tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7405165077459693872024-03-05T02:31:11.469-08:00The Simple Way!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-77039357679233597262016-11-17T11:27:00.001-08:002016-11-17T13:42:14.601-08:00Long Long Journey Away To Bethlehem<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Long Long Journey
Away To Bethlehem..<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The gentle strains of this little
known carol came wafting from the rear seat of my car this morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was trying to nudge my way
through the early morning traffic into the CT-15S freeway with my kindergartner
in tow. My thoughts were swirling around the visceral chaos created by many recent
events! And then my little worship-leader-in-training’s lilting yet
authoritative voice said “Now lets’ pray The Hail Mary”. We prayed our Hail Mary
in unison. And then it came again – the self-appointed solo..<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Long Long Journey Away To Bethlehem</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mother Mary brave and mild<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joseph by her side</b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p><br /></o:p></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Bless you my child!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The election furor is not nearly over<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Almost everybody I know (including myself) has an opinion
that was worthy of a throne (or so we think)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">View-point bashing and character defamation is being done –
apparently for rights and liberty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Choice words are being used to disseminate political agendas<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Hate videos in the guise of support for values are
continually being posted on the social media forum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Unborn innocents are under assault and in danger of their skulls being crushed</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Walls have to be built. That neighbor without clothes and
food is to be shunned<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Human dignity and respect is history – a thing of the past. An
anachronism in our day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Immorality and arrogance are to be graciously condoned in
the role models of this new age. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Values – The only thing that is to remain of it is its spelling!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Friends and communities now have deep scars of differences
and the effects of judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Each one views the other with contempt, suspicion and scorn<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The love and compassion so taught by our Lord has come to
naught<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A foundation has been shaken. A city is being divided. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The father of lies is beside himself with delight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">There is bedlam amongst God’s own.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";">The shepherds are headed in different directions – the sheep
are scattered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I am ready my child, weary but hopeful and sure of just one
thing this morning – of The Savior and His Saving Power!!!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">… and that is why I am on my way
with you on that…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Long Long Journey Away To Bethlehem<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mother Mary brave and mild<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Joseph by her side<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Holy Mary Mother of God – Pray for us sinners. Now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-32319707582161338952016-09-14T08:35:00.001-07:002016-09-14T08:52:46.868-07:00Kerygma & Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now what exactly do those two have to do with each other at all?!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yesterday’s
first reading (</span><b><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+12%3A27-31&version=NRSV"><span style="color: blue;">1
Cor 12: 27-31 </span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">) addresses the much debated aspect of spiritual gifts. Discussions in
and around what 'gifts' really mean and are intended for always leave me wondering about how much we deprive the Kingdom of God when our gifts are
undeveloped and not harnessed to the fullest.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">But coming back to the topic - today my kindergartener
brought the two together in that most special sweet way that only she can
somehow manage :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">We were on that dreaded morning drive to school / work and
traffic was chock-a-block on the Merritt Parkway at 6:30 AM!! We had an hour's
commute before we could get to Stop #1.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I was teaching her the tune to the beautiful song "If
you want your dreams to be..." from the movie Brother Sun Sister Moon
(now she has some stake in that song - after all her patron saint St. Clare was
also singing it with St. Francis as they built back a modest chapel with their
bare hands).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Suddenly she asked me if she could "sing songs from her mind"</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Of course, <em>munni</em>”<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> I said.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">And that was it - the rest of the journey was my little
composer putting together the cutest of tunes in her little cherubic voice. The
part that got me was the words. They were not random thoughts or lyrics picked
from the context of a five year old’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The very first line of the first number went "God I love you
so much because you dieeeeeeeeeed for me on the cross!! You save meeeeeeeeee
from sin"!!!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"Claire, little Claire!!" I exclaimed, "Do you realize
that your sweet song has the most important message of the Bible in it!". She
gushed a little and continued “I love yoooooou so much for you dieeeed for
meeeeeeee!!!".</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">That - the saving message - Kerygma - was flowing so easily,
unhindered and at first pass from the unassuming mouth of a kindergartener
using her beautiful voice and her 'composership' (that is what we called it for
just then ;)) was a wake up jolt for me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">How often do I use my gifts - whatever they may be - to bring
the Kerygma message to those who are thirsting for it?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzpDiup07mbHJz8K7pr8iSjdTz6cwRHI4HzyV7_OIpfGqobuDE5MbGQyQNo66ad-leSS4WaUHz_Z0XyJVIlOdgCgoxE_QFmpLA2xwW1cPuaTxWZVvCRYQoMkujObFdk6BUx6NB4fCuIYc/s1600/kerygmaborder.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzpDiup07mbHJz8K7pr8iSjdTz6cwRHI4HzyV7_OIpfGqobuDE5MbGQyQNo66ad-leSS4WaUHz_Z0XyJVIlOdgCgoxE_QFmpLA2xwW1cPuaTxWZVvCRYQoMkujObFdk6BUx6NB4fCuIYc/s400/kerygmaborder.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-91584943853552660932015-06-25T06:56:00.001-07:002015-06-29T10:59:20.825-07:00Little Exorcist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I learnt about spiritual warfare
when I was about 15 years of age. I really understood it when I was about
22.And now trending into my mid-thirties, I still grapple with recognizing the
wiles of the evil one and in ‘putting on the armor of God (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+6%3A11&version=RSV"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Ephesians
6:11</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">)’ to keep the devil at bay. And so it convicts me deeply that this
teaching to recognize the adversary, ‘..the devil who prowls around like a
roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I+peter+5+%3A+8&version=RSV"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">I
Peter 5: 8</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">) ‘comes easily to my almost 4 year old. How else is a quick
calling out of a naughty preschooler tantrum quickly followed by 'I am not
going to do it again mommy - I asked Jesus to help me and He helped me chased
the devil away'? Or how is it that a song of ‘Jesus is the rock and He rolls my
blues away’ modified by a quick thinking preschooler to 'Jesus is the rock and He
rolls the devil away' and used triumphantly almost as a way of admonishing the
way ward Lucifer?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And then I see my 10 month old
watching - wide eyed as his sister goes through the motions. He will learn from
her and hopefully from us and of course through everything that the Good Lord
will put in his heart that 'Jesus is indeed the ROCK and He rolls the devil
AWAY AWAY AWAY!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-61005097804091171172015-06-01T06:45:00.003-07:002015-06-01T08:40:16.370-07:00Did I step on your toe?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It
was just like any other weekday evening - I got back from work ,quickly changed
and snuggled in with little Noah who knows no calm until he has had his good
stuff. But there was a flutter of excitement in the next room. Papa Tony and big
sister Claire were getting ready to do some window gardening. The pots and the
dirt had been bought. The bulbs and the seeds were ready - they all just needed
to be planted. So while Papa Tony spread out sheets and lined up the pots and
filled them with soil, little Claire scurried around being as helpful as she
possibly could. And then came the exchange that wafted through the doors and my
daughter’s thin stoic voice that tugged at my heart strings...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Papa Tony</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in his big daddy
voice</i>): Claire - get on this side and put some mud here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Claire</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: ok Papa... papa, I think I stepped on your toe..<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Papa Tony</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Claire - this side , get on this side.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Claire</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Papa - did I step on your toe?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Papa Tony</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Claire, Claire ... hurry up, this side. We need mud this
side.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Claire</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Papa - did I step on your toe?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Papa Tony</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: See , not this way , come over this side. I need you
this side.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Claire</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Papa - did I step on your toe?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Papa Tony</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: It's ok... don't worry about my toe.. I need you to
listen to me..<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Claire</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: Papa - did I step on your toe?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Papa Tony</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">in his giving up
voice</i>!): No <em>munni</em> - you did not step on my toe. I am just fine..ok ? Now
would you please come this side and help me with this pot?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Claire</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: ok Papa. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What
was that Jesus trying to tell us about being persistent in Luke 11:5 -13? How
come the little ones always get it right? Isn’t it us - the ‘wise mature '
adults who are supposed to be the ones who 'know it all' and 'get it right'?
No wonder we are asked to be like little children to enter the Kingdom of God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">But
what came to me that day was about how persistent my Heavenly Father's voice
must be - trying to find a free available spot in my busyness...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Priya</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: I am busy today God, be with me today.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:
Priya - are you in communion with me today?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Priya</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: I have loads of deliverables at work to get out of the
way <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:
Priya - are you in communion with me today?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Priya</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: I have no time for anything , let alone read my Bible or
catch up on my prayer time<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:
Priya - are you in communion with me today?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Priya</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">: The house is a mess and so is my to-do list. I can't
seem to catch up.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">God</span></b><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">:
Priya - are you in communion with me today?<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If
I am honest, I know I knock God right off the highest place in my heart and
crowd it with everything else - with everything else other than His awesome presence. But today -
maybe I'll take a cue from Papa Tony and let a thin stoic voice (finally!) penetrate right
through and allow it to make all the difference.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-30400658327014929182015-05-20T06:18:00.001-07:002015-05-20T06:20:15.182-07:00Deep things...and then a sandwich<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Joan - the deli lady in my office cafeteria , was making my sandwich last week and I was regaling her with a story of how my little Noah was pulling off his socks right in the middle of the noon day Ascension Feast Mass and how the priest saw the whole thing from the pulpit and caught up with us after to tell us about it. It sparked off an almost immediate spontaneous confession from her about how she was 'actually Catholic' but never really went for Mass. Finding a lovely opportunity to plant a seed - yet again - I probed her gently and her first reason was that 'the priest who she admired and loved when she was a little girl' was now retired and she stopped going ever since he stopped being their parish priest. Hmmm!!! .... And then came the next almost matter of fact reason that a cousin was abused by a priest and that's why....I quickly lifted a prayer - I had to tread carefully and it is no wonder at all that the Holy Spirit quickly put words in my mouth - the words that ONLY God knew would move Joan. Referring to the first reason, the words that tumbled out of my mouth were that if Fr.X only knew he would be a stumbling block in a relationship between Joan and Jesus - he would probably do differently. If he knew his flock disappeared with his retiring, he would be deeply saddened because then it would mean he failed in his life's mission. Joan's face changed colors with that revelation. I knew it struck a cord within her. She gave me a tight squeeze and whispered 'Thank you for telling me that...I'll try and go for Mass again...' and ran into the pantry to wipe tears. I doubly blessed my sandwich as I ate it that day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">"The spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God."—1 COR. 2:10.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-20882042636645850502015-05-06T07:16:00.003-07:002015-05-06T11:21:10.833-07:00The Woman in his life..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">My little Noah is going to be one who is least interested in food. I can see it already!! Exactly the opposite of his sister who has had a great appetite and ate with flourish( well!! at least until recently).We will need to come up with creative ways to feed him. But for now,he is taking in all the action. He likes new faces - will wake up from his sleep to respond to a totally new face peering down at him. He has pretty much started his morning baby personal prayer time - pretty much just like my Claire started early...And as our loving Mother peers down at him from the altar , I pray that she may be his constant intercessor and guide. And may be she the most important woman in his life...I hope that as he grows, I can teach him that 'Real men pray the Rosary' and that it is the most powerful weapon anyone will ever need.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-1303862654430710072015-05-06T07:12:00.002-07:002015-05-06T07:12:45.830-07:00It is OK if you kill me!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: small;">Reading to Claire is such a relaxing activity...but at times she does startle me with her perfect interpretations. Reading from a book of Children's Bible stories, we came across Jesus's passion and crucifixion. She says "Jesus is so good. He said it is ok if you kill me..". Such a statement can surely elicit shocked reactions. But I knew where my little munchkin was coming from. She seemed to have gotten the crux of the salvation story better than any one else I know. She knows that there was no way out of Satan's grasp than the redeeming death of Jesus. She knows so well that our dear Lord would not have backed out of that one - knowing that He was taking us from death to life by his humble willingness to suffer and die on the cross.... Out of the mouth of babes flows the deep transforming truth... nothing but the truth...</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-31824615756668706492015-04-30T06:12:00.001-07:002015-04-30T06:12:05.341-07:00From the mouth of babes!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;">This morning as Tony papa was driving me to work and Claire to Earth Place for her spring break camp - Claire and I were sing a duet - "Jesus loves me this I know.." Our duet style is a little different - we sing alternate lines. Baby brother Noah was watching. My drop off was first and as I was about to out to get out of the car and get into office , little Claire said - "Mama, make sure you teach your office people this song... especially your manager. Let him not be your teacher , but you be his teacher.. " .I said "Of course my sweet Claire". How true it is that truth flows out of the mouth of babes. Sharing the good news should really transcend boundaries... and even little ones know it.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04147339345804508601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-740516507745969387.post-91911245889178903882012-10-09T09:49:00.003-07:002012-10-11T06:13:28.953-07:00The Nehemian Way!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've long since wanted to write - just put down things
in black and white.Nehemiah convinced me this morning that it was worth spending a
few minutes every now and then when possible to put down those beautiful
insights that can only come from sitting still in the awesome presence of God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So Nehemiah was busy at his job </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">indeed </span> - he had a key post
in the Persian court of King Artaxerxes I (who will be referred to as KA-I from
here-on in the interest of space and readability) at the capital city of Susa. He held a coveted position of a cup bearer
to KA-I. His circumstances by no means favored him being of any use to
Jerusalem - the City of God. He had an important job to safeguard with plenty
of competition submitting resumes for the same position. His boss - KA-I - was
a pagan who found it easier to be neutral to the Jews and had no interest with
anything that had to do with Judah or the Temple of God. But Nehemiah wore his heart on
his sleeve. Nehemiah's heart was one of worship and reverence and it broke him when he heard that
Jerusalem was in ruins and the gates were destroyed by fire and that the few
survivors were in great danger. His commitment to the Lord loomed larger than
his position and his plush couch at the palace. Out of sight was not really out
of mind for him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What struck me this morning was the wonderful way God
responded to Nehemiah's cry for deliverance for Jerusalem. God made the
impossible possible (Ha! I must remember to say more about this
impossible-possible business later in my blog - not just now) ...KA-I notices
Nehemiah's sadness and gives him permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild
the city and its fortifications (of course Nehemiah had to specify a date when
he would return from vacation). He is even given letters from KA-I to
ensure safe passage via hostile territory and to obtain timber from </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">KA-I </span>’s forest for the gates
and walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah Chapters 2 and 3 speak in detail how God enabled
Nehemiah to singlehandedly and strategically plan and rebuild the blessed city.
The walls and gates were complete in 52 days !! (Nehemiah 6:15)..What's more - the
enemies saw the hand of God and knew that it was not the work of man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"Nehemiah
6:16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were
afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem; for they perceived that this work
had been accomplished with the help of our God".</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What a victory! Let us re-cap:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Pagan KA-I convinced
to send </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nehemiah </span>on a mission that he does not believe in in the first place.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Nehemiah,</span>with no
prior experience in the reconstruction industry restores and resurrects a whole city and
puts the zeal for God's house back into a frightened multitude.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enemies awestruck
and terrified.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nehemiah wraps up MJ [Mission Jerusalem] by documenting a whole genealogy which is stowed away for generations to come.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I guess now I am left with questions like "What if
there wasn't a certain Nehemiah whose heart was alive for the Lord and what if
this Nehemiah did not go on his knees for the City of God?" and "Does God want me to respond to a certain need for restoration
somewhere - if yes, am I on my knees and listening for directions?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">End of today's blog - :) ..Oh wait! Not just yet ...remember
my reminder note to talk about the possible -impossible thing. Oh well! Here it is - Just yesterday a very dear Dominican priest friend shared a
saying by St. Clare (my darling daughter's patron saint). So St. Clare said “For
a heart that loves God everything is possible; but for a heart that does not
love God everything is impossible”. Sounds like Nehemiah for sure but does it
sound like me? Let me go home and find out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
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