deliver but just wanted to come inside and see how things were going. She asked me if I could do a "bible study." I told her I brought no resources to do that. She quickly handed me a book from beneath her desk entitled "Healing Prayer" and encouraged me to use that as a resource. Then she announced to all, "Bible Study!"<br />
<br />My husband and I serve on a healing ministry team so this rather amazed me and seemed perfectly natural.<br />
<br />Within no time ten women gathered in a room inside the pod and we were engaged in our healing prayer session. With only about a half-hour to spend with them, we began going around the large circle and one woman at a time stated their prayer intention(s) and I had the privilege to pray with each one of them and they for one another. It was so beautiful to witness the openness of these women as they shared from the depths of their hearts about their most pressing needs. There were many requests for favor in the court system, for their children, for deliverance from drugs and alcohol. It made my heart sad to know these women were addicted to heroin, meth, and other such destructive substances.<br />
<br />As I gazed into their faces I said to them, "You are beautiful women created in the image and likeness of God and He has so much more for you than you can think or imagine." Tears welled up in my eyes.<br />
<br />It was just a prompting of the Spirit to go into that pod...and look what the Lord had prepared--a healing prayer service for ten women. And I was showered with His love and healing grace too! Glory to God!becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-45042858605693614522021-12-04T18:18:00.002-06:002022-04-14T11:39:01.978-05:00Enjoy Peace<div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My child, peace in your soul, peace in your memory, peace in your understanding, peace in your will; </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">peace with God, peace with men, peace with yourself. Peace, peace, peace, in heaven and on earth. Peace in the depth of your heart. This is what the Child Jesus grants us through His birth. He reconciles us with His Father and gives us </span><g class="gr_ gr_11 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="11" id="11" style="font-family: inherit;"><g class="gr_ gr_19 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="19" id="19">power</g></g><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to triumph over our enemies and enjoy peace in the midst of war.</span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); color: #050505; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> - Venerable Mother <g class="gr_ gr_10 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" data-gr-id="10" id="10"><g class="gr_ gr_18 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" data-gr-id="18" id="18">Mectilde</g></g> of the Blessed Sacrament (1614–1698)</span></div>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-3030321141595355932019-07-20T18:40:00.002-05:002020-04-22T14:09:21.525-05:00Peace to you!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">M</span>y uncle, Fr. James Conner, O.C.S.O., a Trappist Monk at the Abbey of Gethsemani, wrote a homily recently about the words of Jesus found in the gospel of Luke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> “If they do not accept you, go out into the streets and say: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> "The words of Jesus," he said, "might seem quite harsh at first sight...However in the context of the whole text..., we see that it is done only as a last resort.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Jesus is primarily sending his disciples into towns to proclaim the message of God’s love and care for all peoples. The primary word that He wants them to proclaim is: “Peace to this house!” It is a peace which only God can give, but a peace which is promised by all the prophets for the mission of the one sent by God.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7xQ6KaaZDw00iOVGpl70BggRCSgC7Nrdy6uirPjScLMhF6y9W-rHwRxCbZrVyC_zJBdxcnDAliPV3z5Zt5iOkdgMSH_ynHsuqUKpLwgJsmj2WdnB2AWFOmFc_sT7eSSrLMHePMTe6QpgC/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">Jesus comes among us as the fulfillment of the promise of the coming of one who will be Prince of Peace. He comes to proclaim peace which comes from God’s loving care for each one of His children. Isaiah compares the peaceful person to a child on its mother’s breast. “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you”. That child is each one to whom the Word of God is proclaimed. It is each one of us who have received this message that God will care for us as a mother cares for her infant.</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But we don’t like to consider ourselves as infants. We want to see ourselves as self-reliant and competent to take care of ourselves and our world. We all too often act as if we did not need God’s help and protection. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But Paul tells that “the world has been crucified to me and I to the world” (Gal 6: 14). The world that must be crucified to each one of us is the world of deceit and selfishness – a world of power and prestige. But by that very fact it is a world of lies. Jesus calls Satan the “father of lies”. The lies which Satan sows in the world and in our hearts is the lie of self-sufficiency – “I do not truly need God – I can care for myself and my world!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It is such lies which lie at the root of all the evil and deceit in the world today. All too often, even leaders of nations are known more for their lies than for fostering truth. Such actions only sow dissent and division within a nation and in the hearts of those who follow him. It serves to divide the nation from other nations and even beget division within the nation itself. And Jesus said also: “A house that is divided cannot stand”. (Mark 3: 25)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> In contrast to this, Jesus sends his disciples – he sends each one of us – to spread the true message of God’s love and care for every person. We may object to world leaders sowing dissent and division, but do the very same thing in our dealings with one another in daily life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Each time that we encounter another person, it should embody the message: “Peace to you!”. The Christian should be a person of peace. Above all, the monk should be a man of peace – peace within himself and peace with others with whom he lives. The injunction of Jesus does not extend merely to missionaries. It extends to each one of us – whether in the monastery or in our homes and places of work. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> That is why we express the sharing of Peace before receiving the Prince of Peace within Communion. That brief moment cannot be simply a distraction from the Eucharist – but a call to each one of us to heed the message of Jesus and truly live as men and women of peace, knowing that our names are truly written in heaven." </span></div>
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becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-9374770092558875392019-07-16T12:57:00.000-05:002020-04-22T12:29:35.625-05:00Reset the Button<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Do you ever feel you need to </span><b style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">hit the reset button</b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> on your life? You've become aware of too many distractions causing you not to stay attracted to what's most important in your life?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Resetting can be done at any time of day, but may be easier at night before you go to bed or in the morning before starting off your new day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At nighttime, it's helpful to take time to reconsider what happened during the course of the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What are the things that stand out the most in your mind? Did they bring you joy or sadness? Did they uplift or bring you down? Were you responsible for what happened or did someone else cause it? Is there something you can learn from what happened?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It's important to stay aware of your emotions during the day--the joy, the sorrow, the anger, impatience, frustrations...perhaps you've experienced them all in a day--that's not uncommon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The emotions are talking to us. What are they saying to you? Do you know? If you were angry, why? What caused the anger? Is there something you'd do differently tomorrow? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here's where you reset the button. Learn from the day's experience. Resolve to do something different the next day if you need to. If it was a good day full of joy, then give many thanks. The reset button is hit that way too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9z5gnlISODtsUnEm5Uw9wxsWB3Pdz2NTnxiTa26DNb5TFO4K8DwvTZJmTqiCFUifZowHL3mInkI6zB7QEq_lPAR-XuXNS7w08Q6C59zHcZWxOKbZ-gpu8k-VlJ1a64pnmBmq5GAAyWYi/s1600/drop-of-water-862316__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9z5gnlISODtsUnEm5Uw9wxsWB3Pdz2NTnxiTa26DNb5TFO4K8DwvTZJmTqiCFUifZowHL3mInkI6zB7QEq_lPAR-XuXNS7w08Q6C59zHcZWxOKbZ-gpu8k-VlJ1a64pnmBmq5GAAyWYi/s1600/drop-of-water-862316__340.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you're resolved to hit the reset button in the morning, begin with gratitude. Give thanks for your breath and a new day to start fresh. Let gratitude rule your mind--giving thanks for even the smallest things that we take for granted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Reset. Resolve. Refresh!</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">"Blessed be the Lord, for He has heard my cry..." </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">Ps 28: 6</span></div>
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<br />becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-9523796422710576482018-12-12T12:07:00.000-06:002020-06-20T13:34:26.334-05:00Taking Quiet Time<blockquote type="cite">
<span class="" style="display: inline !important; float: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sometimes there are so many distractions that come from every direction. Just when you think you can sit down, be still, take a deep breath and enter more deeply into the presence of God--who is with us always--other things can quickly grab our attention. For instance, the phone might ring and a family member needs you, someone might text and needs to know something about your plans later in the day, you need to go to the bathroom so you get up and you get distracted on your way back to your prayer chair, or someone in your family asks you a question even though you said, "I'm in quiet prayer now"…I've experienced all of these and more.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="" style="display: inline !important; float: none;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> S</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">o many different things can happen as we try to enter deeply into this sacred space. But regardless of the distractions, every return is virtuous when we re-commit our will to make a return. Do not let the distractions bother you even if many have already occurred--just be grateful that you’ve been given the grace to keep turning back. Be mindful of those distractions. Think about humanity and how many people are needing to enter this quietness and have no idea how to get there. But you do if only for five minutes.</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">And that’s a very good start.</span> </blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UiuBhWpeuUmjoeshcIdwH3NOCSpm-QKeRdWsJK1tH7Ttx8rcivazys-ercS6XyW4m_6U-h_gZNEMkuQ19Qe9C6SLj6CaWWCogY3lMhLdbOrhsmYz2cxE0GuvBuS3Op9Wyaf3EltGmvT/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6UiuBhWpeuUmjoeshcIdwH3NOCSpm-QKeRdWsJK1tH7Ttx8rcivazys-ercS6XyW4m_6U-h_gZNEMkuQ19Qe9C6SLj6CaWWCogY3lMhLdbOrhsmYz2cxE0GuvBuS3Op9Wyaf3EltGmvT/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So uncross your legs and put both feet flat on the ground. Straighten your back and take a deep breath. Be aware of the light of the day that is shining on the world. Imagine that light penetrating your body and your mind and it is healing light. You open up to receiving it because you know you need it. And remember it is not an "it," rather a person-Him!</span></blockquote>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;">"I am the </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Light</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;">Light</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: inherit;"> of life." </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It is He who is calling you close, out of His enormous love, His magnanimous love. He wants to give you a kiss for the day, a kiss that will be with you throughout the day--one that will remind you and seal your identity as His child, actually as His lover. Imagine that! So embrace the five or the 10 or the 15 minutes in silence, and be filled with the light for this new day. Then let that light shine to all you meet.</span></blockquote>
becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-86475035720658052692018-03-24T08:13:00.000-05:002020-04-22T14:05:55.924-05:00TRUST<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you heard this way to describe trust? True Resolve Under Severe Testing. Makes perfect sense to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What resolve do you make when things are at their worst? How do you stand firm? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Are you armed for spiritual battle? Aware that "we are fighting not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12 Do you dress yourself daily in the armor of God, our Father in Heaven--with righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer, perseverance, supplication?</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In trying times, I remind myself about God's everlasting love for me and you. That I am more than a conqueror through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sooner or later we all face terrible trials--severe testing. It may be tribulation, or distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword. We have only to look across the world and see all these afflictions that people--our brothers and sisters including ourselves--are suffering from.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What will set us free? Believing God is with us through it all.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Regarding God’s Everlasting Love, the holy scriptures in Romans 8: 31-39 says:</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-31" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"What then shall we say to these things? If God <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</span> for us, who <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">can be</span> against us? </span></span><span class="text Rom-8-32" id="en-NKJV-28149" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? </span><span class="text Rom-8-33" id="en-NKJV-28150" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">It is</span> God who justifies. </span><span class="text Rom-8-34" id="en-NKJV-28151" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Who <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">is</span> he who condemns? <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">It is</span> Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. </span><span class="text Rom-8-35" id="en-NKJV-28152" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? <span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Shall </span>tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? </span><span class="text Rom-8-36" id="en-NKJV-28153" style="box-sizing: border-box;">As it is written: 'For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span class="text Rom-8-37" id="en-NKJV-28154" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. </span><span class="text Rom-8-38" id="en-NKJV-28155" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, </span><span class="text Rom-8-39" id="en-NKJV-28156" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></i> <i style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Lord, increase our faith to believe and to experience your loving presence in our midst. We want to trust you in all the circumstances of our lives. Give us the grace of perseverance to endure our trials and to keep standing firm no matter what. In the power of the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.</i></span><br />
<br />becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-900010988852753012018-03-20T11:05:00.000-05:002018-11-13T11:42:45.685-06:00Comfort, Comfort My PeopleWithin our living room early this morning I faced my prayer chair toward the rising sun, and set a timer for thirty minutes for quiet contemplative prayer.<br />
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I sat down with my back erect, feet uncrossed on ground, taking a deep breath and hearing the song of the birds outside singing to my soul. These actions center me to become more aware of the presence of the Lord.<br />
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After the timer went off, I opened my prayer journal and wrote this: "Dearest Lord, here I am. I hear you calling me closer so you can whisper secrets to my heart. I want to hear you. Speak, dearest Lord, I am listening." (1 Sam 3: 9)<br />
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And then I heard, "My child, comfort, comfort my people." (Isaiah 40) Since I know a song with those words I looked it up in my worship hymnal and carefully meditated on the words. I was struck by "comfort those who sit in darkness."<br />
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So I asked the question in my journal, "Who do you want me to comfort?" And I understood "all who come upon your path."<br />
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With the grace of God, I determined to be mindful of that admonition and asked, "What else do you desire to tell me?"<br />
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I understood this: "All that I have given you is gift to give others. Give freely, generously, lavishly, like I do with you. You are my child, called by my name. I send you out to be a light to the people (Matthew 5: 14), to be a star in the darkness (Philippians 2: 15), to tell others of my love and goodness. Listen to my spirit guiding your every footstep."(John 16: 13)<br />
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My response written in my journal was: "I surrender to you. Use me for your holy purposes. I am yours!"<br />
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I was led to read the words of the song again and felt encouraged to pay attention to what struck me the most in the lyrics. It was "Speak of peace...speak of the peace that awaits them."<br />
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And so I say, "Peace be with you this day." And pray...<br />
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<i>"O gracious Lord, you who bestow every good and perfect gift so freely, generously and lavishly from above (James 1: 17), we thank you for calling us your children. Give us an abundance of grace and peace to respond to your Word that calls us to comfort others, share our gifts and shine like lights in the world. Open our eyes to see those who are hurting in our midst. Give us wisdom and courage to tell others of your love and goodness. We rejoice that the Spirit of truth guides us to all truth and that he speaks to us what he hears from you. Amen." </i>SM<br />
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<br />becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-78176449105664449392018-02-26T15:12:00.000-06:002018-02-26T15:12:30.205-06:00DiscernmentRecently I overheard the radio station playing in the background from another room in our house. The person speaking caught my attention because she was explaining three practical steps of discernment according to the Ignation Rule.<br />
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This is a certain type of spirituality and one of my favorites. St. Ignatius of Loyola, whom the rule is named after, spent a lot of time teaching his monks how to discern well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of St. Ignatius at Monserrat Jesuit Retreat House</td></tr>
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Discernment meaning the ability to judge well the direction to take when at forks in the road--should I go this way or that? Through this door or another? We all face these decisions.<br />
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<i>In all your ways be mindful of him, </i></div>
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<i>and he will make straight your paths. </i>Proverbs 3: 6 </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door of St. Ignation Chapel</td></tr>
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Here are the 3 steps:<br />
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1) This first one is probably more familiar. Write a list of pros and cons in a wholistic approach. Put down everything you can think of. On the pro side all that is positive and on the con side all that may be negative. Remember just a few cons can outweigh many pros.<br />
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For example: A father may be offered a new job that pays a lot more money so he will be able to provide better for his family. It's also a higher promotion in the workplace. But he will be traveling 40% of the time and miss many of the senior year high school activities of his son.<br />
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Traveling and missing the senior year activities trumped the decision to accept this job offer in this circumstance.<br />
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I personally have found it very helpful to make this list of pros and cons when facing important decisions.<br />
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2) Now we're going to get much more Ignation in our approach. Sit and picture yourself making that decision. Be aware of your emotions. Do you feel anxious, fearful, doubtful?<br />
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Remember the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of peace, joy, relief, trust, calm...<br />
Read Galatians 5: 22-23<br />
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Continue with this second step by asking yourself how you feel by not making this decision. In this example it was by not accepting the job offer. Again, do you feel peace or not?<br />
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3) This third step is really important and I'm sure I've failed to do this many times. Now picture yourself before the final judgment. Yes, before God and he is asking you to make an account for your actions. He knows the motive behind every decision we make so we can't hide from him. "So then each of us shall give an account of himself to God." Romans 14: 12<br />
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The question remains: on this earth when I make this decision, am I being mindful of the eternal consequences? As believers this is what we will ultimately face.<br />
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Undoubtedly we have all made wrong decisions at times and have learned that God can redeem those situations and work all things together for good if we truly desire His will. Rms 8: 28<br />
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Hopefully, recalling these three steps of making a list of pros and cons, checking your emotions and visualizing the final judgment will help you in making the best decisions in your life that bring you greater peace.<br />
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I pray we will all have divine grace to make wise and fruitful decisions that also bring salvation to souls and glory to God.becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-11456634099313070512018-02-12T13:01:00.003-06:002021-11-12T23:24:08.924-06:00Wisdom<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who wants the treasure of wisdom? </span>This morning I was struck by this reading entitled "On the Search for Wisdom." </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Happy is the man who has found wisdom. Even more happy is the man who <b>lives </b>in wisdom, for he perceives its abundance." These are words from a sermon by Saint Bernard. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And here are three ways he shares "for wisdom to abound in you": </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> First, "if you confess your sins"; </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> Second, "if you give thanks and praise"; </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> Third, "and if your speech is edifying."</span></span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How simple it seems to abound in wisdom if we follow St. Bernard's instructions rooted in the Word of God.</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, sisters and brothers, let us quickly confess our sins that we may be forgiven, cleansed </span><g class="gr_ gr_62 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" data-gr-id="62" id="62">and</g><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> healed. </span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></i> <i style="color: #444444; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive <g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" data-gr-id="63" id="63">us </g></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><g class="gr_ gr_63 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Style multiReplace" data-gr-id="63" id="63">and</g> to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. </i></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 1 Jn 1: 9</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another </i></span></span></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;">that you may be healed. </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">James </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> 5:16</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What I do spontaneously <g class="gr_ gr_59 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear Grammar multiReplace" data-gr-id="59" id="59">is cry</g> out, "Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner!" I believe it's one of the most powerful prayers ever.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Truly we can enter the Lord's holy presence through praise and thanksgiving. Let us resolve for this to </span>become<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> a daily habit in our lives. Is this not where we wish to dwell forever--in the house of our Lord? So shout out, "Praise you, Lord, thank you..." and just let that spontaneously flow from your mouth. It's really very liberating.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Praise you the Lord. O give thanks to the Lord; for he is good:</i></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>for his mercy endures forever. </i>Ps 106: 1</span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Give thanks in all circumstances;...</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">His praise shall be continually in my mouth.</i></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> 1 </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thes 5:18</span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><br /></span></i> <i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">I will </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">enter</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"> his gates with </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;">thanksgiving</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"> in my heart; </span></i></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">I will enter his courts with praise. </i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ps 100:4</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This instruction is a helpful reminder that we have the power to bless or curse with our mouths--to build up or to tear down. Let us choose to be blessings to each other--to speak life!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: start;"><i>Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. </i>Eph 4: 29</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;"><br /></span> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">Lord Jesus, we ask you for the grace to abound in wisdom. Give us your merciful grace to humbly confess our sins knowing we are forgiven by you and knowing you have paid the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">price for our sins. Give us a wellspring of thanksgiving flowing from our hearts for all the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">good you have done for us and a song of eternal praise ever on our lips. Bless our mouths </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">that we may have enlightened conscientiousness and <g class="gr_ gr_214 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling multiReplace" data-gr-id="214" id="214">self control</g></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;"> to speak words that are </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">life-giving and edifying to one another. Amen.</span></div>
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becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-24635272175925644712018-01-28T08:02:00.001-06:002020-04-22T12:32:53.298-05:00Still Small Voice<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I awoke with an eagerness to sit in the presence of the Lord and a sense that nothing was more important. The curtains were pulled open as the morning sun rose and I marveled at His faithfulness.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9n72MOWnPqrYI87w3Qu1dcF9OgTvEfrMF8CS1-4YLZuBbHum43_JSwtis58sJ7kUCc7r1HnbWHf0O5a1NabdcfYf0arKZvkYDLT7mSJgy9Hgr05loY-qAOt1AyHyT6CyaO3fStOixlME/s1600/IMG_7199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw9n72MOWnPqrYI87w3Qu1dcF9OgTvEfrMF8CS1-4YLZuBbHum43_JSwtis58sJ7kUCc7r1HnbWHf0O5a1NabdcfYf0arKZvkYDLT7mSJgy9Hgr05loY-qAOt1AyHyT6CyaO3fStOixlME/s400/IMG_7199.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunrise on the Sea of Galilee</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">An old familiar song was still resounding in my mind. One that we sang at a good friend's funeral recently--<i>Surround Us Lord. </i>Quietly I sang the song as the sun rose further; its rays bursting upon the horizon. "As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people..." And I felt surrounded by His presence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thankfulness welled up inside for his presence and his protection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, nothing is more important than to hear his voice. So I quieted myself to hear that still small voice. Not in a strong heavy wind, nor an earthquake or fire, but in a tiny whispering sound. 1 Kings 11-12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes there's a sense of urgency to "Seek the Lord while he may be found. Call to him while he is still near." Another song's refrain resounding through my mind in the early morning hour. And the verse continued on "Today is the day and now the proper hour, to forsake your sinful ways and turn to the Lord." Isaiah 55: 6-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cry out for mercy, if you cannot hear. "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a sinner."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">That tiny whisper of his voice within my soul's like sugar--the more I eat it, the more I crave it. Of course, sugar is not very good for us. But the Lord is good all the time and His Word delicious to our souls! Let us taste the sweetness of his Word--devour it, chew on it, ruminate like a cow chews its cud. The more we do that, the more we hunger and thirst for oneness with Him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1: 1 Jesus is the Word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Give us, Lord, the desire to seek you first each new day. To sit quietly in your presence and listen for your still small voice. Then, Lord, give us courage and strength to act on it for you have the words of everlasting life.</span>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-65532745839043841032017-10-30T14:48:00.000-05:002018-02-12T13:05:52.689-06:0070 X 7 Times<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">70 X 7 isn't just math. It's a condition of a heart. When Jesus instructs us to forgive "70 X 7" in the gospel of Matthew 18: 22 that's because he wants his disciples' hearts to be--big, soft and open.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">So many things come at us--mean people, hurtful remarks, rude people, wounded people, bullies, and we can recoil and say, "No one's ever gonna break or wound my heart again." Or, "I'll never have anything to do with that person again."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But we gotta keep opening up. It sets us free. Otherwise, we deceive ourselves and can remain in bondage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Big</b>--living this Word for a bigger purpose. It's not just about me and someone else--it's about how I affect the whole world by my choices. I choose to forgive and I keep the love flowin' within me. Or I choose not to forgive and build a dam within myself. I'm creating my own misery by this choice.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgak388OtbB43t2TFaKtALY19KoAvfkiJCfNKjKlSDpXGtL_uAlmpt-aAoQw-g0lxDtMJME8_4Ux2Mcard4vVRXxImA4748SHujalRsEtNay1kHGUZ24XA8K50QFAenwgtzw1jrKb3dm5/s1600/the-dam.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgak388OtbB43t2TFaKtALY19KoAvfkiJCfNKjKlSDpXGtL_uAlmpt-aAoQw-g0lxDtMJME8_4Ux2Mcard4vVRXxImA4748SHujalRsEtNay1kHGUZ24XA8K50QFAenwgtzw1jrKb3dm5/s320/the-dam.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Soft</b>--I sit in the presence of the Lord and ask the Holy Spirit to melt my heart. Melt any areas that have hardened and need His touch. Living with a hardened heart affects everything in my life negatively. Maybe especially attitude and vision. Unforgiveness can blind me from seeing God's vision for my life. And attitude has to do with the mind. The Word in Romans 12: 2 encourages us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." So I use good reason and surrender once again (70 X 7) to commit to His will, instead of letting my emotions overtake me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Open</b>--Once I make a constructive choice to forgive each time and rely on the Holy Spirit to touch my heart, I trust God will work it all together for good as He promises in Romans 8: 28 for those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. I don't look back or have any intention of drudging that issue up again. I've removed the barriers by being honest with myself about what needs to change within me. I recognize I can't change anyone else. And I rejoice that I've had another breakthrough--a new passover into the land of freedom. The land of milk and honey--sweet because the river of life, the love is flowing again.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9O18QaeD5Nrj9D4FgFYb_g1E2ubuX5Rh7J607SODUG_n9H0Res1uizvQMhWE1-UiTdErI2_QpNrQt-1Lx0JKxGJJLe1Ghn1lbYj08DQMLVTRzh77bN_qw_7Gv4clYQ_BMHKWkLitWjR26/s1600/Rivers_28201_%2540skibul.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9O18QaeD5Nrj9D4FgFYb_g1E2ubuX5Rh7J607SODUG_n9H0Res1uizvQMhWE1-UiTdErI2_QpNrQt-1Lx0JKxGJJLe1Ghn1lbYj08DQMLVTRzh77bN_qw_7Gv4clYQ_BMHKWkLitWjR26/s320/Rivers_28201_%2540skibul.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Come, Lord Jesus, into my heart and give me the grace to transform it into yours. It's not about me but You!</span>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-86207979481095351882017-10-09T10:40:00.001-05:002017-10-09T10:47:47.345-05:00Go Into Your RoomI was struck this morning while reading a treatise by St. Ambrose. He was reminding us of how Jesus urged us to "pray earnestly and frequently...with perseverance."<br />
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And how Jesus tells us to "Go into your room" to pray.<br />
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Ambrose explains, "by 'room' you must understand, not a room enclosed by walls that imprison your body, but the room that is within you, the room where you hide your thoughts, where you keep your affections. This room of prayer is always with you, wherever you are, and it is always a secret room, where only God can see you."<br />
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Let us remember today, the Kingdom of God is within us. Lk 17: 21 And our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor 6: 19<br />
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So, indeed, as Ambrose says, "every place is a place of prayer."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb5AlC9e9BdVDjmRl5bauELgwQw3PHt01A7eNURtxmLkU333ucFego-Nayv4V9dBpLD_bPy-cBalF_QrXC-b2167vlnz14xAfsokO0Mes2V5Gyc4i_j1ojOayhMjM9yfVqmgYQwMre2C6/s1600/IMG_7412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb5AlC9e9BdVDjmRl5bauELgwQw3PHt01A7eNURtxmLkU333ucFego-Nayv4V9dBpLD_bPy-cBalF_QrXC-b2167vlnz14xAfsokO0Mes2V5Gyc4i_j1ojOayhMjM9yfVqmgYQwMre2C6/s320/IMG_7412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in a garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jYzBdxF-3DCGjuFol9rtiUfie2n0qniUPMyntSgHT1fLz8zbfAPSAYEQ1DZ1_HX-nD7bl0Brev4YaS34uXDmEfkUHHUcmf60YIwqD9aDG5O8s2FDIRMtJgIlTcltr7PGwms6Y3AYQT9b/s1600/20170724_202301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jYzBdxF-3DCGjuFol9rtiUfie2n0qniUPMyntSgHT1fLz8zbfAPSAYEQ1DZ1_HX-nD7bl0Brev4YaS34uXDmEfkUHHUcmf60YIwqD9aDG5O8s2FDIRMtJgIlTcltr7PGwms6Y3AYQT9b/s320/20170724_202301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on an airplane</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSzwZ1PaeaOhHfmlR6z4Py829r-P9aMJAhSF6ymutnDuBdhiMu6MmnUmSgmxfGBXU8BAXR9OVUzMn7jFk5NuShJoe1MuLKDeDkO6OokKtHsxrX3fNSu8Q6xjuLJrvQZ6x-4PrR1FTDZkw/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSzwZ1PaeaOhHfmlR6z4Py829r-P9aMJAhSF6ymutnDuBdhiMu6MmnUmSgmxfGBXU8BAXR9OVUzMn7jFk5NuShJoe1MuLKDeDkO6OokKtHsxrX3fNSu8Q6xjuLJrvQZ6x-4PrR1FTDZkw/s320/IMG_0239.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">in a chapel</td></tr>
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<br />becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-27263066712889931032017-08-12T10:44:00.002-05:002017-08-12T10:46:25.827-05:00I'm Not Perfect<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 100px 12px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm not perfect. I sure wish I was. :-) And sometimes at my age, which is older now, I think I should be. "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5: 48) That is my goal--my life-long goal since it will take the rest of my life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recently, I heard a wise priest speak about saints who have gone before us. He reminded us that they were not perfect either. They strove for holiness as we are called to do, but they also failed. They had their share of weaknesses and character defects, like us. They were human. The difference in them is that they bounced back up fast from failure, from mistakes and did not let it discourage them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We can learn to do the same as we surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit within us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pope Francis preached today about how "God did not choose perfect people to form his church, but rather sinners who have experienced his love and forgiveness."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thank God for this because aren't we all sinners who God loves and forgives, especially as we seek his mercy and forgiveness? I know I am and He has shown me his mercy time and again so I can no longer deny His great love. He has the same love for all people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">This unconditional love of the Lord cannot be taken for granted. We must remember "the heavy price Jesus paid by dying on the cross," so that we too can be resilient like the saints who became holy as He is holy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Encouraging everyone, the Pope stated, "Jesus sees the possibility of a resurrection even in those who have made so many wrong choices"...He "</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">offers people who have made mistakes the hope of a new life, a life marked by love." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">How comforting that is!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I pray today you may believe that for yourself or someone you know and love who has lost hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Believe for the new life Jesus proclaimed, "I have come that they might have life and that they may have it more abundantly."<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454;"> (John 10:10) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454;">This abundant life I now </span></span><span style="color: #545454; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">experience is entirely possible for all. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find..." (Matthew 7: 7)</span></div>
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becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-84303801783536097782017-08-01T13:28:00.000-05:002017-09-02T08:57:27.075-05:00Mustard Seed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaelpqqDqlOJV-1cSCcOOr4bzgoXoK-tpWGhazuBvFmcCAi9x4PZiOIa3ImV2ZNJxS2z5nv4oDNxf99mZwtKljUNx1yHLIAaHd58UWJ8sOyoEljLcOGIlmR-F_5EPb1LTfTdyGhdaijXPF/s1600/Unknown.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”… </span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Matthew 13: 31-32</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">So how does that happen? Do you want to be like the mustard seed and grow beyond what you ever thought possible?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">I do!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Some may think the answer is to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. And that is a good answer and highly important. But, I heard a very wise man say, " it is not of primary importance."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Others may say, "It is to love your neighbor as yourself." "But that is not of primary importance either," he said.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Although they are the two greatest commandments the Lord gave us, first things first. To grow like a mustard seed he proclaimed, "is to first accept the love of the Lord."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">"Could it be that simple," you ask. Yes! That's the mustard seed of </span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">faith.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">It is the primacy of acceptance, that is my acceptance that God loves me in Christ Jesus--to acknowledge and accept what has already been achieved by Christ Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">If you want to open up and receive more of this grace of acceptance, just ask for it. Pray, "Lord, give me more. Help me to fully accept the love of the Lord for myself." And trust like a child he has heard you. Expect the grace.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Don't forget the God who has saved you. Remember all he has done for you. And you will grow and blossom like a small mustard seed.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">Reflections by Fr. Paul Murray/Spiritual Advisor to Mother Teresa</span>becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-10461319217516630742017-07-27T18:59:00.000-05:002017-07-27T18:59:58.724-05:00Patti MansfieldIn 1967, fifty years ago, by some miracle of grace the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Patti Mansfield while she was on retreat with other Duquesne University college students in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the Ark and Dove Retreat Center.<br />
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Patti did pray for a miracle and she certainly received one. It was a current of grace that eventually moved across the world.<br />
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To prepare for her retreat she prayed, fasted and was docile to the Holy Spirit. She and all the other retreatants were instructed to read the first four chapters of the Book of Acts in the Holy Scriptures and also the book <u>The Cross and the Switchblade </u>by David Wilkerson.<br />
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Patti's prayer was, "Lord, ... I believe I already received your spirit in Baptism and Confirmation, but if it is possible to receive more, I want it."<br />
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She and those on the Duquesne week-end retreat invoked the Holy Spirit with the hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus".<br />
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<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen. </span></pre>
<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">addition, they also had a penance service at the retreat where they repented of their sins. This opened them up to receive the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit. </span></pre>
<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Patti continued to pray, "Jesus be real to me." She told the Lord, "I give my life to you, whatever you ask of me, I accept it, and if it means suffering, I accept that too. Just teach me to follow Jesus and to love as He loves." </span></pre>
<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Patti's example is one to follow. Invoke the Holy Spirit, pray and fast. Repent. Ask for more. Expect a miracle. And see what happens.</span></pre>
<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You may enjoy reading Patti's book: </span><u style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As By A New Pentecost.</u></pre>
<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEBsl7RwUSTGc8CdROa_3Ojq3PXZh4KbVgq0BJKUiU_ws6Pk6LnieGQNwaq6TAaAJpRcp1YKnfCaClJa_ciCPV2dLFikwSFOrJXASZPpRpnQISzA1AYCD5wLxEbHyrnKiqjsW3-DmGG_6/s1600/images-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEBsl7RwUSTGc8CdROa_3Ojq3PXZh4KbVgq0BJKUiU_ws6Pk6LnieGQNwaq6TAaAJpRcp1YKnfCaClJa_ciCPV2dLFikwSFOrJXASZPpRpnQISzA1AYCD5wLxEbHyrnKiqjsW3-DmGG_6/s400/images-1.jpeg" /></a></u></span></pre>
becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-28886946166739696242017-07-27T18:08:00.002-05:002022-10-15T13:58:44.148-05:00MagnificatI was recently recalling my experience with being "baptized in the Holy Spirit." This is when I opened up to an outpouring of God's love. I was in my early twenties--many many years ago--and I attended a charismatic conference. A young woman was one of the guest speakers and I sat there thinking "I want what she has"; she had an ability to teach and preach and a confident presence about being in front of a crowd. I felt timid and nervous about speaking in front of others.<br />
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So on a break at the conference I asked a woman, who I knew was a leader, if she would pray for me. I told her I wanted what that young lady had. She promptly did pray and another woman joined her. This is when I experienced a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon me and I began to speak in other tongues. You may have heard of that gift before--"speaking in tongues." The other woman praying for me interpreted the tongues, and she knew I was proclaiming the <i>Magnificat</i>.<br />
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Do you know that prayer which Mary proclaimed when she visited her cousin Elizabeth? It's the story of the visitation found in the gospel of Luke.<br />
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<i>\<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrj8YJ4CgrqUXzVV1McpKDYPKlwtxC8yk8w0QRi9BIOyE65wdCci4mlBBj5eT84csF6olITQE5VWequzeYf4AJHRmgjLv0uIpinlHoylz7HcTzxlT8ewOUjqzryhnHeVCmGW-IUVQij51/s1600/Elizabeth-greeting-Virgin-Mary.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrj8YJ4CgrqUXzVV1McpKDYPKlwtxC8yk8w0QRi9BIOyE65wdCci4mlBBj5eT84csF6olITQE5VWequzeYf4AJHRmgjLv0uIpinlHoylz7HcTzxlT8ewOUjqzryhnHeVCmGW-IUVQij51/s400/Elizabeth-greeting-Virgin-Mary.jpg" width="300" /></a></i> <i>"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, </i><i>and my Spirit rejoices in God my Savior, </i><i>for he has looked with mercy on his lowly servant. </i><i>From this day forward all generations will call me blessed: </i><i>The almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name." </i>Luke 1: 46-55<br />
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The Lord certainly did look with mercy upon me that memorable day and he will look with mercy upon you too as you turn to him and ask for more of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It's really pretty simple--just ask and receive. If you feel something is blocking the reception of the gifts then ask for mercy. Ask for the Lord's forgiveness for anything you have done that has displeased Him and separated you from God. You can be reconciled and restored to grace.<span id="goog_1506997018"></span><br />
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There is where I long to be daily--in a state of grace, not sin. So it's a daily turning to him and repeating the same desires--the desire for His mercy, forgiveness, blessings, and more of the gifts of the Spirit. Honestly, I can't get enough. It's a never-ending well of blessings. Pray with expectant faith and drink deeply, my friends, of the goodness of the Lord. As you do you can't help but proclaim the greatness of the Lord.<br />
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becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-17241321082632272062017-05-28T16:12:00.000-05:002017-05-30T10:01:43.549-05:00Pentecost Novena 3rd Day<div style="line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: 1em; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hello, sisters and brothers across the world. I am praying a novena in preparation for Pentecost next Sunday. Just in case someone isn't familiar with that word, novena means nine successive days of prayer. I was struck by today's prayer entitled "Peace" and want to share it with you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Let us bow down in humility at the power and grandeur of the Holy Spirit. Let us worship the Holy Trinity and give glory today to the Paraclete, our Advocate.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Oh Holy Spirit, by Your power, Christ was raised from the dead to save us all. By Your grace, miracles are performed in Jesus’ name. By Your love, we are protected from evil. And so, we ask with humility and a beggar’s heart for Your gift of Peace within us.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The saints were tempted, attacked and accused by the devil who is the destroyer of peace. When we are accused by the devil, come to our aid as our Advocate and give us Peace that lasts through all trials!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Amen.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Three lines in particular jump out for me. First, "We ask with humility and a beggar's heart for Your gift of Peace within us." Have you done that before? Have you begged God for peace? I am a beggar. Beg Him for this gift. Not just for yourself, but for all you love and for the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Second, "the devil is the destroyer of peace." Get that straight! When we start having thoughts that make us feel anxious you can pretty well bet that's the accuser whispering lies to try to rob us of our peace. Resist! With all your might. And never fail to ask the Holy Spirit to come. When we do, God pours out His love upon us. Ponder that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Third, "give us Peace that lasts through all trials". Amen to that! That's what we need and desire--the peace that remains through thick and thin--through all difficulties and in all circumstances. Do you believe you can have that kind of peace? I am here to tell you you can. Beg for it and keep persevering in prayer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God bless and keep you ever close to His Most Sacred Heart.</span></div>
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becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2764287687818124226.post-42695270425345474572017-04-22T10:26:00.000-05:002017-08-12T10:47:42.692-05:00MOMSI had the privilege to lead a Lenten retreat for moms of high school students recently. Being a teacher, I wanted one word for them as a take-away that could help them remember the main points of retreat. So I used the word MOMS for an acronym.<br />
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First M stands for Mother Mary. She's the true model of femininity and beauty. There's no comparison to our Heavenly Mother for beauty and virtue. Don't you agree? Just look at any image of her and you can easily see the purity that this world so needs.<br />
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The letter O stands for obedience. It's good to remember the root of the word obey which means to listen. We need to listen for the voice of the Lord. "My sheep hear my voice." John 10: 27 But to listen we must make quiet time in order to hear. Set aside time, consecrate it for our relationship with the Lord.<br />
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The next letter M at first I thought would stand for ministering since mothers do so much ministering to their children and husband, but being uncertain I asked the Lord the night before the retreat to speak to me in my slumber and give me the "right" M word if that wasn't the best one. During that night, I woke with the word monopolize. What a surprising word, but the more I thought about it--the more it seemed right. I got the strong sense that he was saying I want to control everything in your lives--every area, every aspect, every detail. Okay, Lord, I'll use that word that I never would have thought of, but you impressed it upon me in my sleep.<br />
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And finally S stands for seeking. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6: 33 We must continually seek <b>first</b> the Lord. Each day it starts over in communing with him. We will seek him the rest of our life. And we will not stop until we come face to face with Him.<br />
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So, keep Mother Mary as your role model, learn to listen better which includes obeying what you understand him instructing you to do, commit every area of your life to God and ask him to monopolize it, and finally, seek him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength each and every new day.becomingwomenofpeace.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03793548694014072270noreply@blogger.com0