5-12-16. Temporary post storage
Meditation 5-11-16
In Holy Hour and telling the Lord that my need was for someone to hold my hand. Trying To be there for people, now my need is for someone to be there for me, and not with me having to call someone & bother them. Well Valencia was the first chosen one. She comes to chapel & it was my turn to answer the bell to let the adorer in. Well we are talking before we go in the chapel & we share prayer needs, & the realization comes that she is the answer coming in under ten minutes after speaking to the Lord.
We met at the chapel about a year ago. You never know what part you will play in someone's life. On the stage of our lives, the production on earth, people come and go, but perfect is every act, as allowed or orchestrated by God, from the first act to the last when the final curtain closes in death.
Jesus did give comfort, and made me smile was this. That instead of loosing peace over what my parents house might sell for, thinking the price might not be the desired one, someone steeped in zealous faith, maybe a bit presumptuous, but might think along opposite lines & say:
With God on my side the selling price might be way, way, beyond my desires. How blest to be in a living relationship with God, having Him on my side, receiving from His hands blessings untold.
The rightly ordered attitude is reiterating the Divin Mercy message: Jesus I Trust in You.
Jesus I Trust in You and your infinite love for me. Those who are yours, lack no good thing, because if you are for us, who can be against? In a twinkling of an eye, you can turn darkness into light, and make a poor man rich. No dear Lord, not my will but yours, Jesus I trust in you!
The part that made me smile was that having a confident attitude would lead me to say what this little boy said when told about his chances for making it to the NBA was one in a million. He said well, I'll be that one! So my smile surfaced and thought my chances could very well may make me the one in a million to get a very good price.
📘Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all thing"
That little dialogue and seeing Valencia, settled me in peace & led to thoughts about making the Novena Jesus gave to servant of God, Fr. Don Dolindo. Thanks to Maggie, who introduced me to Him.
Now Armed & dangerous, proceeding to step out of the troubled waters, thank you Jesus for helping me ashore. Oh course, it will be a battle to keep the peace and let God be God, but the key is desiring, cooperating with grace, and invoking the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude. It takes courage to stand and hold on to peace surrendered to God's way and timing.
📘Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect.
Having done my part which is to do like St. Padre said, pray, hope and don't worry, all will be as it should be, cause God is in control. Take that to the bank.
And to close the deal, these are the scriptures the Lord is presenting to me as a gift:
📘Philippians 4:6-9 "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you"
My response= Dear Lord, where or where would my life be if you weren't there every step of the way spoon feeding me. The gutter of turmoil would consume and swallow me whole and alive. Thank you God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for extending love and care individually and collectively as the Most Holy Trinity, my God, who knit me together in my mother's womb. Each Person of the Trinity, each one of you, three persons in one God, so delights my soul. Help me to take delight in you, by trusting with my whole soul and spirit.
My desires O Jesus are to live sheltered in your Most Sacred Heart, submitted to your Most Holy Will my dear Father, and totally surrendered and sensitive to your inspirations and saving power Most Sweet Holy Spirit. Holy Blessed Mary, Virgin most pure, St. Joseph, Just and Pure, and all you angels and Saints please stand by me. Intercede for spiritual success in my life, that my focus may be on God, by day and by night, allowing me right vision and clear directions. All this will no doubt lead to treading the path chosen for me before the foundations of the world.
Thy kingdom come, and glory to you God in the highest heaven. May your peace descend and consume me so my living and that of all of your children, be not filled with worry and anxiety. That our living be not in vain, but a life that grows and flourishes through, with, and in you, O God of power and might.
After reading these two scripture verses below, from my regular readings for the day, my thoughts turned immediately to how they could apply to my situation regarding selling my deceased parent's home. The old yeast that needed clearing is the troubling thoughts about not getting a good price, and replacing those thoughts with positive ones, because of the Paschal Lamb, Jesus, being sacrificed allows us to be in right relationship with God our Father, our provider, Jehovah-Jireh
📘1 Corinthians 5:7-8 "Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Reading the words "Paschal Lamb", resonated because of what happened earlier after Mass. Before leaving church the comfort of the Lord came to me by way of an inspiration to go and gaze upon the life site Pieta statue in church. It was like He was saying: look at me , If willingly I suffered all of this, going through the Passion for you, what is it to get a good price for the house? What suffering is required for me to do that? None, so know the hard as well as what is easy is accomplished by just a word. God speaks a word, and it returns back not void.
📘Isaiah 55:11 "so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it"
Here we are one day later and still felling pumped, will be saying my novena, praying the scriptures, and this morning two people reached our by email and by text asking me: "How are you? Mrs. Maria and my cousin Brini, out of the blue (as in blue mantle of our Lady) are the ones doing the inquiring.
Just as was spoken to the Lord my need for comfort, and not calling anyone asking for it, He delivered and continues His faithfulness towards me. Glory to God forever. May all receive the same.
Meditation 5-11-16
In Holy Hour and telling the Lord that my need was for someone to hold my hand. Trying To be there for people, now my need is for someone to be there for me, and not with me having to call someone & bother them. Well Valencia was the first chosen one. She comes to chapel & it was my turn to answer the bell to let the adorer in. Well we are talking before we go in the chapel & we share prayer needs, & the realization comes that she is the answer coming in under ten minutes after speaking to the Lord.
We met at the chapel about a year ago. You never know what part you will play in someone's life. On the stage of our lives, the production on earth, people come and go, but perfect is every act, as allowed or orchestrated by God, from the first act to the last when the final curtain closes in death.
Jesus did give comfort, and made me smile was this. That instead of loosing peace over what my parents house might sell for, thinking the price might not be the desired one, someone steeped in zealous faith, maybe a bit presumptuous, but might think along opposite lines & say:
With God on my side the selling price might be way, way, beyond my desires. How blest to be in a living relationship with God, having Him on my side, receiving from His hands blessings untold.
The rightly ordered attitude is reiterating the Divin Mercy message: Jesus I Trust in You.
Jesus I Trust in You and your infinite love for me. Those who are yours, lack no good thing, because if you are for us, who can be against? In a twinkling of an eye, you can turn darkness into light, and make a poor man rich. No dear Lord, not my will but yours, Jesus I trust in you!
The part that made me smile was that having a confident attitude would lead me to say what this little boy said when told about his chances for making it to the NBA was one in a million. He said well, I'll be that one! So my smile surfaced and thought my chances could very well may make me the one in a million to get a very good price.
📘Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all thing"
That little dialogue and seeing Valencia, settled me in peace & led to thoughts about making the Novena Jesus gave to servant of God, Fr. Don Dolindo. Thanks to Maggie, who introduced me to Him.
Now Armed & dangerous, proceeding to step out of the troubled waters, thank you Jesus for helping me ashore. Oh course, it will be a battle to keep the peace and let God be God, but the key is desiring, cooperating with grace, and invoking the Holy Spirit for the gift of fortitude. It takes courage to stand and hold on to peace surrendered to God's way and timing.
📘Ephesians 6:13 "Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect.
Having done my part which is to do like St. Padre said, pray, hope and don't worry, all will be as it should be, cause God is in control. Take that to the bank.
And to close the deal, these are the scriptures the Lord is presenting to me as a gift:
📘Philippians 4:6-9 "Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you"
My response= Dear Lord, where or where would my life be if you weren't there every step of the way spoon feeding me. The gutter of turmoil would consume and swallow me whole and alive. Thank you God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for extending love and care individually and collectively as the Most Holy Trinity, my God, who knit me together in my mother's womb. Each Person of the Trinity, each one of you, three persons in one God, so delights my soul. Help me to take delight in you, by trusting with my whole soul and spirit.
My desires O Jesus are to live sheltered in your Most Sacred Heart, submitted to your Most Holy Will my dear Father, and totally surrendered and sensitive to your inspirations and saving power Most Sweet Holy Spirit. Holy Blessed Mary, Virgin most pure, St. Joseph, Just and Pure, and all you angels and Saints please stand by me. Intercede for spiritual success in my life, that my focus may be on God, by day and by night, allowing me right vision and clear directions. All this will no doubt lead to treading the path chosen for me before the foundations of the world.
Thy kingdom come, and glory to you God in the highest heaven. May your peace descend and consume me so my living and that of all of your children, be not filled with worry and anxiety. That our living be not in vain, but a life that grows and flourishes through, with, and in you, O God of power and might.
After reading these two scripture verses below, from my regular readings for the day, my thoughts turned immediately to how they could apply to my situation regarding selling my deceased parent's home. The old yeast that needed clearing is the troubling thoughts about not getting a good price, and replacing those thoughts with positive ones, because of the Paschal Lamb, Jesus, being sacrificed allows us to be in right relationship with God our Father, our provider, Jehovah-Jireh
📘1 Corinthians 5:7-8 "Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the feast, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Reading the words "Paschal Lamb", resonated because of what happened earlier after Mass. Before leaving church the comfort of the Lord came to me by way of an inspiration to go and gaze upon the life site Pieta statue in church. It was like He was saying: look at me , If willingly I suffered all of this, going through the Passion for you, what is it to get a good price for the house? What suffering is required for me to do that? None, so know the hard as well as what is easy is accomplished by just a word. God speaks a word, and it returns back not void.
📘Isaiah 55:11 "so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it"
Here we are one day later and still felling pumped, will be saying my novena, praying the scriptures, and this morning two people reached our by email and by text asking me: "How are you? Mrs. Maria and my cousin Brini, out of the blue (as in blue mantle of our Lady) are the ones doing the inquiring.
Just as was spoken to the Lord my need for comfort, and not calling anyone asking for it, He delivered and continues His faithfulness towards me. Glory to God forever. May all receive the same.
old entry
The Veggies
It all started with the text mess of the day being sent out to those who participate in that apostolate:
Ken Hensley: "While every other religious figure in history pointed others 2ward an idea, R a path, "Go dat way!", Jesus called people 2 find everything dey needed & were lookin 4 in Himself. I M da bread of life; he who cums 2 me shall not hunger, & he who believes in me shall never thirst"
📖 John 6:35 "Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst"
📖 John 7:37 "Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink"
My Comment (MC= Wen is enuf, enuf? Past time 4 us 2 cut 2 da chase & seek food & drink dat satisfies & doesn't kill da soul. Wen it cums 2 Jesus, it's ok 2 B a glutton & a drunkard, wouldn't U think?)
🔹 Received this text response
Yessssss Indeed !!!! Can never get enough of Our JESUS!!! In Nature,,, People,,, even the circumstances we don't have alllllll the answers too,,, but if JESUS allowed it,,, there is a reason and alllll shall work out for our good. Can never get enough of Our Lord✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟❤️❤️❤️✨🌟✨🌟✨🌟
🔸 My response was:
PTL (Praise The Lord) A blessin 2C da growth spurt, U go COG!(Child Of God)
🔹 Their response:
,,,, just the opposite,,, at the present,,, I am being challenged with my health,,, A family member and sister that's not doing well healthwise,,,,,,, my heart is soooooo very heavy and sad,,,, but,,, but,,,, but,,,, We Push Forward Knowing That God is Still in control,,,
🔸 My response:
No! It's just da opposite, da Holy Spirit is shinin out & da odor is reachin me. It's all about desire. Initially UR mouth spoke da truth, implanted in UR hart. It seems 2 me it's UR feelings & emotions dat haven't yet submitted 2 UR hart & 2 reason. Da 1 thing dat's important 4us is 2 pray dat we develop TRUST. Da Lord is workin on dat with me. Going thru da ordeal with my aunt being on the vent now 4 almost 2 mo. is a situation demandin trust in God, dat He will see us thru dis ordeal every step of da way. A contemplation from a while back resurfaced 2 my memory bringin comfort. It was about sittin in a chair. We automatically sit in a chair trustin dat we won't fall. No 1 gives it a 2nd thought. Same wit Jesus, we must develop a lovin trust dat will drive out sadness, cause da only fallin we do, is in2 victory.
U sit in a chair & don't worry bout falling, cause U trust da chair will hold U. Now entrust 2God UR self, & every prob. Know takin dat step means one thing alone: Bein held in God's powerful, lovin, & all mitey hands. If U do dis, sadness will leave & joy will take it's place, cause U have Da Holy & Mitey 1 carin 4 U as U sit secure in His hands, not 2 fall down, but strategically positioned not 2 B moved.
The first response that came from the person's heart, was right on the money. So true it is that in trying circumstances we don't have all the answers, but if JESUS allows them, there is a reason and that all shall work out for our good. Proverbs 4 states that from the heart of the person comes forth the flow of living water. The scripture from Proverbs is worth pondering:
Proverbs 4:23Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life. 24Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you"
Verse 24 from Proverbs 4, speaks eloquently, and addressed the second response given to me from the person about things being so challenging causing a heart soooooo very heavy and sad to prevail. What a delight to see the maturity expressed by the person in the closing sentence: "but,,, but,,,, but,,,, We Push Forward Knowing That God is Still in control,,,"
The next sentiment expressed by the person hit a home run, and brought it all home. My message was intended to make it very clear that we are not called to embrace the enemy. When we embrace sadness we do just that, and turn away from the spirit of God. We choose darkness over light. No reason to do that, because:
📖 Luke 12:32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Of course, the point is not to have a flat affect and be emotionally unresponsive or spiritually schizoid, for we do have our own Blessed Mother with the title of "Our Lady of Sorrows", expressing sorrowful sentiments. That particular feast day is September 15th. After looking up the definitions, and comparing "sadness" verses "sorrow", it's quite evident why she is not know as "Our Lady of Sadness". Compare the difference for yourself. In life we will no doubt have many opportunities to be sorrowful, but a state of sadness is not the calling on the life of a Christian. God calls us to the joy of The Lord, which will be our strength.
📖 Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"
📖 Proverbs 10:28 "The hope of the righteous is gladness, But the expectation of the wicked perishes"
📖 Romans 12:12 "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer"
☑️ Sadness (also called heavy-heartedness) is emotional pain associated with, or characterized by feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, helplessness, disappointment and sorrow. An individual experiencing sadness may become quiet or lethargic, and withdraw themselves from others.
a). affected with or expressive of grief or unhappiness : downcast
☑️ Sorrow is a feeling of deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune suffered by oneself or others.
a). grieved, sad, mournful, distressing:
By living in the spirit, we can expect the Holy Spirit to bring our way the following:
Isaiah 32: "15Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field, And the fertile field is considered as a forest.16Then justice will dwell in the wilderness And righteousness will abide in the fertile field.…
📖 2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom"
📖 Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness"
🔹 The final response from the person:
Thank You!!! Got it. I read it slow ,,, and will re-read it as I need too. I accept the above prayer/council to be True,,, in JESUS' mighty name. Amen. So Be it. Thank You.
🔸A 2013 contemplation pertinent to the topic at hand
It is coming to mind how we are not called to feel down when it looks like things aren't going to pan out the way we wish. God is in total control, and all our circumstances are constantly being monitored, as God is our loving Father, He is working all my/our good, 24/7. Jesus paid our life time monitoring fees , and the Holy Spirit services us free of charge. The Blessed Holy Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the angels and saints, are our on site support team, ever ready to assist us along the way. Therefore, we need to develop faith in respect to those facts.
This can be liken to being hungry, and someone is in the process of preparing a very fine meal. One would in no way feel down and out, or sad because of being hungry. Quite the opposite, one would not feel sad and discouraged, but joyful and even excited. That is possible because although one wouldn't be eating at the moment, the patient and joyful wait would soon materialize in a good tasty meal being consumed. It requires going through the each stage, from the preparatory phase to reach the point of the meal being placed on the table.
Likewise, if we have prayed and are abiding in Christ we can be confident regarding God's preparations that are taking place until the final resolution of a particular mater at hand occurs. Another example is that of a parent holding an infant high in the air. For sure there is caution and care to prevent the Infant from being dropped. Like so, God is holding us in the palms of his hands, and he will not let us fall prey to anything or to anyone. No need to cry and be upset when things are looking bleak, God is ever present, working things out, like only He in His wisdom can do. The only time to cry and get upset is if we aren't abiding in God and if we aren't praying. Otherwise we persevere in peace through faith, because God is with us, working all things out for our good. His plans definitely are in place, not to be displaced.
The Veggies
📖 Matthew 16:24-26 "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, * take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
Matthew 16:24-26 is the scripture of choice to serve as a preface to refresh memories and help inspire a continual push for obtaining purity of heart. The plea is for someone to please answer the call and deny yourself the so called "good" movies, "good" TV shows, and any entertainment that is laced with profanity, immorality, and immodesty. Of course it may be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, but "if" we love Him, who is holy, we will aspire to holiness. It is wise to be vigilant about speech, dress, and actions, if we desire to make any real serious progress in the spiritual life and be pleasing to God. If one is content with being lukewarm, remember this:
📖 Revelation 3:15-17 "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything, ’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked".
We are indeed wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked, when we allow ourselves to be catechized by the world, marching to it's beat. Just sounding the alert that a fox is present. St. Francis De Sales used that term in his book, "Introduction to the Devout Life". Hope someone will take up and read or listen, as for myself, doing both. Getting a head start for Lent. Sr. Rose responded that this is a classic, one that she read long ago. Well, the audio book is hot on my playlist, just finished it and starting over again. St. Francis is hitting home runs left and right, the doc prescriptions are excellent. What lately impressed me, at just the right time was this statement of his:
"The body is poisoned by what enters the mouth, and the heart is poisoned by what enters the ears. Now that we are in the Twenty First Century, it is a must to now add that the heart is also poisoned by what enters the eyes".
As case in point is the movie that inspired this Ijournal entry. God can indeed write straight with crooked lines. Someone told me about a good movie recently viewed. My response was comprised of three questions:
🔘 1. Really?
🔘 2. Was there any profanity in the movie? (Guess in this day and age that's a rhetorical question)
🔘 3. Were there any low cut necklines?
The person took a moment to ponder the questions, and in good faith said: no, not really, just the heavy use of the "N" word.
Well, the person is honest and believable, so that was my green light to make plans to see the movie on the holiday most appropriate to viewing it.
Well surprise, surprise, surprise, as the movie unfolds, this scripture says it all.
📖 Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter"
In the case of the person, it was just a matter of routine exposure that probably numbed the ability to be sensitive to about a dozen profanities that were noted during the movie. The person is respectable, of good character, and did mean well. Also by the fact that it was about a dozen infarcts, may have also played a part in the evaluation. It seems that a significantly higher number is the general norm for movies. Also maybe during routine TV viewing, where it is now not uncommon to hear and see impure and immodest things, people will become desensitized. Not a movie goer or TV viewer for that very reason, and besides, most time spiritual things occupy my time. Who is not far behind, and need to catch up spiritually? How many classics have you read?
When you know better you do better, so all those who are viewing these movies and deeming them good, aren't aware of the serious offenses against purity. They don't realize what St. Francis is saying about contamination of the heart. My spin is that the more and more garbage infiltrating a heart, it will render the spiritual heart cells dead, and little by little they will become non functioning. After a while more and more impure infiltrates will become magnets for attracting tolerance and a liberal spirit towards the unholy. A spiritual cancer slowly will take over. You would think only beginners would fall into that trap, but season veterans appear not to be immune.
Because the fashions in the movie were from the sixties era, there was no sweat or worries about plunging necklines. Now, it is beyond ridiculous what some people will wear shamelessly. Some Christians are neck and neck with the rest of the world. Even parishioners at Mass, and also an extraordinary minister of communion once was very, very, inappropriately dressed. Just telling it like it is, you can stone me, but truth is truth. Any amens? Thank God some of you will realize this the truth is being told. We who have been graced to know and live the truth, need to pray hard for ourselves and others. We all need to keep tabs on the areas in which we ourselves are falling short, because all fall short in one way or another.
James 3:2 "for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also"
We all should be constantly working to improve and grow in grace and grow in God, right Gigarettes? We all are climbing the ladder, some may be above and some may be below, but what matters in the end is how many reach the top. Working together, praying, and being of assistance one to another, we all can help each other make it to the top. We are indeed the body of Christ! Let's not harden our hearts, but hear and discern the word of God where ever it is spoken.
📖 Hebrews 3:15 "As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Getting to my scripture and spiritual readings for the day, later that night after the movie, proved to be an asset in driving home the considered points. Everything was ringing so true at just the right time. To not see how profanity devalues and renders a movie unacceptable, thereby disqualifying it from being labeled good, is to fail to evaluate from a lofty standpoint. In the book: "Advent of The Heart", by Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J., the following was said:
"the lofty standpoint determines the field of vision a life will have and gives the air that a soul breathes".
My spin on this, for the purpose of this topic, is that the field of vision is definitely tainted by impurities and the soul is without a doubt breathing stale unfiltered air (putrid air according to Milton's two cents). My regular scripture reading for the day was from Hebrews, the twelfth chapter. The following verses garnered my attention:
📖 Hebrews 12:14-16 " Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled, that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal"
My new year spiritual practice of reading from the gospels, also proved to be helpful. The daily email sent from Flocknote, further rubber stamped the point of appropriate responses representing maturity. The reading and commentary from Matthew 6:24-34 was perfect. The pertinent commentary was for verse 33, saying that Christians must prioritize the pursuit of holiness in their lives.
📖 Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
If you care to subscribe to "Reading from Gospels in a year", here is the
link: https://uno.flocknote.com/note/305367
Seek first His kingdom, and let it not be thine own kingdom in the mix. All this is leading me down the poetic road. The first poem for 2015, stay tuned, because it will be a veggie in Part II. This is turning out to be a IV part series.
Matthew 16:24-26 is the scripture of choice to serve as a preface to refresh memories and help inspire a continual push for obtaining purity of heart. The plea is for someone to please answer the call and deny yourself the so called "good" movies, "good" TV shows, and any entertainment that is laced with profanity, immorality, and immodesty. Of course it may be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, but "if" we love Him, who is holy, we will aspire to holiness. It is wise to be vigilant about speech, dress, and actions, if we desire to make any real serious progress in the spiritual life and be pleasing to God. If one is content with being lukewarm, remember this:
📖 Revelation 3:15-17 "I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, ‘I am rich and affluent and have no need of anything, ’ and yet do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked".
We are indeed wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked, when we allow ourselves to be catechized by the world, marching to it's beat. Just sounding the alert that a fox is present. St. Francis De Sales used that term in his book, "Introduction to the Devout Life". Hope someone will take up and read or listen, as for myself, doing both. Getting a head start for Lent. Sr. Rose responded that this is a classic, one that she read long ago. Well, the audio book is hot on my playlist, just finished it and starting over again. St. Francis is hitting home runs left and right, the doc prescriptions are excellent. What lately impressed me, at just the right time was this statement of his:
"The body is poisoned by what enters the mouth, and the heart is poisoned by what enters the ears. Now that we are in the Twenty First Century, it is a must to now add that the heart is also poisoned by what enters the eyes".
As case in point is the movie that inspired this Ijournal entry. God can indeed write straight with crooked lines. Someone told me about a good movie recently viewed. My response was comprised of three questions:
🔘 1. Really?
🔘 2. Was there any profanity in the movie? (Guess in this day and age that's a rhetorical question)
🔘 3. Were there any low cut necklines?
The person took a moment to ponder the questions, and in good faith said: no, not really, just the heavy use of the "N" word.
Well, the person is honest and believable, so that was my green light to make plans to see the movie on the holiday most appropriate to viewing it.
Well surprise, surprise, surprise, as the movie unfolds, this scripture says it all.
📖 Isaiah 5:20 "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter"
In the case of the person, it was just a matter of routine exposure that probably numbed the ability to be sensitive to about a dozen profanities that were noted during the movie. The person is respectable, of good character, and did mean well. Also by the fact that it was about a dozen infarcts, may have also played a part in the evaluation. It seems that a significantly higher number is the general norm for movies. Also maybe during routine TV viewing, where it is now not uncommon to hear and see impure and immodest things, people will become desensitized. Not a movie goer or TV viewer for that very reason, and besides, most time spiritual things occupy my time. Who is not far behind, and need to catch up spiritually? How many classics have you read?
When you know better you do better, so all those who are viewing these movies and deeming them good, aren't aware of the serious offenses against purity. They don't realize what St. Francis is saying about contamination of the heart. My spin is that the more and more garbage infiltrating a heart, it will render the spiritual heart cells dead, and little by little they will become non functioning. After a while more and more impure infiltrates will become magnets for attracting tolerance and a liberal spirit towards the unholy. A spiritual cancer slowly will take over. You would think only beginners would fall into that trap, but season veterans appear not to be immune.
Because the fashions in the movie were from the sixties era, there was no sweat or worries about plunging necklines. Now, it is beyond ridiculous what some people will wear shamelessly. Some Christians are neck and neck with the rest of the world. Even parishioners at Mass, and also an extraordinary minister of communion once was very, very, inappropriately dressed. Just telling it like it is, you can stone me, but truth is truth. Any amens? Thank God some of you will realize this the truth is being told. We who have been graced to know and live the truth, need to pray hard for ourselves and others. We all need to keep tabs on the areas in which we ourselves are falling short, because all fall short in one way or another.
James 3:2 "for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also"
We all should be constantly working to improve and grow in grace and grow in God, right Gigarettes? We all are climbing the ladder, some may be above and some may be below, but what matters in the end is how many reach the top. Working together, praying, and being of assistance one to another, we all can help each other make it to the top. We are indeed the body of Christ! Let's not harden our hearts, but hear and discern the word of God where ever it is spoken.
📖 Hebrews 3:15 "As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Getting to my scripture and spiritual readings for the day, later that night after the movie, proved to be an asset in driving home the considered points. Everything was ringing so true at just the right time. To not see how profanity devalues and renders a movie unacceptable, thereby disqualifying it from being labeled good, is to fail to evaluate from a lofty standpoint. In the book: "Advent of The Heart", by Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J., the following was said:
"the lofty standpoint determines the field of vision a life will have and gives the air that a soul breathes".
My spin on this, for the purpose of this topic, is that the field of vision is definitely tainted by impurities and the soul is without a doubt breathing stale unfiltered air (putrid air according to Milton's two cents). My regular scripture reading for the day was from Hebrews, the twelfth chapter. The following verses garnered my attention:
📖 Hebrews 12:14-16 " Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled, that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal"
My new year spiritual practice of reading from the gospels, also proved to be helpful. The daily email sent from Flocknote, further rubber stamped the point of appropriate responses representing maturity. The reading and commentary from Matthew 6:24-34 was perfect. The pertinent commentary was for verse 33, saying that Christians must prioritize the pursuit of holiness in their lives.
📖 Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
If you care to subscribe to "Reading from Gospels in a year", here is the
link: https://uno.flocknote.com/note/305367
Seek first His kingdom, and let it not be thine own kingdom in the mix. All this is leading me down the poetic road. The first poem for 2015, stay tuned, because it will be a veggie in Part II. This is turning out to be a IV part series.