Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.



Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas. 

"No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father's side, has revealed him."  ‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭18‬

The year is drawing to a close, it has been fruitful both personally and spiritually.   Day after day, I sit with God and listen, I watch as He forms us through the words His Son left us.  It isn't an easy task for it seems like nothing is happening yet within I know it is.  

As we journey with God in Word, He speaks.  This morning, He reminded me of the word He gave when asked the question: What is God saying to me?  "Jesus is the final exodus."  If all we ever did was spend time each day with the Son of God, we will enter this exodus.  The world becomes a foreign land and your future becomes Heaven.  It is not I but God within that reveals truth.  

Happy New Year's Eve, take time out of each day and give it to God, before you know it, life becomes a prayer back to Him.   

Dear Father, I am thankful this morning for the gift of life, life in You.  I am thankful for the adventures we experienced this past year, You have always been by my side.  I look forward to this coming year as You continue to refine Your servant.  Prayers for the family Lord, it isn't an easy world with all its distractions, may You be our focus in 2023 in all that we do.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Protector of Holy Family, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us.  

What Child Is This | Christmas Lyric Video | Reawaken Hymns youtu.be

https://youtu.be/99eoQglyMpU

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The Feast of the Holy Family.



Daily Thoughts - The Feast of the Holy Family.  

"and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean." ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬-‭23‬

Saint Joesph, Protector of the Holy Family.  Have you pondered your role as father, protector of the holy family.  I sat with Joesph and listened, listened to a man that didn't have all the answers.  At times wondered what the next step was to be.  What caught my attention was how Joesph recognized the voice of God in his life, within his dreams.   He listened to God's voice and responded.  

As fathers, we don't have all the answers but we are given the ability to ponder the path forward.  Like Joesph, we must learn to recognize the voice of God, sometimes it comes through the words your spouse shares, and we are to respond with obedient actions, trusting in God for the outcome.  

Enjoy the feast of the Holy Family by imitating them and spending time together.  Share the words you are given, it brings God into the mix.  Have a blessed day.  

Dear Father God, I sit in Your presence pondering our thoughts and actions.  Not always having a clear picture but always having a trusting heart.  I believe this is how Joesph felt as he was the head of his family and relied upon You to guide them.  Help us realize the roles we play within the family and be obedient to Your Holy will.  Amen. 

Mary, Mother of the child Jesus, Pray for us.  

St Joesph, Protector of the Holy Family, lead us.  

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Celtic Woman - The Little Drummer Boy youtu.be

https://youtu.be/rPgS2pL1g8s

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas



Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas

"When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord,". ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭22‬-‭23‬

The child Jesus, the Son of God was consecrated to His Father as a child.  As a baby, Jesus had no understanding, in a human sense, of what was to occur but His parents brought Him and presented Him to God the Father. 

 "But whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him. This is the way we may know that we are in union with him: whoever claims to abide in him ought to live [just] as he lived."  ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭6‬.  I look at ways man has transformed the word of God to fit his need and justification, I am guilty of it myself.  But as I read and understand what God the Father is saying within my heart, I come to know who I am, what I was created for and how He is there to help along the way.  Our children need this understanding as their little minds are being formed.  With the gift of a child comes responsibility, God entrusts parents with children and it is our obligation, if we are believers to follow Christ as is written within scripture.  

"Out of Egypt, I called my Son."  Matthew 2:15C.  We are all called out of the slavery of sin, to follow Jesus and the Trinity.  It all begins with the baptism of a child.  It is God within that brings us to perfection and our willingness to be obedient to His will, not God's obedience to my will.  "Thy will be done."  Merry Christmas, Christ lives within with Joy.  

Dear Father, I thank You Lord God for children and grandchildren, they are a joy to watch as You form them.  I pray for the world that seeks to grab their little minds and pull them away from You, that seeks to pull them into Egypt.  There is a peace in Knowing that they are consecrated to You, together the holy family will raise them.  Thank You Father for a beautiful celebration of a life that never left Your side.  A job well done and another Saint in Heaven.  Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Jesus, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Protector of the Holy Family, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Mary Did You Know? (Official Music Video) | One Voice Children's Choir cover youtu.be

https://youtu.be/F1H1-scfD1s

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.



Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.  

"Then was fulfilled what had been said through Jeremiah the prophet: "A voice was heard in Ramah, sobbing and loud lamentation; Rachel weeping for her children, and she would not be consoled, since they were no more."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬-‭18‬

The feast of Holy Innocence's at the hands of Herod.  Do we recognize the depth of the Church and His efforts He goes to, to remind us of the battle we are in?  A mothers love as she witnesses the destruction of the innocence of a child.  "(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭35‬

I am reminded this morning of the depth of Love that we were given that first Christmas morning.  The joy that shines through the darkness and brings about the joy of Christmas.  As faithful believers we are called to live out our faith in ways that brings about the peace of Christ within another.  No matter the situation God the Father forgives and Mary, the mother of God, Loves.  They understand the whole picture and love unconditionally.  

Celebrate Jesus every day by living out your faith in joy.  Herod still seeks to steal the innocence of God's children.  

Dear Father God, there is peace that lives within in a mad mad world.  Yet through the darkness, You are there by our sides reminding us that our journey is short in the length of eternity.  I thank You for Holy Mother Church that spans time to remind us of our heritage as Christians.  I thank You for the friends made and celebrated along the way.  Prayers for a family today burying their loved one.  May they be enjoying the supper of the Lord, along with all the innocent Martyrs, Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Protector of the Holy Family, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Chris Tomlin, We The Kingdom - Christmas Day youtu.be

https://youtu.be/182xcb3GyOg

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.



Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.  

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life— We are writing this so that our joy may be complete."  ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬, ‭4‬

Waiting is never easy, that time when you have to sit patiently for a date, an event, a person or maybe the unknown.  Upon its arrival the time has come, the day has arrived, your heart leaps for joy.  It is filled with untold truth ready to be proclaimed.  You can't hold it in for it is too good to be held, it has to be given away.  

Once Christmas goes beyond the receiving of gifts and becomes about Jesus and what He is doing, your world takes on new meaning.  This is the joy that John speaks about, for he has tasted and seen the glory of God.  Time within prayer reveals this glory, He shares with you the Word of life.  Everyday that begins with prayer becomes Christmas morning for you are being filled with the Spirit of God.   

Dear Father, it is a blessing to sit and wait, then experience the joy of knowing.  Seeing what was being told has moved from fiction to non-fiction, it has moved from an idea to a reality.  Thank You Father for filling me with this Joy, like John it needs to be complete.  Praise You Father for forming me every moment of every day, even in the not good choices, You are revealing Yourself.  Prayers for those waiting, the joy is knowing that You answer prayers.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

Prince of Peace (Official Music Video) | Celtic Worship youtu.be

https://youtu.be/Pr2RG-xR2lA

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.



Daily Thoughts - The celebration of Christmas.  

"They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.""  ‭‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭58‬-‭59‬

The gift of Love.  I pondered God's gift of love to us, each of us.  How in His own way, He comes to us and speaks.   "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you."  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬.  The One who loves us that much gives us His Son, does it not stand to reason, we are also formed outside the womb.  

God prepares each of us to receive the gift of Love.  Do we cover our ears and drown it out or do we contemplate it's meaning as He speaks to us.  Saul listened to God, he thought he knew God but was sadly mistaken.  It wasn't until he seen his own sinfulness did he truly understand how much God loves him.  

In this Christmas season, the best gift we can give God is the gift of self.  To sit with Him and trust in the guidance of His Holy Spirit, allow God to penetrate your heart and your thinking so Truth can make a difference within you.  Merry Christmas, sometimes love is bitter/sweet, it was for Saul as he witnessed the death of God's son, Saint Stephen.  

Dear Father, there is a deeper trust forming that is revealing truth and my ways.  I love how You formed us in the womb and will form us outside the womb if we become obedient to Your will.  Thank You Lord for the blessings of this day and all it has to offer.  May I be attentive to what is placed in front of me to witness in a personal way.  Amen.  

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Most Ardent, Pray for us.  

St Ignatius, Pray for us.  

Passion - O Come All Ye Faithful (His Name Shall Be) ft. Melodie Malone youtu.be

https://youtu.be/_wW4R4lfUQI

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.  

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace."  Luke 1:78-78

A mothers wish.  As I sat with Mary, the day before the birth of the Son of God.  I pondered her thoughts, what was her hopes and understanding of who was to come.  In what ways would He impact the world?   She had already seen the impact Jesus was having within the womb and she seen a world in need of the Messiah.  

Her love for God far exceeds ours, her whole life is dedicated to serving Him, to be the Ark that carries Jesus into the world.  She has a deep understanding of God's love and like every good mother she wants her children to experience that love that she has.  

Never underestimate the power of a mothers love.  You ever have to go to mom for help because dad seen it differently.  My prayer this advent morning is that the dawn from on high shall break upon you.  There is something profound when we contemplate the humaneness of God's family, which we are all apart of.  

Merry Christmas!  Acts of Love last an eternity.  

Dear Father, we are blessed to be able and sit with Your Holy Family, to read what You wrote and apply it to our lives.  Thank You Father for the living examples You have given to us.  Bless homes and families with the joy Mary experienced that first Christmas morning.  Help others see the joys that are created with acts of selfless love.  Happy early Birthday Jesus, it is You that is our hope in a world in need of the Messiah, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Silent Night youtu.be

https://youtu.be/GPANBPHEjwo

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation. 

"And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

The perfect couple, living within the will of God, about to give birth to the Son of Man, the child of God the Father.  Their journey was not an easy one, Mary riding on an ass nine months pregnant.  No place would take them in, no room for an expectant mother.  

I pondered their journey and watched as what ever came their way, it was handled with grace and loving acceptance.  Their life was the will of God, at times they struggled with it but always accepted it.  

I sit and look at my own life, asking questions, wondering why certain things happen.  Realizing that I am making the Christ child into my image of God, not the other way around.  God's perfect will plays out in our lives, sit and listen to what He has to say to you.  It relieves a hardening heart.  

Ask for the grace for an intimate knowledge of God who has become man for me, that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely.  St Ignatius exercise #104

Dear Father, I thank You for the comfort of this home, for water that still runs on this cold morning.  I thank You Father for insights into my wayward ways and the grace to correct them with Your help.  Prayers for a young couple making a difficult decision, like Mary and Joesph may they accept Your will for their lives.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Foster Father of Jesus, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Avalon - Come And Fill My Heart youtu.be

https://youtu.be/SXJz8-6dNKg

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation. 

"She said, "Oh, my Lord! As your soul lives, my Lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the Lord. For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of Him. So I have also dedicated him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the Lord." And he worshiped the Lord there."  ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭28‬

I pondered the prayer life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Before the birth if the Son of Man, what was her prayer life like?  From the time she was a child, she was raised in the temple, her parents as well dedicated her to the Lord.  Mary had to have known she was set aside for a singular purpose.  As she grew into her teenage years, her love for God the Father increased.  Her love for His word was written on her heart in daily prayer.   We get to hear that love in the Magnificat she gave Elizabeth. 

God doesn't just happen in our life and then we are done.  It is a journey, a process, in our own pondering with Him, He reveals Himself and His Holy Family to us.  Prayer brings us to a deeper understanding of their love for us and our own love for them.  We can skim the surface of the spiritual life and never go deep.  It is in the depths of His love we find reality. 

Dear Father, we sat this morning, enjoying each others company as You revealed yourself within Your word.  It was Mary whom You drew me to today.  She was not a naive child that was unaware of her surroundings and the world that she lived in.  Sin was foreign to her and it pained her as much as it pains You.  Her prayer life brought about an open heart and that is a gift she gives each of us if we are willing to sit with her in prayer.  Thank You Father for this time of preparation.   May I serve You as wholeheartedly as Mary did.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Most Ardent, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Mary's Heart in Song

Holy Is His Name [cover version] youtu.be

https://youtu.be/eSbxvBxxEeU

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.  

"My lover speaks and says to me, "Arise, my friend, my beautiful one, and come! For see, the winter is past, the rains are over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of pruning the vines has come, and the song of the turtledove is heard in our land."  Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬-‭12‬

Preparation.  We await for the shortest and darkest days to pass and new birth in Christ Jesus to arrive. The sound of Love penetrates the heart and gives us understanding in a world seeking truth.  A world going about in its ways denying truth that is there for the taking.  

As we enter the sacred place, invite the Trinity in.  See with the minds eye and witness the beauty of God's love.  Watching the mother raise her child, passing on eternal knowledge to the One who is pure.  It is in this sacred place that God reveals Himself and reveals who we are, the pruning can begin as you see ways you are misguided.  

End with a prayer of thanksgiving, prepared in a world ready to receive.   

Dear Father, in our time together, You are pruning a wild bush, taking away the branches that bear bitter fruit for others.  Watch over us this day, help us see the world thru Your lenses and not ours.  Thank You Father for another day to be prepared for eternity with You.  It is You that I trust that will accomplish this task.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Diligent Protector of Christ, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us.  

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation. 

"But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John."  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬

Prepare ye the way of the Lord.  Prayer prepares us for the way of the Lord.  How many times had Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed for a child, for God to answer their barrenness?  I am sure it was plenty but they never wavered in their prayer though it didn't seem possible.  What challenges did they have to face in their own prayer life while they waited.  

Prayer prepares our hearts for God to enter.   When you pray what is your attitude towards God?  Is it one of Hope and expectation, honor and respect, profound peace or is it something other than these?  We can ask for His guidance in our prayers to understand ourselves and how we are to pray.  Like Zechariah, our prayers are heard and in time will be answered.  The beauty of our prayer life is it transforms who we are and who God is.  Consistency is the key.  

Dear Lord, I sit with our thoughts and watch You at work through our history and these times.  You are still preparing the wayward heart to come back to You.  You are fortifying walls for a purpose and bringing about peace that surpasses all understanding.  Thank You Father for hearing our prayers and answering them in ways we do not expect.  I love You. Amen.  

Mary, Our Lady of Good Success, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Prepare Ye the Way (with Lyrics) John Michael Talbot/The New Earth youtu.be

https://youtu.be/8ucKpueSf38

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.

Daily Thoughts - Preparation. 

"Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, by whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations."  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17‬

Preparation.  There are lots of preparations going on this time of year.  Planning on family events, celebrations, various activities are needed for these celebrations and they take time and energy.  They are planned out, careful thought out and consideration goes into them, they don't always go as planned.  It is a time of preparation.  

I pondered God's preparation for the coming of the Messiah.  It took a long time, lots of things being brought together, I am sure they didn't go as planned when having to work with the human will but God never stopped bringing about His celebration, His Morning Star for us.  He was deliberate in making it happen, lots of time and energy needed.  And during His period of waiting, He suffered knowing that this was the way and we would have to wait and endure as did He. 

We live in a world that wants instant results, wants the easy way and does not want pain and suffering.   Take time, as did God, and prepare for the coming of Christ.  The energy and efforts will bear much fruit and reveal His truth to you.  Prepare for the coming of Christ, it just doesn't happen on its own.  It requires our cooperation with God to bring about the Messiah.  It takes time for preparation and He is the giver of time.  

Dear Father, I sat and witnessed You wait upon the birth of Your Son through time.   You are preparing us for our time in the Risen Son.  I pray for our cooperation with You, I pray for hearts to be open to Your message and accepting of Your love.  Prepare us Lord for that glorious day.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us.

Saint Joesph, Most Strong, Pray for us. 

Saint Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Take Over youtu.be

https://youtu.be/9JqFYctseZo

It all begins with family don't lose that in your life. 

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.   

"Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just, for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. Happy is the one who does this, whoever holds fast to it: Keeping the sabbath without profaning it, keeping one's hand from doing any evil."  ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭56‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

Prepare Him room.  The first and second coming of Christ foretold in one verse.  Jesus our Savior being born in Bethlehem and Jesus our judge to return again.  He speaks deep within scripture and deep within our hearts, reveals who He was, who He is. He never changes, it is us that experiences the transformation within.  

The joy of knowing who the Son of Man is, burns within.  He comes to prepare us for what is coming.  You know within what needs to happen, you know what God is telling you.  It is up to each of us to take His direction and act upon it.  That is the joy that burns within, never perfectly executed but always striving.  

Prepare Him room that allows His Holy Spirit to take up residence, that is the Joy one experiences once the walls have come down.  Have a blessed day within. 

Dear Father, I sit and listen, trying to give away what You are giving.  There is an anticipation that is growing within, the Hope of the world to overcome.   Thank You Father for rousing me from my sleep, for preparing this day, may it be an offering You are pleased with.  Prayers for a situation, may the Immaculate Heart of Mary prevail in the desired outcome.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/0Sqx8cDL8V8

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.  

"When the messengers of John had left, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John. "What did you go out to the desert to see—a reed swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? Someone dressed in fine garments? Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously are found in royal palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom scripture says: 'Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, he will prepare your way before you.'"  ‭‭Luke‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬

God asks them a question, He already knows their answer before He asks.  Their ways tell upon themselves.  Do we have to travel to go see God?  No, we don't.  John's mission is the same as Jesus's mission, to cleanse them from our sins so we can see God.  

In the quiet of the morning we sit and I ask for the grace to see, to see my sins and my wayward ways.  God reveals ways where I try and conform God to my image ignoring the deception of sin.  In the quiet He reveals the truth of the day, of conversation, of His word and His image becomes clearer.  

We are in a time of preparation for the coming of Christ.  Sit with Him and let Him paint the image, allow Him to speak, He will.  That is the mystery of Heaven, you can see God and His creation as He intended it not how I desire it to be. My vision needs His clarity not my fuzzy view. 

Dear Father, I see the love You have for Your creation.  I see the challenges of the day and the ways our world gets painted.  With You each day, we travel while we sit still.  Scripture comes alive as a conversation comes into view with You replaying it from Your viewpoint.  I thank You for the blessings of this day and fond memories of Your creation doing Your will.  Thank You Father for the gift of Cherrie Fonseca in my life and the lives of all y'all touched, she does not walk alone.  Praise God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.  

Mary, Queen of Peace, Pray for us.

St Joesph, Most Strong, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Viva Cristo Rey 

We Are Messengers - Image Of God (Official Lyric Video) youtu.be

https://youtu.be/8yV0pu60Uqs

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.


Daily Thoughts - Preparation.

"I am the Lord, there is no other." ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45‬:‭6‬c

False Gods, in what ways do I deny the saving power of God by going my own way without Him. In this period of waiting and preparation, do I recognize my own human weaknesses where I am not waiting? He knows this about us and allows our own choices to produce the effect it was meant to produce.


Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



 Daily Thoughts - Preparation.

"Ah! Rebellious and polluted, the tyrannical city! It listens to no voice, accepts no correction; In the Lord it has not trusted, nor drawn near to its God."  ‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬

Is God speaking of a city or is He speaking of our soul?  Sin separates us from God and we justify our position in an effort to not feel shame of denying our Creator.  Yet within this place God does not abandon us, He reaches out and clothes us, He seeks for our well being.  To help us understand who and who's we are. 

In these last few days as we prepare for the coming of the Lord, a little soul searching and seeing ourselves as God sees us.  His creation wandering in the desert not aware of its own failings committed over and over again.  Ask God for the grace to see where you are at in this Advent season.  Is it things that brings joy to you or is it Christ that brings you joy?

Dear Father, I see my soul as you see it.  Through out the day You remind me of my own missteps in thoughts, words and deeds.  Replace the ill gotten gain with the joy of knowing You are within sweeping out the tyrannical city.  Prayers of thanksgiving for what these next few days will reveal.  Prayers for a friend walking outside the covenant relationship, remind them of the gift of love You gave us upon the cross for our sins.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Mary, Mother of Love, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Most Ardent, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

We are the Reason - Avalon - LyricVideo youtu.be

https://youtu.be/klSD5oBppMM

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation. The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.  The Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe.  

"Sing and rejoice, daughter Zion! Now, I am coming to dwell in your midst—oracle of the Lord."  ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬

The sin of rejection, of denying the Word of God and His existence, to think that I know better than my Creator.  Within the confines of Holy Scripture God speaks, He has been speaking to His children since the dawn of time.  He is not some far away God, no He dwells amongst us, within His creation, those of us who have come to know the living power of the Holy One.   

Even before His birth in Bethlehem, He dwelled amongst those who listened and did not reject Him.  Rejecting Him leads to destruction, denying Him leads to misery, pain and suffering.  As you prepare Him room or more room, contemplate your own journey with the King of Kings.  It isn't easy knowing that in ways I reject Him but there is this understanding that in this knowledge He is perfecting His creation for He is not far off.   

Dear Father God, there is peace in knowing that I am loved by You, there is no condemnation in Your voice, only the love of the Father.  Thank You for our time together and the insight to see who I am in different ways.  Thank you for the bountiful rain and the blessings it brings to us.  May I be a pleasing offering to You in all that I say and do.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Avalon - Everything to me (with Lyrics) youtu.be

https://youtu.be/Ywzlq2AiAuM

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.

"but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. So also will the Son of Man suffer at their hands.""  ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17‬:‭12‬

"May your hand be with the man on your right, with the son of man whom you made strong for yourself."  ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭80‬:‭18‬

Prayer.  How often do we become confused in what prayer is?  Prayer at this point of my life is very quiet, I do not say much, maybe a few requests but nothing more.  Prayer consists of more listening and hearing what God is saying in my world.  Who am I that thinks he can direct God on His outcome.  I am nothing other than a faithful servant sitting at the Masters feet.  

He who has much to say can not hear.  The readings today speak of man not hearing God, man going his own way and intentionally persecuting His creation, (each other).  

Part of the spiritual exercises is a general examination of one's conscience. 

43. METHOD OF MAKING THE GENERAL EX.
AMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
There are five points in this method

1. The first point is to give thanks to God our Lord for the favors received.
2. The second point is to ask for grace to know my sins and to rid myself of them.
3. The third point is to demand an account of my soul from the time of rising up to the present ex-amination. I should go over one hour after another, one period after another. The thoughts should be examined first, then the words, and finally, the deeds in the same order as was explained under the Particular Examination of Conscience.
4. The fourth point will be to ask pardon of God our Lord for my faults.
5. The fifth point will be to resolve to amend with the grace of God. Close with an Our Father.

Listening is prayer, how the Pharisees and Sadducee's did not listen to the voice of God in their presence and He suffers due to it.  How are we causing God's creation to suffer even if it is warrantied in our own way of thinking.  

Dear Father, Thank you for our time together, to see my own way of thinking and how my thoughts, words and deeds bring both joy and pain.  I ask for thy help in ridding the selfish ways that are deep rooted within.  Prayers for a friend serving God thru suffering, their pain is healing.   May we always recognize Your call Lord, especially when You bid us to come to thee in our final hour.  May Your voice not be foreign in our life here on earth.  I ask this in Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Help of the Sick, Pray for us. 

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

https://youtu.be/fBQ3VtfZGjQ

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b

Daily Thoughts - Preparation.



Daily Thoughts - Preparation.  

"Lord, my heart is not proud; nor are my eyes haughty. I do not busy myself with great matters, with things too sublime for me. Rather, I have stilled my soul, Like a weaned child to its mother, weaned is my soul. Israel, hope in the Lord, now and forever."
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭131‬:‭1bcd‬-‭3‬

The wisdom of the Saints.  In our journey to Christ we grow more aware of our sinfulness.  Do you capture your thoughts, words and deeds?  Do you see the effect they have on you and the world around you.  A weaned child of God has reached an age where it begins to understand its world.  It's see's the effect and realizes what is pleasing to God and what distracts from God. 

A child of God allows God to be its center and it is God who speaks to him and thru him.  We all grow up to be somebody but have you considered that effect?  To be great in the eyes of the world is loss to be great in the eyes of God is gain.   Be careful of pride, it will walk you down a path that isn't easy to walk back up.  Be little within and without.

Dear Father, I sit with my own thoughts, words and deeds.  I see the effect it has on me and those around me.  As I try to be aware of my sinful nature, remind me today to be Your child in all that I think, in what I say and in what I do.  Help me recognize Your voice within so at that most precious hour I will come to thee.  Prayers for a family drawing closer to the Risen Lord.  Thank You Father for answered prayers and for a journey that has been traveled together.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Mary, Queen of Heaven, Pray for us. 

St Joesph, Pray for us

St Ignatius, Pray for us. 

Matt Maher - Alive & Breathing feat. Elle Limebear (Lyric Video) youtu.be

Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.  1 John 4:4b