Thoughts Along the Journey

No matter what your political "leanings" may be, today was a day for the history books. It took almost 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation for our country to officially recognize that segregation was wrong, wrong, wrong. Just over 40 years after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, we have the inauguration of our first black president. I am amazed at this, and, quite honestly, thrilled that it happened in my lifetime. I am concerned with many of the positions President Obama has taken on life issues, with particular regard to abortion. However, I do not believe this is the end of our country, as some ultra-conservatives have espoused. Am I concerned? Of course. Do I disagree with many of the stands he takes on certain issues? Definitely. Do I think God can change the course of things??? Absolutely! I DO believe that we should be praying for our president, his family, our new vice-president and his family, the new cabinet, th...

How is the weather in your part of the country? Our part of the country is in the deep freeze right now. Our windchill this morning was at -35! Wow! The kids are glad for a couple of extra days off school. Unfortunately, I still have to go to work. I'm trying to stay inside as much as possible, though! We have our Internet service back at home now. However, I'm still not finding much time to blog. I mostly just check my e-mail (and still not every day). I'll do my best, though, to at least check for comments when I'm online. This morning, the boys and I were reading the daily Mass readings. The gospel reading was Mark 2:1-12. I told them I have always loved this story. I can't imagine what it would be like to be the homeowner, and suddenly someone is breaking through the roof of my house! I can't imagine how the people standing below must have felt when pieces of roof started coming down, either. I can't grasp the joy the man on the pallet must have ...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year. (Actually, for us, it is still the Christmas season, and will end this Sunday with the remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord.) We spent our Christmas day with my in-laws. In spite of the fact that several among us had the stomach flu, we survived and did have a good time! * * * * * * * * * * In response to Jaybird's question: Yes, I do have a Facebook page. I signed up when some old friends requested me as their "friends". So if you request me as a friend, be forewarned: I am definitely NOT a Facebook junkie! I check my messages and respond as I'm able. But there is only my profile pic (which is the same as the one on my blog), and I rarely post anything. I just don't have the time, between work and family and all. But, it has really been a great way to reconnect with people from the past. * * * * * * * * * * I have to admit something here. For all my good intentions, the peace I crav...

It seems to have snuck up on me quite too quickly this year! Have a wonderful Christmas! May your celebrations be filled with the beauty and wonder of the greatest Gift of all...our Lord Jesus Christ!

When Jesus was before Pilate, Pilate posed this question to Jesus: "What is truth?" (John 18:38) In another passage, Jesus had told His disciples the answer to that question: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Truth seems to be a hot commodity these days. At least, in name. Politicians, media, and the talk show hosts all proclaim to have the truth for our society. The truth for our world. They promise that their version of the truth is "the truth." Of course, when there are contradictions between them all, it is sometimes hard to discern what the REAL truth is! I find this to be true among Christians as well. We are all supposed to believe the same things: that Christ was born of a virgin, grew in grace and wisdom, preached and taught and healed as a Man, died on the cross, and rose again from the dead. And, I think for the most part, we all do believe this. However, when it comes to issues ...

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Advent begins tomorrow! I truly love the season of Advent, though: four weeks of heart preparation for the coming of the Lord. What an awesome time of the year. I especially love the dual meaning of it all. As we prepare to celebrate the Lord's birth, and the entire meaning of Christmas, it is with the privilege of knowing the entire story: He was born, He lived and taught, did incredible miracles, suffered and died on the cross, and rose from the dead--all for the love and salvation of mankind. So as "every heart prepares Him room," it is with the advantage of knowing the history of it all. But there's the dual meaning I mentioned. For as we prepare for His coming, it is also with hearts full of the knowledge that He will indeed come again. His second Advent. The fulfillment. The completion of it all. There is so much unknown about that future day. But it is with great hope that we prepare ...

I just wanted to take this quick chance to wish you all (in the U.S.) a wonderful Thanksgiving. I guess I missed Canada's...but hope you all had a wonderful one, too! My family started this week with a bad case of the stomach flu...first me, then hubby, then, eventually both the boys. Ugh! But, thankfully, we're all on the mend. We're in Michigan visiting family now. I hope you all have a wonderful day as you reminisce on all the goodness of God in your life! "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." II Thessalonians 5:18