Our most powerful weapon is prayer.....

Prayer to the Blessed Virgin, (never known to fail.) O most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful, Vine Splendor of Heaven Blessed Mother of the Son of God. Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein You are my Mother. Oh Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech You from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make your request.) There are none that can withstand Your power. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). Amen. Say this prayer for three consecutive days. You must publish, and it will be granted to you.

Look who's back!

Let's see, there was a wedding, a few holidays, lots of birthdays and days spent in much needed solitude. That's where I've been. I'm sorely behind on my blog and am trying to put things back into working order. With that said and with the topic of this winter's weather being left unsaid, it is time to take notes again. Lent is soon approaching and it is a time of learning many things. Each Lent that I have entered into with my heart, I find myself at Easter with renewed peace. I'm looking forward to Lent, I need it so much! I've also been using my snowstorm time indoors making things. I'm excited about my new creation, "Maxine". I love making dolls. They are created as you go along and it's amazing how you start to realize this certain personality developing. I taught myself how to work with clay and make these dolls and I'm so glad I did! You know those little scraps of fabric that JoAnn Fabrics give out, they are located in a clear plastic pocket right next to the roll of fabric? I love fabric/fiber and I can't resist taking a few just to study the colors, etc. and try to make something from it. In the evenings when my husband is watching the dreaded outdoor channel, I lose myself in whatever art project I've got. I like to be close by him in the evenings as he is gone all day. But, oh!!!!! that outdoor channel is torture. I can lose myself in my craft, I think that is a priceless gift and very helpful to survival! Here's the message of 1/25/2011 from Our Lady of Medjugorje: "Dear Children, Also today I am with you and I am looking at you and blessing you, and I am not losing hope that this world will change for the good and that peace will reign in the hearts of men. Joy will begin to reign in the hearts of men. Joy will begin to reign in the world because you have opened yourselves to My call and to God's love. The Holy Spirit is changing a multitude of these who have said, "yes". Therefore, I desire to say to you; Thank you for having responded to my call" When I read this my heart jumped for joy!!!!!!!! God bless you♥

There's so much to read. Too much to absorb and retain , at least in my capability. Like putting hands over the ears, I find myself trying to block out the senseless noise of chit-chat and advertising that seems to plaque this internet. It's exhausting to determine which is truth and which is not truth in the media's offerings. But from God, one word says it all and quiets the soul giving peace and assurance. Here is the latest message of Our Lady of Medjugorje, dated October 2nd, 2010: "Dear Children, Today I call you to a humble, my children, humble devotion. Your hearts need to be just. May your crosses be your means in the battle against the sins of the present time. May your weapon be patience and boundless love, a love that knows to wait and which will make you capable of recognizing God's signs- that your life, by humble love, may show the truth to all those who seek it in the darkness of lies. My children, my apostles, help me to open the paths to my Son. Once again, I call you to pray for your shepherds. Alongside them, I will triumph. Thank You." What are the crosses you carry that help you to battle against the sins of the present time? Personally, I'm not sure yet, I've got to think and pray on this for a bit. It seems to be very important to know all about your weapons that you use in battle. Perhaps it is bearing with pain patiently and with humility. Perhaps it is something far more simple than we would think. I know from my own experience, if you ask God to show you the truth He will. Sometimes I've had to search very hard for the truth in a given situation and in the lengthy search I've learned about other issues that I had not considered. I am learning why Jesus is called "Teacher"...............................how beautiful!

Choosing paths

On August 2, 2010, Our Lady of Medjugorje left this message for all of us:

"Today I call you, together with me, to begin to build the Kingdom of Heaven in your hearts; that you may forget what is personal and-led by the example of my Son-think of what is of God. What does He desire of you? Do not permit satan to open paths of earthly happiness, the paths without my Son. My children, they are false and last a short while. My Son exists. I offer you eternal happiness and peace and unity with my Son. With God; I offer you the Kingdom of God.

Thank you"

From experience, I can attest that choosing the wrong path can lead you to destruction. I went through a period of time where I thought my happiness was most important. True, my happiness is important, but I discovered that God is the Author of happiness. So why did I try to find peace and happiness in worldly things?

Geez, ever watch television? That alone can practically warp you beyond repair.

Getting older can put a person in a tailspin and you fall for the false hopes to hold on to your youthful looks and strength. What a waste of time!!! Striving for that which looks good in the commercials? oy vey! But, zillions of us fall for it.

That's fixable though. There really is more to life than health insurance issues, or any other worry we are CONSTANTLY encouraged to fixate on. No wonder folks try to escape reality, those pesky arrows that fly at us. And, there are those that count on us to fall. There are those who rejoice when we fall.

Plenty of things to feel mad/sad/angry at.

I'm not sure who it was that said this, but somebody said that we can use every experience as a spiritual lesson. We can search for God. And, if we can't meet Him halfway, He'll meet us most of the way, but......we have to at least look.

I found that just entertaining the idea that maybe, just maybe some of this religious stuff is real. It could be true. Maybe it would be okay to think the Bible is truth and the ad for whitening our teeth is useless?

Maybe everything really does matter.

Or, if we are all so smart, then why are we destroying each other?

Once you allow yourself to ponder that which is of God, you'll eventually figure it out; you and God, will meet.

Again, She speaks................

"Dear Children! Anew I call you to follow me with joy. I desire to lead all of you to my Son, your Savior. You are not aware that without Him you do not have joy and peace, nor a future of eternal life. Therefore, little children, make good use of this time of joyful prayer and surrender. Thank you for having responded to my call."

_Our Lady, 7/25/2010

Accept the Light

Our Lady's message of June 2, 2010:

"Dear Children, today I call you, with fasting and prayer, to clear the way by which my Son will enter into your hearts. Accept me as a mother and a messenger of God's love and of His desire for your salvation. Free yourself of everything from the past which burdens you and gives you a sense of guilt; of everything that brought you to error - darkness. Accept the Light. Be born anew in the justice of my Son.

Thank You

Each month God sends us His Mother to speak words of hope. If you would like to know more, visit Mej.com.

God bless you ♥

Stay

When speaking to the people of Kerioth, Jesus said, ".........And one must carry stones today, wood tomorrow; a sacrifice today, a deed tomorrow and thus build. You must always build the Temple of God in your hearts." (Poem of the Man God, Volume One, page 416)

A new window in our day chapel, a gift from a fellow parishoner....the Church continues to grow regardless of persecution. Love wins, always.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him. (Lam 3:25)