This day, we choose LIFE

180 movie

2011-09-27T22:46:00.001-04:00

Some of the content of this movie is graphic. I wanted to post a note so you'd be aware prior to watching. A friend of mine shared this video with me tonight, and I thought the questions were compelling. While having very mixed emotions watching, I think there is worth in the message. Individuals do make a difference. Each one of us, and each of our voices DO make a difference. More importantly, our views can change. Many of those interviewed changed their opinions about abortion, and morality at large.

2011-09-20T10:38:00.000-04:00

These two babies have been the face of this blog for a little over a year. The first and the second are the same little boy; one photo taken at about three weeks old, the other a year old. Thinking about this little guy today (I'm told he currently has a cold), I started to consider this blog, as well as what we were always hoping it would stand for.

A friend and I were discussing human suffering two days ago. We decided that regardless of suffering and pain, one key issue was, "the easy road" vs. "the hard road". It can be so much easier to choose poorly. Moreover, it is often harder to seek out truth, and live with integrity in the face of condemnation. In any case, I am reminded of the name we chose for this blog, and would urge us all to remember: We fight for life. It may start in our thoughts, and in our hearts, but my prayer is that what is won through Jesus and His grace in our hearts, would become something even more in action. God bless you all.

Blessed is the king of Israel!

2011-04-17T20:50:00.000-04:00

Happy Palm Sunday! Apologies for the lack of posts, school just has a way of entangling itself in my life...

For today's post, I want to share a reading from the Office of Readings. For those of you who don't know, the Office of Readings is a universal prayer recited by Catholics around the world. The reading I want to share is a homily given by St. Andrew of Crete (it's the 2nd reading in the Daytime prayer if you want to look it up).

I encourage you to let this reading speak to you. I'm not going to post a reflection today, I will later this week. For now, just turn off the music, find a secluded place, and let the words of St. Andrew speak to you.

      Let us go together to meet Christ on the Mount of Olives. Today he returns from Bethany and proceeds of his own free will toward his holy and blessed passion, to consummate the mystery of our salvation. He who came down from heaven to raise us from the depths of sin, to raise us with himself, we are told in Scripture, above every sovereignty, authority and power, and every other name that can be named, now comes of his own free will to make his journey to Jerusalem. He comes without pomp or ostentation. As the psalmist says: He will not dispute or raise his voice to make it heard in the streets. He will be meek and humble, and he will make his entry in simplicity.
Let us run to accompany him as he hastens toward his passion, and imitate those who met him then, not by covering his path with garments, olive branches or palms, but by doing all we can to prostrate ourselves before him by being humble and by trying to live as he would wish. Then we shall be able to receive the Word at his coming, and God, whom no limits can contain, will be within us.
      In his humility Christ entered the dark regions of our fallen world and he is glad that he became so humble for our sake, glad that he came and lived among us and shared in our nature in order to raise us up again to himself. And even though we are told that he has now ascended above the highest heavens – the proof, surely, of his power and godhead – his love for man will never rest until he has raised our earthbound nature from glory to glory, and made it one with his own in heaven.
      So let us spread before his feet, not garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed in his grace, or rather, clothed completely in him. We who have been baptised into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before him. Now that the crimson stains of our sins have been washed away in the saving waters of baptism and we have become white as pure wool, let us present the conqueror of death, not with mere branches of palms but with the real rewards of his victory. Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join today in the children’s holy song: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the king of Israel.

Happy Belated Anniversary!

2011-03-23T19:52:00.001-04:00

In the midst of the rush of school and life, I forgot our anniversary (or is it our birthday?)! Yesterday, this blog turned one! For those of you who don't know, this blog was created in response to the passing the national health care bill, but also in response to the general attitude towards life in our society. Frustrated at what was going around us, we chose to stand. We chose to speak up. We chose life.

This blog has had a few makeovers, both in look and format, since then, but the idea is still the same. "We want to pray, and pray especially for life." So that is what I encourage you to do today, right now. Pray.

Pray for a greater respect and dignity for life in our culture and society...

Pray for the courage and strength to stand up whenever and wherever life is attacked...

Pray for our legislators and government officials, that the Heart of Jesus may instill in them a value for His creation...

Pray for doctors, nurses, physicians, and all medical personnel, that Holy Spirit may guide them their desire to heal and protect the human person.

Pray for all those who defend life...

Pray that we may be set aflame with love for all life: born and unborn.

Mother Mary, pray for us. Come Holy Spirit...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T20:40:00.000-04:00

Fun fact of the day, besides being patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick is also patron of Nigeria and engineers.

A friend asked me today what St. Patrick's day was about. Besides being the feast day of St. Patrick, I have to admit I was stumped. So I did a bit of research. The only knowledge I had about the saint is from one of those animated lives of the saints movies I watched back in elementary school. In it, St. Patrick cast out the snakes of Ireland and taught the Irish about God using a shamrock. Turns out there's been a lot of legend mixed in with the true story.

Patrick was actually born in Scotland. As a teenager, he was captured by Irish pirates and sold into slavery. For six years Patrick lived among the Irish, then controlled by the Druids, until he escaped. Called by God in a dream, Patrick became a priest, was ordained bishop, and returned to Ireland, this time on his own will to evangelize. Letting the Holy Spirit work in and through him, St. Patrick preached for 40 years, worked miracles, eventually freeing the Irish from slavery, and bringing Christianity to Ireland. (source: Catholic.org)

So there you go! The real story of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick, holy servant of God, pray for us!

The Joy of Lent

2011-03-09T17:17:00.001-05:00

I'm excited for Lent. I told a friend that the other day and she gave me a confused look. "I've never heard anyone say that," she replied. If you think about it, she's got a point. Lent is about fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, things that people don't often seem to talk about with a smile. It's often compared to a barren and lonely desert. Not exactly the ideal vacation spot.

Lent is difficult. Fast, give alms, and pray. It took a lot of self-control not to eat the free cookies my teacher was handing out or complain as my classmates munched on chocolate goodness. I may not have much resistance to giving alms to the poor, but how much time do I give? How much time do I give to listening and being with a friend, or even a stranger? And then there's prayer. Where I end up like an inverse exponential function (forgive my nerdiness...).

But I'm excited for Lent. Why? Because as Fr. Denis Robinson puts it, "Lent is a season of opportunity, a season of promise, a season of pure joy for the grace that God has given us to really look at ourselves."

Lent is the opportunity to draw closer to God. It's the promise that no matter how hard it is to resist the temptation to snack, God's grace is stronger. It's the promise that no matter how many times or how far I fall, the Father's arms are there to catch us. And it's the promise, that if we recognize ourselves as the dust we are, and we put our hope and trust in the Lord, we will leave this desert of Lent changed.

So as we enter into this season of Lent, I'm excited for the power of the Holy Spirit to make my heart alive. Are you?

If you're still looking for ideas of what you're giving up for Lent, I suggest these sites.
http://www.lifeteen.com/blog/a-plan-for-your-lent
http://www.facebook.com/surgeofprayer

Arise and shine, for your Light has come

2011-02-26T00:08:00.000-05:00

Airports are an interesting place. So many people coming from and going to so many places, it’s amazing the kinds of things you miss. Last night my flight home was delayed almost two hours, so I did what everyone does when things get delayed: I went and got something to eat. The food court was pretty empty, only a few people scattered about. The four college girls to my left talking and laughing. The lone businessman in the corner so focused on his hamburger. And the lady in black in front of me.

As I was eating my airport sandwich, my thoughts turned to the Brandon Heath song, “Give Me Your Eyes.” In the song, Brandon Heath talks about seeing the people around him (fittingly enough, he was in an airport when he wrote it) and seeing them with the eyes of Christ.

So here I was, sitting in a lowly little airport, eating my sandwich, thinking about the way I see people and I noticed the lady in front of me again. She had gotten a sandwich and fries from Johnny Rocket’s and was just sitting down to eat it. She had a pretty thick book with her and a large black purse. What really struck me though, was this sense of sadness about her. It just looked like she was so, burdened. So weighed down with something in her life. And for a moment, as we both sat down and ate our respective meals, I saw her in a different light. I saw her as someone with a story to tell. Someone who came from somewhere and has somewhere to go. I saw her not just as a stranger, but a fellow being.

I’ve posted about this a lot in the past, but I just seem to be drawn back the theme of humanity. I struggle to put this in words, but I guess what I’m trying to say is. You are worth it. There’s a verse from a David Crowder Band song that goes: “We are loved/ And it's quite enough that/ We are loved/ If the whole world could feel like/ We could love 'cause we are loved.”

How true is that? If the whole world realized their worth in Jesus Christ, we wouldn’t have tabloids filled with people trying to find meaning in lust, drugs, money, and the like. We wouldn’t have a “holiday” of chocolate and cupids throwing paper hearts. Instead, we’d have people fully alive. We’d have people almost bursting with the joy that comes from knowing Love itself. In the words of David Crowder Band, “We can shine like You.”

So pray for the love to see the people around you as fellow sons and daughters of God. And pray that that same love may engulf you like a whirlwind and shine forth through you.

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you…Then you will see and be radiant, And your heart will thrill and rejoice” (Isaiah 60:1,5)

Adventures of a new father: the power of "thank you."

2011-02-24T23:18:00.002-05:00

My wife & I have had a lot change in the last 6 1/2 months. Some of those things that have changed are the miscellaneous tasks that have to be done around our home to keep it from being a complete mess. Little toys strewn across the floor, dirty dishes that seem to multiply, & dirty laundry that really does multiply.

There is a lot of self-sacrifice in the small things - the ones we could not take care of and "get away with it." There are always excuses we can make to say "oh, I wasn't able to get to that yet."

The words "thank you" are immensely powerful. Making a point of thanking each other for doing some of the "small things" goes a long way & gives incentive to take care of one more thing just because it will be one less thing that the other one will have to do.

My love, thank you for all you do, including the small things.

Adventures of a new father: why I do this

2011-01-27T21:48:00.002-05:00

Tonight my wife & I were discussing some of the difficulties of being a parent. Some aspects of being a parent are easy: making your child laugh, holding your baby close, & watching your little one learn about the world.

Other aspects are incredibly hard. For most young parents, we haven't dealt with frustration this deep before. Trying to get a screaming child back to sleep for the twentieth time in one night (or sometimes in the space of a few hours) hits so many weak points: you are tired, you want quiet, you want peace, warmth, safety - all these things feel threatened by someone who is so very helpless and vulnerable.

How do we deal with this frustration? Well, when I find out, I'll let you know! Ok, seriously - I have found what helps is looking to those who have gone before me: my parents who raised me (and informed me I screamed most times I ate for the first 6 or 9 months after I was born because I was allergic to lactose & my mom didn't know it), all the other parents who have dealt with so much more, and all the other people in this world who have done so much for others.

Think about soldiers who are thousands of miles away from their families who want nothing more than the opportunity to make it home to hear their child cry in the middle of the night. Consider those who have very demanding jobs who miss so many key milestones in their children's development. Think of single parents & the immense challenges they deal with in not having someone to share the burden with.

My own struggles & frustrations seem much smaller when I consider those who have gone before me. God, give me peace to accept your grace & the courage to live my life for others.

March for Life.

2011-01-24T17:13:00.001-05:00

Today is the March for Life. Today, thousands of people have gathered in D.C. to peacefully protest the atrocity that is abortion. Today, we remember the millions of babies aborted, the millions of souls affected by their abortions, and the millions fighting for an end to abortion.

Let us pray,

Heavenly Father, you created each soul of the babies aborted, receive them with mercy into Your kingdom,

Bless the marchers in Washington and all around the nation today, that their witness may bear fruit,

Bless all those have dedicated their lives to upholding and protecting life, from those fighting abortion, the death penalty, to those fighting on the front lines of war. We pray that they may be strengthened and encouraged by Your grace,

Bless the legislators in Congress, open their hearts and minds to respect and love all life,

And for all those who have been effected by an abortion, mothers, fathers, families, friends. We pray that they may know repentance, mercy, and peace in You.

For the protection and respect of all life, we offer these petitions through the intercession of Your Son Jesus and the Blessed Mother Mary. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit...

Breath of Life.

2011-01-20T20:40:00.000-05:00

I've spent the last few days trying to think of an idea for a post to no avail. So here's a reflection that stems from January being “Sanctity of Life” month and my thoughts on why I’m pro-life. Forgive me if it's a little rough around the edges.

So, why am I pro-life?

Simple, textbook answer: I believe and value the sanctity of life.

What’s that mean?

It means I believe in the dignity in each one of us. To me, it’s just simple: life begins in the womb, specifically, at the moment of conception until natural means of death.

I see the media today and if feels like the whole conversation on abortion has become marginalized: dumbed down in a way that diminishes the issue into mere ideologies. It’s good guy vs. bad guy. Period.

We’ve even begun to diminish into a simple pro-abortion, anti-abortion argument. But what draws me to this cause isn’t the good guy vs. bad guy fight. It’s the humanity of the issue. We’re talking about life. And I believe it is life, precious life. Life not just in the womb, but every day. Every day that’s full of joy, family, and friends. Every day filled with sorrow, trials, and pain. It's this life that I'm for: isn't that what pro-life means? For life.

Why is it so attractive then, this life?

I recently heard a speaker comment on our natural want for life. Humans are fighters, we fight for life. I get up every morning; as tired, weary, or worn as I am, I still get up. I eat. Everyday my brain tells my appendages to get moving and get food and nourishment in order to keep my body running. Running the race.

It’s a beautiful thing, our gift to flourish. After all, don’t we call it “the miracle of life?” Thousands of years and here we are, 6.8 billion strong. Despite all the atrocities this world has seen: war, famine, even death itself, we still run towards life.

But what really makes this life worth living to me isn't that we've somehow managed to survive on this chunk of rock. What makes this life worth living is the source of life itself: God. Jesus. The Holy Spirit. “The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7, emphasis added).

I believe I have the breath of God within me. Sustaining me, compelling me to live. In essence, my life is His, a gift with each breath. Each breath, that He breathes anew in me. In and out. Life every second. And all around me are people who have days filled with joys and sorrows. Within them is also the breath of life. In and out. Life every second.

Life is all around us. Life is precious. Live it.

A New Year's Resolution: Be

2011-01-04T20:19:00.000-05:00

Recently a friend of mine, in a fairly unrelated conversation, mentioned things which he thought would matter most in life--what life's purpose is all about. Since reading his words, which happened to rub me slightly wrong from the beginning, I've realized that my main beef with it all is the guarantee. So many of us work tirelessly for purpose: money, control...how about these: stability, comfort, ease, pleasure--to be able to do things and take part in things that we enjoy. Is that the purpose of life? Relationships...is this the purpose of life?

I started thinking about guarantees. Of all these things, I wondered earlier, where is the guarantee in any of it? In family, or friends? In health? In stability? Is there any guarantee?

So then I considered our relationship with God...is there any guarantee in God? I mean, sure, God promises many things to us...but first, we have to believe in Him. Is there a guarantee of His existence beyond faith itself? Ironically, this is when my coffee habit comes into play...

For Christmas, my mom gave me a mug with these words from Hebrews 11:1 painted on it, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." How can one be sure of something that's hoped for? Or certain of what's not seen? But this, in and of itself, is faith.

Ephesians states even more in chapter 1, verses 12-14: "We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of His glory. In Him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory."

What defines our purpose in life is not something we are able to hold onto, but rather, something which has been given to us. What I want differently this new year, is not to do something more, or do something less...all I really hope for is to allow God to help me be myself. This faith, which I profess in, is so much bolder and more incredible than I often give it credit for. Can you name another religion that brings so much peace in just being who you are--flaws and all? A god whose love is always present, regardless of status, position of authority, wealth, perfectionism, flaws, fear, or drive? Our God is truly unique. And if I'm honest, Jesus is the only person who has walked through my entire life with me--He's the only one who I've been able to rely on, and talk to, and surrender to, throughout every joy, and every heartache. It's interesting...where I'd say in a moment, that He is the only one I've been able to rely on guaranteed, it is truly faith which is required in order to be able to say that. Maybe my best resolution, if you will, this year is just an increase in faith.

God bless you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbsfmvhvD1Q&feature=related

Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T15:37:00.000-05:00

As the last hours of 2010 slip by, we here at the blog would like to wish you a Happy New Year!

May the new year bring blessings and joy and fill you with the love of Christ. God bless!

Born this Christmas day

2010-12-25T09:21:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas to you all!

Waking up, this morning, I was pondering, a little bit crestfallen in my bed, what God is doing in my life. For the past five years, all during advent I had thought that the season wasn't ever long enough, and I couldn't wait to be done with school, so I could appropriately keep vigil until Christmas morning dawned. Now, here I am, done with school, and in its place, I've picked a job which requires 27/7 care--which requires I don't have "off" the same holidays most people might (a.k.a. I will usually work on Christmas (I got lucky this year :o)).
I attended (and participated in!) a beautiful vigil Mass last night. Last night I was surrounded by friends, and families who have taken me into their lives, and their hearts. I should probably feel more than I do. But that's just it. I found myself thinking, "Okay, God, where are You? I see You here...in Your Mass...but where are You born into my heart?" Shouldn't I feel something like that? It seems a bit logical to me, anyways.
And here I find myself, sitting, now, on my bed, Christmas morning, and I wonder, what makes this day different than any other?
My brother isn't here today. For me and my family, this is very difficult. He wasn't taking the gifts up last night with all the other soldiers in their dress blues. His stocking is hanging, but remains empty. All during Mass last night, I couldn't help but think, "He should be here right now. He should just be here." But his absence impacts me differently than it does him. In a few of his last emails to me, he wrote that he misses home, but knows he is called to be where he is, "People just don't get sent to Afghanistan for no reason." He said that there's no commercialization or Christmas there...basically, very few things, if any, besides presents and Christmas cards we've all sent, to remind him outwardly that Christmas is coming. "Every day looks and feels like the one before..."
When considering the very first Christmas, I must consider where he's living now (at least it's more on the right side of the world :o)) It's been awhile since America was colonized with anyone who wasn't at least familiar with Christ. But at the first Christmas, no one had any clue what was taking place in the stable in Bethlehem, save a few special people, to whom God decided to reveal His glorious plan. Historically, I've read and heard that most people were expecting pomp and circumstance. What they received in the cover of night, while they were asleep and unaware, was a baby.
And I wonder about "feeling" God be born in me...
My point is simple. God comes. He comes despite us. He comes in spite of us. God has been coming to us for thousands of years. God comes to save us. From ourselves...from the darkness...from being asleep. His coming may be quiet, but the quiet has no bearing on the magnificence He works in the human heart. We may be unaware of Him, but being aware of something was never a prerequisite for its existence.

God bless you. May the glory of the Lord, and His passion for your life, fill you, today, and always.

The Nativity Story: a Modern Take.

2010-12-16T23:42:00.001-05:00

If you haven't seen it yet, this is the Digital Story of the Nativity.

I thought it was well done. Funny, creative, and still true to the real story of Christmas. What are your thoughts?

Night time with a newborn

2010-12-14T22:36:00.003-05:00

Night time is always an adventure with a newborn. Some nights my daughter sleeps very well & only needs to feed once or twice a night. Other nights, her sleep is very broken & needs my wife or me to put in her pacifier 15 or 20 times. Needless to say, her broken sleep leads to ours being broken, too.

Hearing my daughter wail & seeing her crying expressed through her whole body writhing is a pitiful sight & one which brings most any parent to their knees. In the morning, her pains of the night seem to melt away as she sees us come into her room. Pausing to focus her young eyes, she often greets us with a full, genuine smile that is worth many, many interruptions through the night.

It is amazing the parallels between children & their parents and our relationships with God. How many times have we felt utterly miserable and are, in fact, completely reliant on the mercy of our heavenly Father? Imagine his joy when we pause for a moment & enjoy his goodness!

Here is a picture of my daughter as she looked down at me while being lifted up. How worthy of love are we in His eyes?

Jesus, I trust in You.

2010-12-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

I'm one of those people that gets kind of uncomfortable not knowing what's going on. I like to know what's happening, or at least think I do. But this school year has made it clear to me that I don't have a clue. College looms in the background, standardized tests are right around the corner, and people have started asking that age old question: "What do you want to do?"

Yet, while all this is going on: all these questions about the future, I hear over and over: "surrender." We live in a world that tells us to be free is to be independent: relying on yourself and nothing else. As I think about what my future holds for me, I find myself looking to my abilities and my talents in order to achieve my wants. I want to rely on myself: to be free and independent. One of the daily readings this week said, “the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it" (Isaiah 41:20). It was a sharp burst of reality. Everything that I have, my abilities and talents that I rely on come from God. Looking in myself, I find my lack of surrender to Him is based on my lack of trust in Him.

Christmas seems to bring about stories of trust. Mary and Elizabeth trusted that they would have a child. The Magi trusted in the star in the sky, pointing to the Savior. Joesph trusted in God when his family was in danger and fled to Egypt. When I see the helpless babe in the manger, I can’t help but trust Him. The other day, a friend mused, “I wonder how Jesus felt, looking up at the sky and seeing each star in detail. Knowing that He, created all that.” I’m flabbergasted when I really think about the reality of who Jesus is. The King of Glory descends to our level, our pitiful, sinful level, and chooses to humble Himself by taking human form. He entered into this world in the most helpless stage one can ever be: a baby. And yet, He was and still is the Ruler of the Universe. I know you’ve all heard it at some point, especially during the Christmas season, but it still leaves me speechless and amazed.

Jesus surrendered to the Father’s will: He became a helpless babe, followed God’s will, and ultimately surrendered His life. Let us surrender also to the Father’s will through the example of the Son. Come Lord Jesus…

Giving thanks for life

2010-11-25T12:34:00.003-05:00

One year ago, my wife & I were the sad parents of two children that had died before birth, one of which died thirteen weeks into life. Burying him, Michael Francis, made it very clear that parents aren't ever supposed to bury their children. Losing our daughter, Hope Alexis, early in pregnancy didn't make her loss easier.

During Thanksgiving last year, we didn't know we were pregnant. This Thanksgiving, holding my daughter Lydia Rose adds a new dimension to being grateful. Listening to her sleep, hearing her suck on her pacifier, and holding her tight are gifts I receive with great joy every day. Lord, thank you for Life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Revised a little, but originally, by Msgr. Michael Buckley:

"Thank you, Father, for having created us and given us to each other in the human family. Thank you for being with us in all our joys and sorrows, for your comfort in our sadness, your companionship in our loneliness. Thank you for yesterday, today, tomorrow and for the whole of our lives. Thank you for friends, for health and for grace. May we live this and every day conscious of all that has been given to us.
We thank you, Father, for the gift of Jesus your Son who came to our earth and lived in a simple home. We have a greater appreciation of the value and dignity of the human family because he loved and was loved within its shelter. Bless us this day; may we grow in love for each other in our family--at home, and in the whole world-- and so give thanks to you who are the maker of all human families and our abiding peace."

God bless you all today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T12:04:00.000-05:00

From all of us here at the blog, Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy this time with family, friends, and lots of food. And don't forget to thank your mom, or whoever is cooking, for that delicious turkey!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his kindness endures forever- 1 Chronicles 16:34

His grace is enough

2010-11-22T20:44:00.002-05:00

Tonight I rushed home from work to make it home with enough time to scarf some dinner before my wife & I watched three wonderful & energetic children (ages 5 & below) from friends of ours while taking care of our newborn. Filled with fun, activity, and a little correction, we made it through the less than 60 minutes before our friends picked up their three little ones.

We spent the next hour & a half taking care of our little one through eating, filling her diaper a couple times, & crying for a while to add to the excitement.

After our little one was in bed, my wife & I lay on the floor wondering how people handle so many kids day in & day out & mused that we don't have the strength to do this.

I guess that is the point, really - as parents, we come to a deeper understanding of God's untiring efforts to provide for us & love us despite our fussing, distractions, & messes we make. This phrase rings true: His grace is enough.

God alone suffices

2010-11-19T15:36:00.002-05:00

"Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me. I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more." St. Ignatius Loyola

At some point over the last few years, I became just a little bit braver than I'd ever been before. I was reading some book, and came across a prayer written by St. Ignatius of Loyola. You know how when you want to pray, but you're actually reading something, you can pray it in your head, and your heart just goes along with it? Well, that didn't happen here...I think I got to the sixth word and then, *hiccup*...there was a problem...did he really just say entire? I was so moved by this prayer. I had thought that I sincerely had given over myself to God. In reading through the prayer though, I had to admit that it was painful for me to think about giving God my entire liberty, my entire memory, my entire understanding, my whole will. Maybe even harder, was I really open to giving God all the relationships in my life?

To me, this prayer is about more than just surrender. It teaches us about our attachments. What do we love in our life more than God--more than His will? What aren't we willing to fully give over to Him? Finances, maybe? A relationship? A career path? Vocation? Are we just not willing to forgive? Someone had quoted that our distraction in prayer reveals to us what we're attached to...in the same way, isn't this distraction partly a need to surrender even more to God? Especially in that area of attachment? An invitation for us to trust Him even more with our lives?

With God, we are rich enough...I love the ending of this prayer: "I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more." That's a pretty compelling, if not huge promise. In what could I ever be rich enough, and desire nothing more? Maybe for a few fleeting seconds every once in awhile, I could say that about my contentment level in life...but, it never completely lasts. I don't know of anything, truly, in which I could say I'm rich enough, save God alone. Hey, I have certain ideas and plans for my life...it's pretty amazingly bold and courageous to drop those all down at Jesus' feet. But, I long to trust Him even more...

I used to think that God had a plan for me, and I just had to find it...now I see that He has a plan for me, and He's the one living it out. He wants to surrender so much, to die to Himself so much, that all of Him is given away to clothe His beloved. For me, to trust Him means first that I recognize how nothing other than God will ever truly satisfy me. St. Theresa of Avila sums this up well: "Let nothing upset you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God alone is unchanging. Patience obtains everything. God alone suffices."

Anima Christi

2010-11-18T20:15:00.000-05:00

One of my new favorite prayers is the Anima Christi (full text here).

What I think makes this such a great prayer is how Christ-centered it is. As Ron Hansen points out in his book A Stay Against Confusion: Essays on Faith and Fiction:

Nine lines of the prayer have been completed by the accusative pronoun me. But as the “Anima Christi” winds up, there is the “from you” of the eighth line and the “to you” of the eleventh, and the twelfth, penultimate line will have Christ’s te without preposition, imitating Christ’s shift to the central point in the writer’s existence. (re-quoted from the Sisters of the Cenacle blog)

How many times is my prayer about myself? How many times do I go to God for help, but end up monologue-ing about my suffering? That's not to say that we shouldn't bring our problems to God, but our main focus and attention should be on Him, our Beloved.

The Anima Christi is a desperate plea to God. A plea for him to sanctify, save, comfort, heal, and defend us. Not only are we recognizing our need for God, in all areas of our life, but also the necessity of praise. I'm no authority on this, but couldn't one say that praise is the purest form of prayer? In praise, I lose all sense of myself: I am adoring, I am glorifying One who is higher than I.

Going back to Ron Hansen, the Anima Christi shifts from me to He. It ties together all our needs as humans and brings it back to God. As the Catechism says, "God put us in the world to know, to love, and to serve Him, and so to come to paradise" (1721). He is the purpose of our lives. Let's make Him the center today.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me...

I Thank God For…

2010-11-11T14:19:00.002-05:00

My parents.

For everything they've given me, and done for me. And for all the sacrifices they've made to give me a better life. Thank you God for blessing me with such great parents!

Also…

On this Veterans day, let's thank God for all those who have served in the military to protect our freedom. May God be with them this day, and always!

Thank you Jesus for ____

2010-11-08T20:48:00.000-05:00

I don't thank God enough. I don't thank Him every time I get up in the morning. I don't thank Him when I do well on a test. I don't thank Him for the food I eat each day, or the bed I sleep in each night. I don't thank Him for all the blessings in my life. I don't thank Him for the things that challenge me to grow.

But I should. Every week at Mass, when the priest says "Give thanks to the Lord" we respond with "It is right to give Him thanks and praise." When I went to Chile, the people would respond, es justo y necesario "It is just and necessary." It's pretty obvious that thanking God and praising Him is a big deal. Want more proof? Just look at the Psalms! How many of them are prayers of thanksgiving?

For this week, we're going to focus on thanking God. And we're going to give you readers a say! Write a comment or post on our Facebook page about something that you're thankful to God for and we'll post it here on the blog!

As for me, I'm thankful for the opportunities God's given me, the warm bed I have, and the pesto dinner I had for dinner. What about you?

Life Promise

2010-11-02T21:16:00.000-04:00

In the name of the One God, ever living and life giving,
faithful and true, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
I accept God’s gift of life to me
     in the circumstances
     of my conception and birth,
     of my parents, of my family,
of all whosoever care for me or did me
harm in all the years that began the journey
of my life.
God who calls by name works all together for my good.
     I choose life.
I accept God’s gift of life around me,
     the sacred treasure of each human life
     whether sister, brother, friend or stranger;
     however whole or broken, small or great,
     saint or sinner,
     rich or poor, ill or well, ally or enemy, or
     indifferent.
Each is crafted in God’s image, to each is offered
Christ’s redemption, in each moves the spirits blessing.
     I choose life.
I accept God’s gift of life in my times,
     in infant’s cry, in childhood’s wonder
     in trails of teen years and embrace of youth,
     in maturity’s accomplishments and failures,
     in waning day’s and night’s negotiations.
Among the creatures with the breath of life within them,
God has placed the timeless in the human heart,
but not the reach to grasp or measure it.
     I choose life.
I accept God’s gift of life in my dying,
     in God’s hands the shaping of the manner
     by God’s clock the counting of the hour.
May God who lays me down uphold me.
May Christ along the way companion me.
May spirit lift, and light billow me into the Resurrection.
     God is life, and this I choose.
In the name of the One God, ever living and life giving,
faithful and true, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
-By Fr. Richgard Meredith

That others may live...

2010-10-31T22:46:00.000-04:00

All the Saints in heaven, please pray for us. For those in purgatory, we pray for you, that you may soon be brought to full union with Christ :o)

I've been thinking a lot about surrender lately. Call me confused--I know that Advent hasn't yet started, but perhaps all the Christmas decorations and cards out for sale already have me getting in the mindset of hibernation and twinkle lights, before Thanksgiving and more pumpkins, and turkey have even rolled around the bend. Maybe it's just the season of life for me...adjustment, letting go, learning, learning, learning...within it all, as is my unfortunate tendency, I try to hold on to stability (oh how futile for me!).

"What we shall be asked to give [God] is our flesh and blood , our daily life--our thoughts, our service to one another, our affections and loves, our words, our intellect, our waking, working, and sleeping, our ordinary human joys and sorrows--to God. to surrender all that we are, as we are, to the Spirit of Love in order that our lives may bear Christ into the world--that is what we will be asked."

Part of the loss of control for me, in all truth, is coming from death, and fear of death. Of death, in the last month, a number of my patients at one time or another have passed away. Of fear of death, my brother, who I'm quite close to, is being deployed in a week. Loss of control on various levels--trying so hard to take care of babies so that they'll receive the best nursing care I know how to give them, and then, to know that I can't save them, but desperately want to--to watch their families go through the grieving process for their new little one--to love my brother very much, and not want him to ever be harmed...

"What is certain about Him is that He is love, that He loves both you and the person that you love, more than you do."

The passage continues: "Your child, is first of all, God's child; your love for your little son is nothing, absolutely nothing at all, besides God's love for him. Your little son is God's son; he is His only son, for Christ is in him, and God looks upon him and sees him as Christ...object of His Eternal Love."

My small little faith tells me that I must be the one to save and to keep safe--yet, seeing my patients as Christ--as the infant baby Jesus, should force me to see even more that I am not the one who saves.

All these ethical issues surrounding life and death--don't they more nearly surround our response to control and loss of control? My seeming ability to save myself and others from pain of loss, or just of pain? In my desire for gaining control, am I not negating God's love? Negating God's power? God, after all, loves me, and He loves you, and He loves my brother, and He loves all of my patients, more than I could ever dream to love. It's easy for me to blame God for trials and pain in my life, but truly, I think my lack of surrender is more to blame. In order to surrender, I have to die--and this, ultimately, is what I'm afraid of--to lose control of my will and desires and dreams--to be willing to admit that a lot of what I'm holding onto so tightly, and fear letting go is devoid of true love--and that true love means sacrifice--dying to myself.

The US Combat Control's motto is, "First there". The US Airforce Pararescue's is, "That others may live". One day a few months ago my brother told me that his and my jobs were cool because they could match--for me, neonatal and all--being the first there at a birth, that the baby may live. I think I've grown more attached to the motto "that others may live" more than anything else over the past few weeks. This is what my life's about. It's what yours is about too.
The surrender...the sacrifice of self, for the sake of another...the sacrifice of expectations, hopes, and even dreams...Oh Lord, help us to let go of ourselves, and let go of our pride...that others may live.

Sweetly Broken

2010-10-30T21:41:00.001-04:00

I was going to write a post on perseverance, but after failing to do so a numerous amount of time, I'm just going to share this song with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5_Z3ZZYLDc

This song has been stuck in my head for the past two weeks. I was going to share a short reflection on it, but I've decided not to. Instead, I just want you to listen to this song. Close your eyes and just listen. Just think about what this song says to you, to your heart.

God bless.

God, You're Awesome.

2010-10-16T21:52:00.001-04:00

You know, God's a really awesome God. Not just in the sense that He's really cool, but that He inspires awe. How does He inspire awe? Well just take this verse from Genesis.

"So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." - Genesis 1:26

What do you think about when you hear this verse? Really think about it, what does it mean to you that you're created "in the image and likeness of God?"

The other night, my youth minister gave a talk about who we are, our identities as humans. A lot of times, we can get caught up in what we do or who others say we are. We label ourselves on external things: our hobbies, our talents, our personalities. But none of that is who we are. We are all children of God: you, me, your best friend, the cashier at the checkout. We are all made "in the image and likeness of God."

You might be thinking right now, "Okay...so what? I'm made in the image of God. That's cool, whatever. What does this have to do with God being awesome anyways?" Well first, I'm getting to the awesome part. And second, that's not just cool! It's amazing! It's the beautiful! It's the most amazingly beautiful thing I can think of! (okay, I got a little carried away there). But really, it's something to be excited about! Everything you see around you, the sky, the sun, the animals, all the trees and plants. Everything you can't see, the stars and planets deep in the universe, the cells that make up your body, the neutrons, protons, and electrons that make up all matter. The Maker of all that, made you. And not only did He make you, He made you in His image. That means you have a special worth, there's something different that sets you apart from that mountain He sculpted or that tree He brought to life. I don't know about you, but that makes me speechless.

One of my favorite Psalms is only three verses long, but it really captures that speechless-ness.

O LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
         Nor do I involve myself in great matters,
         Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
         Like a weaned child rests against his mother,
         My soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the LORD
        From this time forth and forever.

-Psalm 131

In this Psalm, the psalmist's response to God's power is to "compose and quiet his soul." I encourage you today to spend some quiet time before the Lord. Think about your identity as a child of God, contemplate the immensity of that fact and God's awesome-ness. For our God is an awesome God!

Equally Skilled

2010-10-10T23:47:00.003-04:00

I'd like to share a bible verse and a song—both of which have to do with God's justice. The verse is Micah 7:1-9. Go ahead and give it a read:

1 “Alas! I am as when the fruit is gathered, as when the vines have been gleaned; There is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave.

: 2 The faithful are gone from the earth, among men the upright are no more! They all lie in wait to shed blood, each one ensnares the other.

: 3 Their hands succeed at evil; the prince makes demands, The judge is had for a price, The great man speaks as he pleases,

: 4 The best of them is like a brier, the most upright like a thorn hedge. The day announced by your watchmen! your punishment has come; now is the time of your confusion.

: 5 Put no trust in a friend, have no confidence in a companion; Against her who lies in your bosom guard the portals of your mouth.

: 6 For the son dishonors his father, the daughter rises up against her mother, The daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man's enemies are those of his household.

: 7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD, I will put my trust in God my savior; my God will hear me!

: 8 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy! though I have fallen, I will arise; though I sit in darkness, the LORD is my light.

: 9 The wrath of the LORD I will endure because I have sinned against him, Until he takes up my cause, and establishes my right. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see his justice.”

The song is based on the verse above and is called “Equally Skilled” by Jon Foreman.
Listen to it right HERE.

I think it's pretty awesome that we have hope in God's justice. That even though times may be tough right now, God will bring us into His light, and we will see His true justice.

Words of a new father

2010-10-06T00:01:00.002-04:00

My daughter was born not quite two months ago. These last eight weeks have been marked with exhaustion, terror, & joy. I have lost count of the number of diapers we have used, I have been spit up on, pooped on, and lost a lot of sleep.

Yet I find myself thinking of my daughter throughout my busy workday. Whenever I have a moment, I look through the pictures of her on my cell phone one more time just to remind myself once again what she looks like. I can't wait to get home & to see if she recognizes my voice. I am thrilled to have her fall asleep on my chest.

My own father described parenting quite well: it is a lot more work than he anticipated, but it was very worth it. The love we give our children is a sacrificial love, but one I find myself willing to give more of my love the more time I spend with her. Even better, I find my heart expanding to love more than I was able to love before. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Happy Feast Day of the Guardian Angels

2010-10-02T16:42:00.001-04:00

Today marks the 11th day of the 40 days for Life campaign. For those of you not familiar with it, it's 40 days where people all across the nation gather to pray and intercede for the unborn. There are talks, rallies, and peaceful prayer protests in front of abortion clinics. Being a blog dedicated to life, we're also adding our prayers along with the thousands across America.

Today is also the Feast of Guardian Angels. Here's what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about guardian angels:

"From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God."(Catechism of the Catholic Church: 336)

Guardian angels, we pray for your protection and care today. We ask for your intecessions, especially for the unborn. As the 40 days for Life campaign continues, we pray for all those involved in the campaign and those impacted by it's efforts. Lead us each day down the path that leads to Christ. Amen.

Happy Feast day of Padre Pio!

2010-09-23T18:30:00.000-04:00

Some words to reflect on...

“Pray, hope, and don’t worry! Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer. Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips but with your heart. In fact, on certain occasions, you should speak to Him only with your heart.” -Padre Pio

The prodigal brother

2010-09-20T08:17:00.000-04:00

We all know the story of the prodigal son (if you need a reminder, here it is). The young foolish son asks for his inheritance, wastes his money, comes home, and his father in great love and mercy welcomes him.

There's a type of prayer where you try to put yourself in the story. You imagine yourself as one of the characters. I mainly picture myself as the prodigal son: I'm a sinner who's sinned and turned from my Father. And in His great Love, He welcomes me home like a lost sheep, like a prodigal.

Someone I often ignore though, is the prodigal son's brother. Let's put ourselves in his shoes for moment: My brother, the fool, has just spent almost half my father's fortune on prostitutes and a wild life. And now he has the guts to come crawling back and what does dad do? He throws him a feast! I never got a feast! Not even when I've labored all these years, working hard and living a righteous life. Not one! It's not fair!

He's pretty angry, I would be too...wait. In all those times I've read that passage, I never put myself in the brother's role! I was always the contrite prodigal. But the truth is, I'm more like the brother than the prodigal son. He's smarter, why didn't God make me smarter? She's better at sports, why didn't God make me more athletic? She's holier, why didn't God make me holier? I see the gifts that others have and start to feel jealous, envious, and even angry: why am I not like them?

A friend once told me, "God doesn't want you to be St. Therese de Lisieux or St. John of the Cross. God wants you to be you. He already has a St. Therese and a St. John, He wants you." I can be jealous of the talents of others, I can want to be like them. I can even get angry at God or go so far as to judge them to make me feel better. But the point of the brother in this parable is that God loves unconditionally. God doesn't have favorites; He rejoices at every lost sheep that comes home. He rejoices because He made each one of us, knows us intimately, and wants to be with us. Anything I see in another wouldn't make God love me more or less. He loves me because that's His nature.

So rejoice! Rejoice for we have a Father who forgives our sins! Rejoice for we have a Father who's made us who we are! Rejoice for we have a Father that loves unconditionally!

Mercy

2010-09-19T04:17:00.003-04:00

“In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he lavished upon us.” –Ephesians 1:7-8

Mercy means forgiving someone for a wrong they have committed, even though they deserve to be punished. God constantly forgives us when we turn away from Him. His mercy is something we can rely on. God never holds forgiveness back from us; all we need to do is ask him for it!

Christ's death and resurrection redeemed all of human kind, and consequently gave us all the chance to be forgiven by God's grace. Through His cross, He showed us mercy.

It is also important to remember that we as followers of Christ need to show His mercy to those who wrong us. “Forgive and you will be forgiven.” (Luke 6:37) To love others as Christ would is to also show them mercy as He would.

I'd like to share a song that really tells the story of God's grace and forgiveness, and the hope that we sinners all have. It's called "Hope for Every Fallen Man" by Relient K. I'd encourage you to pay attention to the words. One line that really strikes me is this one:

“Forgiveness can be given when you think it can't… 'Cause with every passing second comes a second chance…”

Every day, every second, we are given a second chance to turn away from sin and run toward the mercy that God has given us through his Son.

Remember...

2010-09-13T21:43:00.000-04:00

In his homily yesterday, Fr. Ed spoke about the mercy of the Father--how we are always forgiven when we come back home. If (once) the homily comes out on mp3 I'm strongly (strongly) inclined to post it, because his words were such delightful Truth.
What I wanted to highlight here was something that he mentioned at the end: We sin when we forget who we are...we run away, like the prodigal son, when we forget who we are. At this point during Mass I got distracted, because I remembered this footage, and it seemed so poignant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byDN8aoR4TI
"No...you have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me..." I remind myself of this quote a lot, because it reminds me so much of myself and the Father. When I forget who I am, where I came from, and what I was made for (who I was made for :o)), I forget the Father Himself, because I was made in His image and likeness, and by the blood of Christ, have been raised to be a daughter of the King ("Look inside yourself...you are more than what you have become...remember who you are: You are My son, and the one true king...")
The Father, our Lord looks at each of us, and says, "Remember! Remember who you are. You are my son/daughter, and the rightful heir, because of the One True King, My Son. Remember who you are. Remember..."

We Are All Worth It

2010-09-12T01:46:00.006-04:00

'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' –Luke 15:6

As I was listening to the Lifeteen.com Sunday Sunday Sunday podcast, I immediately knew that I had to share it with everyone. The mass readings for this Sunday fit very well with the theme of the blog this week. Mark Hart does a great job explaining it, so I'll let him do the talking.

I would recommend you read the readings first right HERE.

Then listen to the podcast HERE.

Happy Sunday everyone!

You are more.

2010-09-11T11:33:00.000-04:00

Lately, this song has been running through my head a lot. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J3M7uVjwI8

What's really stood out to me is the bridge:

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to
This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you new

A lot of times, I get so bogged down by my mistakes, my problems, my issues that it's hard for me to believe the words of the chorus: "You've been remade." I get caught up in a swirl of self-pity and start to turn the focus onto me, me, me. But reality is, it's not about me, it's about He. It isn't about my actions, but His actions. Not about my faults, but His faultlessness redeeming me. It's not about the debts we owe, but the ultimate price He paid for us.

As I was thinking about this song for the last couple of days, a verse popped into my head. "So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

My worth is in God; only when I start to take the focus off of myself and turn my attention to Jesus can I start to believe that I'm a new creation. So get on your knees sometime today and just focus on Jesus. Focus on what God has done and remember: you've been remade.

2010-09-10T14:34:00.001-04:00

Worth.

I climbed a mountain this week.

Before you understand why that’s significant at all, I should explain more of myself and more of the story.

The biggest struggle I’m facing in my personal growth right now is self-absorption. I find myself constantly assessing how I must be coming off in other peoples’ eyes: how did that sentence sound to her? what does he think of how I did that? does my music sound good to them? what does she think of my makeup? glasses? sweater? the cut of my dress?

Even when I’m alone, the questioning doesn’t stop. Nothing’s good enough for just me, it all has to be seen in light of how another would interpret it. My worth isn’t enough if it simply stands on its own, without someone appreciating it.

Moreover, who I am is certainly not good enough to deserve love. But—hey look—there are other people, who are loved. I may not be lovable, but if I could be just like them, that might change.

Part of this is pride. I can’t accept what I’ve been given. I can’t recognize that who God has made me is good. Someone I create in my head, with this quality from her and that gift of his, is better.

Who do I think I am? I am not the creator. I am not God. Do I really think that I could design a creation better than one by the great artist? Do I really think that the God who shapes the clouds and the mountains made mistakes when he shaped my heart?

This week, while hiking in the Smoky Mountains with my mom, I caught a glimpse of how it feels to move beyond the obsessive self-absorption.

Where we started out at the beginning of the trail, the way was steep, but paved by gravel and at least eight feet wide. About a mile in, we stopped at a log bench for a sip of water. We knew it was three more miles to Ramsay Cascades, but we’re in shape. The prospect didn’t phase us a bit. Eight miles roundtrip? That’s the work of a couple hours.

As we moved forward, the path got thinner, steeper, and more challenging. We crossed streams bridged by single logs and streams not bridged at all. Eventually, we were traversing the path at a snail’s pace—how could we have gone faster when we constantly had to climb on all fours?

I was breathless. My heart and head were pounding. My hair curled into a wild mess around my face, my pants were grimy and damp, I had no makeup on, I could smell my own sweat, and I wasn’t even wearing a real shirt. I’d stripped down to a cami. Usually, if I could see every fault of my figure and every bit of fat through clingy material, my mind would be running wild with criticism. Not now. Nothing mattered but the task at hand: getting to the top.

Part of me broke through the exhaustion and the temptation to give up. I found a crazed—and yet calm—exhilaration. I was going to make it. This was my mission. What was my discontent compared to the goal right in front of me? I had chosen this mountain.

I asked God to give me strength for the next step and kept going.

I made it to the top. I could tell you a beautiful story about the moment I saw glimpse of the waterfall through the scrub and trees, about the people I met at the top, about how they were Christians and one of them gave me a prophesy for my life…but it doesn’t relate to the theme of this post.

Here, what matters is the realization that a straightforward goal brought me. Climbing a mountain showed me that God has gifted me with purpose. He’s given me a mission: my life.

Sometimes, we get so caught up in fighting the lies that bombard our identity. I’m not devaluing this. There’s a place where healing and words of truth are good and right. However, sometimes I spiral downward into myself instead of acknowledging that the lies simply don’t matter. I begin to understand my worth when I look past my pride to see the adventurous mission God has placed in front of me.

Get up. Get out. See the sunlight. Listen the strong wind moving the trees, moving you forward.

God is present and God has a calling for me and for you.

Week Theme: Worth

2010-09-06T21:54:00.002-04:00

I was thinking about nothingness today. Kinda a weird place to start off the day with, sure...I was thinking about how some people have said that nothing is reality--that everything is imagined. It's interesting...in my mind I kept going back in logic, trying to figure out how one could know for sure that nothing is nothing--that there must be something. My conclusion? If all is imagined, then the imagined alone is something. Nothing can be nothing. If I can think about nothing, isn't that contemplating something? Let's not get stuck here though...I have a bigger, more important point.

When I struggle with my sense of self-worth the most, I often think that nothing matters, and what's the point in my life? Why is my life the way it is, why was I put here? Why did I have to go through so many of the things that I've gone through, and why am I going through the ones I currently am going through? Can we convince ourselves that these questions aren't the most important ones? That there could be an even bigger picture?

A few hours ago I met head on the realization that I can love people--I can truly try to love people with all of myself, and they don't have to understand it. I don't mean that in a cliche way...I truly mean, that even when I try to love people, and just want to give of myself for them, some people can honestly believe that I don't care about them, or that I even hate them, when all I'm trying to do is love them. As humiliating and frustrating, and absolutely painful as this is, I realized a few things tonight: 1.) Doesn't Jesus go through this with me? Jesus loves me--He IS love--and all He is ever doing is loving me--don't I not see that sometimes? Don't I even wonder sometimes if He cares about me at all, or if He even notices or likes me? 2.) Would my perspective--my own understanding of whether or not Jesus loves me in any given moment actually change the truth?

Just as my own interpretation of God and what He's doing in my life--His love, or my feelings of His distance and absence don't change the truth--that God is always with me--that God always loves me, as I am now, no matter what, no strings attached--the truth of my worth can never be changed. As a beautifully dear friend reminded me tonight--you can do nothing to change your worth. "But God proves His love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8

You are worth His life, because He loved you to His death. Your feelings are fleeting--no matter if it makes sense, or if you understand it, or if you feel it, or if you want it, you can't change your worth, just as much as you can't make Him love you less.

Praise the Lord.

Calling all men...

2010-08-30T20:46:00.001-04:00

Just a warning (especially to those who are looking at the length of this entry and freaking out a little bit): I apologize, but I'm not sticking with our usual format for this week's prayer intentions. Instead, I just urge you to deliberately take whatever piece of this entry strikes you the most to your prayer times, and to consciously surrender over, and over, and over again to our Lord.

I've been trying to track down a certain song that I heard played on the radio a few weeks ago, to no avail. You know when a word is on the tip of your tongue, but you can't even figure out even what letter it begins with? It's annoyed me constantly, and I couldn't even remember the lyrics. I just knew that I had heard this song that was very moving to me.
And then it just happened...On my way home from work today it was the first song that played when I turned my radio on. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAKBXBXz1fo.

I think the irony for me is that I've unfortunately been given a lot of examples lately through women's stories around me of men who very obviously are suffering and struggling with what it means to be a man--with not knowing any true men, perhaps, in their lives. I hesitate, but I'm just so convicted--doesn't it all make sense? The idea behind this blog was life, with, perhaps, a special intention always for promoting life inside the womb. My personal passion related, concerns more about chastity; if chastity were more catching, more babies would be conceived through marriage, and statistically, therefore more babies' lives would not end in abortion. But, then, talking chastity is really only a beginning as well. What motivates purity? What motivates self-control and saying, "no", and not taking advantage of one another in the name of love? To me, it seems one of the main factors is self-worth. If I truly know my worth, and I respect myself--if I truly know my value, and who I am--who I was made to be, what I was made to do, and honestly, Who made me to begin with, then it's a whole lot easier for me to say no to an imitation and a poor excuse for love, since I've already met Love face to face--I know its taste, its incredible gift. Everything else is just not brand name, and full of processed ingredients that deliver very few nutrients, and tend to end in cancer (okay, okay, yes, I'm a nurse). So, what in the world does this have to do with the song? We live in disorder. Just reading through the lyrics of this song reminded me of C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. In reading through some, this portion especially caught my eye, from Letter 20:

"MY DEAR WORMWOOD,

I note with great displeasure that the Enemy has, for the time being, put a forcible end to your direct attacks on the patient's chastity. You ought to have known that He always does in the end, and you ought to have stopped before you reached that stage. For as things are, your man has now discovered the dangerous truth that these attacks don't last forever; consequently you cannot use again what is, after all, our best weapon—the belief of ignorant humans, that there is no hope of getting rid of us except by yielding. I suppose you've tried persuading him that chastity is unhealthy?

I haven't yet got a report from you on young women in the neighbourhood. I should like it once, for if we can't use his sexuality to make him unchaste we must try to use it for promotion of a desirable marriage. In the meantime I would like to give you some hint about the type of woman—I mean the physical type—which he should be encouraged to fall in love with if "falling in love" is the best we can manage.

In a rough and ready way, of course, this question is decided for us by spirits far deeper down in the Lowerarchy than you and I. It is the business of these great masters to produce in every age a general misdirection of what may be called sexual "taste". This they do by working through the small circle of popular artists, dressmakers, actresses and advertisers who determine the fashionable type. The aim is to guide each sex away from those members of the other with whom spiritually helpful, happy, and fertile marriages are most likely. Thus we have now for many centuries triumphed over nature to the extent of making certain secondary characteristics of the male (such as the beard) disagreeable to nearly all the females—and there is more in that than you might suppose. As regards the male taste we have varied a good deal. At one time we have directed it to the statuesque and aristocratic type of beauty, mixing men's vanity with their desires and encouraging the race to breed chiefly from the most arrogant and prodigal women. At another, we have selected an exaggeratedly feminine type, faint and languishing, so that folly and cowardice, and all the general falseness and littleness of mind which go with them, shall be at a premium. At present we are on the opposite tack. The age of jazz has succeeded the age of the waltz, and we now teach men to like women whose bodies are scarcely distinguishable from those of boys. Since this is a kind of beauty even more transitory than most, we thus aggravate the female's chronic horror of growing old (with many excellent results) and render her less willing and less able to bear children. And that is not all. We have engineered a great increase in the licence which society allows to the representation of the apparent nude (not the real nude) in art, and its exhibition on the stage or the bathing beach. It is all a fake, of course; the figures in the popular art are falsely drawn; the real women in bathing suits or tights are actually pinched in and propped up to make them appear firmer and more slender and more boyish than nature allows a full-grown woman to be. Yet at the same time, the modern world is taught to believe that it is being "frank" and "healthy" and getting back to nature. As a result we are more and more directing the desires of men to something which does not exist—making the rôle of the eye in sexuality more and more important and at the same time making its demands more and more impossible. What follows you can easily forecast!

That is the general strategy of the moment. But inside that framework you will still find it possible to encourage your patient's desires in one of two directions. You will find, if you look carefully into any human's heart, that he is haunted by at least two imaginary women—a terrestrial and an infernal Venus, and that his desire differs qualitatively according to its object. There is one type for which his desire is such as to be naturally amenable to the Enemy—readily mixed with charity, readily obedient to marriage, coloured all through with that golden light of reverence and naturalness which we detest; there is another type which he desires brutally, and desires to desire brutally, a type best used to draw him away from marriage altogether but which, even within marriage, he would tend to treat as a slave, an idol, or an accomplice. His love for the first might involve what the Enemy calls evil, but only accidentally; the man would wish that she was not someone else's wife and be sorry that he could not love her lawfully. But in the second type, the felt evil is what he wants; it is that "tang" in the flavour which he is after. In the face, it is the visible animality, or sulkiness, or craft, or cruelty which he likes, and in the body, something quite different from what he ordinarily calls Beauty, something he may even, in a sane hour, describe as ugliness, but which, by our art, can be made to play on the raw nerve of his private obsession.

The real use of the infernal Venus is, no doubt, as prostitute or mistress. But if your man is a Christian, and if he has been well trained in nonsense about irresistible and all-excusing "Love", he can often be induced to marry her. And that is very well worth bringing about. You will have failed as regards fornication and solitary vice; but there are other, and more indirect, methods of using a man's sexuality to his undoing. And, by the way, they are not only efficient, but delightful; the unhappiness produced is of a very lasting and exquisite kind,

Your affectionate uncle

SCREWTAPE"

Through this letter, C.S. Lewis poignantly illustrates some of the definite and most common lies that are passed for Truth so easily, and so readily in our lives. Men being forced to give up their God-given manhood and leadership through the belief in something more alluring, and perhaps easier, which ultimately ends in their tragedy as well as women and children's. And women, being forced to believe that they are not beautiful--that beauty does not exist, apart from the lie that they will never be enough...for men, for God, for anyone--offered to believe, through these lies, that the only way to be happy is through deceit and guile. For in the absence of true men, we falter, and are confused even more.

As God intends, please, lead us.

The story behind the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZg-HrclQPY

Love Wins — Week of August 23 – 29

2010-08-23T03:41:00.003-04:00

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 (See also, Luke 6:27-36)

Jesus calls us to not only love the oppressed, but also the oppressor. He calls us to love those who don't love us back—to be bigger than those who persecute us. We do this by responding in the same way that God would—with love and mercy. How many times have we turned our back on God, only to find that He is waiting with His arms wide open and ready to receive us back? This is the way we are to treat those who mistreat us.

Most of the time, it's hard to forgive someone who has wronged you. It doesn't seem to make sense. But God knows what He is doing. God is love, and love conquers all. Even the darkest of places and even the hardest of hearts. No matter what, Love always wins.

Monday: Jesus, we ask that You would give us the strength to respond to those who have hurt us not with hate, but with the love that only comes from You.

Tuesday: Today, we pray for all the people who have had a hand in abortion, may they come to know You, Lord, and Your mercy.

Wednesday: Lord, forgive us for the ways that we have mistreated others. Show us Your everlasting mercy, and help us to always treat others with respect and dignity.

Thursday: Father, bring us ever closer to Your heart today, so that we can bring the love that we have received to those around us, especially those who persecute us.

Friday: Holy Spirit, help us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. We know that for us it is impossible, but for God, it is not. Help us to place all our trust in You.

Saturday: God, fill us with Your grace and peace today, so that we can continue to grow in love for You.

Sunday: Daddy, thank You for Your endless mercy. Thank You for always being there to pick us up when we call on Your name. For we know that Your love endures forever.

August 2- 8

2010-08-02T23:11:00.001-04:00

Most babies in America are aborted because the baby wasn't conceived at the time that its parents thought was good for them to have a child. We live in a busy society, and pressures to perform and to be many different things for many different people comes from all different sides. This week, let's focus our prayers on learning about the bigger picture: What are God's plans? How are they different than our own?

Tuesday: Jesus, today we surrender our plans--everything we want to accomplish, and everything we need to accomplish--we offer You this day for Your glory, and not our own.

Wednesday: God, today we just pray for everyone who is hurting. For everyone struggling to see and understand Your love for them, or even to see hope in their lives, we ask for Your encouragement and consolation.

Thursday: Today we offer our gifts and talents--everything You've given us, Jesus, we give back to You.

Friday: Holy Spirit, help us to seek Your help today, instead of relying on ourselves.

Saturday: Father, thank You for Your mercy. Please help us to trust in You, and to trust that You love us and only plan good things for us.

Sunday: Thank You, Lord, that You see the bigger picture--that You hold us, so insignificant compared to You, in Your hands, and in Your heart. Your thought alone, of us, is what keeps us in existence.

Week of July 26 – August 1

2010-07-26T00:53:00.007-04:00

There is power in God's love. Real power. It's easy to think of God's love as simply being supernatural, but there is more to it than that. The love of God has the power to affect our lives and the lives around us. But how does this happen? Scripture tells us that the power of God is not dependent on the strength of man:

"Your strength is not in numbers, nor does your power depend upon stalwart men; but you are the God of the lowly, the helper of the oppressed, the supporter of the weak, the protector of the forsaken, the savior of those without hope." (Judith 9:11)

So what does this mean for us? It means that the love of God, and the power that goes with it, are present in you and me. As the body of Christ, we are His hands and His feet. We are the ones that God uses to proclaim His love. We are the ones who can show God to the lowly, help the oppressed, support the weak, protect the forsaken, and bring God to the hopeless. God's love has real power, and when we allow the love of God to work through us, things in this world will begin to change.

Monday: "the God of the lowly," Let us today pray for all those who are lowly. That God would make Himself know to them, and reveal to them His love.

Tuesday: "the helper of the oppressed," Today, let us intercede for the oppressed. Especially for those in our society that are the most vulnerable.

Wednesday: "the supporter of the weak," Today we ask that God would give strength to those who are weak. That they may find that true strength lies only in the power of Jesus Christ.

Thrusday: "the protector of the forsaken," Let us today remember all those who are forgotten and abandoned by today's society, that they may be shown God's love.

Friday: "the savior of those without hope." Today, we ask that God would work through us and let our lives be an example of the hope that comes with knowing Christ.

Saturday: God, today we ask that You would show us the ways in our life that You want to work through us. Help us to be open to whatever You want us to do for Your kingdom.

Sunday: Lord, today we thank You for the ways that Your love and power have be shown to us, and for the people who have had the courage to show it to us.

July 21-25

2010-07-21T10:43:00.011-04:00

Sorry for the delays!

Lately I haven't been able to stop thinking about several people I work with. They are women who have either already had a child young, are pregnant, or even both. They work at least 12 hours a day and all of them are single. They tend to look jaded and have made a career out of what most people consider a summer job. One of them likes to boast of her daughter and swears she will give her the best life possible.

I can't help but imagine the amount of disrespect and judgement they must go through from both strangers and family alike. And yet, in a society that has legalized murder, they chose to not only have their children but to raise them, regardless of whether or not the father wants to be present. They are strong women who didn't see their child as a problem that needed to be "dealt with" early on but as a human life, and more importantly, as their child.

It is these women I pray for, and many others like them, who have made the same decision only to encounter more disrespect and hardship.

Wednesday: Let us pray that the women who choose life recognize the source of their strength and find hope and peace in a God who will make good out of any situation.

Thursday: Let us pray for single mothers who are struggling to make ends meet, that they may find the respect and meaning they deserve in Christ, as well as both physical and spiritual sustenance.

Friday: Let us pray for single mothers who are tired and faltering, that they will find strength and rejuvenation in Christ for "Behold, I make all things new." Rev. 21:5

Saturday: Let us pray that society does not condemn or ridicule the single mothers for their decision and that they may find a supportive community instead of a culture of death.

Sunday: Jesus, we thank you for your forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for the grace to carry on even when we feel like the entire world is set against us. Thank you for the gift of life!

2010-07-20T16:29:00.000-04:00

Don't worry, we're still here!

Pardon the delays in posting, we've had some changes in our schedule. A new post will be up soon! In the meantime, here's another great post to reflect on.

God bless and keep praying!

Week of July 5-11

2010-07-04T09:36:00.004-04:00

On November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, PA, Abraham Lincoln addressed the people concerning thousands who were killed fighting each other, in the American Civil War. Only 270 words long, they are some of the most poignant, and tremendous, because they speak of a common pain, as well as a common vision. As I heard these words being spoken again yesterday, what struck me most actually was not the Civil War. It was the thousands who have gone before us as infants--the thousands killed, and being killed, for the sake of what we would call freedom (the "freedom" to choose). This too, seems to be a civil war in America. And, this too, seems to spare none on either side. Let us remember our fallen soldiers this week, as we remember our fallen children.

Monday: "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." Jesus, today we pray that all life in the United States, born or unborn, would be considered equal.

Tuesday: "Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this." Today we ask for the intercession of all aborted babies--that their prayers for us and for any babies in danger of being aborted would be heard, answered, and would help us to all grow closer to Jesus, whose wonderful Face they look upon.

Wednesday: "But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract." Father, we just ask today for courage to follow Your calling in our lives. Every day we live, may we live in Your will for us.

Thursday: "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced." Jesus, we pray today for the end to abortion, and to all things which undermine the sanctity and preciousness of life. Help us, Jesus, to constantly work and pray for life.

Friday: "It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion" Lord, today we pray for an increased fervor--for an increased desire to grow closer to You. Jesus, today we pray for an increased passion for all that You hold dear.

Saturday: "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Holy Spirit, by Your new baptism of fire, may this land be made holy and baptized! We pray for a new freedom--for a true freedom--which is only found in You, and in all that You will.

Sunday: Jesus! Today we thank You! Thank You for this country. Despite how daunting it can seem sometimes to live in holiness and wholeness here, we thank You today for the blessing of living in this land, where, we can make a difference, and where our voices can be heard, even if we struggle to realize it. Every candle which is lit dispels darkness.

Week of June 27 - July 4

2010-06-27T23:37:00.002-04:00

Why is life so sacred? Why do feel the need to stand up and fight for the weak? What is it that makes human life so special?

God tells us: (I think we've all heard this before)
"Then God said: 'Let us make man in our our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the cattle, and over all the wild animals and all the creatures that crawl on the ground.' God created man in his image; in the divine image he created them; male and female he created them." - Genesis 1:26-27 (NAB)

Our dignity comes from being made in God's image. When ever we mistreat another person, we are mistreating God, and when ever we do good another person, we are doing good to God (Mt. 25:40).

A lot of times, it's hard for me to remember that Jesus is living in everyone I meet, simply because they were created by God and like God.

Let us ask God to reveal Himself to us in others this week, so that we would better understand the dignity of our lives.

Monday: Father, we ask that you would make Yourself know to us in everyone we meet today. Help us to recognize Your life in others, and treat them accordingly.

Tuesday: Lord, take away any spirit of pride that might keep us from seeing You in the poor and the weak.

Wednesday: God, help us to love with Your love, as daughters and sons created in Your divine image.

Thursday: Holy Spirit, we ask that You would penetrate the hardest parts of our hearts with the love of God, so that we may love those who don't know His love.

Friday: Daddy, we pray for all of those in this world that are in most need of Your love, especially the unborn.

Saturday: Jesus, You are the ultimate example of what it means to be like the Father. Lead us into a deeper understanding of our life in the Father.

Sunday: God, thank You for creating us in Your image. Thank you for giving us eternal life with You through Your Son's death on the cross.

Week of June 21-27

2010-06-21T03:05:00.013-04:00

"No circumstance, no purpose, no law whatsoever can ever make licit an act which is intrinsically illicit, since it is contrary to the Law of God which is written in every human heart, knowable by reason itself, and proclaimed by the Church." Pope John Paul II, Evangelium vitae

As human beings we are born with an innate sense of right and wrong we call our conscience. However, our everyday choices and life's circumstances can often times numb us to the perverseness of our actions and even distort those truths that are self-evident. Our society is riddled with misconceptions on life, freedom, and true happiness and yet; the heart rending accounts of women who have had abortions and their grief give testimony to the human spirit within all of us, present from the moment of conception, that intuitively sees abortion for the murderous crime it truly is.

This week as we pray for the souls of the unborn let us also pray for the souls of all the women who would have been their mothers. Let us pray that their experience may lead them to Christ for "we know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Monday: Jesus, for all the women who have had an abortion, may they come to know you through their sufferings and despair as their only hope, as their rock and salvation, and as their only source of light in a world that seems to be filled with darkness.

Tuesday: Lord, may you touch the hearts of those women struggling with the aftermath of an abortion. May your Holy Spirit awaken in them a desire for you to fill their hearts and may you heal their deepest wounds, both physical and emotional.

Wednesday: For all the women living with the shame or guilt of an abortion. May they surrender themselves to your will and find peace in your forgiveness and mercy.

Thursday: For any man with a woman who has had an abortion. May God strengthen him and call him to lead them both back to his presence.

Friday: For all women struggling with the fate of their unborn child. May they trust in God's goodness and mercy for their unborn child.

Saturday: Lord please pour out your love and healing on any woman still struggling with guilt or depression years after their abortion. May their spirits be renewed and may they find new hope in you.

Sunday: Lord may your Holy Spirit enable any woman who is considering having an abortion to listen to their conscience. Give them the courage and faith to surrender themselves and all their troubles completely to you.

Week of June 14-20

2010-06-14T22:15:00.003-04:00

The key to valuing life, more often than not, is valuing our own lives. How can we accept the call to protect life when we don't understand on a personal level the value of life?

Monday: pray that those who struggle with depression would see the light Jesus gives

Tuesday: pray that those who devalue their own well being and do good work until they go completely dry will set aside time to be filled with Christ's love

Wednesday: pray that those who struggle with self-destructive habits—eating disorders, cutting—would comprehend the worth Christ has given them

Thursday: pray that those who struggle with anxiety, fear, and panic would experience Christ's peace and understand his promises for a hope and a future

Friday: pray that those who struggle with suicidal thoughts would encounter Christ's hope

Saturday: pray that those who struggle with self-hatred on any level would experience patience, grace, and acceptance—and be free to love themselves

Sunday: thank God for the gift of your own life. Ask him to reveal to you any way in which you tear yourself down or fail to understand your worth.

Week of June 7-13

2010-06-08T00:38:00.000-04:00

For as much as we can be passionate about life, we tend to forget that it is God who gives us the grace to be so passionate to begin with. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. This is His area of expertise...not ours. Jesus has a plan for all of us, and He has a plan for life. This week, let us continually give ourselves and our anxieties over to God, to let Him fight for us (Exodus 12:14)

Monday: Jesus, today I offer You my family, and ever concern I have for them--every concern I have because of them. I offer to You the families of those who have recently lost someone very special, to death.

Tuesday: Lord, today I offer to you all my material needs. I offer You all my anxieties about these things I want or need, and I pray that You would provide all the food and clothes, shelter, and other necessary items to all those who feel desperate.

Wednesday: God, today I offer you my dreams and my future. Everything I hope for, and even the things I find myself expecting; I give it completely over to You today. Jesus, I trust in You! I trust in Your plan for my future. May You bless all of our futures, as we hope in Your plan for us.

Thursday: Father, today I give You my passions. For all those things that I care about the most--the people and relationships, and every cause, Lord, I pray that I would let them find rest in You, and Your purposes. That my passion would come from Your will, and not from my own.

Friday: Today, Lord, I offer up illness. Any physical, mental, and emotional burdens, I offer up to You today. May my sufferings, and the sufferings of those around me be used for Your glory Lord--may we come to truly know Your heart by them.

Saturday: Jesus, today I offer up my strongest fears. In You, may they be confronted and dispersed. In You, even our weakness is strong.

Sunday: Lord, I praise You today for life. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for my life.

Love Never Fails, by Brandon Heath

Week of May 31- June 6th

2010-05-31T12:10:00.006-04:00

Apathy can challenge our fight for life. I think this is mainly because we often forget that the fight is just that: a fight. We feel annoyed at the inconvenience, intimidated by a battle, or just reluctant to fight. We see no progress and become discouraged.

It's important to remember that we are fighting the good fight. That even if we've made no headway and even if there's little we can do, this battle is intrinsically good and worthy.

Monday: pray for those who fear speaking up for life and remain silent

Tuesday: pray for those who lack support and feel as though they're fighting on their own

Wednesday: pray for those who have recently hit a roadblock and are battling discouragement

Thursday: pray that those who are sitting on the fence over this cause will take a stand

Friday: pray for those who have been numbed to the pain abortion causes

Saturday: pray that God would equip and empower those who have decided what they believe and yet lack the motivation to take action

Sunday: thank God for the gift of your own life and ask him to give you strength and courage to live it boldly

Week of May 24-30, 2010

2010-05-25T12:13:00.002-04:00

I guess we're taking a week off for the "summer". The weather certainly feels like summer lately. No worries, though :o) Life is not forgotten :o)!

Week of May 17th-May 23rd

2010-05-16T23:50:00.001-04:00

Keeping with themes of the past few weeks, let's remember that life is precious, inspiring, challenging, and above all: worth the fight. Sometimes we can get caught up in all the filth around and in our own lives, forgetting that life, each unique human being, is beautiful. For every vile thing in our world, there are a plethora of righteous things. Too often we concentrate on the negative and forget to give thanks for the positives. This week, think of all the blessings and privileges you have in your life and pray for those without.

Monday: Most of us are blessed with having access to clean, drinkable, running water everyday. Thank Jesus for the gift of water and pray for those who have limited access.

Tuesday: Everyday, humans need to eat. Thank Jesus for the daily bread He has given us and pray for those who ate little or nothing today.

Wednesday: Another universal need is shelter. Thank Jesus for providing us with a place to protect us from physical afflictions. Pray for those who are without homes or adequate shelters.

Thursday: Thank God for any other privileges you may have: an education, ability to own material goods, good health, etc. Pray for those without.

Friday: Thank God for the ability to speak up. Pray for those who live in places where their voices are being silenced.

Saturday: Thank God for creating the beautiful world we live in. Pray that we may be able to stop and enjoy His creations.

Sunday: Thank Jesus for His greatest gift of all: Himself.

Week of May 10-16

2010-05-10T19:08:00.000-04:00

Jesus taught us that by dying to ourselves, we gain new life.
I was reminded of this earlier this afternoon; while shearing the last of our sheep, and noticing that most of them are expecting to deliver their babies within the week or next week, I wandered into the barn to prepare the gated area that we utilize when lambs have just been born. However, the process included shoveling manure...a lot of manure... Disgusted yet? ;o)
The cool part, is that same manure that I shoveled will soon be used in my dad's garden--to grow and nourish peas and sweet corn, and pumpkins. Manure--processed dead plants (sorry for the visual) will help create new plant life.
St. John of the Cross once said, "Where there is no love, put love, and you will find love." When confronted with areas in which we experience no love, I think the tendency is to lose hope. St. John of the Cross' words cut at discouragement.
Whether or not the world at large realizes that life is precious, or that a three-hour old human embryo is truly a human baby, the Truth still exists. Where there is a lack of love, or a lack of awe of life, let us put love, and awe of life, and we will then find it. If no awe exists, our own wonder and awe of the gift of life will be enough.

This week, I offer to you a single line of Mother Teresa's poem, Life for ponderment, each day of the week.

Monday: Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Tuesday: Life is beauty, admire it.

Wednesday: Life is a challenge. Meet it.

Thursday: Life is costly. Care for it.

Friday: Life is a struggle, accept it.

Saturday: Life is an adventure, dare it.

Sunday: Life is precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life. Fight for it!

Week of May 3rd- May 9th

2010-05-03T12:39:00.003-04:00

Sometimes, we're so staunchly stuck to our convictions that we forget the reasons why we believe what we believe in the first place. This week, think and pray for the pro-life movement itself—and at the same time, pray for a deeper understanding of our cause. Pray for this deepening in others and in yourself.

Clearly thought out arguments and wise words pave the way, but love is what changes hearts.

Monday

At eighteen days, a baby’s heart begins to beat. Pray for compassion for the unborn to motivate all of our work.

Tuesday

At seven weeks, a child’s brain waves can be detected by an electroencephalogram. Pray that God would inspire the people of the pro-life movement with clear, logical, and solid arguments.

Wednesday

At eight weeks, a child moves on its own. Pray that God would protect the pro-life movement from apathy and complacency.

Thursday

At eleven weeks, a child breathes. Pray that the people of the pro-life movement would continue to stay strong, remembering that their constant sustenance comes from Christ.

Friday

At fourteen weeks, a child can hear. Pray for the grace to listen compassionately to people who oppose what we stand for while remaining steadfast in our own beliefs.

Saturday

At eighteen weeks, a child’s vocal cords work. Pray for the courage to speak up for the lives of the weak.

Sunday

At twenty-three weeks, a baby can survive if born prematurely. Thank God for the gift of each life—the lives of children who have a chance to be with us on earth and the lives of children in heaven with Christ.

Week of April 26- May 2

2010-04-26T16:31:00.001-04:00

Abortion effects everyone from family, friends, and the doctors performing in or assisting the abortion. Doctors and those in the medical profession have an especially important role since they are the ones who actually perform the abortion. Doctors are also often in tricky positions that make standing up for life harder. This week, let's pray for all those in the medical profession.

Monday: Pray for doctors, nurses, physicians, and all medical personnel, that Jesus may enkindle in them His flame of love for all life: born and unborn.

Tuesday: Pray for Jesus to strengthen those in the medical field who struggle daily to uphold life.

Wednesday: Pray for Jesus to move the hearts of those who perform and assist in abortions: that they may see the precious life before them.

Thursday: Pray for medical researchers that they may be inspired by a love for humanity: from conception until natural death.

Friday: Pray for students studying medicine, that they may imitate Jesus in their desire to heal and protect the human person.

Saturday: Pray for Jesus to increase in us His love and mercy.

Sunday: Praise God for the life He breathes into us every second!

Week of April 19-25, 2010

2010-04-19T00:52:00.002-04:00

"Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told." -Habakkuk 1:5

C.S Lewis wrote in his Screwtape Letters that one of the devil's main plans is to destroy the family and family life. As heads of their families, whether aware or not, men, and fathers, have a critical role and strength to their nature. This week, let's pray that God would continually restore and empower fathers.
As spiritual fathers of our Church, let's also pray for priests this week, in the year of the priest.

Monday: Jesus, today we lift up to you fathers everywhere in need of work. Lord, in Your mercy, please help them to trust in You, that they will be able to provide fully for their families--emotionally, practically, and spiritually. Lord, please draw even more men to desire the gift of the priesthood.

Tuesday: Lord, today we offer to You absent fathers. For those men who struggle especially with being present to their children and their wives, let us offer up all our own emotional sufferings today. Lord, please bless Your priests.

Wednesday: For those men currently torn between choosing for the life of their unborn child or not, we especially ask the Lord's mercy. Let's pray that they would truly experience today God's incredible love for them--That they would really come to know His love, and be able to share it with others. Lord, please draw even more men to desire the gift of the priesthood.

Thursday: Today, let's pray for those fathers suffering from having lost a child. May God, in His love and mercy, console and strengthen these men. Lord, please bless Your priests.

Friday: We pray today especially for those men who wish to be fathers, but for whatever reason, have not been able to conceive or adopt. We pray for those men currently waiting to adopt children. May God pour out His grace upon their lives, their wives, and their relationships together. Lord, please draw even more men to desire the gift of the priesthood.

Saturday: Jesus, today we offer to you all men who have had poor relationships with their own fathers. Please heal them from their past wounds, Lord, and help them to draw closer to You--that in understanding You more, Lord, they would be transformed to become better fathers to their own children. Lord, please bless Your priests.

Sunday: Jesus, we thank you that You have given us the gift of childhood. Thank You for raising us as sons and daughters--that we can call God, "Abba'; "Daddy". Lord, thank You for drawing even more men to desire the gift of the priesthood!

Week of April 12 - April 18

2010-04-13T00:20:00.003-04:00

Mothers have a great opportunity and a great responsibility to nurture their children physically and emotionally.

In our culture, mothers also have the choice to let their children live or to let them die.

This week, let's pray for mothers.

Monday: pray for teen mothers, especially those who are being pressured into having abortions by friends and family members.

Tuesday: pray that financially challenged mothers who are overwhelmed by the costs of pregnancy, child birth, and parenthood would receive courage and help.

Wednesday: pray for hurting mothers who fear the emotional challenges of pregnancy and motherhood.

Thursday: pray for mothers who are victims of rape and incest, that they would not seek a way to remove all the repercussions and memories of a tragedy, but that they would be open to ways the Redeemer can overcome evil with good and bring beauty from pain.

Friday: pray for mothers who view children as an inconvenience—that God would change their hearts and open their eyes to the beauty of life.

Saturday: pray that mothers carrying children with disabilities would be able to see past the brokenness of our humanity and understand the worth of the human soul.

Sunday: thank God for the wonder of his creation: for the gift of motherhood and the gift of new life.

Easter Octave

2010-04-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

The unborn have most assuredly not been forgotten! We are allowing rest for the 1st week of Easter.

As Christ is risen from the dead, let us remember the life He fought to save. Amen.

Week of March 29- April 4th

2010-03-28T13:54:00.001-04:00

This week we have a special prayer request. A friend of mine has asked for prayer for her dad who is a doctor. With new health care legislation passed, doctors are under a lot of pressure. Please pray for those in those in the medical profession, especially doctors, that with all the new changes to come, they will continue to stand for life.

Life can be a rather broad category, with chances to uphold it in all aspects of our day. The struggle to uphold life starts with the little things. Not often are we given the direct choice of life or death, but rather small choices that contribute to or take away from the dignity that each one of us has as children created in the image and likeness of God.
God bless!

Monday: Pray for Jesus to bless those whom you find hard to love. Ask Him for His mercy and love over revenge and hate.

Tuesday: Pray for Jesus to bless all whom you love, that He may draw them closer to His Sacred Heart.

Wednesday: Pray for Jesus to bless every child born today and those who were aborted today.

Thursday: Pray for Jesus to increase in us the strength to uphold life each day.

Friday: Pray for those on death row, that that we might pray for them with compassion, care, a the respect for their dignity as humans. And especially on this day, Good Friday, that they may appeal to the mercy of Jesus.

Saturday: Pray for all whom the world has forgotten: the lonely, afraid, or hopeless: that Christ might lead us to them.

Sunday: Praise God for His triumph over death and unfailing love for us.

Week of March 21-March 28

2010-03-22T17:10:00.004-04:00

Today we choose life, flowing upstream rather than along with the motions of those who can make us feel like we have little to no voice. We decide to stand up, and become separated, speaking up, united before the throne of God in prayer. For His will on earth, as it is in heaven. Stand with us.

The idea behind this is very simple. We want to pray, and pray especially for life. Sometimes it seems overwhelming to know what to pray for, and we can then tend to forget. Our idea is to offer intentions each week, for each day of the week, that you can constantly keep praying for throughout that day. The intentions are simple. The prayer is power.
God bless you all!

Monday: Pray for Jesus to bless those in government with the knowledge of His love for them.

Tuesday: Pray for Jesus to stir up in those in government a love for life, and His life.

Wednesday: Pray for Jesus to continue to draw those in legislation closer to His Sacred Heart.

Thursday: Pray for Jesus to be merciful towards us, for continuing to choose death over life in seemingly small ways, daily.

Friday: Pray that through Him, Jesus would allow us to love those who cause abortions.

Saturday: Pray that Jesus would increase in our hearts, His own mercy.

Sunday: Praise God for all the life around you.

This day, we choose LIFE

180 movie

Blessed is the king of Israel!

Happy *Belated* Anniversary!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The Joy of Lent

Arise and shine, for your Light has come

Adventures of a new father: the power of "thank you."

Adventures of a new father: why I do this

March for Life.

Breath of Life.

A New Year's Resolution: Be

Happy New Year!

Born this Christmas day

The Nativity Story: a Modern Take.

Night time with a newborn

Jesus, I trust in You.

Giving thanks for life

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

His grace is enough

God alone suffices

Anima Christi

I Thank God For…

Thank you Jesus for ____

Life Promise

That others may live...

Sweetly Broken

God, You're Awesome.

Equally Skilled

Words of a new father

Happy Feast Day of the Guardian Angels

Happy Feast day of Padre Pio!

The prodigal brother

Mercy

Remember...

We Are All Worth It

You are more.

Week Theme: Worth

Calling all men...

Love Wins — Week of August 23 – 29

August 2- 8

Week of July 26 – August 1

July 21-25

Week of July 5-11

Week of June 27 - July 4

Week of June 21-27

Week of June 14-20

Week of June 7-13

Week of May 31- June 6th

Week of May 24-30, 2010

Week of May 17th-May 23rd

Week of May 10-16

Week of May 3rd- May 9th

Week of April 26- May 2

Week of April 19-25, 2010

Week of April 12 - April 18

Easter Octave

Week of March 29- April 4th

Week of March 21-March 28

Happy Belated Anniversary!