I'm on the second P now in Holly Pierlot's book and she hit on something very interesting that I had to share. She talks about how sin scatters our persons. This "scattering" affects the order we have internally. She has this to say about that:
We feel it every time our emotions cringe in fear and disgust in reaction to something we know is a good, such as cleaning the attic! We experience it every time we want to eat too many sweets, or sleep too late, or when we want to engage in sinful activities. Instead of subordinating our drives and desires to choose objective good, our wills, damaged and weakened, follow along behind the passions. We ten to choose something that will make us "feel" good, but that might be, in reality, very harmful to us. Our reasoning power is damaged also, and so even grasping truth becomes more difficult than God intended. This leaves our wills uninformed, weakening our decision-making capacities. Our hearts, no longer in line with God's will, seek a selfish fulfillment, and our emotions become a powerful force that can now work against our better reason.
Wow! That was a mouthful huh?! But it makes so much sense! I mean how many times have you let your own selfish wants and needs take over your life? I have done it so many times I can't even count. But I can also remember when I let God come into my life and I began making more of a conscious effort to let His rules guide my decisions. It's not easy, that's for sure. But life isn't about taking the easy way out. Jesus didn't take the easy way out. He stood amidst the pain and the suffering for us. And I want to thank Him for that every day of my life by living the way He wants me to live.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Holy Heroes Lenten Adventure
Holy Heroes is a Catholic company online that sells children's materials like coloring books and CD's. They are doing a program called Lenten Adventure. Since Lent is coming up, I figured I should pass on this info. Go to their website and sign up for the emails during Lent. I haven't ever done it before, but apparently they send out emails with activities to do with the kids during Lent. And hey, I might even learn a little bit too!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Good News
Well my good news I can tell you has absolutely nothing to do with the economy!!
My daughter's birthday was very blessed yesterday with more relatives than I anticipated. We were missing the little ones for sure, but I was so glad that we had an aunt, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents here. I know she was glad too. Everything went smoothly and it ended at a very reasonable time so everyone could get to bed!!
So it was a good day after all. I thank God for that!
My daughter's birthday was very blessed yesterday with more relatives than I anticipated. We were missing the little ones for sure, but I was so glad that we had an aunt, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents here. I know she was glad too. Everything went smoothly and it ended at a very reasonable time so everyone could get to bed!!
So it was a good day after all. I thank God for that!
Standing Up For Our Father
"...Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mark 8:38
I listen to a Country Worship CD quite often and there is a song on there called "I Can Only Imagine" by Emerson Drive. It's a very heartfelt song that expresses wonder about what we will do when we are face-to-face with our Lord. Will we stand or will we bow? Will we sing or will we be silent? I can't even imagine what it will be like to be able to see our Father, in all of His perfect glory. Talk about a humbling experience.
That experience won't happen though if we don't live our lives here on Earth according to Him. Jesus is telling us that if we express shame in this life of Him and don't speak His truths, then He will be ashamed of us when we face His Father. And rightfully so! He suffered greatly for us. He put Himself out there to be scrutinized for us and our eternal life. How can we turn around and deny Him or hide our faith in Him?
But believe me, I have done it. It hurts to say it, but I've definitely done it. Sometimes it can be embarrassing to say you are religious nowadays. It used to be the norm, but now we are considered crazy, rule-following snobs. It's that hate that scares me. I don't know what these other people, obviously overtaken by Satan, will do! But God will be glorified in our truths, in our ability to speak out for Him and the path He has laid out for us.
So how will you speak up for God the next time you are faced with shame or fear of your religious convictions?
Lord, I believe in you wholly. Please help me to shake off my sin and stand up with You.
I listen to a Country Worship CD quite often and there is a song on there called "I Can Only Imagine" by Emerson Drive. It's a very heartfelt song that expresses wonder about what we will do when we are face-to-face with our Lord. Will we stand or will we bow? Will we sing or will we be silent? I can't even imagine what it will be like to be able to see our Father, in all of His perfect glory. Talk about a humbling experience.
That experience won't happen though if we don't live our lives here on Earth according to Him. Jesus is telling us that if we express shame in this life of Him and don't speak His truths, then He will be ashamed of us when we face His Father. And rightfully so! He suffered greatly for us. He put Himself out there to be scrutinized for us and our eternal life. How can we turn around and deny Him or hide our faith in Him?
But believe me, I have done it. It hurts to say it, but I've definitely done it. Sometimes it can be embarrassing to say you are religious nowadays. It used to be the norm, but now we are considered crazy, rule-following snobs. It's that hate that scares me. I don't know what these other people, obviously overtaken by Satan, will do! But God will be glorified in our truths, in our ability to speak out for Him and the path He has laid out for us.
So how will you speak up for God the next time you are faced with shame or fear of your religious convictions?
Lord, I believe in you wholly. Please help me to shake off my sin and stand up with You.
Standing Up For Our Father
"...Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mark 8:38
I listen to a Country Worship CD quite often and there is a song on there called "I Can Only Imagine" by Emerson Drive. It's a very heartfelt song that expresses wonder about what we will do when we are face-to-face with our Lord. Will we stand or will we bow? Will we sing or will we be silent? I can't even imagine what it will be like to be able to see our Father, in all of His perfect glory. Talk about a humbling experience.
That experience won't happen though if we don't live our lives here on Earth according to Him. Jesus is telling us that if we express shame in this life of Him and don't speak His truths, then He will be ashamed of us when we face His Father. And rightfully so! He suffered greatly for us. He put Himself out there to be scrutinized for us and our eternal life. How can we turn around and deny Him or hide our faith in Him?
But believe me, I have done it. It hurts to say it, but I've definitely done it. Sometimes it can be embarrassing to say you are religious nowadays. It used to be the norm, but now we are considered crazy, rule-following snobs. It's that hate that scares me. I don't know what these other people, obviously overtaken by Satan, will do! But God will be glorified in our truths, in our ability to speak out for Him and the path He has laid out for us.
So how will you speak up for God the next time you are faced with shame or fear of your religious convictions?
Lord, I believe in you wholly. Please help me to shake off my sin and stand up with You.
I listen to a Country Worship CD quite often and there is a song on there called "I Can Only Imagine" by Emerson Drive. It's a very heartfelt song that expresses wonder about what we will do when we are face-to-face with our Lord. Will we stand or will we bow? Will we sing or will we be silent? I can't even imagine what it will be like to be able to see our Father, in all of His perfect glory. Talk about a humbling experience.
That experience won't happen though if we don't live our lives here on Earth according to Him. Jesus is telling us that if we express shame in this life of Him and don't speak His truths, then He will be ashamed of us when we face His Father. And rightfully so! He suffered greatly for us. He put Himself out there to be scrutinized for us and our eternal life. How can we turn around and deny Him or hide our faith in Him?
But believe me, I have done it. It hurts to say it, but I've definitely done it. Sometimes it can be embarrassing to say you are religious nowadays. It used to be the norm, but now we are considered crazy, rule-following snobs. It's that hate that scares me. I don't know what these other people, obviously overtaken by Satan, will do! But God will be glorified in our truths, in our ability to speak out for Him and the path He has laid out for us.
So how will you speak up for God the next time you are faced with shame or fear of your religious convictions?
Lord, I believe in you wholly. Please help me to shake off my sin and stand up with You.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
EWTN: Pope Benedict Rebukes Pelosi Over Abortion
Well, Pope Benedict did it!! He stood up for us Catholics and took the opportunity to speak of the requirements of the natural moral law and the Church's consistent teaching on the dignity of human life from conception to natural death which enjoin all Catholics...
YAY!!
YAY!!
New Venture!
OK, in lieu of my disappointment about the birthday situation, I found a new venture last week that I was hopeful about. I worked a home-based business for 2 years, many hours a week, did well, but my house and family were a wreck! So I quit the business, but continued to get the products because I like them so much (and they're safer and healthier for us- you know, a greener company).
Anyway, I was checking out some supplements for my husband when I was prompted to check out some business info on them again. They had changed some things on their website so I was curious about the information they had there. And I made my way to the info on Charitable Organizations. This company actually has a plan to benefit non-profit organizations! I knew this a couple of years ago when I was actively working, but it was very complicated at the time, so I didn't get into it too much.
But now it's very simple. My Church, as well as the Catholic School my kids go to, can benefit easily. Yes, I would have to work for it, but I learned yesterday that I will benefit from this as well!! I couldn't believe it! The potential is mind-boggling and I can't wait to contact my pastor and see what he says. I still have to make the appointment with him and show him what this is all about to see if we have the OK or not.
AND!! I was talking to a friend of mine this morning and she told me to make sure the company's founder is pro-life, and I think he is. I'm in the process of finding that out. So I'm hopeful that this is something that God wants me to do. If it isn't I'm sure He will let me know won't He!!
Anyway, I was checking out some supplements for my husband when I was prompted to check out some business info on them again. They had changed some things on their website so I was curious about the information they had there. And I made my way to the info on Charitable Organizations. This company actually has a plan to benefit non-profit organizations! I knew this a couple of years ago when I was actively working, but it was very complicated at the time, so I didn't get into it too much.
But now it's very simple. My Church, as well as the Catholic School my kids go to, can benefit easily. Yes, I would have to work for it, but I learned yesterday that I will benefit from this as well!! I couldn't believe it! The potential is mind-boggling and I can't wait to contact my pastor and see what he says. I still have to make the appointment with him and show him what this is all about to see if we have the OK or not.
AND!! I was talking to a friend of mine this morning and she told me to make sure the company's founder is pro-life, and I think he is. I'm in the process of finding that out. So I'm hopeful that this is something that God wants me to do. If it isn't I'm sure He will let me know won't He!!
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