Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's Day is a Holy Day of Obligation
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
On Eve of 12.23
By G.P. Galle, C.O.O. United for Life Foundation, jeff@joinrock.com
Tomorrow, a historical event will touch down in Mobile, Alabama. This introduction of the Manhattan Declaration by Charles Colson has the potential for shockwaves across the nation.
Within this ecumenical event is a most important participating organization: Men of St. Joseph. This new and emerging Catholic men's group not only represents a fortified front of Catholic men dedicated to the truth of Christ in the family, but it also stands as a beacon to those who misunderstand our Catholic faith. By properly leading, Men of St. Joseph can help heal misunderstandings, and aid in the proper explanation of masculinity and freedom.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II published Love and Responsibility. Within this work our Holy Vicar explains authentic masculinity. Pope John Paul II states that authentic masculine life is not brutish, apathetic, nor selfish. Instead, being properly masculine, that is, being properly man, is a love affair with sacrifice, a death to oneself for the world, and to reckon not the cost for the sake of the common good. This masculine life is one of risk, of strain, of constant surrender to the Christ. This great trial of the soul is most becoming of a man, pushing him beyond base urges and drives, making him a master of himself.
This self-mastery and communion with the Holy Spirit awakens joy, awakens happiness, sets ablaze the fire of God in man's heart, and thus brings forth a word not often spoken today: nobility. Our world would do well to remember the true meaning of nobility. Because our great country is forgetting its root in the natural law, it is experiencing a severe lack of nobility. And people deeply desire it. People seek nobility in great athletes. They beg for nobility in Hollywood stars. They look to great speakers in political office. But they cannot find nobility in earthly titles and talents. As the Holy Mother Church teaches: nobility rests on that person who is holy, and is therefore truly free. This freedom is exactly what Men of St. Joseph must champion.
When people hear this word freedom, it is often misunderstood. Freedom is touted from the media and Congressional pulpit as do what you want. And though the bodies of our youth pile up, and families are decimated by abortion, divorce, and abuse, and people in increasing numbers become slaves to addictions, these loud voices continue to tout freedom as meaning do what you want. But this is not freedom, it is slavery. Our Founding Fathers knew this well. Freedom does not mean do what you want, but rather to be free from impulse, to govern with faith and reason, to not be blinded by vice. It means, at heart, to know what is right, and to be able to choose it. Freedom rests in self-mastery, in virtue, in the love of what is beautiful and what is true. In this true freedom, people gain power and dare to be fearless, even in the face of death. Our Catholicism gives us this true meaning of freedom. Our Catholicism guides us to these principles, and in this guidance, gives us happiness and strength.
We find this guidepost freedom in our great and imperfect Catholic men of the past, who could very well of been part of Men of St. Joseph. They who, even in their limited freedom and imperfection, made great strides for humanity. Whether it be our devout Catholic Galileo, the brilliantly gifted Michelangelo, the magnificent de Medici, or the mighty Constantine, we find the freedom these men enjoyed allowed us to reach heights in a coherent and connected civilization never before seen. We see the near pinnacle of freedom achieved in our religious figures St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Louis the Pious, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Joseph himself. Like these men, we must take our place in this sweeping drama called history, steeped in humanity and struggling in sin, and dare to cry out: Christ help us be free, help us be noble!
It is this unabashed cry that the Men of St. Joseph must trumpet, must strive to be. If we are to claim the mantle of Catholicism, we must say and believe that we have been given the full revelation of Christ's Covenant with man. We must perceive truth and proclaim it. And we invite others to this truth, so that they may be happy.
It must be reiterated through the Men of St. Joseph: our understanding of Catholicism is one of invitation. It is an invitation to be part of the ecstatic union with Christ on his altar, an invitation to join the eternal blessed family, an invitation to take that great and holy Cross and walk it all the way to death. It is this invitation, this carrying of the Cross, that truly changes the world. It is an invitation for all to truly be free. It is this invitation that the Men of St. Joseph must give.
It is true: the higher being invites, the lower being enslaves. Our Creator's constant invitation to enter His grace shows Catholic men how to lead. Our power is in our gentleness, is in our patience, and in our love. We have a quiet strength, a deep confidence which wells from the Holy Spirit within us. And from this place of peace we invite, we protect, and we stand up to that which selfishly seeks to enslave the world.
Our powerful approach of invitation is that which our Holy Vicars John Paul II and Benedict XVI both commanded, and thus we should invite conversation and brotherhood with those who oppose or misunderstand our way. If we are to truly herald Catholicism, we must understand that Catholicism is not merely a blunt instrument to beat someone with, but rather an instrument of the rarest complexity and simultaneously of the greatest simplicity. This instrument must be used with skill only bestowed through grace. We must show non-Catholics our lives, our love, our failures, our humanity. In short, we must present the truth of sin and redemption. It is our responsibility in the Men of St. Joseph to take up true masculinity, true freedom, and to be truly noble.
This perspective leads us to the Manhattan Declaration Event tomorrow. There are some that might look at this event skeptically because it is not solely Catholic. This thought process must, if we are to truly set our country ablaze, be put to rest. This skepticism is not of Pope John Paul II, who referred to the Baptists of the South as his brothers. This skepticism is not the thought of our Creator, who explained to St. Theresa of Lisieux that those who merely and faithfully carry the natural law are like wild flowers in heaven. We must understand as St. Theresa and Pope John Paul the Great understood: that a unified effort is needed to overcome what is true prejudice against life, marriage, and religious freedom, and how we must in solidarity overcome the attack waged on our guiding principles. If we do not act in solidarity, subsequent totalitarianism will necessarily proceed. Pope John Paul II saw this happen in his own country. And later he saw, through his leadership, this very totalitarianism fall through faith in Christ. We too must gather together, put aside some specific theological differences (without compromising them), and stand together on the principles stated in the Manhattan Declaration. And as the Men of St. Joseph carry the ecumenical mantle given through leaders like Pope John Paul II, proper understanding of Catholicism will occur. Barriers will break.
Tomorrow is not a finale; rather, it is the first harmonic note to a crescendo in the future. While the rumblings of decline and destruction quake across our country, it is us who must take these gifts of masculinity and freedom, and join with our other brothers in trumpeting the words of our Christ to our hurting country: We have not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Tomorrow, a historical event will touch down in Mobile, Alabama. This introduction of the Manhattan Declaration by Charles Colson has the potential for shockwaves across the nation.
Within this ecumenical event is a most important participating organization: Men of St. Joseph. This new and emerging Catholic men's group not only represents a fortified front of Catholic men dedicated to the truth of Christ in the family, but it also stands as a beacon to those who misunderstand our Catholic faith. By properly leading, Men of St. Joseph can help heal misunderstandings, and aid in the proper explanation of masculinity and freedom.
In 1979, Pope John Paul II published Love and Responsibility. Within this work our Holy Vicar explains authentic masculinity. Pope John Paul II states that authentic masculine life is not brutish, apathetic, nor selfish. Instead, being properly masculine, that is, being properly man, is a love affair with sacrifice, a death to oneself for the world, and to reckon not the cost for the sake of the common good. This masculine life is one of risk, of strain, of constant surrender to the Christ. This great trial of the soul is most becoming of a man, pushing him beyond base urges and drives, making him a master of himself.
This self-mastery and communion with the Holy Spirit awakens joy, awakens happiness, sets ablaze the fire of God in man's heart, and thus brings forth a word not often spoken today: nobility. Our world would do well to remember the true meaning of nobility. Because our great country is forgetting its root in the natural law, it is experiencing a severe lack of nobility. And people deeply desire it. People seek nobility in great athletes. They beg for nobility in Hollywood stars. They look to great speakers in political office. But they cannot find nobility in earthly titles and talents. As the Holy Mother Church teaches: nobility rests on that person who is holy, and is therefore truly free. This freedom is exactly what Men of St. Joseph must champion.
When people hear this word freedom, it is often misunderstood. Freedom is touted from the media and Congressional pulpit as do what you want. And though the bodies of our youth pile up, and families are decimated by abortion, divorce, and abuse, and people in increasing numbers become slaves to addictions, these loud voices continue to tout freedom as meaning do what you want. But this is not freedom, it is slavery. Our Founding Fathers knew this well. Freedom does not mean do what you want, but rather to be free from impulse, to govern with faith and reason, to not be blinded by vice. It means, at heart, to know what is right, and to be able to choose it. Freedom rests in self-mastery, in virtue, in the love of what is beautiful and what is true. In this true freedom, people gain power and dare to be fearless, even in the face of death. Our Catholicism gives us this true meaning of freedom. Our Catholicism guides us to these principles, and in this guidance, gives us happiness and strength.
We find this guidepost freedom in our great and imperfect Catholic men of the past, who could very well of been part of Men of St. Joseph. They who, even in their limited freedom and imperfection, made great strides for humanity. Whether it be our devout Catholic Galileo, the brilliantly gifted Michelangelo, the magnificent de Medici, or the mighty Constantine, we find the freedom these men enjoyed allowed us to reach heights in a coherent and connected civilization never before seen. We see the near pinnacle of freedom achieved in our religious figures St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Louis the Pious, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Joseph himself. Like these men, we must take our place in this sweeping drama called history, steeped in humanity and struggling in sin, and dare to cry out: Christ help us be free, help us be noble!
It is this unabashed cry that the Men of St. Joseph must trumpet, must strive to be. If we are to claim the mantle of Catholicism, we must say and believe that we have been given the full revelation of Christ's Covenant with man. We must perceive truth and proclaim it. And we invite others to this truth, so that they may be happy.
It must be reiterated through the Men of St. Joseph: our understanding of Catholicism is one of invitation. It is an invitation to be part of the ecstatic union with Christ on his altar, an invitation to join the eternal blessed family, an invitation to take that great and holy Cross and walk it all the way to death. It is this invitation, this carrying of the Cross, that truly changes the world. It is an invitation for all to truly be free. It is this invitation that the Men of St. Joseph must give.
It is true: the higher being invites, the lower being enslaves. Our Creator's constant invitation to enter His grace shows Catholic men how to lead. Our power is in our gentleness, is in our patience, and in our love. We have a quiet strength, a deep confidence which wells from the Holy Spirit within us. And from this place of peace we invite, we protect, and we stand up to that which selfishly seeks to enslave the world.
Our powerful approach of invitation is that which our Holy Vicars John Paul II and Benedict XVI both commanded, and thus we should invite conversation and brotherhood with those who oppose or misunderstand our way. If we are to truly herald Catholicism, we must understand that Catholicism is not merely a blunt instrument to beat someone with, but rather an instrument of the rarest complexity and simultaneously of the greatest simplicity. This instrument must be used with skill only bestowed through grace. We must show non-Catholics our lives, our love, our failures, our humanity. In short, we must present the truth of sin and redemption. It is our responsibility in the Men of St. Joseph to take up true masculinity, true freedom, and to be truly noble.
This perspective leads us to the Manhattan Declaration Event tomorrow. There are some that might look at this event skeptically because it is not solely Catholic. This thought process must, if we are to truly set our country ablaze, be put to rest. This skepticism is not of Pope John Paul II, who referred to the Baptists of the South as his brothers. This skepticism is not the thought of our Creator, who explained to St. Theresa of Lisieux that those who merely and faithfully carry the natural law are like wild flowers in heaven. We must understand as St. Theresa and Pope John Paul the Great understood: that a unified effort is needed to overcome what is true prejudice against life, marriage, and religious freedom, and how we must in solidarity overcome the attack waged on our guiding principles. If we do not act in solidarity, subsequent totalitarianism will necessarily proceed. Pope John Paul II saw this happen in his own country. And later he saw, through his leadership, this very totalitarianism fall through faith in Christ. We too must gather together, put aside some specific theological differences (without compromising them), and stand together on the principles stated in the Manhattan Declaration. And as the Men of St. Joseph carry the ecumenical mantle given through leaders like Pope John Paul II, proper understanding of Catholicism will occur. Barriers will break.
Tomorrow is not a finale; rather, it is the first harmonic note to a crescendo in the future. While the rumblings of decline and destruction quake across our country, it is us who must take these gifts of masculinity and freedom, and join with our other brothers in trumpeting the words of our Christ to our hurting country: We have not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
No Pain, no gain: Offering it up
"Sometimes the struggles we choose can unite us with those whose suffering comes unbidden.
"At about mile 22 I practically forgot the reason I was running-or at this point barely jogging-my second marathon in as many years. My feet were screaming at me to stop "offering it up" and lay my aching body down in the grass. It would feel so good to stretch out and soak up the Florida sunshine. A little voice asked, "Couldn't praying a rosary in the prone position be just as effective as pounding out 26.2 miles?"Read the full article here
Thursday, December 17, 2009
You Might Be a Man of the Eucharist (or) Jeff Foxworthy Goes to Confession
By Dr. Chris Baglow, Covington, La.
If your eye has a fast-focus function for the female form, you might be a man; and if you can get that eye back up to her forehead in .0045 seconds, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
You might be a man if you carry a little black book chock full of names and numbers; and if some of those names are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and those numbers are chapters and verses, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If you’ve amassed so much wealth in your lifetime that even the IRS can’t count all the places you’ve got it, you might be a man; and if the only thing you ever steal from your government is its ability to destroy the innocent and call it freedom of choice, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
(For men south of the Mason-Dixon): You might be a man if the outside of your SUV looks like you just drove it straight through a Louisiana swamp; and if the inside of that SUV looks like it was hijacked by six nuns and an entire kindergarten class, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If you’re the corporate big boss, these days you’re still probably a man; and if your employees would rather die than work for anybody else, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If your baby girl tells you that she thinks you might be even stronger than Mr. Incredible, you might be man; and if she grows up and can’t remember a single time when you used that strength to hurt her or her mother, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If you don’t know a single recipe that feeds less than 75 people, you might be a man; and if you use that recipe regularly at your local soup kitchen, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
You might be a man if people pay to jet you all over the country to net the big accounts; and if you’ve seen the inside of an Adoration Chapel in every major city to which Delta flies, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If your boy measures his total being by your every move, you might be a man; and if, because of that, he makes the sign of the cross every time you pass your parish church, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If you can look a man in the face without fear, you might be a man; if you can look a man in the face without fear and tell him how Christ saved you from alcoholism or pornography, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
You’re obviously a man if you married a woman (and let’s hope it stays that way in our country just as it will always be that way in the Church); if she never has to surrender her innocence in order to give herself to you, you might be a man of the Eucharist;
If there are people in this world who count on you as a protector, as a guide, as a provider, even as a hero, you might be a man; and if you and they know that your ability to be all that comes from the fact that in your weakness Christ is strong, you are definitely a man of the Eucharist.
[Thanks, Chris, for our first posting from Louisiana!]
[Thanks, Chris, for our first posting from Louisiana!]
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Mother of the Lord
By Norwood Morris, Mobile, Ala. - St. Ignatius
In the Sunday Gospel (12.20.09) we read that Mary has traveled to Zechariah’s home to greet Elizabeth. Lk. 1:39-45. Although Zechariah is “speechless and unable to talk” as we read in Luke 1:5-25 (12.19.2009), the child in Elizabeth’s womb is already proclaiming the joy of the Lord. As Elizabeth put it, “for at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant [John the Baptist] in my womb leaped for joy.” Lk. 1:13, 44. A child who would be “called prophet of the Most High, [who would go] before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. . .” Lk. 1:76-77. But, what strikes me here is God’s plan and purpose for John (a prophet) was being realized before John had even left his mother’s womb. It gives me hope to know that God is involved in our lives even before we are born. Even Zechariah, once struck dumb by the Lord, is later filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. Lk. 1:67. That too gives me hope to read how our Father works in our lives regardless of what we have done, what we have failed to do, or where we currently are in our lives. Of course we must ultimately be obedient to our Father’s call. Ultimately, for John the Baptist obedience meant proclaiming the Kingdom (Matthew 3:1) and living and dying in a way that contradicted worldly wisdom. Mt.14:10.
In Sunday’s Gospel we also see that Elizabeth was able to discern truth not yet revealed. “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” Lk. 1:42-43 (Emphasis added). Elizabeth, inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit, humbly recognizes that Mary is full of favor and grace and that the baby Mary carries is the promised Lord and King. Compare Lk. 1:28-33. Like the unborn John the Baptist who was the prophet sent by God, Jesus was also recognized as Light and Redeemer of the world in Mary’s womb. See John 1:1-18.
What a mystery that the greatest of the prophets (Mt. 11:11), able to announce the arrival of the Lord (before either of their births) would ultimately live such a simple and tragic life. Mt.14:11. What a mystery that all powerful and ever living Christ Jesus should choose to fulfill thousands of years of promises in such a humble and helpless form; as a weak and feeble baby. Mt. 1:18-25. What a mystery that our King and Savior would choose the lowly and poor setting of a trough for feeding livestock as His place of birth. Luke 2:7.
It could only be by the power of the Holy Spirit that we could have faith in these Christmas truths.
So let us pray today that through the Holy Spirit we obediently live, like John the Baptist did, in submission to our Father’s will and purpose for our lives. And let us pray that we be filled with the Holy Spirit, like humble Elizabeth, so that we may have the wisdom of God and knowledge of the joy of salvation. See Ephesians 1:17-23.
“But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Luke 1:43
In the Sunday Gospel (12.20.09) we read that Mary has traveled to Zechariah’s home to greet Elizabeth. Lk. 1:39-45. Although Zechariah is “speechless and unable to talk” as we read in Luke 1:5-25 (12.19.2009), the child in Elizabeth’s womb is already proclaiming the joy of the Lord. As Elizabeth put it, “for at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant [John the Baptist] in my womb leaped for joy.” Lk. 1:13, 44. A child who would be “called prophet of the Most High, [who would go] before the Lord to prepare His ways, to give His people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. . .” Lk. 1:76-77. But, what strikes me here is God’s plan and purpose for John (a prophet) was being realized before John had even left his mother’s womb. It gives me hope to know that God is involved in our lives even before we are born. Even Zechariah, once struck dumb by the Lord, is later filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied. Lk. 1:67. That too gives me hope to read how our Father works in our lives regardless of what we have done, what we have failed to do, or where we currently are in our lives. Of course we must ultimately be obedient to our Father’s call. Ultimately, for John the Baptist obedience meant proclaiming the Kingdom (Matthew 3:1) and living and dying in a way that contradicted worldly wisdom. Mt.14:10.
In Sunday’s Gospel we also see that Elizabeth was able to discern truth not yet revealed. “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” Lk. 1:42-43 (Emphasis added). Elizabeth, inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit, humbly recognizes that Mary is full of favor and grace and that the baby Mary carries is the promised Lord and King. Compare Lk. 1:28-33. Like the unborn John the Baptist who was the prophet sent by God, Jesus was also recognized as Light and Redeemer of the world in Mary’s womb. See John 1:1-18.
What a mystery that the greatest of the prophets (Mt. 11:11), able to announce the arrival of the Lord (before either of their births) would ultimately live such a simple and tragic life. Mt.14:11. What a mystery that all powerful and ever living Christ Jesus should choose to fulfill thousands of years of promises in such a humble and helpless form; as a weak and feeble baby. Mt. 1:18-25. What a mystery that our King and Savior would choose the lowly and poor setting of a trough for feeding livestock as His place of birth. Luke 2:7.
It could only be by the power of the Holy Spirit that we could have faith in these Christmas truths.
So let us pray today that through the Holy Spirit we obediently live, like John the Baptist did, in submission to our Father’s will and purpose for our lives. And let us pray that we be filled with the Holy Spirit, like humble Elizabeth, so that we may have the wisdom of God and knowledge of the joy of salvation. See Ephesians 1:17-23.
12:23 Men of Mobile Bay Christmas Gathering
Speaker: Mr. Chuck Colson
FREE admission, general seating
Wed, 12/23/09, 6:00 am – 7:30 am
Mobile Convention Center on Water Street in Mobile, Alabama
North Expo Hall
Parking at Convention Center $5.00
Concessions will be available for purchase
Sponsored by a group of Christian men in the Mobile community, including members of the MoSJ. The event is for Christian men and their families in the Mobile/Baldwin area.
The speaker is Mr. Chuck Colson, one of the primary authors of the Manhattan Declaration.
What is the Manhattan Declaration? On Nov. 20, 2009 a group of prominent Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical clergy, ministry leaders and scholars released the Manhattan Declaration, addressing the sanctity of life, traditional marriage and religious liberty. Among the signatories were a number of Catholic bishops, including Archbishop Dolan of New York and Archbishop Wuerl of Washington, D.C.
Here is the website for the Manhattan Declaration: http://www.manhattandeclaration.com/
Mr. Colson was imprisoned for Watergate related offenses; after coming to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, he entered a guilty plea for obstruction of justice and served time in Alabama’s Maxwell Prison in 1974. Before his conversion, Colson was aide to President Richard Nixon and was known during that time as the White House “hatchet man,” feared by even the most powerful politicos during the Nixon presidency.
More about Chuck Colson: http://www.colsoncenter.org/the-center/the-chuck-colson-center/about-chuck-colson
Saturday, December 5, 2009
This Year Will Be Different!!!!
By Tommy Fulton, Mobile, Ala. - St. Dominic
When I listened to Matthew Kelly’s CD, given to me by my brothers of The Men of St. Joseph, I soaked up the messages like a bone-dry, thirsty sponge. There was one message that struck me more than all of the rest. That message was a quick version of Chapter 21: 34-36 of Luke’s gospel. In essence, what Matthew Kelly said was, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from …the anxieties of daily life…”
That especially strikes me as important for this time of year. It apparently struck him the same way, since his message was tailored for the Advent season. It resonates with me greatly during the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas. If there is one overarching thing that I love and appreciate about this season, it’s the gathering together of the family…my family. From the earliest time I can ever remember, that’s been the most positive part of this season.
Regretfully, though, the “anxieties of daily life” fight against our best efforts to experience the warmth and love we share with our family and close friends. Every year I vow to simplify the holiday spirit and every year I find myself in ultimate panic.
THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT!!!!
If I’ve received anything during my association with The Men of St. Joseph, it is this…
What I can do is use this period of the year to really appreciate the heart of those I love and who love me. Mostly, I will express to Jesus Christ my gratitude for all that He’s given to me, especially His people…my family & friends.
May all of you have the happiest and holiest holiday season ever!
When I listened to Matthew Kelly’s CD, given to me by my brothers of The Men of St. Joseph, I soaked up the messages like a bone-dry, thirsty sponge. There was one message that struck me more than all of the rest. That message was a quick version of Chapter 21: 34-36 of Luke’s gospel. In essence, what Matthew Kelly said was, “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from …the anxieties of daily life…”
That especially strikes me as important for this time of year. It apparently struck him the same way, since his message was tailored for the Advent season. It resonates with me greatly during the period from Thanksgiving through Christmas. If there is one overarching thing that I love and appreciate about this season, it’s the gathering together of the family…my family. From the earliest time I can ever remember, that’s been the most positive part of this season.
Regretfully, though, the “anxieties of daily life” fight against our best efforts to experience the warmth and love we share with our family and close friends. Every year I vow to simplify the holiday spirit and every year I find myself in ultimate panic.
THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT!!!!
If I’ve received anything during my association with The Men of St. Joseph, it is this…
“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent…”I have re-learned the importance of prayer and those few moments of quiet in which I ask God to give me the calm I need to appreciate all of the great things He has provided to me through my family and friends. I don’t know if I can find the perfect present for everyone, or host the perfect party, or write the perfect Christmas card. Probably not.
What I can do is use this period of the year to really appreciate the heart of those I love and who love me. Mostly, I will express to Jesus Christ my gratitude for all that He’s given to me, especially His people…my family & friends.
May all of you have the happiest and holiest holiday season ever!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Consider This ...
From Norwood Morris, Mobile, Ala. -St. Ignatius
We have a Father that loves us so much (Jeremiah 31:3) a merciful Dad whom we can freely trust (Psalm 32:10), freely we have been saved (Ephesians 2:2:8-9), and so much has been forgiven (Luke 7:41-49), so let us live for Him, our God through Christ Jesus (Romans 12:1; Philippians 1:21). He calms the storms in ALL our lives (Lk. 8:22-25) and gives us peace (John 14:27; Matthew 14:27; Lk. 7:50)! May you ALL be blessed today!
We have a Father that loves us so much (Jeremiah 31:3) a merciful Dad whom we can freely trust (Psalm 32:10), freely we have been saved (Ephesians 2:2:8-9), and so much has been forgiven (Luke 7:41-49), so let us live for Him, our God through Christ Jesus (Romans 12:1; Philippians 1:21). He calms the storms in ALL our lives (Lk. 8:22-25) and gives us peace (John 14:27; Matthew 14:27; Lk. 7:50)! May you ALL be blessed today!
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