Thoughts Along the Journey

It's hard to believe our oldest son is now a junior in high school! Our youngest is an 8th grader.  Life sure flies by, doesn't it? One of the biggest changes in our life:  my husband was accepted into a year of aspirancy for the diaconate in our diocese .  And you're probably asking:  WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!  Well, it means he is one step closer to being accepted into the formation program for the diaconate.  Does that clear things up?  :o)  In the Catholic Church, a man is ordained into the diaconate.  In order to be a deacon, he must have a heart to serve and be willing to do whatever the bishop needs.  He ministers in word, liturgy, and charity.  Basically, this means he teaches the Word of God in various capacities, assists at the liturgy, and does charitable works (in prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.).  To get to this point, we went through a series of interviews, filled out a lot of paperwork, and prayed and p...

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We are called to embrace the cross of Christ. The problem:  when you embrace a cross, you will inevitably end up with many splinters.  The solution:  those splinters contain life-giving Blood. That which wounds is also that which heals. "But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. "   Galatians 6:14

So you have been reading this series of posts over the past few weeks, and now you're wondering:  How DO I get to know God? Instead of "reinventing the wheel," I refer you to an excellent website.  The article is, "Do You Know Jesus?" After you take the time to read it, please leave me a comment!

In keeping with the theme of this series, I give you these verses to ponder today: "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.  He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. " I John 2:3-6  

If you read yesterday's post , then you now know more ABOUT me.  But do you really know ME?  Or do you just know more information about me? For those who have read my blog for any time at all, you know I'm going somewhere with this whole series.  It's not about me.  It's about truth. Many, many people (millions is an estimate) know about God.  He is the Creator.  He is Almighty.  He is All-Knowing.  He is the Father of the universe.  He is loving.  He is righteous.  He is holy.  He is the provider of all mankind.  Okay. But there are millions of people who say He is not the Creator, Almighty, All-Knowing, a father (or at least not a good one); that He is hateful, spiteful, judgmental, and could really care less about mankind. There are people who think God is whoever you make Him.  But then, if that's true, He wouldn't really be God, would He? So who's right? I'm not going to tackle the issue of all the ...

So here's the deal:  I know there are people who really don't know "me".  I mean the intents of my heart and words and actions and everything.  I'm not sure my poor husband even does!  :o)  I try my best to convey these things to those around me, so as not to be misunderstood.  I want to show the love of Christ to everyone--even those who don't want it or want to return the same to me. Here's a list of things some people really don't know about me: - I am very sensitive.  My feelings are hurt easily.  My mom has said she rarely raised her voice with me, because simply speaking to me would do the trick.  I love deeply, but it doesn't take much to wound me, either.  The wrong word, the wrong level of voice, or the wrong facial expression.  I take it all so personally. - I try to give people the benefit of the doubt.  To a fault.  "They didn't really mean it that way.  Even though it hurt my feelings, I don't think...