A person may plan his or her whole life journey thinking that the control belongs to them, but sometimes God has other plans. I think it's fine to make plans, and in fact I think it would be irresponsible to live life without making plans, but we have to remind ourselves that we are not the authors of our lives, and when things don't go 'according to plan', or rather they don't go according to our plan, well, then we have to turn our lives over to the Author of Life.
To man belongs the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. ~ Proverbs 16:1
"It is God's knowledge of me, His careful husbanding of the ground of my being, His constant Presence in the garden of my little life that guarantees my joy." ~ W. Phillip Keller
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Keep The Faith
I think it's normal to question life sometimes, normal to question why evil is allowed to perpetrate, normal to ask the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people.
I don't know the answer to any of those questions, I only know that I am striving to no longer base my opinions on only what I am able to see.
Be still, and know that I Am God;... ~ Psalm 46:10
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." ~ St. John of the Cross
I don't know the answer to any of those questions, I only know that I am striving to no longer base my opinions on only what I am able to see.
Be still, and know that I Am God;... ~ Psalm 46:10
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." ~ St. John of the Cross
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Love My Enemies?
Enemy:
One that is antagonistic to another; one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound.
Something harmful or deadly.
We all have enemies in some form. And I just find it hard to imagine anyone truly embracing an enemy.
Okay, I'll admit that this is something that is almost unacceptable to me, especially in light of what is happening in our country today, the sadness of the aftermath of September 11, the recent terrorist attempts, and the arrest of many terrorists who were plotting our destruction.
What's to love?
I have sympathy for misguided commitments, but I don't have any love for those committed to my destruction and/or the destruction of my loved ones and homeland.
But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ~ Luke 6: 27-28
Honestly, there are days I don't much love the people I love! So loving my enemies is a near-impossible task for me.
This is one gigantic hurdle blocking any spiritual growth for me.
I did come across a quote that had an impact on me though, and it's helping a great deal:
"You don't love in your enemies what they are, but what you would have them become by your prayers." ~ St. Augustine
One that is antagonistic to another; one seeking to injure, overthrow, or confound.
Something harmful or deadly.
We all have enemies in some form. And I just find it hard to imagine anyone truly embracing an enemy.
Okay, I'll admit that this is something that is almost unacceptable to me, especially in light of what is happening in our country today, the sadness of the aftermath of September 11, the recent terrorist attempts, and the arrest of many terrorists who were plotting our destruction.
What's to love?
I have sympathy for misguided commitments, but I don't have any love for those committed to my destruction and/or the destruction of my loved ones and homeland.
But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ~ Luke 6: 27-28
Honestly, there are days I don't much love the people I love! So loving my enemies is a near-impossible task for me.
This is one gigantic hurdle blocking any spiritual growth for me.
I did come across a quote that had an impact on me though, and it's helping a great deal:
"You don't love in your enemies what they are, but what you would have them become by your prayers." ~ St. Augustine
Friday, January 1, 2010
Solemnity of Mary
The Solemnity of Mary is also known as The Maternity of Mary, and it celebrates the motherhood of Mary and the characteristics associated with being a mother.
When I used to think of 'solemnity' I thought about something sad and somber, and I didn't really question anything sad associated with Mary as I was raised on The Sorrowful Mother and all the sad events Mary had to bear during her life.
But when I looked up the meaning of the word I came across the definition of 'dignified seriousness' and I thought that summed up perfectly Mary and her acceptance of God's will for her and her Savior Son. And I would imagine that it sums up Mary's characteristics regarding motherhood. But I've let go of my idea that Mary's relationship with God and with her Son was always a somber one. I believe that she had a joyful, loving relationship with Jesus, and I believe she also derived great joy in each of His accomplishments from His very first steps and on into His adult life. And I believe she garnered great strength, and peace, and yes, JOY from her relationship with God.
"The Mighty Has Done Great Things for me; and Holy Is His Name." ~ Luke 1:49
As important as Mary's role was in God's Plan for our Salvation, she was a background figure, and she willingly accepted that role. Mary called herself a 'handmaid' of the Lord. The more accurate translation of the word she used was 'bondservant' and a bondservant was one who willingly sold him or herself into slavery to another. Mary took the role of God's servant with dignified seriousness and she fully accepted and embraced God's Plan.
I pray I can be as accepting of God's Plan for my life.
When I used to think of 'solemnity' I thought about something sad and somber, and I didn't really question anything sad associated with Mary as I was raised on The Sorrowful Mother and all the sad events Mary had to bear during her life.
But when I looked up the meaning of the word I came across the definition of 'dignified seriousness' and I thought that summed up perfectly Mary and her acceptance of God's will for her and her Savior Son. And I would imagine that it sums up Mary's characteristics regarding motherhood. But I've let go of my idea that Mary's relationship with God and with her Son was always a somber one. I believe that she had a joyful, loving relationship with Jesus, and I believe she also derived great joy in each of His accomplishments from His very first steps and on into His adult life. And I believe she garnered great strength, and peace, and yes, JOY from her relationship with God.
"The Mighty Has Done Great Things for me; and Holy Is His Name." ~ Luke 1:49
As important as Mary's role was in God's Plan for our Salvation, she was a background figure, and she willingly accepted that role. Mary called herself a 'handmaid' of the Lord. The more accurate translation of the word she used was 'bondservant' and a bondservant was one who willingly sold him or herself into slavery to another. Mary took the role of God's servant with dignified seriousness and she fully accepted and embraced God's Plan.
I pray I can be as accepting of God's Plan for my life.
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