Obedience

The main way we show our love for God is by obedience to His Laws. We are born totally dependent on someone else. As we grow and develop, we learn to do things for ourselves. It doesn't take too long though for us to get to the point where our innate rebellious spirits start to assert themselves and we don't want to do what our parents want us to do, usually about 18 months to two years. (That's why they call it the "terrible twos".)  The remainder of childhood, if a child is disciplined properly, becomes a tug of war between the will of the child and the will of the parents. Hopefully, the parents win and the child becomes a well-balanced member of society. But even with the very best discipline in childhood, we all retain a portion of that independent, rebellious spirit and that is what causes us not to want to obey God's Laws.
  If our faith is nurtured properly and we grow in our relationship with and knowledge of God, we come to the realization that God's Laws are given in love. They are not to inhibit us or spoil our happiness, but to protect us from danger or harm to our bodies, minds, spirits and emotions. We learn to trust that God loves us more than anyone on earth could and wants only the best for our lives.
  Through God's Word in Scripture we are told of the many benefits of obedience to God's Laws. The following are some of them. Take time to meditate on them or perhaps memorize some of them so that when your spirit of rebellion raises it's ugly head you can use God's Word to fight against it.
  See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you... . I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then that you and your descendants may live, by loving the Lord, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:15-16, 19b, 20a
  Do what is right and good in the Lord's sight, so that it may go well with you... Deuteronomy 6:18
  If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as He swore to your forefathers.  Deuteronomy 7:12
  Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!  Deuteronomy 5:29
  Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do.  Deuteronomy 29:9
  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9
  Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:19
  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."  Matthew 7:24-25
  "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in His love."  John 15:10
  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:25
  Beloved, if our consciences have nothing to charge us with, we can be sure that God is with us and that we will receive at His hands whatever we ask. Why?  Because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.  1 John 3:22
  For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  Romans 2:13
  "For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."  Matthew 12:50
  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:17
  "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."  Matthew 7:21
  Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.  Psalm 106:3
  And, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.  Hebrews 5:9
  "I tell you the truth, if anyone keeps My Word, he will never see death."  John 8:51

On Raising Children

In raising children remember:

  “All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:23.

We are all in need of a Savior.  Therefore, if your children sin, it’s not necessarily because you didn’t train them correctly. Research has shown that some very good parents, who did a very good job disciplining, teaching and nurturing their children, have children who go astray.

  One example I can think of is Franklin Graham, one of the sons of the late Reverend Billy Graham. He went astray as a youth, but eventually got back on the straight and narrow path and now is the head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Just Keep Praying

Are you praying for healing and have not yet been healed?
Are you praying to be set free from something that holds you bound and have not yet been set free?
Are you praying for the healing of your marriage and you still struggle as a couple?
Are you praying for the salvation of a loved one and they are still far from God?
If you are, then keep on praying.
  Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8), and the man knocking at the door in the middle of the night looking for bread (Luke 11:5-13) as examples of persistent prayer.
  St. Augustine's mother, St. Monica, prayed for many, many years for her wayward son before he was finally converted (and look how God used him after that!).
  We don't know why some prayers are answered immediately, some in a short time and others not for years and years. What we do know is that God hears and answers all our prayers--none are wasted. So keep on praying.

Feed Your Spirit!

"If you wish to explore the Holy Scripture, and you overcome your laziness and apply yourself, thirsting for the knowledge, then every good thing will be yours. You will fill your mind with the divine light. Then, when you apply that light to the doctrines of the Church, you will very easily recognize everything that is true and unadulterated, and lay it up in the hidden treasures of your soul."  St. Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, d.444 AD


  Many years ago I thought that the Bible was God's Word, but the teachings of the Catholic Church were the teachings of men. But then, as I learned more about Catholic doctrines and dogmas, I found that most were based on Scripture! This helped me immensely! I could then rest assured that those doctrines and dogmas were God's Word to me and helped me apply God's Word in the Bible to my daily living.

Love & Marriage

An old song, sung by many years ago (Frank Sinatra?), was called "Love and Marriage". The lyrics began:
  "Love and marriage,
    love and marriage,
    go together like a horse and carriage..."
It was a nice song with a good message.


 That message seems to be lost to many in the present generation. They want love, but not marriage. But romantic love between a man and a woman was meant to lead to marriage; and home, and children, and family. Love without the commitment of marriage is self-centered. You want to be loved and cared for. You want a steady sex partner. You want someone to meet your needs. Marriage is other-centered. You want to love and care for your spouse. You want to give sexual pleasure to your spouse. You want to provide for the needs of your spouse. You want to join together with your spouse to bring children into your union; to form a family.
  Without commitment love fades when tough times come. Without commitment hearts get broken. (Yes; hearts get broken through divorce as well, but people are more likely to stay together is they've committed to marriage.) Without commitment children suffer and are damaged mentally and emotionally. Without commitment there is no true love, just a nice feeling for awhile.
  God created men and women to compliment each other. Women bring out the best in men and men fulfill many of the needs of women. Without men there would be no women and without women there would be no men! They were meant to "go together like a horse and carriage." Neither is greater or more important than the other.
  In my church they often have renewing of wedding vows for couples married 10, 25 or even 50 years. It always brings tears to my eyes when they get to the part of the ceremony when the presider says that no one but the couple knows the joys, sorrows or trials they have experienced in the years of their marriage. They stayed together "for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health." The witness of their marriage is an encouragement to all--those married and those not yet married.
  If more couples married and stayed married, the world would be a better place. Many of the problems our society suffers from would be eliminated. Children would be healthier mentally, physically and psychologically. Reputable sociological research attests to that.
  So let's do whatever we can to encourage young people to marry; to help young people make good choices in deciding who to marry; to support those already married; to honor the institution of marriage. In the end we all benefit. 

Analogy of Prayer

Some may say, "God can do everything. If He wants to do something, He doesn't need us to ask Him." That is true. God can also create a human being inside a woman. But he chooses to create a person through the actions of two people. He chooses to use human instruments to accomplish His purposes. In the same way He uses the prayers of people.


I give you my word, if you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you.  Mark 11:24

Apart from God

The following is a quote from C.S. Lewis, one of my favorite spiritual writers.


  "...Well, the moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first--wanting to be the center--wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan: and that was the sin he taught the human race. Some people think the fall of man had something to do with sex, but that's a mistake. What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could "be like gods"--could set up on their own as if they had created themselves--be their own masters--invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history--money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery--the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.
  The reason why it can never succeed is this. God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it won't run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There isn't any other. That's why it's just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God can't give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it isn't there. There's no such thing."


I like this quote because it's a good response to atheism (C.S. Lewis was an atheist before he converted to Christianity) and to those who consider themselves "spiritual" without adhering to any Christian denomination, those who want a religion according to their beliefs. As another great spiritual writer said: "Our hearts are restless, Lord, until they rest in You."  St. Augustine

Why Some Are Not Healed

The problem of why some are not healed has been written about and discussed by many, many people much more intelligent and gifted than me. So I do not even imagine that I have anything new to offer in the quest for trying to understand the ways of God.
  As with all spiritual matters, we all read and listen to the thoughts of others and to God's Word in the Bible and His word through the leaders of the Church, both present and past, and then come to our own acceptance of what we think might be the truth.
  I have prayed for myself and others for many, many years. After all this time, it's still puzzling to me why some people are healed instantly or very quickly and others are not healed at all (at least in an obvious way). Especially puzzling is when the obviously innocent suffer, such as babies or young children. In older children and adults, we can at least think that perhaps the suffering is being used as a discipline to help them to grow spiritually or to be better persons. But that doesn't apply to the little ones.
  Because of God's revelation in the Bible and through the life of Jesus, we know that God is love; that He loves all those He has created; that He grieves over our suffering and is with us as we go through it. But we also know that God has the power to take away that suffering, in the blink of an eye.
  We who are parents know how the suffering of our children pains us; that if there were anything we could do, including dying for them, we would not hesitate. Is not God the very best of fathers; the perfect Father?
  When I mull over these age-old questions, or tire of praying for the same thing over and over for years and years, I always come back to the same thing--the Cross. Jesus suffering and death on the cross did not make sense at the time. Even Jesus prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to be saved from the suffering of crucifixion and death, knowing that the Father had the power to change the circumstances. But God the Father said no. And it was only after the Resurrection that the understanding came of why He had to suffer and die in such a cruel way.
  So it is with us. Sometimes we can see the good fruit of suffering here on earth. But most of the time we will not understand until after we pass on.
  I once visited one of the cathedrals in Paris, France (I've forgotten which one) where there was a Pieta; not a duplicate of the one in Notre Dame, but similar. In this one the Blessed Mother was holding the dead body of Jesus, but instead of looking down at Him she was looking up to Heaven. It was as if she were asking, "Why?"  It reminded me of all mothers who have lost a child, but also of all of us. Someday we will know.

On Beauty

In the beginning God made all things beautiful. How do we know that? We know this is true because of the beauty of God's creation on earth--the flowers, the birds, the trees, the animals. Ugliness only entered in as a result of man's sin. Therefore, we should try to make all things, including ourselves, as beautiful as possible.
  If you doubt that, then I ask you: Do you think there is anything ugly in Heaven, the Kingdom of God? Jesus said in The Lord's Prayer "Your Kingdom come" (Matthew 6:10) which means to pray that the earth would become the Kingdom of God. Let us do our best to bring that about--in ourselves, in our homes, in our communities.

Spiritual Works of Mercy: Instruct the Ignorant

Now don’t get it wrong—“ignorant” does not mean “stupid” or “unintelligent”.  It simply means lacking in knowledge in a particular area. Given that definition, even the most highly educated professor in one of the finest universities can be ignorant in spiritual matters.

  Each one of us is well-instructed in some areas and ignorant in others. That’s why we continue to study and learn the Christian faith. In this spiritual work of mercy, we are called to share what we have learned with those who may not have learned it yet.

  In this wonderful time in history we have more opportunities to learn about God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Church, Scripture, etc. than at any time in the past. There are books, homilies, teachings, the media, the internet, podcasts, radio, CDs, etc.  During our lifetime we will avail ourselves of only a fraction of what is out there. Each of us received what we have learned from different sources. Therefore, we each have knowledge and insight that may be helpful for someone else.

  The Holy Spirit prompts us when He wants us to share what we have learned with others. Sometimes this can be one on one; other times with a group. We must never think that we are not smart enough or knowledgeable enough to share with others. Faith is a gift, not something that is learned. Everyone who has the ability to understand the Gospel is capable of passing on spiritual truths to others.

  There are also more formal ways of sharing the faith with others such as teaching children, adult education, men’s or women’s sharing groups, or Bible Study. In the Life in the Spirit Seminars ordinary people give the talks and witness to what God has done in their lives.

  In Matthew 28:19-20, the Apostles are instructed by Jesus to “go…make disciples of all the nations….Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.”   We are not all called to be bishops or priests, but we are all called to disciple those God has put in our paths, such as children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews.

  Jesus said: Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation. This was spoken to eleven apostles, but it’s His Word for all Christians as well.

  St. Paul tells St. Timothy in 2 Tim 3:16 that All Scripture is inspired of God and is useful for teaching—for reproof, correction, and training in holiness… .  It’s a spiritual work of mercy to share God’s Word with others, whether formally teaching children, facilitating a Bible Study, or informally, in just talking with someone.

  In St. Paul’s letter to Titus he instructs the older women to: teach the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be sensible, chaste, busy at home, kindly, submissive to their husbands. (Titus 2:3b-5a)  Both older women and men have the responsibility to mentor younger men and women not only in the faith, but in morality and how to be men and women of good character.

    God calls some of us to the ministry of spiritual direction; to help another person discern God’s Will for them. Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads a person to us who is new to the faith or less spiritually mature. We then serve as an informal spiritual director for them.

  These are just a few of the ways to fulfill the spiritual work of mercy to “Instruct the ignorant.” Perhaps you are surprised that what you have been doing for many years is actually a spiritual work of mercy. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit has shown you a new area where He would like you to serve. Either way, may God bless your efforts to serve Him.

Drugs or God?

Karl Marx said: "God is the opiate of the people", and he was right. God is the only remedy that really works. If people looked to God for help, there would be much less need for drugs.
  Drugs are also a temporary solution; and the more you take them, the more you need to achieve the same result. Then they eventually damage the body or kill the person.
  Not so with God. You can never have too much of God. The closer you get to Him the better you become--physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The knowledge and presence of God never has a detrimental effect on the body.
  So instead of taking drugs take in God's Word in the Bible. Spend time in prayer and adoration. Read Christian spiritual classics and lives of the Saints. Attend Mass or worship services. Receive the Eucharist often. This will bring health to your body and your soul.


  My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands; for many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you.  Proverbs 3:1-2

Why Does God Love Us?

We know God loves us from His Word to us in the New Testament, through who Jesus is and what He revealed to us about the Father in Heaven. We know God loves us despite our sinfulness and rebellious spirits.
  With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Jeremiah 31:3
  Yes, God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him may not die but may have eternal life. John 3:16
  But have you ever thought about why God loves us? Or why He loves us unconditionally; despite our sinfulness and lack of love for Him and obedience to Him?
  I think having a child helps us to better understand God's love for us. I have four children. I love each of them unconditionally. I love them not for what they do, but for who they are. Yes, I am more pleased with the behavior of some. It makes me happy if they are good people: good citizens; faithful husbands and wives; respectful to me and their father; good workers; faithful to God. But I do not love them any more or less if they are not.
  I love them because they are my children. They are a part of me. They are bonded with me through blood. Nothing they do or don't do will ever change that.
  You may say: "But not all parents love their children like that. Many parents favor one child over another or love a child in relation to who they are or what they do." God knows that and He addressed that in His Word:
  Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget my own. Isaiah 49:15
  So the fact that a mother or father may fail to love their child unconditionally, or even abandon their child, does not mean that God is like that.
  So, if you are a child of God, if you are baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, rejoice today in the unconditional love of God for you.
  And if you are not, then know that God loves you because you are His marvelous creation. He is calling you to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and be baptized so you can enjoy all the blessings of being a child of God and eternal life with Him after you die.

On Abortion

The only alternative to child sacrifice is self-sacrifice.
  The problem with the prevalence of abortion at this time in history is not poverty or over-population or unwed mothers--it is selfishness.
  Mother Teresa said: It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you can live as you wish.
  Many people think having sex is a need that you can't do without, like eating, sleeping or drinking water. They don't understand that the primary reason sexual intercourse was created was for procreation. The pleasure part is secondary. When something interferes with their pleasure (like a baby) they look at it as just that--interference. They are even willing to go so far as to sacrifice their child for their selfish motives.
  The answer to the scourge of abortion is not just to outlaw it--some people will seek the means to have their child killed even if the original laws against it are reinstated. The answer is to teach people, especially children, the sanctity of life; the value of each and every human life, no matter how small. We must teach others the marvelous intricacy of the human mind and body; the potential value to the world of each and every person. We must teach them that every person has a purpose in this world, even if it is only to be.
  Then, and only then, will the scourge of abortion end.


For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb... . Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:13, 16 NIV

On the Child Within Us

As long as your parents are alive, there is still a part of you that is a child. Once they pass on, it sometimes seems that the child within us dies too. We are now the older generation. Even when a parent dies when a person is still young, a part of their childhood ends.
  Children are innocent, joyful and trusting. They live each day fully; sometimes thinking about the future, but only if there's an upcoming holiday or special occasion. They notice the little things in life--a bug on the window, a flower, the birds, the animals.
  It's not so much our age or whether our parents are alive or have passed on that determines whether the child within us still lives--it's our attitude towards life. No, we can't retain our innocence; life takes that away. But we can live each day fully, one day at a time. We can savor the beauty around us. There is beauty and goodness everywhere no matter how bad our circumstances might be.
  One of my Facebook friends often posts little videos with pictures of gardens, birds or other wonders of nature. She lives alone and recently had surgery which confined her to her home for three weeks. I'm sure those little videos brightened her day as they did mine.
  I am currently reading a book, Mother Angelica's Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality, by Raymond Arroyo. It's a compilation of many of her wise sayings. She was a woman who grew up living as an only child with her mother. She suffered many physical ailments throughout her life. Yet she had a great sense of humor and looked at life's difficulties from a positive angle.
  Jesus says that in our relationship with God we must be like little children.
I assure you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of God.  Matthew 18:3
  Let's pray for and strive to grow in trust of God and His great love for us and to keep the child within us alive.

The Futility of Teaching Morality Without God

I know adults (parents, grandparents, teachers) have the responsibility of teaching good morals to the younger generation, but I think it's often an exercise in futility. You can't teach morality without the grace of God, for without God's help men and women are doomed to failure.
  All people have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  Romans 3:23
  It reminds me of the Old Testament where the Israelites were given the Law by God, but time after time, generation after generation, the people failed to keep it. At least then they believed in God and tried to keep His Law. Now people try to teach moral behavior without God at all!
  Maybe that's why many people lower the standards of character and behavior. Like those who think we need to teach children "safe sex" (a lie in itself, since no sex with multiple partners is safe) because they're going to "do it anyway."
  Way back in the 70's there was a very popular song "Jesus Is the Answer":
            Jesus is the answer,
            for all the world today.
            Above Him there's no other,
            Jesus is The Way.
  There needs to be a resurgence of that song. For it's only through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commands, through the power of the Holy Spirit, that we can hope to  be a moral society.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy - Part 1: Admonish the Sinner

As Christians, it seems to me that more focus and attention is given to the corporal works of mercy--feed the hungry, visit the sick, shelter the homeless, etc.--rather than the spiritual works of mercy. People often read Matthew 25:31-46 regarding the final judgment and think that's all we have to do to be considered a "sheep" rather than a "goat".


For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me. I was ill and you comforted me, in prison and you came to visit me.


But the spiritual works of mercy are just as important.


The seven spiritual works of mercy are:
  To instruct the ignorant
  To counsel the doubtful
  To admonish sinners
  To bear wrongs patiently.
  To forgive offences willingly
  To comfort the afflicted
  To pray for the living and the dead


I would like to focus on one at a time. I will begin with admonishing sinners.


My brothers, the case may arise among you of someone straying from the truth, and of another bringing him back. Remember this: the person who brings a sinner back from his way will save his soul from death and cancel a multitude of sins.  James 5:19-20


  I think that pointing out someone's sin is one of the most difficult of the spiritual works of mercy. It's especially difficult in our times because of the doctrine of relativism--that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute. If we are dealing with someone who believes in the doctrine of relativism, it's useless to point out where he or she is straying from the truth.
  There was a word of wisdom spoken by the late Mother Angelica:
We don't like to speak the truth about evil because we're going to hurt somebody. Let me tell you, you are going to hurt somebody, but that Somebody is God. If you would rather hurt God than your neighbor, there is something wrong with your spirituality. It's your obligation to speak the truth and everyone can either take it or leave it. But truth must be in us. We live in such poverty of the truth today.
  Also, when we bring to someone's attention an area where they are going the wrong direction we don't want to do so in a Pharasitical way--that we are the holy one pointing out their error. No, we must approach the person in love and humility, as one sinner admonishing another.  He is able to deal patiently with erring sinners, for he himself is beset by weakness...  Hebrews 5:2
  We are not called to admonish every sinner we know. We must first have a personal relationship with them. They should feel that we care for them--that we are speaking to them about this area of their lives out of love, not out of judgment. (regarding judging others, we are judging their actions, not the person themselves.)  We should also sense that the Holy Spirit is prompting us to speak to this person regarding their sin.  We should pray for some time before confronting the person, asking the Holy Spirit to give us the words to speak and asking God to help them to be open to what we have to say.  Let your speech be always gracious and in good taste,...  Colossians 4:6a
  No one likes to be corrected. Almost everyone (including me) responds initially with denial, excuses or rationalization. Sometimes the person will become angry with you and remain angry for some time. Our job is not to convince a person of their error. Our job is to be obedient to the Holy Spirit; to share our discernment, to bring the sin into the light, and then to step back and let the Holy Spirit do the rest.  If the person doesn't return to the right path it doesn't mean we were wrong to confront them.


...and the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kindly toward all. He must be an apt teacher, patiently and gently correcting those who contradict him, in the hope always that God will enable them to repent and know the truth. Thus, taken captive by God to do His will, they shall escape the devil's trap.  2 Timothy 2:24-26

The Responsibility of the "Rich"

Are you one of the "rich". If you have a computer or smartphone and are reading this, you probably are.
  We often think of rich people as "the other guy". But when evaluating whether or not we are rich, we have to look at the world as a whole. Most of us in the Western world and in other developed countries would be classified as "rich".
  Jesus said, When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted.  Luke 12:48b
  One of the reasons God blesses some people so abundantly is so we can take care of others. The poor do not have the means to help others; or the time and energy. Their lives must be focused on providing food, clothing and shelter for themselves and their families.  Let's examine our lives to see if we are sharing our material blessings with those who are not so fortunate. It's not just a nice thing to do--it's what God asks of us. 

 

Emailing God

Not attending church on Sundays (or Saturday evenings if your church has that option) is like always emailing someone, but never meeting them in person (like in the movie "You've Got Mail". When asked why they don't attend weekend church services, many people say, "Oh, we pray at home." Or "I don't need to go to church (or to be a member of a church); my faith is just between me and God (or me and Jesus)."
  When we gather to pray with others, Jesus said He will be with us. Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst. Matthew 18:20.
  St. Paul says in Hebrews: We should not absent ourselves from the assembly, as some do, but encourage one another;... (10:25)
  Reading the New Testament shows us that Jesus came to establish a church, not just individual people with a personal relationship with Jesus.
I for my part declare to you, you are 'Rock,' and on this rock I will build my church,... Matthew 16:18. Also, Matt 18:17, Acts 2:47, Acts 5:11, Acts 8:1, Acts 8:3, Acts 11:26, etc., etc.  The church is "a congregation gathered for public divine worship", not each individual just praying by themselves.
  For those who have the Eucharist at their church services (the real body and blood of Jesus), gathering together to celebrate the Eucharist is a real flesh and blood meeting with Jesus, rather than just a spiritual one. For those who have commemorative Communion services, the Presence of the Lord is still just spiritual, but with a much deeper presence than a person would experience by themselves.
  Another reason to attend church with others on Sundays is that God commanded us to "Keep holy the Sabbath day." (Exodus 20:8)  This is not just a church rule or a suggestion, but a commandment given by God. Jesus said: If you want to enter (eternal) life, obey the commandments." Matthew 19:17.
  We will all stand before God one day and be judged according to how we lived our lives on earth. (Matthew 25:31)  Even if we are saved, our behavior will still be judged. If you were to die today, how do you think God judge you?

Guarding Our Fortress

"A strong city have we: he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us." Isaiah 26:1b


Whatever you see, whatever you hear, whatever you read, becomes a part of you. Our minds are like the hard drive of a computer and there is no delete button. Protect the fortress of your mind. Be discerning about what you allow to enter it. Ask God to strengthen you when you are tempted to see, hear or read something that may cause you to sin or not become the good person you were meant to be.
  God's Word says:
  Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise.
 

On Disciplining Children

Disciplining children is like putting braces on their teeth. It's easier to deal with straightening the teeth when they are young and pliable than to deal with deformed teeth as an adult.


Train a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it. Proverbs 22:6

Do Opposites Attract?

Regarding the romantic relationships between men and women, the old saying was that "opposites attract."  But current online dating sites or services, especially eHarmony,  seem to focus on similarities between a man and a woman. So which is better for choosing a lifetime mate?
  I think that when you are looking for a friend, you tend to be drawn to a person similar to yourself but when looking for a person to marry, you tend to be most attracted to your opposite. In my experience I have noticed that most people marry a person different than themselves. For instance: day people tend to marry night people; people who are always hot seem to marry someone who is always cold; extroverts tend to marry introverts; the loud, outgoing person tends to marry a quieter, more easygoing person. Think about your own marriage, those in your family and couples you know or have met during your life. Don't you find that to be true?
  So if similarities help to insure compatibility in marriage, why do people tend to choose those with opposite characteristics? Doesn't that almost insure a stormy relationship? I think one of the answers may be that being married to someone with opposite personalities forces us to grow as a person.
  We are all born selfish and self-centered. If we are disciplined and nurtured properly as children, we learn to come out of ourselves and think about others. I think marrying our opposite helps us to continue that journey into adulthood. We learn to compromise since we have to make mutual decisions. We all begin by thinking our way is the "right", the best or only way. Marriage to our opposite helps us to appreciate the God-given differences in people; that individual differences all make up the whole; that God made people different, with different gifts and talents, to accomplish different tasks. One is not right or wrong, just different.
  To conclude, I think that this is one reason divorce is so pervasive in Western society. Many of us have stopped growing and maturing. We are still stuck in the self-centered stage of childhood. We are attracted to and fall in love with our opposite and then shortly afterward (when the glow of being newlyweds wears off) begin to try to get our spouse to be like us!
  The answer is to learn to truly love your opposite. To appreciate their gifts and talents. To learn from them; to give, to change, to compromise. To bear with their faults as you would like them to bear with yours. To think of them, their needs and desires as well as your own. To desire their happiness. That's the secret to a happy marriage.

Love Is Not Enough

My youngest grandchild is almost three years old. It has been pure joy being with him and enjoying his growth and development. But recently he has begun to be defiant, saying "No" and ignoring the requests of his parents and grandparents. It's not all joy now to care for him. Often he needs to be disciplined.
  He is a much-loved only child, also the only grandchild of his other grandparents. His mother and father love each other very much and have made a lovely home for him to grow up in. He wants for nothing. His parents are loving to him, but he is not spoiled.
  So where does the rebellion come from? What does he need to rebel against? The answer lies in our human weakness; our inherent rebelliousness and self-centeredness. The Bible says, All men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
  And this is why loving our children and grandchildren is not enough--they need discipline as well. And not just talking with them or trying to reason with them (children are not reasonable nor are they mature enough to be reasonable). They need consequences applied by a loving adult--negative experiences that occur as a result of their bad behavior to help them make the right choices. Parents and grandparents need to love a child enough to discipline them; just as God disciplines us. God's Word says:
  At the time it is administered, all discipline seems a cause for grief and not for joy, but later it brings forth the fruit of peace and justice to those who are trained in its school. Hebrews 12:11
  Scripture also says: Train a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not swerve from it. (Proverbs 22:6)  If we put in the time and effort it takes to discipline our children and grandchildren now we will reap the reward of well-balanced, responsible adults when they are grown.
 

The Fingerprints of God

The heavens declare the glory of God,
  and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day,
  and night to night imparts knowledge;
Not a word nor a discourse
  whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
  and to the ends of the world, their message.
                              Psalm 19:1-5


God is not silent. He speaks to us in many ways. One of the most obvious ways is through the beauty, variety, and intricacies of nature.
  Look at the stars, the moon, the sun, the other planets; the vastness of the universe beyond which man cannot see.
  How many varieties of trees are there in the world? An online Reference website states: "The exact number of tree species in the world is undetermined because only a small percentage of plant or animal species have been discovered and classified."
  How many varieties of fruits are there? The exact number is not known. It's estimated that there are approximately 400,000 types of flowers in the world; and 10,000 species of birds. But these are only scientific estimates; no one knows the exact number.
  Each and every part of the natural world--trees, flowers, fruits, plants, birds, insects, etc.--point to a Creator beyond our human ability to comprehend.
  I like calendars and purchase several each year to post in various rooms of my home. I always choose a few with pictures of nature especially birds, flowers and butterflies. When I look at each picture, I marvel at the intricacy and variety of God's design. Perhaps you would like to do the same. Or perhaps you prefer to view nature shows or online videos. It's a great reminder of who God is.

Exercise Your Spirit As Well As Your Body

Many people are into exercising a keeping fit. Some are even obsessed with it. Keeping our bodies physically fit is a good thing. God wants us to take care of our bodies so we will not be prone to illness or injury. Sickness and injury can detract us from doing God's will.
  But focusing on keeping our bodies healthy without devoting at least as much time to our spiritual lives is not a good thing. Actually, the spiritual life is much more important than the physical life.
  St. Paul says: Athletes deny themselves all sorts of things. They do this to win a crown of leaves that withers, but we a crown that is imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:25. So we should devote just as much time and effort to exercising our spiritual lives as an athlete does in training for a race. The Finish Line of our race is Heaven.
  We will all get old. Our bodies will weaken and deteriorate no matter how much we exercise, eat well, take supplements, etc. But our spiritual lives only grow stronger with time if we spend time nurturing them. That is definitely the better investment of our time and energy.

Are You Filled With the Holy Spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;...  Galatians 5:22-23

Reflecting on this Scripture passage from time to time is a good way of accessing how you are progressing spiritually. We need the power of the Holy Spirit to enable us to grow in holiness. The fruits of the Spirit are indications of how far we have progressed.
  So spend some time in meditation thinking about whether you show love and kindness. Are you usually joyful and peaceful. Are you patient and kind and gentle. Are you a good person. Are you faithful to God and others. Do you have self-control. Perhaps pick the fruit you have the least of and pray for a period of time that the Holy Spirit would help you grow in that area.
  Growing in holiness through the power of the Holy Spirit is not an option for Christians--it is God's Will for us.

A Note to Someone from Poland

I noticed that someone from Poland was viewing my blog. I would be interested to hear from you. Almost all my grandparents immigrated from Poland in the early 1900's. Two of my husband's grandparents were also from Poland and his stepfather was the son of Polish immigrants.
Pathway Peace

The Work of Prayer

Could you not watch one hour with Me?  Matthew 26:40
Many years ago, when I was initially baptized in the Holy Spirit, I was praying about how much time God wanted me to give to prayer. After some time, this passage from Scripture stood out for me as my answer.
  The Holy Spirit may have a different answer for you--perhaps even longer! Over the years my hour of prayer has developed a pattern; not exactly the same each day, but including praise, spiritual warfare, surrender, repentance, quiet time, intercessions, petitions and thanksgiving.
  I have learned that prayer is a ministry; and a job. I don't always feel like praying. It's not always rewarding, although most of the time it is. Often I doze off, especially if I'm short on sleep. But like any other ministry or job, it's what God calls us to. Not just me, but every Christian.
  Setting aside time for prayer is not an option; it's not "if I have time left in my day". It's a priority!  Because I am a morning person by nature, it's my first job of the day. If you are a night person, it's a little more difficult to set aside time to pray at the end of a busy day. There's always the temptation to relax or watch TV. On my "To Do" list, it takes first place. Some people have their prayer time during their morning commute or in the car while driving. This never worked for me since I am a very meditative person and would find myself veering off the road! But for some people it works.
  There's no excuse for not setting aside time to pray. When my children were small (and up very early) I had my prayer time very early in the morning before they woke. People who work outside the home can often find time to pray on their lunch hour. If there's no quiet place in your home, there are always churches or chapels open. If you have small children, naptime might be a good time.
  There's always the temptation to put off prayer time. Or to say to yourself "my service to my family or to others is my prayer." But there's no substitute for setting aside a specific time to pray.
  Of course, setting aside a specific prayer time is not the only time we should pray. We can read a devotional while we're eating. When someone comes to mind, we can pray for them. We can say the rosary or attend services at church. St. Paul said "Rejoice always, never cease praying, render constant thanks; such is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17.
   We should always be ready to pray; for others, for ourselves. To always be listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit within us--guiding us, leading us, showing us how to pray and who to pray for. This is God's Will for everyone.

The Miracle of a Child

One of my daughters is pregnant with her first child. As with each of my children and grandchildren, I enjoy tracking the development of the baby week by week. It's a marvel to see how quickly and intricately the baby grows in the womb of his or her mother. By the end of the first trimester all body systems have developed and are working. The only thing left is for the baby to grow in size and weight.
  It's good to reflect on the growth and development of a child inside it's mother for it helps us to remember that it is not just a fetus or a product of conception but a person, a little human being, a marvelous creation of God.  The following is that development, week by week.


Week 1: Conception; the baby is smaller than a grain of sugar, but the instructions are present for all that this person will ever become.
Week 2: The baby attaches and burrows securely into the wall of the mother's womb. Week 3: The baby's blood vessels and sex cells form. Foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are laid.
Week 4: The baby's heart has begun to beat. Eyes, ears and lungs begin to form.
Week 5: Tiny arms and legs appear, as well as the baby's face. The baby's blood is now separate from the mother's.
Week 6: Tiny fingers and toes develop. The baby's brain is divided into 3 parts for emotion and language, hearing, and seeing.
Week 7: Buds of the baby's milk teeth appear. 99% of the muscles are present, and brain activity is detectable.
Week 8: The baby begins spontaneous movement and is now well proportioned, about the size of a thumb. Every organ is present, but immature. The skull, elbows, and knees are forming.
Week 9: If prodded, hands and eyelids close. Genitalia become visible, indicating whether the baby is a boy or girl. Muscular movement begins.
Week 10: The baby's fingerprints begin to form. Nerve and muscle connections have tripled. Eyelids fuse together temporarily to protect the baby's delicate developing eyes.
Week 11: The baby "practices" breathing and facial expressions, even smiling. The baby can also urinate and stomach muscles can contract.
Week 12: The baby is now 3 inches in length and weighs 2 oz. with fine hair on the face. The baby is able to swallow and feels and responds to skin stimulation.


Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. Psalm 139:13-14