A Simple Twist of Faith

Life is A Journey

Today, I have the honor of writing  at Mom to the Screaming Masses.  Recently, Carmen wrote about the different paths she had taken in her life, and the roads less traveled .  I definitely could relate to this post.  Life is a journey and I have traveled many paths in my 47 years.

To read more, click here 

Rejoice Always

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to “Rejoice Always.”  (II Thessalonians 5: 16)  During the Christmas season, as I was rushing all over town in my mini-van, I hear a segment on the radio that has stuck with me.  The interview was on happiness.  In the conversation, the guest asserted that 50% of happiness comes from hereditary sources.  One is born with a sanguine or melancholy disposition.  10% of happiness comes from life circumstances. One’s finances, social, economic, and physical well being are included in this percentage.  That leaves 40% of happiness based on a choice, choosing to be happy.  40%!

What is Wisdom?

This morning, I read the following reflection on Psalm 37 in Give Us This Day  and thought I would like to share it with you, my friends:

"What then is wisdom?  It is concerned that life should have meaning, have a part in what endures.  Wisdom takes care that in the end a man should not stand empty-handed.  It is based upon the gift of distinguishing what is valuable and what is cheap, what endures and what passes, what is genuine and what is specious...

    But if we ask, "What then shall I do?  Wisdom, counsel me!" then wisdom replies, " You must learn to dstinguish.  You must bring into your life things that are of divine character, things that do not merely pile up or excite, but have value."

    And what has value? Wisdom replies, "the good!" When we have a duty, even though it is unpleasant, the situation changes, the action is past, but something remains: the good has been done.  This has divine character.

    Or if I act kindly towards a person, whom perhaps I do not like, try to understand him, help him-in this fulfillment of the divine command something takes place which remains...

    So we might speak of many things-also of this-ad it would not be unimportant-that it is a part of wisdom to be careful of one's own wisdom.  It is a virtue which is easily spoiled. If one is too conscious of it, or emphasizes it, then wisdom itself becomes folly, and a greater than that which it sought to overcome. "

Fr. Romano Guardini, The Wisdom of the Psalms

My "TO DO" List for 2012

I always like to start my New Year's Resolutions on Chinese New Year.  Chinese New Year celebration started on the new moon (January 23 this year) and is a 15 day celebration ending with the Lantern Festival on the full moon. 

I read this passage a few weeks ago, and have been pondering their implication in my life. 

Saint Paul always gives great advice.

Rejoice Always

Pray unceasingly.

In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophetic utterances.

Test everything; retain what is good.

Refrain from every kind of evil.

(2 Thessalonians 5:16-22)

Let's see how I make out for 2012.   

 

 

Love Thy Neighbor

An inspiring story of generosity, and acceptance:

" In 1966, a young Palestinian man traveled with his young wife and infant daughter from the turmoil filled and troubled Palestine to live in the land of opportunity, the good old U.S.A.

  Now leaving Palestine wasn't easy for them. First of all, this was their home. Secondly, he was barely 25 years of age with a High School education and she was 20 years old with more limited education. America was entirely different than their little villages in Palestine. It was bigger, busier, faster, and a bit scarier because everyone was so different. Both left behind nearly all of their family and friends with the belief that opportunity and a better life for them and their little girl could be found in America.

  They found a small apartment in Stuart Gardens Apartments in Newport News, Virginia.

  This is a story about kindness, a sense of community, color blindness and compassion. It's about the good people who lived in Stuart Gardens Apartments. It's about a part of the American Spirit that I think needs a little awakening today."

Read more here

From Death to Life Part 6

Over the past two months, I have been sharing my personal journey back to the practice of my faith and full communion with the Catholic Church. How I lost my faith in God, and how through God’s grace and loving care I was able to repair my relationship with God our Father and experience the loving care he has for me in my life. 

Please join me, you may want to get a cup of coffee first …  

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5

I took an extended break from blogging during the Christmas season, but now I am back with part 6. 

From Death to Life Part 5

Over the next several  Sundays, I have been sharing my personal journey back to the practice of my faith and full communion with the Catholic Church. How I lost my faith in God, and how through God’s grace and loving care I was able to repair my relationship with God our Father and experience the loving care he has for me in my life. 

Please join me…week 1, week 2, week 3, and week 4

 

It was then in my darkest hour when I let go of my plans, and allowed the Lord to direct my life that the answer came. Listen to our Savior’s own agony in Matthew 26: 36-39:

“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray. “ He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, “My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with Me.” He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.”

Control versus Surrender.

 Although I had a new life in Christ, I was still trying to live life on my own terms.   Subconsciously, I thought, I am now doing what I am suppose to be doing, I am going to Church, I was participating in the Sacraments, I have repented and reformed my life.  What isn’t God giving me the life that I so desperately want?

How Beautiful Are the Feet

Today's reading as we celebrate the feast of Saint Andrew the apostle:

Brothers and Sisters: If you confess with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.  The Scripture says,

No on who believes in him will be put to shame.

There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all who call upon him.

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

But how can they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how can they hear without someone to preach?  And how can people reach unless they are sent? As it is written,

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!

But not everyone has heeded the good news; for Isaiah says,

Lord, who has believed what was heard from us?

Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.  But I ask, did they not hear?  Certainly they did;for

Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

Romans 10:9-18

 Lord, help me be those feet.

From Death into Life Part 4

" Come Back to me"

 

Over the past several Sundays, I have been sharing my personal journey back to the practice of my faith and full communion with the Catholic Church. How I lost my faith in God, and how through God’s grace and loving care I was able to repair my relationship with God our Father and experience the loving care he has for me in my life.

Here is Part 1

Here is Part 2

Here is Part 3

and here is Part 4

From Death into Life Part 3

" You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thrist."

  

Over the next several Sundays, I will be sharing my personal journey back to the practice of my faith and full communion with the Catholic Church. How I lost my faith in God, and how through God’s grace and loving care I was able to repair my relationship with God our Father and experience the loving care he has for me in my life. 

Here is Part 1

Here is Part 2

and here is Part 3