Worth Revisiting: Root Our Children in Love
“Give me the child till the age of seven and I will show you the man.” Continue reading Worth Revisiting: Root Our Children in Love
Tag: God
Words Were Sharper Than a Knife
I just have messaged a friend in Europe who has served in the army and is the type of man who rises up with righteous indignation when confronted with evil. There are times when men must stand up for what is right, even take up arms. Lucky for me because it is not in me to fight, or even get angry; our land would not be … Continue reading Words Were Sharper Than a Knife
Surrendering Control to God
The pivotal point in my personal and spiritual growth was realizing that, in fear, I clung to control. I have let go of this control at least a thousand times already. A thousand times of choosing to surrender fear and lies and trusting. Each time I peel back a layer, another deeper level of fear pops up. Surrender is not a popular word in our … Continue reading Surrendering Control to God
Small Success Thursday: My Word For This Year
Well, when I asked for a word for this year with a fuzzy, mush brain on Jan.1, the word that popped into my head was quite unexpected, a surprise really because it is not a word that I would usually focus on. What popped into my head seemed boring and mundane at first..steadfast. Then, unexpectedly, I started to smile because I realized that when I remain … Continue reading Small Success Thursday: My Word For This Year
The Catholic Prayer of Silence
The words prayer and contemplation intimidate many people but the reality is that prayer is simple, so simple that it eludes many adults, Relax. Be Quiet. Breathe in Deeply. Enjoy the silence. Connect and listen. Sometimes we need to simply cease our activity, live in the moment and breathe. This is reality. When the Spirit flows in and through us as we breathe in and … Continue reading The Catholic Prayer of Silence
Small Success Thursday: Sleep Apena
Better late than never right? I wrote a post on the feast of St. Stephen for Boxing Day before my brain realized it was Thursday, then my brain shut down late at night and refused to coöperate by writing another post. I am fascinated by the fact that the Church celebrates the death of the first martyr the day after Christmas in the … Continue reading Small Success Thursday: Sleep Apena
Why Boxing Day is the Feast of the Martyr St. Stephen
Why would the Church celebrate the death of a martyr the day after Christmas?Remember the old English carol Good King Wenceslaus? St. Stephen’s charity is the reason for the songs and customs which have become the traditional way of celebrating his feast. The old English carol Good King Wenceslaus celebrates how King Wenceslaus went out on St. Stephen’s day to bring food and firewood to the poor. The blood of … Continue reading Why Boxing Day is the Feast of the Martyr St. Stephen
Ave Maris Stella Illustrated with Icons
Ave Maris Stella Hail, O Star of the ocean God’s own Mother blest, ever sinless Virgin, gate of heav’nly rest. Taking that sweet Ave, which from Gabriel came, peace confirm within us, changing Eve’s name. Break the sinners’ fetters, … Continue reading Ave Maris Stella Illustrated with Icons
Anticipating His Birth: The Magnificat
Magnificat My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He that is mighty hath done great things to me; and holy is His name. And His mercy is from generation to generations, to them that fear Him. He … Continue reading Anticipating His Birth: The Magnificat
I Guess That Means God Is In My Feet
As David waited expectantly for my wise answer, I scrambled to think quickly but truthfully. I was preparing dinner one afternoon, when five-year old David came running up to me with a serious look on his face. He was always full of energy and mischief but he also had a delightful spirituality that was not taught but inborn. Once again, David had another theological question for me, … Continue reading I Guess That Means God Is In My Feet
Born of the Light of God: The Art of Ron DiCianni
I love Ron DiCianni’s work, especially Simeon’s Moment. DiCianni has a unique ability to capture the inner essence of the light of the Holy Spirit in a manner that is vibrant and realistic, not sentimental or sappy. His paintings evoke tangible joy in the viewer; this is a unique gift that I want to share with others. This is the message we have heard from … Continue reading Born of the Light of God: The Art of Ron DiCianni
Advent Prayer While Shopping
Dear God, as I look through my gift shopping list, I hold up to you each person listed on it. Slowly, one by one, I ask that the fire of your abundant love burn within each of them. I pray that the gift I find for each person will bring joy into that life. But, help me to keep a balance this season, Lord. Let … Continue reading Advent Prayer While Shopping
All HE Needs
We tend to rush around during Advent to get everything done before Christmas but the Church calls us to stand still in our hearts, waiting in silence, listening for the voice of God. Word sensed interiorly: You think you are building my Church With all your hectic activity. BUT You are just getting in My way, Hindering my Spirit’s true purpose. … Continue reading All HE Needs
Advent Prayers of the Heart, For the Heart
ADVENT PRAYER God of power and mercy, open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving Christ with joy, so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he lives and reigns with … Continue reading Advent Prayers of the Heart, For the Heart
Small Success Thursday: The Tetter-Totter of Life
Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans; Canada celebrated Thanksgiving six weeks ago. Just this last week, I have discovered a new dynamic between parents and adult children. I have decided to call it the tetter-totter of life because when we are weak, our children are set free to rise up to help, just as if they were sitting on the other end of a tetter-totter. My … Continue reading Small Success Thursday: The Tetter-Totter of Life
Self-Important Humility
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8,9 When many Christians think of humility and sanctity, they often think of ascetic fasting and the heroic acts of the saints but these sorts of practices often focus more on self than on … Continue reading Self-Important Humility
Without Mary
Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a disciple, a member of his Church. Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a human person. Without Mary we do not really understand what it means to be a creature. And because of all that, Without Mary we do not really understand much at all about God, … Continue reading Without Mary
Vote For Me
It’s time to vote for the 2013 Frankie Award! Don’t forget to invite you readers (and friends and family, and fan club) to visit this page and vote for you. Feel free to copy the badge above and link back here from your blog. My post is Mary is Living in my Heart? Help! by Melanie Jean Juneau of Joy of Nine9. vote at http://catholicspiritualityblogs.blogspot.ca/2013/11/frankie-award-vote-for-years-best.html Mary is … Continue reading Vote For Me
A Surprise Gift
Today, on Vivificat, Teófilo de Jesús posted a quote by a Carthusian monk. Interestingly enough, when I tried to visit his site, Google told me to stay away because his site was infected by Malware. I don’t understand computers but this was all bogus and it was soon fixed. When I got to the site and read the message, it was as if God was speaking just … Continue reading A Surprise Gift
Sabbath Moments: The Sacrament of the Sick
Sabbath moments are a way of taking time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning “cease.” And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God. Yesterday, both my husband I received the Sacrament of the Sick for the first … Continue reading Sabbath Moments: The Sacrament of the Sick
