Have you ever noticed that when you resolve to do better, to pray more, to make a change, things get harder? Suddenly praying those 5 minutes every morning are a lot tougher than you originally planned, and it's difficult to stay focused.
Do not be discouraged.
It's actually fairly common, as frustrating as that is, but most people think it means something is wrong. They are told that they must be doing something wrong. They think that they aren't good enough or holy enough.
That's a lie.
I am reading a book called Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. It's actually a book on manhood written from a Christian perspective (the one for women is Captivating), and I definitely recommend it. The reason I mention it is because there is a section where Eldredge really hits the nail on the head in regards to this, our efforts to move forward in faith:
"That is the next level of our Enemy's strategy. When we begin to question him, to resist his lies, to see his hand in the "ordinary trials" of our lives, then he steps up the attack; he turns to intimidation and fear. [...] Satan will try to get you to agree with intimidation because he fears you. You are a huge threat to him. He doesn't want you waking up and fighting back because when you do he loses. 'Resist the devil,' James says, 'and he will flee from you' (James 4:7, emphasis added). So he's going to try to keep you from taking a stand. He moves from subtle seduction to open assault. The thoughts come crashing in, all sorts of stuff begin to fall apart in your life, your faith seems paper thin" (page 166).
Sound like a familiar story? That sure is the story of my life. Something really good comes into my life, I form a good habit (or try to), meet a person who needs my help, start a bible study or praise and worship group... What happens? Satan tries to attack it -- and me -- at all the weak points.
Face it -- he knows our weaknesses, our wounds. He constantly goes after them. What do you struggle with the most? Try to grow closer to Christ and see where you begin to hit road blocks. Probably in the most vulnerable, wounded areas of your life.
But God is with us. To the very end! And perfect Love casts out all fear. The Lord is that perfect Love. He is with us, and in Him we have nothing to fear. Standing firm in our faith in Christ, we have been given the same Spirit as the apostles on Pentecost. The same Spirit! The same Spirit that guided them across nations, that gave them power to heal, that gave them power to cast out demons, that gave them power to preach the gospel of Christ, that gave them the courage to die for their faith. This Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, which is Christ, and he is with each one of us.
So do not lose heart. For although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed every day. For this momentary slight affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is transient, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Fight the good fight.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Reality
It hit me last night.
People don't live in reality.
Lot's of people think they do, but they don't. The reality is that most people live without ever giving a thought to anything spiritual. However, because it is real, because God is real, because there is a spiritual battle happening for our souls as we speak, how can we say we truly live in reality if we ignore this aspect of it?
Sure, we can't see it necessarily. But neither can you see the wind.
Have you ever stopped--I mean really stopped--and been present? As in, fully and completely acknowledge where you are, right now, in this moment in relation to everything else?
This world we try to build for ourselves is nothing without God.
It's time we stop ignoring it and start facing the fact that what we think, say, and do does matter. It does have moral bearing. It does affect us. I does affect others. It does change lives.
That is the reality.
"If you are who you should be, you will set the world on fire."
- St. Catherine of Siena
People don't live in reality.
Lot's of people think they do, but they don't. The reality is that most people live without ever giving a thought to anything spiritual. However, because it is real, because God is real, because there is a spiritual battle happening for our souls as we speak, how can we say we truly live in reality if we ignore this aspect of it?
Sure, we can't see it necessarily. But neither can you see the wind.
Have you ever stopped--I mean really stopped--and been present? As in, fully and completely acknowledge where you are, right now, in this moment in relation to everything else?
This world we try to build for ourselves is nothing without God.
It's time we stop ignoring it and start facing the fact that what we think, say, and do does matter. It does have moral bearing. It does affect us. I does affect others. It does change lives.
That is the reality.
"If you are who you should be, you will set the world on fire."
- St. Catherine of Siena
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Fallen
We are human. That's why we fall.
Why do we try then, in our human nature, to not fall? By our nature, we fall.
It is God's grace that saves us, God's grace by which we fight and win.
Therefore, why do we not ask for God's grace in the moment that we see we are about to fall?
And if we continually ask for His grace, wouldn't it stand to reason that we would continually find strength to not fall?
And if we do fall...then get back up. Through grace.
For it is only through grace that we do not fall, and only through grace by which we get back up.
Monday, May 11, 2009
We Always Hate Change!
I used to complain at how difficult it is to adapt to change, especially spiritually. Because I go to school in Ohio, I transition every few months from my home in southern California to my school in eastern Ohio. The two environments are not only severely different in weather and culture, but in the atmosphere I'm in as well. My actual home is a nice place, and I enjoy my family...sometimes. My friends are great as well, but I'm discovering that the more I change and grow at school, the harder it is to be home. At school, I'm surrounded by 2500 other people striving to be holy and become saints. There are 3 Masses every day, perpetual adoration, chapels in every dorm, and a million possible ministries you could join. My professors pray before class, and I'm friends with priests and nuns.
All of this makes the transitions that much harder. I don't have the same opportunities at home as I do at school (i.e. Mass at 3 different times every day). I'm not around the same people. I have absolutely no school schedule that I have to follow. My friends don't even get out of school at the same time...It all makes for an interesting change, to say the least.
However, I mentioned that I used to complain. It just seems so hard. Even semester to semester at my school is so different.
But why wouldn't it be? It should change. We are people and as such, we perpetually change. School is basically a large community of people, a.k.a. other perpetually changing humans. If our faith and spiritual life isn't changing, then something's wrong! I heard it put so beautifully once - If you're not moving forwards, you're moving backwards. Why, do you ask? Because life is an uphill battle. Life and faith are climbing the mountain, and if you stick yourself into Neutral and become complacent, you're just rolling back down the hill.
So obviously we'll be changing. Obviously my spirituality will change. I can't get stuck into a routine of "prayer life" that happens to work for me because that's not how you grow. When I come back to a place that's more spiritually dry than Franciscan University, it's my opportunity to grow in a different way. It's my opportunity to have more quiet time with God in my room, alone, as opposed to only in a chapel 20 ft. from my dorm room. I can experience God anywhere, YOU can experience God anywhere.
Don't complain about change like me, and definitely don't let complacency take hold of you without you knowing it. I've done both, and they haven't really worked out for me very well. Experience God in new ways. He is, after all, the living God. The Bible is the living Word of God, so read it. The Holy Spirit is living, and he is everywhere, so experience him!
Complacency and discouragement is NOT of the Lord. Ever.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Encourage.
During a sermon at Mass on Wednesday, Fr. Mike talked about St. Paul and how one of his favorite ministries that we are all called to is the ministry of encouragement.
Think about it. Think about how people's attitudes would change day-to-day if we just encouraged each other to keep going, keep fighting, keep persevering.
He then proceeded to tell a story from 71 yrs. ago when he was 6. He hit a bully in the head with a frying pan because he was picking on the girls, and the other kids encouraged him. After Mass, he told us that we should not miss the moral of the story and that we should find ways other than frying pans to encourage each other...but the point remains the same.
We can over-compliment, but we can never never over-encourage.
Do not let one another fall into discouragement and hopelessness, both of which are not of the Lord.
Encourage one another always, and keep fighting the good fight of faith.
Think about it. Think about how people's attitudes would change day-to-day if we just encouraged each other to keep going, keep fighting, keep persevering.
He then proceeded to tell a story from 71 yrs. ago when he was 6. He hit a bully in the head with a frying pan because he was picking on the girls, and the other kids encouraged him. After Mass, he told us that we should not miss the moral of the story and that we should find ways other than frying pans to encourage each other...but the point remains the same.
We can over-compliment, but we can never never over-encourage.
Do not let one another fall into discouragement and hopelessness, both of which are not of the Lord.
Encourage one another always, and keep fighting the good fight of faith.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Take Action
Love is a powerful word thrown around these days, often in ways that aren't so powerful.
Like my love of burritos.
I wouldn't exactly say it's on the same level as my love for my family.
That's why the Church often uses the word "charity," which means love.
However, charity is much more distinct. It clarifies what is often intended by Jesus when we are called to "love."
Charity is about action.
It is love in action; therefore, love is an intentional choice and not just an emotion.
And that is the type of love Jesus calls us to.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Find Jesus
God is love.
Mary is the Mother of God. She loved even when her son was persecuted, tortured, and killed.
Mary is the perfect example among humans for loving, especially for loving Jesus. Her heart yearns for all of humanity to know him as our Savior, and as his mother and spouse of the Holy Spirit, his graces are poured out through her.
Sometimes we struggle in our attempts to approach Jesus and to take him as our loving King, but sweet Mother Mary shows us how. We don't just imitate Mary, but we find Jesus through living her virtues of faith, charity, humility, patience, obedience, continual mental prayer, mortification, sweetness, purity, and wisdom.
We entrust our lives to the Holy Spirit in order to do God's will, but in doing so, we give ourselves also to the care and love of Mary. We promise to live out the virtues in order that the graces of God may be poured down upon us, and we ask for her intercession so that every struggle, suffering, joy, and petition may be made perfect before the Lord.
Challenge one another to love as Christ loves, and through Mary's example of humility and purity, submit to Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Monday, November 17, 2008
"God of Heaven Come Down..."
Mass Readings for Sunday, November 9, 2008
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Reading I
Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
...He said to me, "This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.
Reading II
1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17
Brothers and sisters:
You are God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
Gospel
Jn 2:13-22
..."Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for my house will consume me...
-----------------------
Our vocation is to love. It is to be holy. If something is contrary to love or stops us from growing in holiness, then we probably shouldn't do it. All we have to do is love. After all, if love God and others (the two most important commandments), then we will never do anything contrary to God's will. We don't have to know exactly what we are called to do at this moment, or in the near future, because God will reveal that to us in time.
God called to St. Francis of Assisi and said, "Go and rebuild my church, for as you can see it is in ruins." Francis took this literally and reconstructed 3 churches that needed renovation. It was only after this that he realized the Lord had greater plans for him to rebuild the Church spiritually. He sold everything, announced God as his only Father (much to the dismay of his biological father), and began preaching the mercy and forgiveness of God. Francis just loved and followed God's will for him as he understood it, which evolved over time. This, too, is how it is with us. God will not necessarily strike us down with a bolt of lightning and tell us our specific vocation or course of action. Our understanding of God's will for us will gradually evolve and form us into the followers that He wants.
Of course, we have to be open to this. As the scriptures above say, wherever the river flows, there will be abundant fruit. If we want to see the fruit, we have to let the river flow. LOVE as God calls us to love, and we will build our foundation as a temple for Jesus Christ and therefore become holy. This affects others whether know it or not, whether we want to believe it or not.
"If you are what you should be, you will set the world ablaze."
- St. Catherine of Siena
Seriously, if our faith is boring, something is wrong.
If our life is boring, we're not doing God's will.
It's as simple as that.
I will sing a song of hope, sing along
God of Heaven come down, Heaven come down
Just to know that you are near is enough
God of Heaven come down, Heaven come down
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome
Reading I
Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
...He said to me, "This water flows into the eastern district down upon the Arabah, and empties into the sea, the salt waters, which it makes fresh. Wherever the river flows, every sort of living creature that can multiply shall live, and there shall be abundant fish, for wherever this water comes the sea shall be made fresh. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of every kind shall grow; their leaves shall not fade, nor their fruit fail. Every month they shall bear fresh fruit, for they shall be watered by the flow from the sanctuary. Their fruit shall serve for food, and their leaves for medicine.
Reading II
1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17
Brothers and sisters:
You are God's building. According to the grace of God given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it. But each one must be careful how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God, which you are, is holy.
Gospel
Jn 2:13-22
..."Take these out of here, and stop making my Father's house a marketplace." His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for my house will consume me...
-----------------------
Our vocation is to love. It is to be holy. If something is contrary to love or stops us from growing in holiness, then we probably shouldn't do it. All we have to do is love. After all, if love God and others (the two most important commandments), then we will never do anything contrary to God's will. We don't have to know exactly what we are called to do at this moment, or in the near future, because God will reveal that to us in time.
God called to St. Francis of Assisi and said, "Go and rebuild my church, for as you can see it is in ruins." Francis took this literally and reconstructed 3 churches that needed renovation. It was only after this that he realized the Lord had greater plans for him to rebuild the Church spiritually. He sold everything, announced God as his only Father (much to the dismay of his biological father), and began preaching the mercy and forgiveness of God. Francis just loved and followed God's will for him as he understood it, which evolved over time. This, too, is how it is with us. God will not necessarily strike us down with a bolt of lightning and tell us our specific vocation or course of action. Our understanding of God's will for us will gradually evolve and form us into the followers that He wants.
Of course, we have to be open to this. As the scriptures above say, wherever the river flows, there will be abundant fruit. If we want to see the fruit, we have to let the river flow. LOVE as God calls us to love, and we will build our foundation as a temple for Jesus Christ and therefore become holy. This affects others whether know it or not, whether we want to believe it or not.
"If you are what you should be, you will set the world ablaze."
- St. Catherine of Siena
Seriously, if our faith is boring, something is wrong.
If our life is boring, we're not doing God's will.
It's as simple as that.
I will sing a song of hope, sing along
God of Heaven come down, Heaven come down
Just to know that you are near is enough
God of Heaven come down, Heaven come down
The Little Flower
Recently, I've been feeling a strong calling to service to my friends, family, and sisters. I've accepted it and have been trying to gocus on teh Lord, knowing that he must work through me. To God be the glory! But in Rome, I had the opportunity to meet with one of my sisters who already graduated and she spoke of St. Therese, the "Little Flower," and how she loved in little ways. We talked about how becoming a great saint isn't something that happens overnight, but over time, through a complete dedication to Jesus Christ. I related this also to something Fr. Brad and I talked about a couple weeks ago - we need to work on building the foundation of a relationship with Jesus Christ, step by step. We need to start small, and build up our faith from the bottom through practice of consistent prayer, sacraments, and LOVE in everything. Then and only then will we be equipped and able to serve one another.
I also realized that true service and love only comes through the little things anyways. It's not the big, grand acts of serivce that mean the most, but the small, everyday activities done with love. In addition, the radical service that we are called to can't be accomplished without the initial stepping stones. How can love and serve in large ways when we can't even love those that we see every day?
St. Therese, pray for us.
I also realized that true service and love only comes through the little things anyways. It's not the big, grand acts of serivce that mean the most, but the small, everyday activities done with love. In addition, the radical service that we are called to can't be accomplished without the initial stepping stones. How can love and serve in large ways when we can't even love those that we see every day?
St. Therese, pray for us.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Your Treasure Is Where Your Heart Is
"Where your treasure is, there also is your heart" (from Mt 6)
Where is our treasure? What do we treasure? What is the difference between placing our treasure, and therefore our heart, in school, work, music, and friends or Jesus? Is there that much of a difference?
Yes.
It's not easy though. It's not easy to place our treasure in the Mass, in the Eucharist, in the sacred scripture. We are called every day to constant conversion towards our Lord, striving to live a holy life no matter what our vocation is. Slowly but surely, however, if Jesus Christ IS where we place our treasure, then he WILL become where we place our hearts. The desires of our heart will be Jesus, and everything else will follow. The love of God will overflow into our lives and to the people around us.
We are called to love. To place our treasure in Jesus is to place our treasure and heart in love because God himself is love.
"Love one another as I have loved you." As I have loved you. It hit me what Jesus is really saying. As I have loved you. He loved us by dying for us. This is how he tells us to love one another - as he did. Now, I feel that it's absolutely impossible for me to love like Jesus did, and that's because it is. It is impossible for me, a human, in my sin, to love as Jesus loved. However, by the grace of God, we can love one another. By the grace of God, we can live the life he calls us to. But it's only by the grace of God. And since it's grace, that means we have to accept it from God. He will not turn us into saints against our will. He does not force grace upon us.
"Where your treasure is, there also is your heart."
Is it Jesus? Is it love? Or is it something else?
Where is our treasure? What do we treasure? What is the difference between placing our treasure, and therefore our heart, in school, work, music, and friends or Jesus? Is there that much of a difference?
Yes.
It's not easy though. It's not easy to place our treasure in the Mass, in the Eucharist, in the sacred scripture. We are called every day to constant conversion towards our Lord, striving to live a holy life no matter what our vocation is. Slowly but surely, however, if Jesus Christ IS where we place our treasure, then he WILL become where we place our hearts. The desires of our heart will be Jesus, and everything else will follow. The love of God will overflow into our lives and to the people around us.
We are called to love. To place our treasure in Jesus is to place our treasure and heart in love because God himself is love.
"Love one another as I have loved you." As I have loved you. It hit me what Jesus is really saying. As I have loved you. He loved us by dying for us. This is how he tells us to love one another - as he did. Now, I feel that it's absolutely impossible for me to love like Jesus did, and that's because it is. It is impossible for me, a human, in my sin, to love as Jesus loved. However, by the grace of God, we can love one another. By the grace of God, we can live the life he calls us to. But it's only by the grace of God. And since it's grace, that means we have to accept it from God. He will not turn us into saints against our will. He does not force grace upon us.
"Where your treasure is, there also is your heart."
Is it Jesus? Is it love? Or is it something else?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Adoration
I cannot stress to you enough the importance of adoration.
In fact, I don't even know what to say here, but I know I need to say something in case it causes ANYONE to think twice...because I want you to think twice. I want you to experience everything our Lord has to offer and if you are bored or "whatever" about your faith, take another look.
It hurts to think that so many Catholics don't even know about adoration, and some that do don't care. It hurts to think that I was that Catholic for so long. I can't even begin to comprehend where I might be right now if I had just known...
I needed tremendous healing this year and I had no idea where to go and who I could go to. Actually, I pretty much couldn't go to anyone at all. I was stuck and lost, and I know how cliche this sounds, but it's true. One time I asked my friend, "What happened to my life?" and she so bluntly responded, "It went up in flames." Haha. Sadly, that is exactly what happened. However, to heal from everything, it wasn't my sisters, friends, family, counseling, or spiritual direction that I needed. Some of them offered support and help, yes, but ultimately we can only be truly healed by Jesus Christ. The only thing left for me to do was to just go to him in the chapel and so many times I just sat there crying, sometimes out of anger, sometimes out of frustration, oftentimes out of despair. Until we establish a relationship with him and GO TO HIM, then he can't fully help us.
You see, recognizing that he is here and wants us to come to him is the first step. The second is to actually desire it yourself, and the third is to DO IT. The third is OH SO IMPORTANT and so many people never get there. Jesus is waiting for us! He is waiting for us in adoration and at Mass in the Eucharist yet we are so indifferent! Someone can sit and talk for hours about how awesome it is, and we can still be indifferent! I am probably writing this mostly in vain. But you know what? I don't care. I can try and convince everyone of the powerful experience of a Steubenville conference, but people will just stay indifferent. They will sit in their indifference and then wonder why life is in the "kind of sucking, but not really, yet I'm sad and I don't know why...damn isn't there more than this?" stage. Jesus is what's more! The Son of God, Savior of the world, is present in adoration every Friday at St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Church, and EVERY DAY 24/7 at St. Joseph's. The Eucharist is made available to YOU and to ME every single day in Mass, but because it means we have to wake up at 7am we don't go.
Well I don't know about you, but I am ON FIRE for the Lord. Do you know what that feels like?! Did you know that it's possible, that it's not just a phrase made up for when you get really into praise and worship?? I didn't. I yearn, from the depths of my soul, to be with God in Heaven. It pains me to think that I have to wait to die to get there, that I have to keep living this life HERE when I'm meant for HIM up THERE. In adoration, I can't take my eyes off of Jesus and I wish that I could experience that peace FOREVER. Peace. Oh my gosh, peace is the best feeling I've ever experienced. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with my life. All I want to do is follow Jesus. Yet I am so peaceful! I don't worry about it one bit because I'm taken care of. The Holy Spirit is guiding me and I'm trying to surrender to him every moment of every day, even if that means taking the invitation to go to adoration when I'm just not in the mood.
That's another thing that baffles me about us...
Why are we so often "not in the mood?" What does that even mean? Not in the mood to see the LORD?! To be with Him? To experience Him? To praise Him? Wow, we're really going to suck in Heaven. (joke lol)
Anyway, the point is that we search and search for what's missing and making our lives crappy, yet it's right in front of us. HE is right in front of us. Stop searching for healing and fulfillment in all the places that people tell you to, in all the comfortable places. Don't you ever wonder why it's so uncomfortable in a supposed "comfortable" place? Does the "healing" or "fulfillment" you get ever last? I think that most of the time, we don't know what true healing is.
I probably don't either, but I DO know that I have healed from something that usually takes years, lifetimes...and I was only able to do so through the Eucharist and adoration.
I apologize if this all came off as arrogant, but really I can't fully describe how awesome adoration is, and it's so important that I had to write this, or write something...because you don't just keep something this incredible to yourself. People need to know about it.
In fact, I don't even know what to say here, but I know I need to say something in case it causes ANYONE to think twice...because I want you to think twice. I want you to experience everything our Lord has to offer and if you are bored or "whatever" about your faith, take another look.
It hurts to think that so many Catholics don't even know about adoration, and some that do don't care. It hurts to think that I was that Catholic for so long. I can't even begin to comprehend where I might be right now if I had just known...
I needed tremendous healing this year and I had no idea where to go and who I could go to. Actually, I pretty much couldn't go to anyone at all. I was stuck and lost, and I know how cliche this sounds, but it's true. One time I asked my friend, "What happened to my life?" and she so bluntly responded, "It went up in flames." Haha. Sadly, that is exactly what happened. However, to heal from everything, it wasn't my sisters, friends, family, counseling, or spiritual direction that I needed. Some of them offered support and help, yes, but ultimately we can only be truly healed by Jesus Christ. The only thing left for me to do was to just go to him in the chapel and so many times I just sat there crying, sometimes out of anger, sometimes out of frustration, oftentimes out of despair. Until we establish a relationship with him and GO TO HIM, then he can't fully help us.
You see, recognizing that he is here and wants us to come to him is the first step. The second is to actually desire it yourself, and the third is to DO IT. The third is OH SO IMPORTANT and so many people never get there. Jesus is waiting for us! He is waiting for us in adoration and at Mass in the Eucharist yet we are so indifferent! Someone can sit and talk for hours about how awesome it is, and we can still be indifferent! I am probably writing this mostly in vain. But you know what? I don't care. I can try and convince everyone of the powerful experience of a Steubenville conference, but people will just stay indifferent. They will sit in their indifference and then wonder why life is in the "kind of sucking, but not really, yet I'm sad and I don't know why...damn isn't there more than this?" stage. Jesus is what's more! The Son of God, Savior of the world, is present in adoration every Friday at St. Peter & St. Paul Catholic Church, and EVERY DAY 24/7 at St. Joseph's. The Eucharist is made available to YOU and to ME every single day in Mass, but because it means we have to wake up at 7am we don't go.
Well I don't know about you, but I am ON FIRE for the Lord. Do you know what that feels like?! Did you know that it's possible, that it's not just a phrase made up for when you get really into praise and worship?? I didn't. I yearn, from the depths of my soul, to be with God in Heaven. It pains me to think that I have to wait to die to get there, that I have to keep living this life HERE when I'm meant for HIM up THERE. In adoration, I can't take my eyes off of Jesus and I wish that I could experience that peace FOREVER. Peace. Oh my gosh, peace is the best feeling I've ever experienced. I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing with my life. All I want to do is follow Jesus. Yet I am so peaceful! I don't worry about it one bit because I'm taken care of. The Holy Spirit is guiding me and I'm trying to surrender to him every moment of every day, even if that means taking the invitation to go to adoration when I'm just not in the mood.
That's another thing that baffles me about us...
Why are we so often "not in the mood?" What does that even mean? Not in the mood to see the LORD?! To be with Him? To experience Him? To praise Him? Wow, we're really going to suck in Heaven. (joke lol)
Anyway, the point is that we search and search for what's missing and making our lives crappy, yet it's right in front of us. HE is right in front of us. Stop searching for healing and fulfillment in all the places that people tell you to, in all the comfortable places. Don't you ever wonder why it's so uncomfortable in a supposed "comfortable" place? Does the "healing" or "fulfillment" you get ever last? I think that most of the time, we don't know what true healing is.
I probably don't either, but I DO know that I have healed from something that usually takes years, lifetimes...and I was only able to do so through the Eucharist and adoration.
I apologize if this all came off as arrogant, but really I can't fully describe how awesome adoration is, and it's so important that I had to write this, or write something...because you don't just keep something this incredible to yourself. People need to know about it.
Monday, August 4, 2008
I Lay It Down
Everything I am, everything I long to be
I lay it down at Your feet
Everything I am, everything I long to be
I lay it down at Your feet
I lay it down, I lay it down
I lay it down at Your feet
I lay it down, I lay it down
I lay it down at Your feet
I lay it down at Your feet
Everything I am, everything I long to be
I lay it down at Your feet
I lay it down, I lay it down
I lay it down at Your feet
I lay it down, I lay it down
I lay it down at Your feet
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Bipolar Life
It's not about wondering why God lets us make so many mistakes while he's trying to bless us.
He's blessing us so that we can get through our mistakes.
He's blessing us so that we can get through our mistakes.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Come Holy Spirit
It's been an awfully long time since I've written in this, but that's OK because I am doing AWESOME right now.
I really feel like God is moving in my life. In about two weeks, I will have the opportunity be a small group leader during the Steubenville West 2008 conference. I can't wait! I have never led any group before, and I feel like this is where God is calling me. Also, we got a new junior high EDGE coordinator from Missouri last week, and she is trying to start a young adult program at our church. I'm helping her out and I can't wait. I won't really be able to see the fruits of our labor because I leave for school on August 21, but I'm really excited about this!
I have found the paradox that if you just let it go, let your life go, and stop stressing about where you're going and what you want to do, God will blow your life to pieces - while at the same time giving you the hugest sense of peace you could ever imagine.
Let go and let God.
Come Holy Spirit...
I really feel like God is moving in my life. In about two weeks, I will have the opportunity be a small group leader during the Steubenville West 2008 conference. I can't wait! I have never led any group before, and I feel like this is where God is calling me. Also, we got a new junior high EDGE coordinator from Missouri last week, and she is trying to start a young adult program at our church. I'm helping her out and I can't wait. I won't really be able to see the fruits of our labor because I leave for school on August 21, but I'm really excited about this!
I have found the paradox that if you just let it go, let your life go, and stop stressing about where you're going and what you want to do, God will blow your life to pieces - while at the same time giving you the hugest sense of peace you could ever imagine.
Let go and let God.
Come Holy Spirit...
Thursday, June 12, 2008
It's Not Just About Me
So I had somewhat of an epiphany on Tuesday. God's plan for me isn't all about me. It was one that you realize over a period of time, knowing something already but looking at it in a new light.
I know that my actions and words, no matter how small or how big, can affect other people, whether positively or negatively.
So why have I not applied this to my faith?
In some ways I have. I know that certain people have completely changed my life, especially spiritually by the tiniest actions or words. However, I am talking about God's plan for my life. I'm talking about living a holy life and trying to get to heaven. I'm talking about fighting the good fight. Why have I not applied this?
I've been out of school now for over a month, and I have to be honest, I've pretty much sucked in regards to my spiritual life. A lot of the fervor and perseverance I built up at school seemed to gradually (but quickly) drain out of me. I talked to friends from school, asked them what I should do and how I should get my butt back in gear...My complacency was bothering me so much because I knew that deep in my heart I desired to do God's will, and I wasn't doing it. I couldn't imagine life being so mundane if I was living as a saint like we're supposed to. As much as people like to think so, God is not boring and I don't believe that His plans for us are either.
So last Tuesday I was in adoration, and as I sat in front of Jesus I realized that everything I'm called to do isn't just about me. It's not only God's plan for me, but how I fit in His plan for everyone else. The reason I need to get off my butt and kick myself into gear spiritually isn't just for my own salvation, but for my preparation to become what God wants me to be - and when I am who He wants me to be, He can then use me in His plan with everyone else. So if for no other reason, regardless of how down I can get on myself or how complacent I can become, I know that I can pick myself up for the sake of what it means to God and everyone else.
I have no idea what I will be called to do, who I will impact, or how I need to be formed in order to live for God, but I do know that if I do everything I can to truly live a holy life, then I am only helping myself and everyone else out. I am doing what I was meant to but not focusing on how it helps just me.
I know that my actions and words, no matter how small or how big, can affect other people, whether positively or negatively.
So why have I not applied this to my faith?
In some ways I have. I know that certain people have completely changed my life, especially spiritually by the tiniest actions or words. However, I am talking about God's plan for my life. I'm talking about living a holy life and trying to get to heaven. I'm talking about fighting the good fight. Why have I not applied this?
I've been out of school now for over a month, and I have to be honest, I've pretty much sucked in regards to my spiritual life. A lot of the fervor and perseverance I built up at school seemed to gradually (but quickly) drain out of me. I talked to friends from school, asked them what I should do and how I should get my butt back in gear...My complacency was bothering me so much because I knew that deep in my heart I desired to do God's will, and I wasn't doing it. I couldn't imagine life being so mundane if I was living as a saint like we're supposed to. As much as people like to think so, God is not boring and I don't believe that His plans for us are either.
So last Tuesday I was in adoration, and as I sat in front of Jesus I realized that everything I'm called to do isn't just about me. It's not only God's plan for me, but how I fit in His plan for everyone else. The reason I need to get off my butt and kick myself into gear spiritually isn't just for my own salvation, but for my preparation to become what God wants me to be - and when I am who He wants me to be, He can then use me in His plan with everyone else. So if for no other reason, regardless of how down I can get on myself or how complacent I can become, I know that I can pick myself up for the sake of what it means to God and everyone else.
I have no idea what I will be called to do, who I will impact, or how I need to be formed in order to live for God, but I do know that if I do everything I can to truly live a holy life, then I am only helping myself and everyone else out. I am doing what I was meant to but not focusing on how it helps just me.
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