Friday, May 15, 2009
The Rosary
I have been working on a little project today that I have been meaning to do for a while. I have a pocket size pamphlet of how to say the rosary that I keep in my wallet, but it has seen it's better day's. I have looked for another one, but haven't found one I like as much. So today I made my own. It is about 6"x3" and slides right in my wallet. It's tri-folded and has the 3 original mysteries on it, along with all the prayers needed for saying the rosary. If you are unfamiliar with the rosary or one of those misdirected souls that thinks we as Catholics "worship" Mary by saying the rosary, please read this passage I wrote on Mary - "Mary, Christ's mother, Mary, our mother". If you would be interested in one of the pamphlets I made just let me know and I'd love to send you one. I wish I could put up a link for you to download it but I'm not computer smart enough to know how to do that. I think I can send it as an attachment though. As you can see I am still working on my spiritual block, and the rosary is a wonderful start!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Spiritual Block
I'm sure you've heard of writers block, well I'm suffering from spiritual block. I just haven't felt Gods hand in my life lately. I know it's not Him, He is always with me. But just as gunk builds up and blocks a drain, I have gunk in my life that is preventing God to be able to work in my life. I know this, Im just having a hard time eliminating it. I need some spiritual Drano. I need the Holy Spirit's help to give me the strength and courage to do what I need. I am praying, maybe not as much as I could, maybe not as sincere as I could. What ever it is I'm blaming myself, not God. He has told me He would answer my prayers, I believe Him, I just need to ask for the right things, then I need to do my part. I can't expect Him to part the Red Sea for me. My mother taught me this saying - "Pray as if everything depended upon God and work as though everything depended upon you". I need to get to work.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Sesame Noodle Salad
A friend brought this in to work and I couldn't get enough! Great dish for a Pot Luck affair.
Sesame Noodle Salad
1 lb Angel Hair Pasta (cooked al dente)
1/3-1/2 cup Tamari (Soy Sauce)
1/3-1/2 cup Sesame Oil
1/3=1/2 cup each Black and White Sesame Seeds
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1 Tblsp Hot Pepper flakes, to taste
Mix, then chill overnight. Toss and serve at room temp.
I haven't tried making it yet, so I don't know how difficult it may be to get the ingredients, but it is worth it!
Note: I have been told that the seeds are much cheaper if you can get them at an Asian grocer.
Sesame Noodle Salad
1 lb Angel Hair Pasta (cooked al dente)
1/3-1/2 cup Tamari (Soy Sauce)
1/3-1/2 cup Sesame Oil
1/3=1/2 cup each Black and White Sesame Seeds
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1 Tblsp Hot Pepper flakes, to taste
Mix, then chill overnight. Toss and serve at room temp.
I haven't tried making it yet, so I don't know how difficult it may be to get the ingredients, but it is worth it!
Note: I have been told that the seeds are much cheaper if you can get them at an Asian grocer.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Other site
My latest inpiration has been posted on my other site. Please feel free to visit me there if you haven't already. I'll be back here soon. I have a recipe I want to post. Have a blessed day!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Do you have your license?
"So, how do you plead?"
"Not guilty"
"Please state your case"
"Your honor, all my life I have obeyed every traffic rule. I have never sped or run a red light. I use my blinker whenever I should and I always wear my seat belt. I am even courteous in traffic. I allow others to merge in front of me and let them pull out of parking lots. I have been a model citizen behind the wheel of a car."
"May I ask you one question?"
"Yes your honor."
"Do you or do you not have your drivers license?"
"Well your honor....uh....I...."
"Well, do you?"
"Uh....no, you honor, I do not have my license."
(POUND!!) "Guilty as charged!"
"You are sentanced to a $500.00 fine"
The second reading at mass today was Eph 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God --
9 not because of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
There are good people on this earth, people with good morals and values, that will not be getting into heaven. They are still going to have to pay the fine. Why? They lack faith. They believe that they are earning their way into heaven, that if they are "good" people they will go to heaven. These are the devil's favorite people. Surprised? Satan is not against good works. No, he is against good works done in the name of Christ Jesus. His goal is to take the name of Jesus out of our lives. He is getting close. We have taken His name out of our government, out of our schools, out of entertainment. But when good is done for the sake of Christ then he knows he has lost.
Those doing good to get to heaven don't believe, or don't know, that Christ already earned this for us. They don't have faith. They are not living their lives for Christ. God doesn't want us boasting that one of us was a better person that the other and that should qualify us into getting into heaven. This doesn't mean He doesn't want each of us to be the best person that we can and try to live a Christ-like life. He does, but our passage into heaven has already been granted.
To obtain a drivers license we go to the granting authority, the Secretary of State, have our photo taken and pay a slight fee to get this. To obtain passage into heaven we have to go to the granting authority also, God. But the price has already been paid for us by His son Jesus Christ (and you don't have to have your picture taken!) We just have to have faith. We also have to obey the rules of this faith. Just as a drivers license doesn't give us the right to drive anyway that we please, the gift of salvation isn't our pass into heaven, living our lives anyway that we want. We still have to live our lives in a way that reflects that faith.
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2 14-16
My dad always told me "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". There are a lot of "good" people on this road. My prayer is that they invite Christ into their lives and accept His free gift and continue doing good, but now doing it for Him. In doing this it will put them on the highway to heaven.
"Not guilty"
"Please state your case"
"Your honor, all my life I have obeyed every traffic rule. I have never sped or run a red light. I use my blinker whenever I should and I always wear my seat belt. I am even courteous in traffic. I allow others to merge in front of me and let them pull out of parking lots. I have been a model citizen behind the wheel of a car."
"May I ask you one question?"
"Yes your honor."
"Do you or do you not have your drivers license?"
"Well your honor....uh....I...."
"Well, do you?"
"Uh....no, you honor, I do not have my license."
(POUND!!) "Guilty as charged!"
"You are sentanced to a $500.00 fine"
The second reading at mass today was Eph 2:4-10
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up with him, and made us sit with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God --
9 not because of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
There are good people on this earth, people with good morals and values, that will not be getting into heaven. They are still going to have to pay the fine. Why? They lack faith. They believe that they are earning their way into heaven, that if they are "good" people they will go to heaven. These are the devil's favorite people. Surprised? Satan is not against good works. No, he is against good works done in the name of Christ Jesus. His goal is to take the name of Jesus out of our lives. He is getting close. We have taken His name out of our government, out of our schools, out of entertainment. But when good is done for the sake of Christ then he knows he has lost.
Those doing good to get to heaven don't believe, or don't know, that Christ already earned this for us. They don't have faith. They are not living their lives for Christ. God doesn't want us boasting that one of us was a better person that the other and that should qualify us into getting into heaven. This doesn't mean He doesn't want each of us to be the best person that we can and try to live a Christ-like life. He does, but our passage into heaven has already been granted.
To obtain a drivers license we go to the granting authority, the Secretary of State, have our photo taken and pay a slight fee to get this. To obtain passage into heaven we have to go to the granting authority also, God. But the price has already been paid for us by His son Jesus Christ (and you don't have to have your picture taken!) We just have to have faith. We also have to obey the rules of this faith. Just as a drivers license doesn't give us the right to drive anyway that we please, the gift of salvation isn't our pass into heaven, living our lives anyway that we want. We still have to live our lives in a way that reflects that faith.
14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
19You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. James 2 14-16
My dad always told me "the road to hell is paved with good intentions". There are a lot of "good" people on this road. My prayer is that they invite Christ into their lives and accept His free gift and continue doing good, but now doing it for Him. In doing this it will put them on the highway to heaven.
Monday, March 16, 2009
The "real" body of Christ
As a young girl in school I participated in a science project that has come back to me. In showing where water goes in a plant we did a project that showed visible
signs of this. If you take a white carnation or rose and cut the stem and place it in a glass of water colored with food coloring, the next morning you will find that the flower is turning the color of the water. It 'becomes' that color, taking on the properties of the water it has consumed. When we receive the Eucharist it is much the same. We are taking the body and blood of Christ into our bodies and He is becoming a part of us as much as we are becoming a part of Him. The flower needs water to survive, but unlike the flower that will eventually die, we will live forever having received the body of Christ. He told us that!
I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. John 6:48-59
He lost a number of followers because of this teaching. He could have told them at that moment that he only meant it figuratively or symbolically, but he didn't because he meant it just as he had said it.
Again at the last supper He said "Take, eat, this is my body, which will be given up for you." Then He took the cup and said "Take and drink, this is my blood which will be shed for all. Do this in remembrance of me." He didn't say - Act this out in remembrance of me. Or remember this as a symbol of me. He said do "this". "This" being - "eat my body".
In conversation this afternoon I was talking with someone about different churches. Music was the first thing to come up. He plays the bass and apparantly they have a band that plays upbeat Christian music at his church. I mentioned that I enjoyed that kind of music at the life-teen masses at my church down south, but they don't have that up here. Long story short I told him that I go to a Catholic Mass and as much as I like the new contemporary music I wouldn't trade my Eucharist for it. He said they received communion at his church also. I explained that I understood that but at his church it is only a representation of the last supper whereas in the Catholic Mass we are re-presenting the last supper. We are participating in a sacrament that Christ instituted and through that sacrament are receiving the actual body and blood of Christ. He apparently was raised Catholic and thought at this church he was receiving the same thing. I said "No, it is just a symbolic presentation of the last supper" I suggested he ask someone at his church next time he goes.
During the mass the priest doesn't have any special powers to make this change. It is called transubstansiation that occurs. The priest is only acting in per-sona. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and grace of Christ Jesus that makes all of this possible.
Just as the flower shows the beauty of the colors that have become a part of it may you show the beauty of Christ radiating from you.
signs of this. If you take a white carnation or rose and cut the stem and place it in a glass of water colored with food coloring, the next morning you will find that the flower is turning the color of the water. It 'becomes' that color, taking on the properties of the water it has consumed. When we receive the Eucharist it is much the same. We are taking the body and blood of Christ into our bodies and He is becoming a part of us as much as we are becoming a part of Him. The flower needs water to survive, but unlike the flower that will eventually die, we will live forever having received the body of Christ. He told us that!I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. John 6:48-59
He lost a number of followers because of this teaching. He could have told them at that moment that he only meant it figuratively or symbolically, but he didn't because he meant it just as he had said it.
Again at the last supper He said "Take, eat, this is my body, which will be given up for you." Then He took the cup and said "Take and drink, this is my blood which will be shed for all. Do this in remembrance of me." He didn't say - Act this out in remembrance of me. Or remember this as a symbol of me. He said do "this". "This" being - "eat my body".
In conversation this afternoon I was talking with someone about different churches. Music was the first thing to come up. He plays the bass and apparantly they have a band that plays upbeat Christian music at his church. I mentioned that I enjoyed that kind of music at the life-teen masses at my church down south, but they don't have that up here. Long story short I told him that I go to a Catholic Mass and as much as I like the new contemporary music I wouldn't trade my Eucharist for it. He said they received communion at his church also. I explained that I understood that but at his church it is only a representation of the last supper whereas in the Catholic Mass we are re-presenting the last supper. We are participating in a sacrament that Christ instituted and through that sacrament are receiving the actual body and blood of Christ. He apparently was raised Catholic and thought at this church he was receiving the same thing. I said "No, it is just a symbolic presentation of the last supper" I suggested he ask someone at his church next time he goes.
During the mass the priest doesn't have any special powers to make this change. It is called transubstansiation that occurs. The priest is only acting in per-sona. It is the power of the Holy Spirit and grace of Christ Jesus that makes all of this possible.
Just as the flower shows the beauty of the colors that have become a part of it may you show the beauty of Christ radiating from you.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
God's Blue Light Special
Light. Something we all take for granted. Especially since the invention of electricity. Light has been a guide for us. Guiding us through the darkness. Guiding us in many ways. Have you ever seen those huge spotlights, 3 or 4 at a time, shining to lead you to a car dealership or another store special? Then there is K-Mart with their Blue light special,
leading to a section of the store where there is a special deal going on. Light houses shine a light to show us the way around rocky coast lines, runway lights guide a plane in for a safe landing, and of course there is the soap opera "The Guiding Light". Not quite sure what that is guiding us to?. We use a flashlight to guide us through dark unknown woods. Or a candle or lantern to guide the way. God has given us a light to guide us to Him. His word is a light. Psalm 119:104-106 says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light upon my path." There is actually a song with those words. I was listening to it the other day. It's a beautiful song. You can listen to it here -
His life saving flashlight is the bible. But just having the bible and reading it is not going to save you from the darkness. It is a guide and it's up to you how you use that guide. But living His words, His commandments, will guide you to Him. Living His words will help guide you through the darknss of sin. He is the one true light. And he wants us to share this light. If a friend was lost in the woods or his electricity went out wouldn't you lend him a flashlight or some candles to help them find their way? We should do the same with His word. Share it with those around us to help guide them to Him. So watch for His blue light special. I promise you it's the best deal you'll ever come across.
leading to a section of the store where there is a special deal going on. Light houses shine a light to show us the way around rocky coast lines, runway lights guide a plane in for a safe landing, and of course there is the soap opera "The Guiding Light". Not quite sure what that is guiding us to?. We use a flashlight to guide us through dark unknown woods. Or a candle or lantern to guide the way. God has given us a light to guide us to Him. His word is a light. Psalm 119:104-106 says "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light upon my path." There is actually a song with those words. I was listening to it the other day. It's a beautiful song. You can listen to it here - His life saving flashlight is the bible. But just having the bible and reading it is not going to save you from the darkness. It is a guide and it's up to you how you use that guide. But living His words, His commandments, will guide you to Him. Living His words will help guide you through the darknss of sin. He is the one true light. And he wants us to share this light. If a friend was lost in the woods or his electricity went out wouldn't you lend him a flashlight or some candles to help them find their way? We should do the same with His word. Share it with those around us to help guide them to Him. So watch for His blue light special. I promise you it's the best deal you'll ever come across.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Why? This is why....
I recently received an email that I found spiritually profound. I can't think of any other way to describe it. It is truth. I would say "in my opinion..." but my opinion does not decide what is truth and what is not. I forwarded this email on to family and friends and have received some less than enthusiastic responses. I'm ok with that. I believe everything in this email, even if I struggle with some parts of it. I am a sinner. I won't deny that. But I try daily to grow closer to God, and I know living the words of this email will help me to achieve that. Before I give you the link to read it, I would like to try and answer a question. I was asked what prompted me to send (forward) this email. It made this person uncomfortable. I guess maybe that is why I sent it out. I imagine it is going to make a lot of people uncomfortable. We have gotten used to our little world around us conforming to the things we are comfortable with. Laws have been written over the years to take religion (Christ) out of our lives. Television and movies have no standards. Christ has been taken out of our childrens schools. Corruption and evil have spread through the internet like a cancer. With all of this, morality has gone out the window. The morals and values that Christ came to earth to teach us, have changed. We have changed them and tried to justify these changes because of the changes in our world. Let me ask you something - Christ took time with his disciples to go out and pray. Put yourself there. In a quiet spot with Christ. Now ask Him a few questions - How am I doing? Am I living up to what you expect of me? Am I becoming the person you created me to be? Am I living my life the way you taught us to? Now what do you think He would say? Be Honest!! Are you going to stand there and debate with Christ why you think His Word is out-dated for our society? That things are different now and changes are needed? I don't think so.
There is going to be a judgement on the last day. Life is a test and we are all going to be graded, and I don't think God is going to grade on a curve. He's not going to take into account the things we have used to justify living the way we think is ok. It's not ok.
Why did I send it out? Because it needs to be heard. It's not said enough. Other than an hour or so on Sundays, God's word has been taken away from us, and this was a chance I had to spread it around. I guess that's why.
Here is the email. It is a homily written by Fr. Kuchinsky. I hope you read it with an open heart. If it helps even one person grow closer to God then it was worth it. God bless you.
There is going to be a judgement on the last day. Life is a test and we are all going to be graded, and I don't think God is going to grade on a curve. He's not going to take into account the things we have used to justify living the way we think is ok. It's not ok.
Why did I send it out? Because it needs to be heard. It's not said enough. Other than an hour or so on Sundays, God's word has been taken away from us, and this was a chance I had to spread it around. I guess that's why.
Here is the email. It is a homily written by Fr. Kuchinsky. I hope you read it with an open heart. If it helps even one person grow closer to God then it was worth it. God bless you.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Luscious Desserts
Okay, here is the first of my recipes on this new blog. Why not start it with something sinful. Maybe not, but it's good enough to be!
Chocolate-Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 10 minutes plus cooling Baking time: 1 hour 5 minutes
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Breakstone's or Knudsen Sour Cream
1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur or water
2 eggs
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (4 serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
1 cup Baker's Semi-Sweet Real Chocolate Chips
Mix cream cheese, sour cream, liqueur and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add cake mix and pudding mix; beat until well blended. Fold in chips. (Batter will be stiff)
Pour into greased and floured 12-cup fluted tube pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire reack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Garnish, if desired. (I drizzled with melted chocolate then sprinkled with powdered sugar)
Quick, simple, but OH SO GOOD!
Chocolate-Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 10 minutes plus cooling Baking time: 1 hour 5 minutes
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Philadelphia Brand Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup Breakstone's or Knudsen Sour Cream
1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur or water
2 eggs
1 pkg. (2-layer size) chocolate cake mix
1 pkg. (4 serving size) Jell-O Chocolate Flavor Instant Pudding and Pie Filling
1 cup Baker's Semi-Sweet Real Chocolate Chips
Mix cream cheese, sour cream, liqueur and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add cake mix and pudding mix; beat until well blended. Fold in chips. (Batter will be stiff)
Pour into greased and floured 12-cup fluted tube pan.
Bake at 325 degrees F for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire reack. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving. Garnish, if desired. (I drizzled with melted chocolate then sprinkled with powdered sugar)
Quick, simple, but OH SO GOOD!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Life's Little Instructions
Growing up my mother had a board mounted on the wall in our stairway for Life's Little Instructions. Well, not all of them, but a guide for us when we thought we wanted something or wanted her to buy us something. This is what it looked like -
I still try to follow this and ask myself these questions regularly when buying something. I thought at the time that my mother was trying to teach me the value of a dollar, and I'm sure she was, but after all these years I think she was also trying to teach me another lesson. Materialism. The ideal of putting to much importance on material things. I'm a slow learner mom, but I think I've got it. Most of the things I wanted, insisted I needed, I now realize were only material things that I thought would bring me happiness. I have added another question to that list, a question to help me remember the importance of (or more accurately, the lack of importance of ) "things" - Will this bring me closer to God? (at the very least - Will it keep me from growing closer to God) This question can, and should be used through out our lives. Not just in buying something, but in the choices we make. The choices of the music we listen to, the books we read, the friends we make, the relationships we have, the way we spend our time. These are all choices that are going to do one of two things. Lead us closer to God, or seperate us from Him. There is no in between. "All earthly things are simply means to bring us to God. If they do not serve that purpose they are worse than useless." "It is far better to be with Christ and have nothing than to have all the treasures the world contains and to be without Him." Two quotes from Francis Fernandez that I felt fit right in this post. In a world consumed with having the most and best of everything, these will be hard words to swallow. But just start slow, baby steps, and remember those two quotes. They are words to live by.
May God open our eyes to see what will lead us to Him, and grant us the wisdom and courage to follow.
I still try to follow this and ask myself these questions regularly when buying something. I thought at the time that my mother was trying to teach me the value of a dollar, and I'm sure she was, but after all these years I think she was also trying to teach me another lesson. Materialism. The ideal of putting to much importance on material things. I'm a slow learner mom, but I think I've got it. Most of the things I wanted, insisted I needed, I now realize were only material things that I thought would bring me happiness. I have added another question to that list, a question to help me remember the importance of (or more accurately, the lack of importance of ) "things" - Will this bring me closer to God? (at the very least - Will it keep me from growing closer to God) This question can, and should be used through out our lives. Not just in buying something, but in the choices we make. The choices of the music we listen to, the books we read, the friends we make, the relationships we have, the way we spend our time. These are all choices that are going to do one of two things. Lead us closer to God, or seperate us from Him. There is no in between. "All earthly things are simply means to bring us to God. If they do not serve that purpose they are worse than useless." "It is far better to be with Christ and have nothing than to have all the treasures the world contains and to be without Him." Two quotes from Francis Fernandez that I felt fit right in this post. In a world consumed with having the most and best of everything, these will be hard words to swallow. But just start slow, baby steps, and remember those two quotes. They are words to live by.May God open our eyes to see what will lead us to Him, and grant us the wisdom and courage to follow.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Heavens par
When I first started my web site my mother, for lack of a better term, called my postings homily’s. I myself didn’t even know what to call them. But a couple months ago it occurred to me they are kinda like parables. Why parables? In the bible Jesus taught using parables so that people would understand His message. He taught using fields and planting, fishing, lamps, servants etc. These are the kinds of things people of that generation understood. Today, I’m sure He would use more modern things such as computers, television and sports. These are the things we understand and can more easily associate with. When I post I use these things because it’s what I understand and feel others can identify with.
That being said, lets play golf. Well not really, but it’s what I identify with for this topic. Many people ask “What does it take to get into heaven?” It would be nice if there were one straight forward answer, but I think the answer is different for each of us. For those of you that golf you understand what par is. For those of you that don’t know – par is the number of strokes you are allowed to get the ball in the hole. There is a par for professionals, men, women, seniors and juniors. It is different for each of them based on their ability. There is also what is called a handicap. This is used for beginners and less talented people to give them an even chance with more experienced golfers. You get to use more strokes depending on your handicap.
When it comes time to get into heaven I think we each have a par and a handicap that only God and ourselves know. For those raised in the faith, taught it and lived it they are going to have a low par. Many people that have not had the opportunity to be taught about God or his son Jesus would have a higher handicap. As you grow in your faith and your understanding of God’s will, your handicap is going to go down. God is going to expect more from you. Yes, God expects things from us and he knows exactly what each and every one of us is capable of. My favorite saying is this – “I know God wouldn’t give me more than I could handle, I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!” For me, I’m afraid my handicap is fairly low, in fact I think I should be playing par in God’s eye’s. I have a strong faith and understanding of what He wants from me, I just lack the courage to live it. That’s not a qualification to give me a handicap.
Many people spend lots of money on fancy clubs, they wear the perfect golf attire, play with the expensive balls but can’t golf worth a hoot. They are known as hackers. Golf takes practice, LOTS of practice (trust me, I know!) and with out getting out there and playing everyday, perfecting your grip and swing, you can’t expect to become a good par golfer. The same with our faith. With out practicing it, learning about it, going to mass, exercising the sacraments, spending time in prayer, spending time with friends of your faith, your not going to grow in it. You’ll become a Catholic hacker.
Mat 25:14 tells the parable of the talents. This was money a landowner gave to his servants each according to his ability, wanting to see how they handled it. God only gives us what he knows each of us can handle according to our ability and judges us accordingly. May you each recognize your talents and shoot for par!
That being said, lets play golf. Well not really, but it’s what I identify with for this topic. Many people ask “What does it take to get into heaven?” It would be nice if there were one straight forward answer, but I think the answer is different for each of us. For those of you that golf you understand what par is. For those of you that don’t know – par is the number of strokes you are allowed to get the ball in the hole. There is a par for professionals, men, women, seniors and juniors. It is different for each of them based on their ability. There is also what is called a handicap. This is used for beginners and less talented people to give them an even chance with more experienced golfers. You get to use more strokes depending on your handicap.
When it comes time to get into heaven I think we each have a par and a handicap that only God and ourselves know. For those raised in the faith, taught it and lived it they are going to have a low par. Many people that have not had the opportunity to be taught about God or his son Jesus would have a higher handicap. As you grow in your faith and your understanding of God’s will, your handicap is going to go down. God is going to expect more from you. Yes, God expects things from us and he knows exactly what each and every one of us is capable of. My favorite saying is this – “I know God wouldn’t give me more than I could handle, I just wish He didn’t trust me so much!” For me, I’m afraid my handicap is fairly low, in fact I think I should be playing par in God’s eye’s. I have a strong faith and understanding of what He wants from me, I just lack the courage to live it. That’s not a qualification to give me a handicap.
Many people spend lots of money on fancy clubs, they wear the perfect golf attire, play with the expensive balls but can’t golf worth a hoot. They are known as hackers. Golf takes practice, LOTS of practice (trust me, I know!) and with out getting out there and playing everyday, perfecting your grip and swing, you can’t expect to become a good par golfer. The same with our faith. With out practicing it, learning about it, going to mass, exercising the sacraments, spending time in prayer, spending time with friends of your faith, your not going to grow in it. You’ll become a Catholic hacker.
Mat 25:14 tells the parable of the talents. This was money a landowner gave to his servants each according to his ability, wanting to see how they handled it. God only gives us what he knows each of us can handle according to our ability and judges us accordingly. May you each recognize your talents and shoot for par!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
In the beginning....
Well, this isn't actually the beginning. It's more of a new start. Kind of like after the flood. And my life over the last couple of years has been a flood. I have another blog that I have been hot and cold on and a web page that I have not posted on in a couple years. I have felt a tug (more like a strong pull yank ) to start posting on that site again, but what I think I am going to do is incorporate that site into a new blog. We'll see how this goes. Until then you can visit my web site here. I enjoy blogging but I also enjoy sharing my faith. So I hope by doing this I can do both. It's still just an idea I'm tossing around. My web site is my baby and I really like how I have it set up. I hate to leave it. I only wish there were an easier way to post comments to it as opposed to signing the guestbook each time someone wants to leave a comment. If anyone out there is more computer literate than I and has any ideas, I would surely welcome them. Welcome and I hope this is the start of a wonderful and blessed adventure!
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