tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69853653740838979922024-03-13T12:41:07.983-04:00Offer It Up!My life is so crazy that I am constantly offering up all my crosses and trials to the Lord! So what can you say to someone next time they start complaining about their day? Tell them to offer it up! The Lord offered up all his sufferings to God, so can we.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-25388569270436921372010-01-08T21:04:00.003-05:002010-01-08T21:09:39.260-05:00Thoughts for todayI am reading an article called Choice Theory and Emotional Dependency by Joan Hoogstad.<br /><br />She states, "Dependent individuals have not acquired the effective behaviors they need to satisfy their need for power, largely because the choices they make involve all or some of the disconnecting habits they learned as a child. Disconnecting habits are blaming, complaining, nagging, punishing, threatening, criticizing and rewarding in order to control."<br /><br />I love reality therapy and choice theory the best so far of all the therapeutic models I learned this semester.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-57801445545144830992009-12-31T22:51:00.000-05:002009-12-31T22:52:13.036-05:00Happy New Year!!Many of God's choicest blessings to each of you!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-72440239602391386382009-12-27T17:13:00.002-05:002009-12-27T17:16:30.335-05:00I just don't know what to do to keep busy?Anyone? Now I have a few weeks off before next semester. I was able to get my grades on Christmas Day. Wooooooo hoooooo! Straight A's. I already can't wait till next semester. So what is everyone doing? My inquiring mind wants to know. lol.<br /><br />Leave some love please!<br />LindaLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-69535773121390887612009-12-17T06:45:00.001-05:002009-12-17T06:46:32.272-05:00One more class to go this semesterMiss you all! I will try to catch up next week.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-47330585139258503622009-09-27T17:52:00.002-04:002009-09-27T17:58:43.539-04:00What was I thinking?Hello friends,<br />It has been a very busy last couple of weeks with adjusting to college after ten years. I must say alot has changed. They used to hand you a book and tell you to memorize it. Not anymore. They want to "see" the learning. So lots and lots of papers and research on top of the book. lol.<br /><br />Anyway, I really am enjoying my classes if my head does not explode first. I am taking 5 courses. yes! you are reading correctly.<br /><br />I just thought I would let you all know I am still here but have not had time to post anything and I will try to see what you all have been up too!!<br /><br />Hugs!<br />LindaLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-56744065097090640132009-09-04T11:20:00.001-04:002009-09-04T11:22:33.134-04:00College BoundThank you Jesus!<br />I will be going to college next week. I am so excited.<br /><br />Thank you all for your prayers!<br /><br />Hugs!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-90731231008106100932009-09-04T05:57:00.001-04:002009-09-04T05:59:09.513-04:00Great Blog post!This post really struck a cord within me.<br />From <a href="http://adriennescatholiccorner.blogspot.com/2009/09/we-are-all-abused-children.html#comment-form">Adrienne's Catholic Corner</a><br />Titled "We are all abused children". Worth a read.<br /><br />God blessLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-43450340770470521052009-09-02T17:30:00.003-04:002009-09-02T17:36:44.839-04:00Disappontments!My disappointments lately....<br />I still have not heard from financial aid so as of tomorrow I will have to drop my classes. I can try again for the Spring. I still have not found a job. I thought I had a chance where my Daughter works but they don't hire family in the same building. We have 12.9 percent unemployment rate. I still have no hot water in over 2 months now and still owe the plumber who came to TRY and fix it. I just wish the Lord could pick me up and plop me where he wants me. So confusing.<br /><br />Those words from last week keep coming to my mind when I said, "Forgive Us Our Grumbling". I am trying Lord! REALLY I am trying not to complain and offer up my little disappointments. <br /><br />Prayers are always welcome my friends.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-79902187767549182352009-09-02T06:56:00.001-04:002009-09-02T06:58:55.113-04:00Suffering<div class="book-content"> <h4 id="light_eckhart_7-p0.1">SUFFERING</h4> <p id="light_eckhart_7-p1">MEN who love God are so far from complaining of their sufferings, that their complaint and their suffering is rather because the suffering which God's will has assigned them is so small. All their blessedness is to suffer by God's will, and not to <i>have</i> suffered something, for this is the loss of suffering. This is why I said, Blessed are they who are willing to suffer for righteousness, not, Blessed are they who have suffered.<br /></p> <p id="light_eckhart_7-p2">All that a man bears for God's sake, God makes light and sweet for him.<br /></p> <p id="light_eckhart_7-p3">If all was right with you, your sufferings would no longer be suffering, but love and comfort.<br /></p> <p id="light_eckhart_7-p4">If God could have given to men anything more noble than suffering, He would have redeemed mankind with it: otherwise, you must say that my Father was my enemy, if he knew of anything nobler than suffering.<br /></p> <p id="light_eckhart_7-p5">True suffering is a mother of all the virtues.<br /></p><p id="light_eckhart_7-p5">Eckhart<br /></p> </div>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-29506625439429629472009-08-31T06:22:00.001-04:002009-08-31T06:25:09.785-04:00Weakness<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="text"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">I was distressed at my want of courage, and Soeur Therese said to me:<br /> "You are complaining of what should be your greatest happiness. If you<br /> fought only when you felt eagerness, where would be your merit? What<br /> does it matter, even if you are devoid of courage, provided you act as<br /> though you possessed it? If you feel too lazy to pick up a bit of<br /> thread, and yet do so for love of Jesus, you acquire more merit than<br /> for a much nobler action done in a moment of fervor. Instead of<br /> grieving, be glad that, by allowing you to feel your own weakness, Our<br /> Lord is furnishing you with an opportunity of saving a greater number<br /> of souls."<br /></span></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><span style="font-style: italic;">St. Therese: The Little Flower</span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="text"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-21647180459322912642009-08-30T19:59:00.001-04:002009-08-30T20:01:32.225-04:00The Lowest Place<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="text"><span style="line-height: 15px;font-size:12px;" >"The one thing which is not open to envy is the lowest place. Here<br />alone, therefore, there is neither vanity nor affliction of spirit.<br />Yet, 'the way of a man is not his own,' [172] and sometimes we find<br />ourselves wishing for what dazzles. In that hour let us in all humility<br />take our place among the imperfect, and look upon ourselves as little<br />souls who at every instant need to be upheld by the goodness of God.<br />From the moment He sees us fully convinced of our nothingness, and<br />hears us cry out: 'My foot stumbles, Lord, but Thy Mercy is my<br />strength,' [173] He reaches out His Hand to us. But, should we attempt<br />great things, even under pretext of zeal, He deserts us. It suffices,<br />therefore, to humble ourselves, to bear with meekness our<br />imperfections. Herein lies--for us--true holiness."<br /></span></span><span class="text"><span style="line-height: 15px;font-size:12px;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">St. Therese the Little Flower</span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="text"><span style="line-height: 15px;font-size:12px;" ><br /></span></span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-15524457894543607002009-08-29T15:50:00.002-04:002009-08-29T15:59:27.639-04:00It is a Mystery!All this rain! I have no idea how it got into the back seat floor of my car.<br /><br />Any suggestions? Windows and doors are tightly closed but I have a flood.<br />I also forgot about my friend's house warming party today. Kiara will be<br />soon because my daughter and her husband are going on one of those murder<br />mystery shows while they eat dinner. They also pick people in the audience<br />to play parts. It was part of her Birthday present. My part is watching Kiara<br />overnight so they can enjoy the evening.<br /><br />Can you really tell I have no words of wisdom today? Nothing, empty, Nada!<br /><br />Have an awesome evening!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-49970750135958501402009-08-27T22:18:00.003-04:002009-08-27T22:21:03.715-04:00To My Son: I miss you on your BirthdayTo My Son<br /><br />Remembering:<br /><br />Somewhere under all the pain,<br />within all those walls<br />Is my beautiful son!<br /><br />Remember the Rain?<br />Remember how good it feels<br />as it pours down on you?<br /><br />Refreshing the soul<br />Refreshing the innermost of our being.<br /><br />I carried you with human cords<br />The cords were severed.<br />They can be repaired,<br />Perhaps they will never be the same.<br />So true! But they can be healed.<br /><br />Deep within, the real Self is hidden.<br />scared, broken, filled with grief<br />and sorrow.<br /><br />Each beat of your heart<br />Each tear from your eyes<br />I was there!<br />The beating of my heart was with you<br />The tears that I shed was with you.<br /><br />Yes, I remember the times you<br />reached out and noone was there for you?<br />I was there, deep within calling your<br />name.<br /><br />"For when you are weak, I am strong"<br />I love you!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-62928765244458906172009-08-27T21:22:00.000-04:002009-08-27T21:24:53.647-04:00A funny email I received Today<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Comic Sans MS;font-size:100%;color:#000080;" ><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24pt;">Let me get this straight.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Obama's health care plan will be<br />written by a committee whose head says he<br />doesn't understand it,<br />passed by a Congress that hasn't read it,<br />signed by a president who smokes,<br />funded by a treasury chief who did not pay his taxes,<br />overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and<br />financed by a country that is nearly broke.</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24pt;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What could possibly go wrong?</span></span></span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-71480040733145382152009-08-20T06:15:00.004-04:002009-08-20T06:22:03.956-04:00Marians of the Immaculate Conception<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgTOWblsY2zjhdxglAuKAdqDJ_wZygiSH07aWCX-FdFo3WnNcQsp4m70mprc6txYCBOMNvHJ5HWFCqKHE5ni3BagkfD9_zkYDkmFmN9_1G7wCJyk3HLQcZ5vLqVB49USksTpwCH3NF11R/s1600-h/aDSC_0266.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgTOWblsY2zjhdxglAuKAdqDJ_wZygiSH07aWCX-FdFo3WnNcQsp4m70mprc6txYCBOMNvHJ5HWFCqKHE5ni3BagkfD9_zkYDkmFmN9_1G7wCJyk3HLQcZ5vLqVB49USksTpwCH3NF11R/s200/aDSC_0266.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371988570786738098" border="0" /></a><br />My friend John Luth:<br />Made his First Vows as an MIC.<br />John was a member of Our Third Order of Carmelites. He is now Brother John and will someday be a priest.<br /><br /><br />The Marian Fathers of the <a href="http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3696">Immaculate Conception </a>welcomed four new members into the Congregation during a Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday, Aug. 15. Eight Marian brothers also renewed their vows.<br /><br />May Our Lord and Our Lady of the Immaculate conception bless them!<br /><br />http://thedivinemercy.org/news/story.php?NID=3696Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-78935228519263515542009-08-01T08:46:00.004-04:002009-08-01T11:19:58.055-04:00God In Basic Training!Humorous story of my first day in boot camp.<br /><br />Sister on another blog said to me the other day that life is like bootcamp for Jesus. It got me thinking of a my first day in basic training for the U.S.A.F. But before I can tell the story I have to back up a little to what was going on in my life before basic training.<br /><br />Life was what seemed like a standstill. I was working 2 jobs, broke up the my boyfriend *again*, no car, could not go to college because I had no money. My job in the house was to clean the bathroom every Saturday morning. This one particular day while cleaning the bathroom, my dad came in to do his weekly white glove check. Seriously he did do this. Then he told me to put the toilet seat up in the bathroom because I was complaining about the boys (my brothers) peeing on the seats and floor. So I did something really stupid.... I argued with my dad. I took some toilet paper from the toilet paper holder and wiped off the pee on the floor and threw it at my dad; and told him that I am not going to lift the seat for those lazy boys. Now if you knew my dad you would realize that I am in for a beating of my life. But this time my dad stood there in amazement or something and tears came from his eyes. Oh No, I am in big trouble now, so I did the next best thing..... I ran out of the house for dear life.<br /><br />So now what am I going to do? I can't go home because I will be dead. I jump on the city bus which I never took before and headed downtown Providence. I had no clue what I was going to do there and it was not a good place to be going at only 17 and alone. I saw a Dunkin Donuts and grabbed a coffee and went for a walk. There was this amazing world that I never knew. Then I start to think about and pray to God what am I going to do? I pass this sign in a window that says, Aim High the Air Force! God is this where you want me? But I felt courageous and free at this moment, peace filled my heart, so I walked in. It was so easy, sign a few papers and left.<br /><br />Then I realize and fear came upon me.... I still have to go home. I walk through the door with my head down trying to avoid eye contact with my dad. Nothing happened when I got home; all was quiet and then I give my parents the good news!<br /><br />Now let us go forward to my first day in Basic Training. So many feelings come over you when you realize that you are now owned by the Government. You are only a Social Security number and you don't know what is going to happen next. We meet our Training Instructors and they show us around, get our teeth checked, etc. etc. Finally back to the barracks and our TI's give us our new chores to do and get settled.<br /><br />So here I am headed with a few other woman and the TI who enters the Latrine. My job you ask for the next 6 weeks you may ask? You guessed it; clean the bathrooms! This gets even better if you are still with me here.....<br />drum roll please.......... *Put the toilet seats up at Attention*. You are reading correctly we had to put the toilet seats up after each use. Call it what you will, but I burst out laughing so loud and I could not hold it in, tears are running down my face, everyone is looking at me; and I look up to God and think, "God DOES have a sense of humor" and he answered me back interiorly, He said, "Next time listen to your father". O my gosh! I was so paying for my sins that day but also God was telling me that he was with me then, he is with me now and will be all my days.<br /><br />I have so many stories of God with me in basic training. But one thing is for sure, I learned obedience and discipline from the service; we also have to work together as a team!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-67541414411948355672009-08-01T06:38:00.001-04:002009-08-01T06:40:53.059-04:00Update on Little MatthewLittle baby Matthew is with Our Heavenly Father. <br />See God's <a href="http://godscanvas.wordpress.com/">Canvas blog.</a> My prayers go out to the family of this blessed little angel.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-35807470468102714592009-07-31T10:29:00.002-04:002009-07-31T10:33:44.186-04:00Release that Person who hurt you!Release that Person who hurt you into the Lord's hands. Jesus please wash away any negativity that may be rooted in my soul by accepting this person's abuse or betrayal. I surrender this person to the Lord Jesus and ask Jesus to break any unhealthy ties to my soul.<br /><br />Jesus please place your love and forgiveness into my heart and cleanse me of all resentment and negativity. Jesus into your hands I commend my spirit. I am your child Father God and I want to be free to be what you intended me to be. AmenLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-58190600672813207382009-07-30T22:59:00.002-04:002009-07-30T23:20:33.189-04:00BetrayalI am so excited! God filled in the blank tonight at the prayer meeting I went to. Remember a few posts ago I published about my "Confuzed Day" and I said please fill in the blank for me because I could not think of the word. Well tonight Father talked all about Betrayals. From Judas to all those betrayals we suffer each day. <br /><br />One final note he told us to pray for healing. lol. O my Jesus, through the suffering you endured by Judas, grant me healing from all those who like Judas betray me. That with your meekness and love you showed to your disciple may I too be meek and full of the same love. Please forgive me of all those times I too was Judas. Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like your heart.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-16585177055641691602009-07-12T07:22:00.001-04:002009-07-12T07:26:09.097-04:00Day Six: Novena of Our Lady of Mount CarmelSixth Day<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mary, untiring seeker of God</span><br /><br />Listening to the Word: The finding in the temple (Lk 2: 41-50)<br /><br />Reflection: Mary and Joseph are distressed at the loss of their<br />son, Jesus. They set out to search for him and find him after<br />three days. In our life sometimes it seems that Jesus hides<br />himself from us and leaves us alone. What do we do?<br />Do we despair? Do we turn towards other goods?<br />Or do we set out in search of Jesus so as not to loose<br />him ever again. Mary and Joseph teach us to be untiring<br />seekers of God, because he has made us for himself and<br />our heart is restless until it rests in him (St. Augustine).<br /><br />Prayer: Dear Mary, untiring seeker of God,<br />give us the strength you had in seeking your Jesus<br />who was lost in the temple.<br /><br />Dear Mary, untiring seeker of God, guide our steps<br />so that on life's journey we may always follow Jesus,<br />lighthouse that enlightens us.<br /><br />Dear Mary, Mother most pure, be our faithful<br />companion on the journey towards Jesus.<br /><br />My commitment is to pray more in times when<br />Jesus seems to have abandoned me.<br /><br /> Flower of Carmel<br /> Vine blossom-laden,<br /> splendor of heaven,<br /> Child-bearing yet maiden,<br /> None equals thee.<br /> Mother so tender,<br /> whom no man didst know,<br /> On Carmel's children<br /> thy favours bestow,<br /> Star of the sea.Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-20655708443581801542009-07-12T07:19:00.001-04:002009-07-12T07:21:16.400-04:00When Shall I see Him Face to Face? Conclusion Spiritual DesolationFinally, we should be united to God’s will in regard to the time and<br /> manner of our death. One day St. Gertrude, while climbing up a small<br /> hill, lost her footing and fell into a ravine below. After her<br /> companions had come to her assistance, they asked her if while falling<br /> she had any fear of dying without the sacraments. “I earnestly hope and<br /> desire to have the benefit of the sacraments when death is at hand;<br /> still, to my way of thinking, the will of God is more important. I<br /> believe that the best disposition I could have to die a happy death<br /> would be to submit myself to whatever God would wish in my regard. For<br /> this reason I desire whatever kind of death God will be pleased to send<br /> me.”<br /><br /> In his “Dialogues”, St. Gregory [73] tells of a certain priest, Santolo<br /> by name, who was captured by the Vandals and condemned to death. The<br /> barbarians told him to choose the manner of his death. He refused,<br /> saying: “I am in God’s hands and I gladly accept whatever kind of death<br /> he wishes me to suffer at your hands; I wish no other.” This reply was<br /> so pleasing to God that he miraculously stayed the hand of the<br /> executioner ready to behead him. The barbarians were so impressed by<br /> the miracle that they freed their prisoner. As regards the manner of<br /> our death, therefore, we should esteem that the best kind of death for<br /> us which God has designed for us. When therefore we think of our death,<br /> let our prayer be: “O Lord, only let me save my soul and I leave the<br /> manner of my death to thee!”<br /><br /> We should likewise unite ourselves to God’s will when the moment of<br /> death is near. What else is this earth but a prison where we suffer and<br /> where we are in constant danger of losing God? Hence David prayed:<br /> “Bring my soul out of prison [74] .” St. Teresa too feared to lose God<br /> and when she would hear the striking of the clock, she would find<br /> consolation in the thought that the passing of the hour was an hour<br /> less of the danger of losing God.<br /><br /> St. John of Avila was convinced that every right-minded person should<br /> desire death on account of living in peril of losing divine grace. What<br /> can be more pleasant or desirable than by dying a good death, to have<br /> the assurance of no longer being able to lose the grace of God? Perhaps<br /> you will answer that you have as yet done nothing to deserve this<br /> reward. If it were God’s will that your life should end now, what would<br /> you be doing, living on here against his will? Who knows, you might<br /> fall into sin and be lost! Even if you escaped mortal sin, you could<br /> not live free from all sin. “Why are we so tenacious of life,” exclaims<br /> St. Bernard, “when the longer we live, the more we sin [75] ?” A single<br /> venial sin is more displeasing to God than all the good works we can<br /> perform.<br /><br /> Moreover, the person who has little desire for heaven shows he has<br /> little love for God. The true lover desires to be with his beloved. We<br /> cannot see God while we remain here on earth; hence the saints have<br /> yearned for death so that they might go and behold their beloved Lord,<br /> face to face. “Oh, that I might die and behold thy beautiful face!”<br /> sighed St. Augustine. And St. Paul: “Having a desire to be dissolved<br /> and to be with Christ [76] .” “When shall I come and appear before the<br /> face of God [77] ?”exclaimed the psalmist.<br /><br /> A hunter one day heard the voice of a man singing most sweetly in the<br /> forest. Following the sound, he came upon a leper horribly disfigured<br /> by the ravages of his disease. Addressing him he said: “How can you<br /> sing when you are so terribly afflicted and your death is so near at<br /> hand?” And the leper: “Friend, my poor body is a crumbling wall and it<br /> is the only thing that separates me from my God. When it falls I shall<br /> go forth to God. Time for me is indeed fast running out, so every day I<br /> show my happiness by lifting my voice in song.”<br /><br /> Lastly, we should unite ourselves to the will of God as regards our<br /> degree of grace and glory. True, we should esteem the things that make<br /> for the glory of God, but we should show the greatest esteem for those<br /> that concern the will of God. We should desire to love God more than<br /> the seraphs, but not to a degree higher than God has destined for us.<br /> St. John of Avila [78] says: “I believe every saint has had the desire<br /> to be higher in grace than he actually was. However, despite this,<br /> their serenity of soul always remained unruffled. Their desire for a<br /> greater degree of grace sprang not from a consideration of their own<br /> good, but of God’s. They were content with the degree of grace God had<br /> meted out for them, though actually God had given them less. They<br /> considered it a greater sign of true love of God to be content with<br /> what God had given them, than to desire to have received more.”<br /><br /> This means, as Rodriguez explains it, we should be diligent in striving<br /> to become perfect, so that tepidity and laziness may not serve as<br /> excuses for some to say: “God must help me; I can do only so much for<br /> myself.” Nevertheless, when we do fall into some fault, we should not<br /> lose our peace of soul and union with the will of God, which permits<br /> our fall; nor should we lose our courage. Let us rise at once from this<br /> fall, penitently humbling ourselves and by seeking greater help from<br /> God, let us continue to march resolutely on the highway of the<br /> spiritual life. Likewise, we may well desire to be among the seraphs in<br /> heaven, not for our own glory, but for God’s, and to love him more;<br /> still we should be resigned to his will and be content with that degree<br /> of glory which in his mercy he has set for us.<br /><br /> It would be a serious defect to desire the gifts of supernatural<br /> prayer—specifically, ecstasies, visions and revelations. The masters of<br /> the spiritual life say that souls thus favored by God, should ask him<br /> to take them away so that they may love him out of pure faith—a way of<br /> greater security. Many have come to perfection without these<br /> supernatural gifts; the only virtues worth-while are those that draw<br /> the soul to holiness of life, namely, the virtue of uniformity with<br /> God’s holy will. If God does not wish to raise us to the heights of<br /> perfection and glory, let us unite ourselves in all things to his holy<br /> will, asking him in his mercy, to grant us our soul’s salvation. If we<br /> act in this manner, the reward will not be slight which we shall<br /> receive from the hands of God who loves above all others, souls<br /> resigned to his holy will.<br /><br />Uniformity With God's Will<br />Saint Alphonsus de LiguoriLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-88956064129042499862009-07-11T20:15:00.004-04:002009-07-11T20:20:39.456-04:00Canning Season!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHaesstx88A3kKOtH5JjWvF4zeRDA7jSVxJY7muQBZVzvZCASzCLoFhmBTUDiWT1NLXJbOh3FFh6_SSGwgGfLFOLr_OAYfIE-_OYplNgKbpL2dM4fm0ZFojjQvGRokI4nnpnLbmk8-2fK/s1600-h/blackberryjam.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 93px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdHaesstx88A3kKOtH5JjWvF4zeRDA7jSVxJY7muQBZVzvZCASzCLoFhmBTUDiWT1NLXJbOh3FFh6_SSGwgGfLFOLr_OAYfIE-_OYplNgKbpL2dM4fm0ZFojjQvGRokI4nnpnLbmk8-2fK/s400/blackberryjam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357361029895035938" border="0" /></a><br />What I accomplished today!<br />I picked some blackberries and raspberries from my yard and made 8 half-pints of blackberry jam and 7 half-pints of raspberry jam.<br /><br /><br /><br />Then I made 5 pints of salsa.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT78eRhFiCLQPiBR7WU7GXrHja2MG2FAtpYdYLZ-9ruU2nmdNpkHWduq-y-hjQEUA4yclEzLs_d3jK9pU8x23rIKQkP4q_OQZYwIPbcAx1FevccRX7cnkZIle81UyT7Twmfvh8A6XCTb2/s1600-h/salsa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOT78eRhFiCLQPiBR7WU7GXrHja2MG2FAtpYdYLZ-9ruU2nmdNpkHWduq-y-hjQEUA4yclEzLs_d3jK9pU8x23rIKQkP4q_OQZYwIPbcAx1FevccRX7cnkZIle81UyT7Twmfvh8A6XCTb2/s400/salsa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357361434667290674" border="0" /></a>Monday is the first day of blueberry picking and I can't wait. Yummy!Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-17316066172309070322009-07-11T06:34:00.001-04:002009-07-11T06:37:19.187-04:00Spiritual Desolation: Part IVRodriguez cites the case of a person who persevered forty years in<br /> prayer despite aridity, and experienced great spiritual strength as a<br /> result of it; on occasion, when through aridity he would omit<br /> meditation he felt spiritually weak and incapable of good deeds. St.<br /> Bonaventure and Gerson both say that persons who do not experience the<br /> recollection they would like to have in their meditations, often serve<br /> God better than they would do if they did have it; the reason is that<br /> lack of recollection keeps them more diligent and humble; otherwise<br /> they would become puffed up with spiritual pride and grow tepid, vainly<br /> believing they had reached the summit of sanctity.<br /><br /> What has been said of dryness holds true of temptations also. Certainly<br /> we should strive to avoid temptations; but if God wishes that we be<br /> tempted against faith, purity, or any other virtue, we should not give<br /> in to discouraging lamentations, but submit ourselves with resignation<br /> to God’s holy will. St. Paul asked to be freed from temptations to<br /> impurity and our Lord answered him, saying: “My grace is sufficient for<br /> thee [72] .”<br /><br /> So should we act when we find ourselves victims of unrelenting<br /> temptations and God seemingly deaf to our prayers. Let us then say:<br /> “Lord, do with me, let happen to me what thou wilt; thy grace is<br /> sufficient for me. Only never let me lose this grace.” Consent to<br /> temptation, not temptation of itself, can make us lose the grace of<br /> God. Temptation resisted keeps us humble, brings us greater merit,<br /> makes us have frequent recourse to God, thus preserving us from<br /> offending him and unites us more closely to him in the bonds of his<br /> holy love.<br /><br /><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px;">Uniformity With God's Will<br />Saint Alphonsus de Liguori</span></span>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-56212614790570982312009-07-11T06:26:00.003-04:002009-07-11T06:33:53.429-04:00Mary, Lady of the Offering: Day Five of Novena to Our Lady of Mount CarmelFifth Day<br /><br />Mary, Lady of the offering<br /><br />Listening to the Word: The presentation at the temple (Lk 2: 22-32)<br /><br />Reflection:<br />Let us try to stand as spectators at this event:<br />Mary, Joseph and Jesus, a family that goes to the temple<br />to offer the child to the Lord. If we wish to translate this<br />event into our terms, it is a little like a family that prepares<br />to take a child for baptism. We have so often taken part in<br />festivities of this kind. However, let us try to examine the<br />Mother's heart: she wholeheartedly offers to God the child<br />to whom she gave birth.<br /><br />Are we capable of imitating her in our daily life?<br /><br />Prayer:<br />Daughter of Sion, Lady of the offering,<br />envelop our hearts so that we may belong to Jesus completely.<br />Daughter of Sion, Lady of the offering,<br />free our hearts so that without any fear we may be exclusively His property.<br />Daughter of Sion, Mother so tender, make our hearts like yours.<br /><br />My commitment<br />is to detach myself from something to which<br />I am greatly attached and offer it to someone<br />I particularly do not like.<br /><br />This is so that I may imitate the Mother of my Lord<br />who offered Her Son with a pure heart.<br /><br /> Flower of Carmel<br /> Vine blossom-laden,<br /> splendour of heaven,<br /> Child-bearing yet maiden,<br /> None equals thee.<br /> Mother so tender,<br /> whom no man didst know,<br /> On Carmel's children<br /> thy favours bestow,<br /> Star of the sea.<br /><br />More from Carmelite Site <a href="http://www.ocarm.org/">Here</a>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6985365374083897992.post-33268685808660792032009-07-11T06:11:00.000-04:002009-07-11T06:13:07.860-04:00The Word<i>The Father uttered one Word; that Word is His Son, and He utters Him forever in everlasting silence: and in silence the soul has to hear it. </i> <b>- St. John of the Cross</b>Lindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03679128824542229646noreply@blogger.com0