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God’s Warning

“ Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have [a]delivered your soul.”-Ezekiel 33:9

 “Therefore you, O son of man, say to the house of Israel: ‘Thus you say, “If our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine[b] away in them, how can we then live?” ’ 11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’’-Ezekiel 33: 10-11

There are three points here that are so important. The first comes from Ezekiel 33:9. We are supposed to warn the wicked. So when we are called “judgmental”, it’s simply not true. We “warn the wicked” because God tells us too. So those who would argue, need to argue with God Himself.

The second point that is so very important is that God “has no pleasure in the death of the wicked”. God wants everyone to go to Heaven, but it is our choice. No one is sadder than God when we do not choose Heaven.

The third is that God is Just. Always.

Persecution Versus Honest Disagreement!

There will come a great time of persecution for those who follow Jesus.  We know this because Jesus warns of this in many different places in God’s Word.  But there are also times of honest disagreement.  However, in honest disagreement there is only love-not hate.

Great persecution will come from non-believers! We shouldn’t be persecuting each other!

Fire-bombing and vandalizing pregnancy centers and churches, threatening to kill our Supreme Court Justices, demonstrating in front of the homes of our Supreme Court Justices (some of who have young children at home) and terrifying all who live there-this is NOT honest agreement.  It’s hate.

And no Christian can ever hate another.  Ever.  Jesus’ two Greatest Commandments are:

“Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”-Matthew 22: 37-39

And He meant them!  And notice, He didn’t say : Love only those we agree with!

However, it’s one thing to disagree, but it is quite another to hurt someone.  To hate someone. 

We need to pray for each other, always.  We need to help one another, always.  And most of all, we need to love each other, now and forever.  Because that is what Jesus commands.

Mary, Christ’s Mother

There is one thing that the children, both at our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima, shared in common: They prayed the Rosary 🙂

Many have heard of the appearance of Mary at Lourdes. Many have visited Lourdes and have been healed. In 1858, Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette 18 times and thousands came along Saint Bernadette. People from all over the world still visit Lourdes and pray for healing of all kinds, and many are miraculously healed!

Written about less, is the shepherds nearby who saw a ray of light that led them to a statue of Mary. And Mary’s appearance in the 16th century. Mary appeared to Angleze de Sagazan. She was very, very poor and uneducated. But she was also very doubt and loved our Lord very much! Miraculously, “abudant” food was provided. A chapel was built and people were healed. One message that Mary gave was, “Do not forget to Thank God for His Blessings!” A message we still work on today 🙂

There is something else we learn, if God does not want something moved, it will not be moved!

But what can we learn today from Mary’s visit to Lourdes? There are so many lessons to be learned from Mary’s appearance in Lourdes. We learn that our Father is still in the business of granting Miracles, and we are reminded to Thank God for His Blessings! Our Father does indeed answer prayers and provides for us :). God still heals the sick, whether that is a physical sickness or a sickness of the heart :).

But we also learn that those who Follow Christ often face opposition and disbelief, but the price is infinitely worth it 🙂

We learn that Mary is kind, gracious and loving. She is constant in her prayers to God for sinners. And in her reminder for the need for Pennance!

And we are reminded one again that Mary loves us with a Mother’s Love, and can pray for us if we ask Her to 🙂

There is one thing that the children, at both our Lady of Lourdes and Our Lady of Fatima, shared in common. They prayed the Rosary. I do to, and it has helped to greatly deepen my faith, for which I am very grateful for. Praying the Rosary can help us all 🙂

God Holds On To Us :)

We all have our struggles.  Our times when life is difficult!  Through much of my life, I have prayed often that if I ever fail to hold onto God as I should, that He would hold on to me.

This morning when I went outside, I saw God holding on to me, with both Hands ?. Prayer answered.  Thank  you Lord ?

We can all pray this prayer and God WILL answer because He loves us. And it’s an important prayer.  We all have times where we have to fight to hold onto our faith.  Times when we struggle with something that has happened in our lives, a crisis of faith some might say.  It may last a few moments or for a while. But one thing I can promise you, if you pray this prayer in Jesus’ Name, God WILL hold onto you, because He really does love you and He understands!

Don’t give up, hold on and know that God loves you and will hold on to! 🙂

Standing In The Rainbow :)

“So Jesus said to them, “… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”-Matthew 17:20

On June 25th, in the morning, I went outside.  Our Father God said that He had something special to show me ?.  And so, of course, I jumped up and ran outside.  After all, who would want to miss that!

I went outside and there was yellow all around me.  But it seemed different somehow, and then I realized it was the yellow of a mustard seed.  And we all know the story of the mustard seed ?

I stood for a number of moments, surrounded by that light as far as I could see, to the point I could see nothing but that yellow light.

I didn’t fully understand until later in the day when I was surrounded by vivid rainbows.  They all had exactly the same yellow I had seen that morning!

And I realized, that in that very morning,  I had been  Standing in the Rainbow.  Standing in God’s Promise Kept ?

For I had indeed just started with a mustard seed of faith, that by God’s Good Grace, had grown ?

“I Am A Christian”

A really good friend sent this to me, and I thought it was so wonderful I wanted to share it.  My friend, who is in prison, teaches me so much about faith. He sent me the below poem called, “I Am A Christian” By Maya Angelou .                                                                                                            

“When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name

When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved”

A Grateful Heart :)

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”-Lamentations 3: 22-23

God’s Goodness is Amazing ?.  His mercies are new every morning.  It matters not what we did yesterday, any sin that we asked for forgiveness in Jesus’ name, is already forgiven.  And so we start every day “new”.  And God’s Blessings are new every day.  We just have to look for them!  And if we are having trouble seeing them, we can just ask God to help us ?

And God’s Faithfulness can be trusted. I don’t know about you, but I know despite my best efforts, sometimes I fail to be there for the person that I love, but God does not. God is ALWAY there and He ALWAYS will be 🙂

Sometimes difficult things happen to us in this life on earth, but God Promises us that: “…that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”-Romans 8:28. This is such a comfort! There is something infinitely comforting and good in knowing that any pain that we have will somehow be used to the good 🙂

My best friend shared this verse with me, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”- Psalm 51:12.  Life can be so hard, and it can be tiring, but God never meant us to feel sad or tired for too long.  So If we are struggling to overcome either, it is good to ask God to Restore Your Joy, I promise, you will be glad you did ?

It is difficult to be grateful and unhappy at the same time.  So we need to count the Blessings in our lives, for a  grateful heart is pleasing to God because He loves us. 

So please, take a moment, look around at all the Blessings that do surround you, and say Thank You to the one who provided them to you.  For all good things come from Lord. Thank You Lord! ?


When The “Day” Is Hard…

“For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.”-Isaiah 41:13

Some days are just hard.  Someone we love leaves for Heaven, our children grow up and move on, we lose a job or a home, someone we care about hurts us deeply, the list is endless…And although others may feel their hardships are harder than ours’, our hardships are hard to us!  But through it all, Jesus walks with us.  And at times, when needed, He carries us ?

One important thing to remember when we are having a difficult day is that some things are supposed to be hard.   And we are supposed to feel badly about them because they are hard.  But if we let them, they often bring us closer to God.  And that is the silver lining ?.

“Wrestling with our deepest pain is hard.  But if the Bible doesn’t hide stories about suffering, neither should we.”-YouVersion 

I’ve struggled with a series of serious health issues most of my life.  Too say that my younger years were difficult would be an understatement.  To say that my older years are difficult would also be an understatement.  My youngest daughter just moved to her own apartment.  It may be exactly what she should do, but it is still not easy. For 28 years, I have had a child at home, this will be a big change.  My mother is in hospice and I just lost my job…And this is only a partial list! But when we share some of the difficulties we have faced, we let others do the same!

I share this because through all these “hard” days, God has never left me. And I share this so each person will know, hardships are not an indication of God’s Love. God loves me!  Jesus has walked with me and carried me when needed and the Holy Spirit has comforted me.  And Mary has hugged me And I am so very grateful!  ?. 

Hardship is not a “sign” that God has left me (or anyone else), He’s right here, walking through it all with me.  And I am deeply grateful, for the “silver lining” that has always been the Faith that God has given me.  For when we lose one thing, God gives us another-if we let Him ?

Do not fear hardships.  Thanks to God, for those who follow Christ, they will always lead somewhere beautiful and good – because God loves us ?.

Good Deeds & God’s Love :)

A great friend sent me this, I just had to share 🙂

“With all the chaos, violence, unrest, disease, fear taking place in the world today, one does not find good deeds and God’s Love being shown in the news very much.

Truly, good deeds and God’s Love are happening MUCH more than all the bad news and evil put together. Acts of kindness and generosity come in SO many different forms. God’s Love IS also reflected in SO many different ways. Both have the ability to touch us VERY deeply and stick in our memories and spirit, that makes sometimes even small gestures of kindness and sharing God’s Love, a powerful and lasting force in our lives.

IS it not inspiring to witness someone, going out of their way to help someone else who has needs? IS it not also inspiring to witness someone sharing God’s Love openly and without shame or hesitation? Good deeds and God’s Love have no age limit or restrictions. One may clearly see that in the generosity of very young people, especially in their imagination of ways to help others. Sometimes one may receive God’s Blessings, in their darkest hour, when looking for hope. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “One of the most beautiful compensations in life is that no man can help another without helping himself.” Goodness and God’s Love have a way of coming back. One doesn’t have to do good deeds or share God’s Love for a return. It just happens. The lessons out of good deeds and God’s Love remain to inspire everyone to do the same. God’s Light stands out as His Beacon for others to follow. United together, with our Heavenly Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are stronger. Evil attempts to disrupt this Union of faith by clever and widespread scams, that are making God’s Children distrust each other more than ever.

ALWAYS go to God for His Direction, to reach out and help others, whether in needs or sharing Him. Do NOT hesitate in action, when His Holy Spirit stirs your heart. Praying with someone or for someone, who may be scared or worried about their future, is VERY important too. Live to give!!

My thoughts and prayers are that you live to give. That you share good deeds and God’s Love ALL the time! That you respond with kindness and be like Christ, even when confronted with cruel words and evil. That you represent Him well and inspire others to do the same. In Jesus’ Name. Thy Will be done. Amen. Peace”

“The Blessedness of Dwelling in the House of God”

Psalm 84 is a wonderful prayer! Not only does it remind us of how wonderful God’s House is, it gives us a prayer to say when we just don’t have any more prayers to offer 🙂

“84 How lovely [b]is Your tabernacle,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You. Selah

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of [c]Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with [d]pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
[e]Each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your [f]anointed.

10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather [g]be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.

12 O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”-Psalm 84