NOW !!!

What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new. Right now.

Think about it...

Guide Me Lord

Guide me lord, you are my heart you are my strength, you are my hope. Teach me Lord, and guide my way I love you more each passing day.

Thought to ponder upon...

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you remember Christ crucified and be silent."

—John of the Cross

"There's A Reason"

For every pain that we must bear,
For every burden, every care -
There's a reason

For every grief that bows the knee,
For every tear-drop that is shed -
There's a reason

For every hurt, for every plight,
For every lonely, pain-racked night -
There's a reason

But if we trust God as we should,
All this must work out for our good.
He knows the reason.

 Author: Unknown

Don't Speak For Me

That's God

Thought For The Week

Thought For The Week

Thought For The Week

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER MARY

September 8

FEAST OF OUR QUEEN & MOTHER,

THE BIRTH GIVER OF GOD AND EVER VIRGIN MARY

Prayer for Peace in Syria

Please plan to join the millions of other Catholics and Christians worldwide for a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria this Saturday, September 7th. No matter what your political views, it is our hope that this day of prayer and fasting can make a difference to those involved in this tragedy. Saturday is important because it is the vigil of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, Queen of Peace. Please read the message from Pope Francis below and reflect on our calling as Catholics to pray for all of God’s family.

"Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: it is the cry for peace! It is a cry which declares with force: we want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out! War never again! Never again war! Peace is a precious gift, which must be promoted and protected.

"There are so many conflicts in this world which cause me great suffering and worry, but in these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.
"I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from the deep within me. How much suffering, how much devastation, how much pain has the use of arms carried in its wake in that martyred country, especially among civilians and the unarmed! I think of many children who will not see the light of the future! With utmost firmness I condemn the use of chemical weapons: I tell you that those terrible images from recent days are burned into my mind and heart. There is a judgment of God and of history upon our actions which is inescapable! Never has the use of violence brought peace in its wake. War begets war, violence begets violence.
"With all my strength, I ask each party in this conflict to listen to the voice of their own conscience, not to close themselves in solely on their own interests, but rather to look at each other as brothers and decisively and courageously to follow the path of encounter and negotiation, and so overcome blind conflict. With similar vigor I exhort the international community to make every effort to promote clear proposals for peace in that country without further delay, a peace based on dialogue and negotiation, for the good of the entire Syrian people.
"May no effort be spared in guaranteeing humanitarian assistance to those wounded by this terrible conflict, in particular those forced to flee and the many refugees in nearby countries. May humanitarian workers, charged with the task of alleviating the sufferings of these people, be granted access so as to provide the necessary aid.
"What can we do to make peace in the world? As Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love.
"All men and women of good will are bound by the task of pursuing peace. I make a forceful and urgent call to the entire Catholic Church, and also to every Christian of other confessions, as well as to followers of every religion and to those brothers and sisters who do not believe: peace is a good which overcomes every barrier, because it belongs all of humanity!
"I repeat forcefully: it is neither a culture of confrontation nor a culture of conflict which builds harmony within and between peoples, but rather a culture of encounter and a culture of dialogue; this is the only way to peace.
"May the plea for peace rise up and touch the heart of everyone so that they may lay down their weapons and let themselves be led by the desire for peace.
"To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite each person, including our fellow Christians, followers of other religions and all men of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.
"On 7 September, in Saint Peter's Square, here, from 7 p.m. until 12 a.m. we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God's great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world.Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.
"Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: may she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!" 

Prayer for Peace in Syria

God of Compassion,
Hear the cries of the people of Syria,
Bring healing to those suffering from the violence,
Bring comfort to those mourning the dead,
Strengthen Syria's neighbors in their care and welcome for refugees, Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms,
And protect those committed to peace.
God of Hope,
Inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies,
Inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria,
And give us hope for a future of peace built on justice for all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World, Amen.

Petition: For the people of Syria, that God may strengthen the resolve of leaders to end the fighting and choose a future of peace. We pray to the Lord...

Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

In Their Words - 20 Quotes from the Saints

"Faith is to believe what you do not see. The reward of this faith is to see what you believe."
- St. Augustine of Hippo

"I believe though I do not comprehend, and I hold by faith what I cannot grasp with the mind."
 - St. Bernard

"If you do not hope, you will not find what is beyond your hopes."
 - St. Clement of Alexandria

"A joyful heart is more easily made perfect than one that is cast down." 
- St. Philip Neri

"Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary, use words."    
- St. Francis of Assissi

"It is love alone that gives worth to all things."
 - St. Teresa of Avila

"Love is best shown in deeds, rather than words."
 - St. Ignatius of Loyola

"Love the sinner, hate the sin." 
- St. Augustine of Hippo

"Without love, deeds, even the most brillliant, count as nothing."
 - St. Therese of Lisieux

"The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God shall know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers."
 - St. Maximillian Kolbe

"The nation...doesn't simply need what we have. It needs what we are." 
- Edith Stein (St. Teresia Benedicta)

"If Paul exhorts us to pray for one another, and we gladly think it right to ask every poor man to pray for us, should we think it evil to ask the holy Saints in Heaven to do the same?" 
 - St. Thomas More

"Go forth, and set the world on fire." 
- St. Ignatius of Loyola

"If you are what you should be you will set the whole world ablaze."
 - St. Catherine of Siena"

If a man wishes to be sure of the road he treads on, he must close his eyes and walk in the dark." 
- St. John of the Cross

"What a great favor God does, to those he puts in the company of good people." 
- St. Teresa of Avila

"Pray, hope and don't worry." 
- St. Pio of Pietrelcino

"Love God, serve God; everything is in that." 
- St. Clare of Assissi

"My longing for truth was a single prayer." 
- Edith Stein (St. Teresia Benedicta of the Cross)

"Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger." 
- St. Patrick

Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

Padre Pio Quotes

"Pray, hope, and don't worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer."

"Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God's heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips, but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should only speak to Him with your heart."

"The longer the trial to which God subjects you, the greater the goodness in comforting you during the time of the trial and in the exaltation after the combat. "

"Fear not because God is with you."

"Prayer is the oxygen of the soul."

"Who can assure us that we will be alive tomorrow? Let us listen to the voice of our conscience, to the voice of the royal prophet: "Today, if you hear God's voice, harden not your heart." Let us not put off from one moment to another (what we should do) because the (next moment) is not yet ours. "

"Oh, how precious time is! Blessed are those who know how to make good use of it. Oh, if only all could understand how precious time is, undoubtedly everyone would do his best to spend it in a praiseworthy manner!"

Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

An Inspirational Prayer

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then. Put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations, and say continually: "The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me, and I in Him."

St. Francis de Sales

LIVE FOR TODAY!

I don’t know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what lies ahead.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I’m covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

The LORD executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 

For as the heavens are high above the earth
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father pities his children,
So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust. 

As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him, 
To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 

The LORD has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all. 

Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word, 
Heeding the voice of His word.
Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
Bless the LORD, all His works,
In all places of His dominion. 

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

What's Your Story ?

Canticle of the Sun

    by St. Francis of Assisi, Translation from the original Italian            

    Most high, all-powerful, all good, Lord!

        All praise is yours, all glory, all honor

        And all blessing.

    To you alone, Most High, do they belong.

        No mortal lips are worthy

        To pronounce your name.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through all that you have made,

        And first my lord Brother Sun,

        Who brings the day; and light you give to us

        through him.

    How beautiful is he, how radiant in all his splendor!

        Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Moon and Stars;

        In the heavens you have made them, bright

        And precious and fair.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,

        And fair and stormy, all the weather's moods,

        By which you cherish all that you have made.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Water,

        so useful, lowly, precious, and pure.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through Brother Fire,

        Through whom you brighten up the night.

        How beautiful he is, how joyful!  Full of power and strength.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth,

        Who feeds us in her sovereignty and produces

        Various fruits and colored flowers and herbs.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through those who grant pardon

        For love of you; through those who endure

        Sickness and trial.

    Happy those who endure in peace,

        By you, Most High, they will be crowned.

    All praise be yours, my Lord, through Sister Death,

        From whose embrace no mortal can escape.

    Woe to those who die in mortal sin!

    Happy those She finds doing your will!

        The second death can do no harm to them.

    Praise and bless my Lord, and give him thanks,

        And serve him with great humility.

Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

---

                 Make your life a prayer.

 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:18

New International Version (NIV)

Obstacle

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!
The King’s Road Block By: Author unknown.

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our present condition. We often fail to see beyond the obstacle. Problems are there in every person’s life but the way we look at the problem is what matters. We can make a mess of our lives, feel sorry for ourself, get discourage  or we can chose to handle our problem. We need to go beyond the problem to get the solution. Trials make us stronger. Life is full of challenges but God will help us to face these challenges and make a way to take us through it!.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance.” Romans 5:3

Happy Fathers Day to my Heavenly Father God and to all Fathers!

Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

Four Little Words

“Thy will be done.”
 What a comfort those four little words are to my soul. I have repeated them until they are softened to the sweetest harmony. We are in darkness, and must be thankful that our knowledge is not needed to perfect thy work. 
—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The Power Of Words

  Lets lift each other up with our words and actions.


Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

Thought For The Week

                  LET JESUS IN !


"Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ."
-Venerable John Paul II

What Suffering Teach Us

In a cross is where my Jesus hung and die for me, it is at the foot of that cross where I leave and offered all my suffering, worries and disappointment to my God for the conversion of sinners and the atonement of my sins and of the whole world.
When I suffered I am reminded of how much our Lord endure for our salvation. I had and still have my share of suffering, but I now look at it in a different light. It has made me a better more understanding  person, I appreciate each day more and try to live with more compassion and love for others.

What suffering teach us.
We derive immense merit from every suffering borne patiently, even the little sufferings of our daily live.
God will give us abundant strength to bear suffering if we only ask Him.
If we bear our suffering patiently, they lose their sting of bitterness.
Above all, every suffering is a share in the Passion of our Lord.

Five Bible Verses About Suffering
Romans 5: 3-5
³ And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, ⁴ and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, ⁵ and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

1Peter 5:10
¹⁰ And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 8:18
¹⁸ I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.

John 16:33
³³ I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

1 Peter 4:12-13
¹² Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.

Prayer
“May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, danse, praise and love. 
It is there for each and everyone of you.” 
Teresa of Avila


Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

Psalm 121

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
From where will my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
the maker of heaven and earth.
God will not allow your foot to slip;
your guardian does not sleep.
Truly, the guardian of Israel
never slumbers nor sleeps.
The LORD is your guardian;
the LORD is your shade
at your righthand.
By day the sun cannot harm you,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will guard you from all evil,
will always guard your life.
The LORD will guard your coming and going
both now and forever.

Joy !

Living in joy is a choice! And I am choosing joy more and more everyday. After letting go and letting God be God, life is so much more enjoyable. I release all pressures, fears, worries and anxiety . I am focusing only on the present moment...who knows what lies ahead tomorrow...today is only where I live in God's tender loving care.

Below are some bible verses about joy.

You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ - Acts 2:28

'But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.' - Luke 10:20

'Verily, verily, I say unto you, you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned to joy.' - John 16:20

'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace' – Galatians 5:22

'Our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.' - Psalm 32:21

'The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song I will praise him.' - Psalm 28:7

'Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.' - Psalm 105:3

'Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation' – Psalm 51:12

'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.' - John 16:33

'And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings and great joy, which shall be to all people.' - Luke 2:10

SCRIPTURE OF THE WEEK – PSALM 118:24

                                     

        This is the day that the Lord has made;
                     let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Let today be the day the Lord has made for you
                        LET IT SHINE ! 

PRAY AND NEVER LOSE HEART

This morning I was thinking of all the mothers that at this moment are suffering the pain of seeing there children walking in the wrong path of life. But if you are one of them do not despair, God's want all their prodigal sons and daughters to come back to Him.
It comes to mind the story of the mother of St. Augustine, how she prayed without ceasing for the conversion of her son. Monica's life can be compared with the often disappointing lives of many of todays mothers.  Her eldest son, Augustine, was brilliant but prodigal. Monica encouraged his studies, but because of his life style, she suffered immensely. She wept so much that a bishop told her, "It is not possible that the son of so many tears should perish." She never ceased to pray for her son. She never focused on her own pain and suffering. She focused only on God and on the conversion of her son. Her prayers were finally answered and her son became a bishop and one of the greatest teachers in the history of the Church.

Saint Monica never gave up. She truly lived the words of Jesus -- to pray always and never lose heart.

Here is her story...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Monica

'Stop your crying and wipe away your tears.
All that you have done for your children will not go unrewarded.
They will return from the enemy's land.
There is hope for your future.
Your children will come back home.
I, the Lord, have spoken'.
(Jer 31: 16,17)

Linked with:Spiritual Sundays

LIFE IS FRAGILE...PRAY!

In the aftermath of what happened in Oklahoma, it made me realize once again the fragility of life.

How daily events in our life can change moment by moment and that we absolutely don't have any control over them..
Only God knows. 
So more and more I am trying to give Him more control over my life, live with gratitude for everything, and make every breath a prayer.

The first prayer of the day to me should be the prayer taught by our Lord, what better prayer than that.

The Lord's prayer is a very important Prayer, it praises the Lord and covers everything we need in this life and to attain eternal happiness.
 Pray it every day, and may God bless you in every way.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.