tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43495899015295154882024-03-05T11:23:29.602-05:00A Life of PrayerBonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-40002433928582917692021-04-03T09:15:00.001-04:002021-04-03T09:15:18.307-04:00All Is Fulfilled According to God's Plan<p> All must be fulfilled according to God's plans. He tells us all this in the scriptures. </p><p>It seems that even in our lives all must be fulfilled according to God's plans. Our lives are not our own. They belong to God and when we give ourselves over to Him fully, He does great things for us.</p><p>Happy Easter 2021!!</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-16482236823628772482021-03-20T12:51:00.002-04:002021-04-03T09:12:37.895-04:00God's Gifts<p> Thinking about how I take care of my body or not!! I try to exercise and eat right. The same is true of our soul! I must exercise it and eat right. Exercise for the soul is prayer and the food we need is the Eucharist. It seems to me that it's more important to exercise the soul that will live forever than it is to exercise the body which will someday die. And it seems to me it's more important to feed the soul than to feed the body! Again because the soul is meant to live forever. </p><p>I feel great contrition and sorrow for the many years that I neglected to take care of my soul and give God the glory he so deserves. I was so lost in the ways of the world that God was of least importance in my life. Only by His grace has my life been turned towards he who loves me and cares deeply that I be healed and come home to his heavenly kingdom. I asked him how he could love one such sinner as me and his answer was an analogy. He taught me that the sand and dirt of the ocean floor enter into the oyster shell and over much time become a precious pearl. All of us have sand and dirt from our sinful nature that needs to be transformed into a precious pearl. We can only do this by full repentance of our past lives and total detachment from any person, place or thing that is a cause of temptation and sinfulness. And this can only be done by opening ourselves up to God's grace and allowing his will to be done, not ours. Be open to his presence and great love!! God is LOVE!!</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-84812570957191444332021-03-03T09:35:00.001-05:002021-03-03T09:36:22.171-05:00The Tabernacle<p> In the Old Testament, God is present and guiding His people. He is pouring out Hope and Goodness and Protection on all of them, punishing the wicked and blessing the good. He also promises to be with them always. He has Moses build the Tent of Meeting, the Tabernacle, with the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies. All mankind worships God, though they often have times when they disobey or complain as we do today. But God is still with us, always! Visit any Catholic Church and God is present there in the tabernacle waiting for us to spend time with him. He is present everywhere, but spending time in adoration gives us quiet time to reflect and pray before His Real Presence. May we be blessed every day, or every week or every month to spend this time with He who loves us as if we were the only one to be loved. God bless!!</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-84202457995462961702021-02-26T07:52:00.004-05:002021-02-26T07:52:49.289-05:00The Cross and St. Teresa of Avila<p> "Embracing the cross, Let us follow Jesus; He is our way and light Abounding in consolations."</p><p>St. Teresa of Avila, The Collected Works, Vol. three, Poetry, no. 20, pg 396</p><p>During this Lenten season, I need to meditate on the cross and embrace it. St. Teresa of Avila had a great devotion to Jesus and His sufferings. His passion and death on the cross. I desire to embrace the cross and have this great devotion to Jesus and all that He did for us. May each day be a walk on the path to the cross as we journey towards Easter and the resurrection! God bless us all!!</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-1011230470948923142021-02-22T06:21:00.002-05:002021-03-03T09:36:48.052-05:00Great Lenten Practices<p>Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving</p><div><span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Faith, Hope, and Charity</span><br style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;" /><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">Watched a great podcast on good Lenten practices, <a href="http://www.burrowshirepodcast.com/">www.burrowshirepodcast.com</a>.</div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">They talked about prayer and said the highest form of prayer in the church is liturgical. Three examples of liturgical prayer are first and foremost the Mass, second Liturgy of the Hours and third Adoration. Something to think about as we enter into the 40 days of Lent. The second form of prayer is personal. They suggested that we enter into silence before we pray the rosary, the chaplet, novenas, etc. </div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">When I refer to they, I am referring to the two presenters Brandon Vogt and Fr. Blake Britton, good friends and both live in Florida. Brandon is a convert to Catholicism and father of seven and Fr. Blake has only been ordained a few years. Great presenters who list lots of resources. </div></div><p><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-85266674324642248162021-02-15T05:44:00.003-05:002021-02-15T05:44:33.294-05:00Nourishment and Exercise<p> We think each day about how we will feed our bodies and exercise them as well. But do we think about this for our souls? Our souls need the nourishment Jesus sends us each day to feed our souls and keep them healthy so someday we can enter heaven fully alive! We feed our souls with the bread of life, the Eucharist that Jesus so generously left us. We exercise our souls with prayer, constant daily prayer. Without this daily exercise, we can fall, grow lax, and fail to serve God. Praying for you as I hope you are praying for me.</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-45669974655444231592021-02-13T07:14:00.001-05:002021-02-13T07:14:38.833-05:00Sin and Darkness<p>"O Lord, Father most merciful, receive, I beg You, Your prodigal child! I have suffered enough; I have long enough been the slave of Your enemies, which You put beneath Your feet; I have been long enough the plaything of false flatterers. I know that I must turn to You. When I knock at Your door, let me find it open; show me the way to come to You. All I know is that I must despise unstable and temporary goods to seek those that are stable and eternal." St. Augustine </p><p>We are all born into this world as sinners. It's in time we come to know the one and only true God who is absolute Love. We always have choices - to choose the sin in our lives or to choose Love where we find truth. </p><p>My early days and years were filled with sin and darkness. My mind was clouded and confused. I justified the sin in my life and wondered where God was. It was on the long journey seeking Him that I found Him and my confusion dissipated. I came to see and hear and know and love. The reality of my life became clear and questions answered. I know Love. Once we know Love, there is no going back. It would be a foolish thing to do. I walk not in darkness now but in the light trusting that He who loved me first will lead me where I need to go and do with me as He wills. I am blessed!!</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-24242583353805970882021-02-11T06:29:00.000-05:002021-02-11T06:30:21.767-05:00Loss<p>We all experience loss in our lives and it comes in many forms.</p><p>The most difficult loss is death. I lost my husband of 50 years on February 13, 2019. It seems like yesterday but it will be two years. I think of him every day and remember the good times that we had. I pray for him every day and hope he is happy and well and praying for those of us who are still living. Death is so very final!!</p><p>Another loss is when our children grow and change. I remember the newborn that I brought home for the first time. How each newborn was so different it was as if I had to relearn parenting each time. I could snuggle with the babe even into toddler years. But then each child began to grow independent of me. Which of course is every parent's goal - to teach our children how to care for themselves. But it is a loss nevertheless as they become more involved with interests outside the home. And then they have children of their own who allow me to snuggle and spend time with them. But then those children grow and leave the comfort of home to take on new lives and begin their own families. As a great philosopher once said: "Life is like a river! You can never pass through the same river twice." Change happens, but God always remains the same.</p><p>We have our memories! Good or bad! We choose what we hold on to and what we let go of, always remembering that our good and gracious God is the same yesterday and today. He carries us in his loving arms through each new day. And gives us memories of Love! </p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-70438850668956293862021-02-05T08:03:00.000-05:002021-02-05T08:03:00.269-05:00Praying for Eyes to See and the Coming of Lent<p> God has given me many gifts, but I tend to be deaf, dumb, and blind!! I pray for the eyes to see Him, the ears to hear Him, the heart to understand Him. I pray that He will give me the words to speak the words He wants me to speak. I pray that He will give me a heart of understanding, compassion and love for my neighbor, especially all those He puts into my life this day.</p><p>Lent is just around the corner and there are many opportunities for prayer!! </p><p>EWTN is offering a free Lenten book: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/seasons-and-feast-days/lent-14353</p><p>Carmelites are also offering a book study and a retreat during Lent:</p><p>Book study:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndh-63qiXtk&feature=youtu.be</p><p>Retreat:<a href="http://eepurl.com/9AxEv">www.retreat-online.karmel.at</a></p><p><br /></p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-80430175180096293262021-02-01T09:41:00.004-05:002021-02-01T09:42:11.919-05:00Bible Study and Year of St. Joseph<p> As we begin February 2021, it just seems to be time to begin anew and continue as well with this blog - less Facebook!! It's only been six years!! But as I pray, read, and spend time in contemplative prayer, I discover a relationship with Jesus and with myself that continues to grow and change. Nothing I do or say or think comes from me, but from He who loves each and everyone of us as if we were the only ones to love. His greatest desire is to give us the grace we need to live each day well!!</p><p>A group and I began a study from Ascension Press called the Bible Timeline with Jeff Cavins. It has been a "great adventure", as it is appropriately called. When we studied Abraham, I pondered on his choice to have a child with Hagar instead of waiting patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled through him and Sarah. What struck me is how often in my own life, I could not wait for God to fulfill His promises to me. Instead of seeking His will, I went full speed ahead doing my will even though time and again it led me nowhere but into more trouble and heartache. Discovering that life is an education of learning and growing has made me desire all the more to read, watch, and do whatever leads me closer to my Lord Jesus. And to avoid whatever leads me away from Him.</p><p>As a result of Abraham's impatience, he became the father of two nations rather than one. The nation that came from Ishmael, Hagar's son, and the nation that came from Isaac, Sarah's son. Two very different nations. How different the world might be if Abraham had been patient. How different my own world might be if I had been patient. It would be well for all of us to contemplate how the sin in our lives has created dark crevices here and there.</p><p>Now I follow along, with thousands of others, the daily Bible reading by Fr. Mike Schmitz. Yesterday he talked about the flashlight, the mirror and the sandpaper. "The Bible is like a flashlight that shines some light on our lives. And sometimes it's a mirror that reflects ourselves back to ourselves. And sometimes it's like sandpaper that sands off the rough edges." We need every aspect of the Bible to grow and become all that God's desires for us. </p><p>In the Old Testament when God made His covenant with the Israelites, He urged them to <b>trust Him</b> and to <b>teach their children</b>. How obedient are we? He also said that "obedience is better than sacrifice."</p><p>And I belong to a prayer group that will begin reading the Consecration to Saint Joseph. We begin on Valentine's Day and end on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19. Looking forward to the journey.</p><p>Peace and great love to all!!</p>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-33308630724459904312015-03-03T04:49:00.001-05:002015-03-03T04:49:33.429-05:00Awareness of the True Body and BloodFor two Fridays I sat in adoration as an 11am funeral Mass was being prepared on the other side of the curtained glass wall in the main church. I have watched in horror as participants in the funeral Mass have come into the chapel, walking and talking in front of the exposed Eucharist in the monstrance with no indication that they are even aware of the presence of Jesus Christ. Two different funerals, two different groups of people and my heart felt broken. Then I prayed that Jesus would give me a heart of love, compassion and understanding and I saw. I saw me in them - not that long ago. No awareness of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist. So no awareness either in the reception of Jesus in Holy Communion where Jesus is true flesh and true blood. How lonely and lost we humans are until we fully understand and discover His true presence. When we eat this fully consecrated bread and drink this fully consecrated wine we become one with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We grow in the life He has prepared for us. We receive the graces and gifts He longs to give us. We are prepared and fully armed for our inevitable confrontation with the evil one. Our desires are changed and we are eager to become less that Jesus might become more. We are open to the detachment and denial of temporal stuff that we might be filled with eternity! May God, who is all Love and Mercy, be with you as you journey through this day! Blessings!!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-35910047641502491012015-02-01T08:10:00.003-05:002015-02-01T08:10:38.994-05:00Greater than the Greatest Prophet | Word on Fire<a href="http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/greater-than-the-greatest-prophet/4653/">Greater than the Greatest Prophet | Word on Fire</a><br />
<br />
The link above is to an audio of a homily by Fr. Robert Barron on the readings from the Sunday Mass, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. It is only 13 minutes long. In it Fr. Barron speaks to the unity of the Trinitarian God versus the division caused by evil. The evil that we see in everyday life when God does not come first. The evil will trap us in its lies while our loving God will free us in truth. We have only to take the risk and discover the full freedom of God's great love for us! Open your heart this day to God's presence! Many blessings will come!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-75965403524845846542015-01-31T22:09:00.002-05:002015-01-31T22:10:44.181-05:00The Lord had not Yet Revealed Himself!These words struck me and made me realize yet another truth! Taken from the book of Samuel, chapter 3: "At that time Samuel was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed anything to him as yet." It made me realize that so many do not yet know the Lord possibly because he has not yet revealed anything to them. Yet, in this chapter we discover that Eli points the way for Samuel. How many of us can point the way for our fellow travelers? How many of our fellow travlers will listen?Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-66027720591497388942015-01-31T12:17:00.000-05:002015-01-31T12:17:39.840-05:00The First Commandment!"I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me." This commandment is first for a reason. Today we have many strange gods that we put first in our lives, such as TV, sports, food, entertainment, comfort, and the list goes on. We all must ask ourselves each day, "What comes first in my life?" If God, the one true God, comes first then everything else will work for good. All the other commandments, all the choices we make, all the events that impact our lives will work for the good. We know that God comes first when we take time to pray, time in the morning, time in the evening and time throughout the day. The only way to be in relationship with another is to communicate and what better form of communication is there than prayer. God is love and he created us in love. Spend time with him today.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-12642210987379653372014-12-21T15:44:00.000-05:002014-12-21T15:44:48.287-05:00Merry Christmas!<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 35px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/i/share/Sfly_Logo_embed.png" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BaOW7No4ZtSG&eid=118"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/8BaOW7No4Z2/8BaOW7No4Z294/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1419194343000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8BaOW7No4ZtSG&eid=118"></a></div></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div><br />
Merry Christmas from the DohertysBonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-54791892393573136272014-04-02T17:16:00.002-04:002014-04-02T17:19:03.849-04:00New Year's Resolution for 2014 - Write on BlogJanuary 2014 Musings<br />
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I promised myself that this would be the year that I would keep up with my blog. But here it is April 2 and it hasn't happened. I must learn to be an intentional writer of the blog. It's so much easier to write in my journal which I carry with me to my quiet space!! Not so easy to write on the IPad or the IPhone as it is to write on the IMac, if I take the time!! But here are my January musings and will, hopefully, find time to add my February etc musings at another time. Blessings and peace to all who read these wandering thoughts!<br />
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Monday January 6, 2014<br />
Feast of St. Andre Bessette<br />
We are loved by God as if we were the only creature he ever created. We can touch Heaven while still on this earth because it is as near as our heart. God dwells within for he is everywhere and he is all. We cannot know God except through love. I pray that God will protect me from the darkness of this world. The darkness is negative and drags my thoughts down and I lose the joy Jesus desires to give me. Help me, Jesus, to turn to you when the darkness invades my thoughts. Help me, Jesus, to remember always your love and great mercy. I pray for release from the darkness and sin of the world. There are times when it is all pervasive and I am lost. Jesus, I trust in you!<br />
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Saturday January 18, 2014<br />
1st Week in Ordinary Time<br />
When we finally recognize all the sin in our lives; when we finally let go of all the justifications; when we finally are no longer self-righteous; we then finally see all the pride and arrogance that built up that wall of justification and self-righteousness. When we finally see, then and only then does it all come crashing down and the overpowering, flammable love of the creator comes in and destroys the power that sin had on our body, blood, soul and humanity. We are stripped and laid bare and all we have left to do is to choose love or choose death. Love is the answer. Not the love the world knows, but the cleansing, burning, healing love of a creator who died for his creatures. Who died that his creatures might live. And once we acknowledge the sin in our lives, all the sin, we are embarrassed and humiliated by how we have treated this all-knowing and all-loving God. And we can easily step into the time bomb of the greatest sin of all - to deny his love and his forgiveness. Once we truly humble ourselves, then love and mercy pour into our very being and we are never the same. We seek him every minute of every day. We love to lay in his embrace and be loved by him. Our greatest desire is to be blind to the world so we are never distracted by the world and we can just glory in his presence. I love you, My Lord! I do not deserve to be loved by you, but I know you love me. Thank you!<br />
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Sunday January 26, 2014<br />
Third Week in Ordinary Time<br />
I do not need to judge myself for God is the only true judge,<br />
I do not need to defend myself for God is my greatest defense,<br />
I do need to beg for healing, healing of all negative thoughts.<br />
I pray, my Lord, for healing!<br />
I pray for salvation of loved ones!<br />
I pray for those who have suffered terrible losses!<br />
I pray for growth in reverence and prayer for all!<br />
I pray for those whose lives touch mine this day!<br />
<br />
Monday January 27, 2014<br />
St. Angela Merici<br />
I come here before you, My Lord and my God, to pray for the salvation of my soul and the souls whose lives touch mine, especially those closest to me. I have seen the face of evil in my life and in the lives of loved ones. But if you say the Word, the evil one will be vanquished. In evil, we seek our own glory. In good, we seek the glory of God. In evil, we seek our own will. In good, we seek the will of God. Evil leads us down the slippery slope into eternal darkness. Good leads us up the hill of Calvary to eternal light. The darkness will overpower us with loneliness, despair, hopelessness, and all the other negative emotions and thoughts that have possessed us throughout our lives. The light will overpower us with Love, pure love, for that is God. It will possess us, heal us, cleanse us, renew us. This is conversion and it must take place here on earth. It is God we owe the glory and praise, not ourselves. Today I see the worship of oneself all around, especially in the "forever young" thinking. The wanting and needing to be our own gods and goddesses. And when life ends, as it will, he will say "I do not know you." Or how can he when you have spent your entire life worshiping yourself? But it is never too late for him. Conversion is repentance. Repentance is conversion. When we ask or beg him for the grace to know our sins and to be truly sorry for them; he will give us this grace. Fear not, God is love. In order to "avoid evil and do good" one must have an informed conscience. Informed by what? by the media? No, but by Jesus? Afraid? Because the Catholic Church is the only true Church that has not swayed from the teachings of Jesus. It offers you His Real Presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. It offers you true forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance. It offers you healing. But wait, first we must humble ourselves; admit we don't have all the answers; and then trust that Jesus does and he will lead us to the truth for he is the way, the truth and the life. Begin your journey now before the thief, death, comes to take you down the slippery slope to eternal darkness where the mind never stops working.<br />
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Friday January 31, 2014<br />
Come into the presence of Love! How can anyone of us not desire to come into this presence. Do we not all desire to love and, more so, to be loved? God is love. He offers himself in the presence of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist to be adored and praised and thanked and loved. Come to adoration that you may adore, praise, thank, and love him. It is a holy place and filled with much grace. We are all called, but few answer. He waits, ever so patiently, ever so lovingly, ever so mercifully. He waits with great love, ready to pour out upon us an abundance of grace. Just for being here in his presence! Come!<br />
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It is through repentance that we come to conversion. It is through prayer that we come to repentance. Prayer is simply coming into relationship with the one who knows and loves us best!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-86657697150394713262013-08-09T13:03:00.002-04:002014-01-26T22:06:58.376-05:00The Seasons of My LifeToday is the Feast Day of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). As a Secular Carmelite, I have a great fondness for all Carmelite saints, but some more than others. I love the writings and conversion story of St. Teresa Benedicta. I pray that she intercedes for all of us today to follow Jesus.<br />
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The Gospel message today hit me in a powerful way. It began with the following from Matthew 16:24 - Jesus said to his disciples: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." All so not easy to do! I just want him to love me and make everything easy and good. But his message is clear - deny myself (lots that I can do in this area: time spent on computer, TV, eating chocolate in its many forms, and more), take up my cross (suffer! me! I don't do that well! But I know that what is impossible for me is possible for God!) and follow him (he is definitely worth following! I know he loves me and will love me till the end!)<br />
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Today I wanted to follow the Seasons of My Life so I made a chart for each season and then expanded on it.<br />
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January & February - harsh winter<br />
March & April - early spring<br />
May & June - spring turning into summer<br />
July & August - heat of summer<br />
September & October - early fall<br />
November & December - fall turning into winter<br />
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My life is like the seasons - ever evolving, ever moving. I can enter into the harsh winter of depression and sadness, completely forgetting that spring is just around the corner. But it is from this darkness and cold that the appreciation for the beauty and newness of life that is spring comes! For it seems that I was blind during those harsh winter months and now I see. And what I see almost blinds me again by its newness and sparkle. And then I move into the passing of spring and the coming of summer. The newness wears off. The baby birds are growing up and flying away. The air that offered warm breezes is now getting heavier and I am not noticing so much anymore. And then comes the heat of summer. The air is heavy and difficult to breath. My thought becomes languid and sleepy. So much that happens will pass me by unnoticed, uncared for. This is a time for suffering, for trusting that God who brought life to spring, will bring life once again. Ad then we enter the early fall season that brings the crisp refreshing air that once again opens the mind and heart to the beauty of God's creation. The colors and aromas of fall open the soul's deepest longings for we see now how good the good God is. And then we enter the fall turning to winter and the colors go gray and the smells are bland but we receive a great treasure, the birthday of our redeemer who is love and his love will carry us through the seasons of our life.Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-38379019476567748612013-07-28T06:51:00.003-04:002013-07-28T06:51:40.339-04:00Adoration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a place of respite and peace for me! A place of prayer and a coming to know my God and yours!! But then I leave and find myself outside and distracted once again. For as St. Paul says in Romans 7: 18-24 from the <a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/romans/7/" target="_blank">USCCB</a> site.</div>
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<a href="" name="53007018" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">18</span>For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh. The willing is ready at hand, but doing the good is not.</a><a href="" name="53007019" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">19</span>For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want.</a><a href="" name="53007020" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">20</span>Now if [I] do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.</a><a href="" name="53007021" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">21</span>So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.</a><a href="" name="53007022" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">22</span>For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self,</a><a href="" name="53007023" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">23</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.</span><a href="" name="53007024" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;"><span class="bcv" style="border: 0px; display: block; font-family: arial !important; font-weight: bold !important; left: -40px !important; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: center; top: 19px; width: 25px;">24</span>Miserable one that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?</a></div>
Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-78691679873775933112013-07-01T05:46:00.000-04:002013-07-01T05:46:21.868-04:00Relationship with God What will you do today to have a better relationship with God, our father and redeemer? Prayer is our best communication with he who loves us more than we know. In spite of our own lack of love or thought for him, he still watches over us! Spend time with him today in silence!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-57494106741021345212013-05-20T20:52:00.000-04:002013-05-20T20:52:32.933-04:00JoyWhat is Joy? Joy is a pure, infinite sense of peace and love. It is extremely difficult for most human beings to find. But it does exist. Our great and loving Father in Heaven offers it freely to all of us. So why aren't we all drowning in Joy? Because we keep blocking it from entering our bodies and souls. And we do that by our own stubborn, selfish, addictive desires and wants. We are convinced that we are the ones in charge and know the answers to all of life's problems. And then we wonder why God allows bad things to happen. Or we wonder why God doesn't answer our prayers. Or we wonder why God just doesn't listen to us for surely we know best about our lives! After all we're living them!<br />
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But the truth lies in giving up our desires, our wants, our knowledge, our thoughts (most especially those that are dark and hopeless), our addictions, our selfishness; give up all people, places, and things. Empty ourselves and replace it all with humility and obedience. Humility will teach us how to serve and how to listen to someone other than ourselves. Obedience will teach us how to serve others, especially the lost and the lonely for there are many lost and lonely and then the way we think will change. Always remember that God's ways are not our ways. We must never listen to the crowd out there, but rather listen to the silence that exists in your heart for that is where God lives.<br />
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Once we have finally been released from all that enslaves us, we are now ready for Joy to enter in. Once we experience this pure, infinite joy that our loving Father greatly desires to gives us, freely, our lives will never be the same.<br />
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Blessings!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-21348354761146888792013-05-19T07:11:00.000-04:002013-05-19T07:11:35.444-04:00Pentecost Sunday-50 days of Easter are over!First reading in the Liturgy of the Hours is taken from the letter of the apostle Paul to the Romans.<br />
"Those who live according to the flesh are intent on the things of the flesh, those who live according to the spirit, on those of the spirit. The tendency of the flesh is toward death but that of the spirit toward life and peace. The flesh in its tendency is at enmity with God; it is not subject to God's law. Indeed, it cannot be; those who are in the flesh cannot please God".<br />
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Jesus said,. <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." Luke 16: 13</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">We all need to look at what is our first love. If it is God then it is eternal. If it is anything else, then it is temporal. It will end. Having faith in God is having faith in the unseen for if you can see it, there is no faith. Having hope is hope in the unseen for if you can see it, there is no reason to hope. Having love is eternal for God is love. We must rid ourselves of all attachments in order to make room for the infinite and all he desires to give us. Today is a great day to do this as the Holy Spirit comes upon us to renew and restore, to heal and forgive, to open us to possibilities beyond our imaginings! </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: justify;">Blessings!</span>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-67145333981693357212013-03-14T23:41:00.002-04:002013-03-14T23:41:58.429-04:00Papa Francis - His First Homily<a href="http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/francis-1st-homily">http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/francis-1st-homily</a><br />
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Pope Francis' first Mass and homily as Pope was held today in the Sistine Chapel. Enjoy!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-52488120288882368812013-03-14T21:10:00.002-04:002013-07-27T20:46:00.692-04:00Pope Francis AgainPapa Francis even pays his own bill and picks up his own suitcase when he checks out of his hotel in Rome. He is a holy, humble man.<br />
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And he visited the sick, but instead of kissing their hands he kissed their feet. And these were Aids patients. He has such great love for the poor.<br />
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And when he washed the peoples' feet, it was not during Holy Thursday but during a visit to a Mothers' home. He made them feel so special!Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-7620919528890515052013-03-14T09:43:00.000-04:002013-07-27T20:45:24.971-04:00Pope FrancisI love him already! I have read about his humility and his love of the poor and there are so many poor today! There are those who suffer from economical poverty, but there are many more who suffer from the poverty of the spirit. We must pray for him daily for the closer we come to the presence of God, the more the evil one fights to send us reeling into the darkness!<br />
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His humility is evident in the many stories we have already heard. How as Archbishop of Buenos Aires he lived in a small apartment instead of the regal Bishop's palace. How he took the bus or drove himself rather than be driven in a luxury car. How he cooks his own meals. Then the pictures of him visiting the sick and kissing their hands and on his knees washing the feet on Holy Thursday. And then, according to Cardinal Dolan, he left the conclave traveling on the bus with the rest of the Cardinals rather than take the limo that awaited him. His first talk to the people in St. Peter's Square first included prayers for Bishop Emeritus Benedict XVI and then a plea for prayers for himself. He is a man of prayer and deep faith!<br />
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But we must always remember that it is not he but who he represents that we worship. For when we put people on pedestals, they can easily fall. Pope Francis I will lead us in a holy and faithful way for as long as he continues to immerse himself in prayer and humility.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">He spends today with Our Most Holy Mother Mary. What better place to be than by her side being led by her to the presence of her son! Mary teaches all of us to say "Yes" to the Father, our Creator! And I love that he has turned to her on his first official day!</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">God bless you, Pope Francis I! May you continue to remain God's humble and faithful servant!</span>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4349589901529515488.post-21805241377151442682013-02-11T08:35:00.001-05:002013-02-11T08:51:54.726-05:00Lots of Bloggers thoughts...On the Pope's resignation!<br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://on-this-rock.blogspot.com/2013/02/update-why-it-might-be-good-if-pope.html" target="_blank">http://on-this-rock.blogspot.com/2013/02/update-why-it-might-be-good-if-pope.html</a></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://canonlawblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/papal-conclave-electors-and-other-information/" target="_blank">http://canonlawblog.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/papal-conclave-electors-and-other-information/</a></span><br />
<a href="http://jimmyakin.com/2013/02/first-thoughts-on-pope-benedicts-resignation.html" target="_blank">http://jimmyakin.com/2013/02/first-thoughts-on-pope-benedicts-resignation.html</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2013/02/b16-announces-resignation.html" target="_blank">http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/2013/02/b16-announces-resignation.html</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2013/02/bbc-and-cnn-pope-to-resign.html" target="_blank">http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2013/02/bbc-and-cnn-pope-to-resign.html</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/2013/02/11/pope-benedict-xvi-resigns-as-of-february-28th-a-time-for-prayer-like-no-other?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CatholicSpiritualDirection+%28Catholic+Spiritual+Direction%29" target="_blank">http://rcspiritualdirection.com/blog/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/egregioustwaddle/2013/02/strength-of-mind-and-body-praying-for-the-pope-the-church-the-world.html" target="_blank">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/egregioustwaddle/</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2013/02/breaking-pope-to-resign/" target="_blank">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2013/02/breaking-pope-to-resign/</a></span>Bonniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16115280243457429110noreply@blogger.com0