Hi everyone. This small miracle happened on Thanksgiving 2009.
I went to the early Thankgiving mass at my parish to watch my dad give his first homily. I prayed for my Grandma G. (She passed away 4 years ago and always joined us for our Thanksgiving meal.) I prayed that she was happy and at peace with God in heaven.
When we got back home, my brother and I walked into the living room. He looked out the window and into our crab apple tree. He saw 2 things and asked me what they were. I wasn't sure so he yelled to our mom, who was in the kitchen. She saw woodpecker and something else. (It was bright red.)
She took out her binoculars and then she saw it... It was an apple! She then called my dad and he also saw it. We all were in amazement that a regular sized apple was in our tree!
The red apple in the tree represented "Grandma G". She IS happy and will be with us for Thanksgiving, in spirit.
Have you experienced a miracle in your life?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Actions speak louder than words
I'm sure someone has told you that at least once in your life. But have you ever wondered about the meaning behind it?
I have been told that twice in my life. My ex-boyfriend told it to me, towards the end of our relationship. And, just recently, my platonic male friend told it to me. I began to wonder what the line truly means.
It's GREAT to read the Bible and memorize some key verses. When you read the Bible, do so slowly in order to grasp the meaning. When you understand the meaning, write it down in a notebook. The simple act of writing helps us remember what we learned.
After writing it down, we must then live it. I can attest to the fact that it is not easy. Last Thursday, one of my friends invited me to her birthday dinner. (My platonic male friend was also there.) My platonic male friend brought his 2 year old daughter along and she started crying, so he took her to another room. I looked at his empty chair and started thinking. I debated, for several minutes, wheher or not I should talk with him. I finally made up my mind and did not. (I thought he wanted time alone with his daughter.) He e-mailed me 2 days later and was upset; he thought I ignored him. I explained my thoughts and he wrote back saying: actions speak louder than words.
Yes, actions DO speak louder than words. We must live what we learn from the Bible. If we do not, we are the same as non-Christians. I'm not saying living our faith is easy, because it's not! We should pray "God, you know how I struggle with life. Give me the courage to live my faith this day and all rest of my days. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen."
I have been told that twice in my life. My ex-boyfriend told it to me, towards the end of our relationship. And, just recently, my platonic male friend told it to me. I began to wonder what the line truly means.
It's GREAT to read the Bible and memorize some key verses. When you read the Bible, do so slowly in order to grasp the meaning. When you understand the meaning, write it down in a notebook. The simple act of writing helps us remember what we learned.
After writing it down, we must then live it. I can attest to the fact that it is not easy. Last Thursday, one of my friends invited me to her birthday dinner. (My platonic male friend was also there.) My platonic male friend brought his 2 year old daughter along and she started crying, so he took her to another room. I looked at his empty chair and started thinking. I debated, for several minutes, wheher or not I should talk with him. I finally made up my mind and did not. (I thought he wanted time alone with his daughter.) He e-mailed me 2 days later and was upset; he thought I ignored him. I explained my thoughts and he wrote back saying: actions speak louder than words.
Yes, actions DO speak louder than words. We must live what we learn from the Bible. If we do not, we are the same as non-Christians. I'm not saying living our faith is easy, because it's not! We should pray "God, you know how I struggle with life. Give me the courage to live my faith this day and all rest of my days. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The power of forgiveness
I have been thinking about the power of forgiveness lately. In September, I went to the yearly retreat thru my church. During the retreat, I went to the healing service. (The service heals you from physical or emotional problems.) As the priest made his way thru the people, I prayed to forgive my ex-boyfriend and the strengthening of my friendship with Sara. (She is friends with my ex-boyfriend.) There are no adjectives for what happened next. All of a sudden, I felt heat run thru my entire body!
I had another powerful experience the next day, Sunday. When I woke up, I could not remember what my ex-boyfriend looked like! I tried hard to remember his facial features, but simply could not. God helped me completely forgive John!
I needed time to heal from my ex, so I did not contact my friend for 2 months. I called for this first time on November 9 and explained why I haven't contacted her.
She completely understood and our friendship has never been stronger.
God is great!
I had another powerful experience the next day, Sunday. When I woke up, I could not remember what my ex-boyfriend looked like! I tried hard to remember his facial features, but simply could not. God helped me completely forgive John!
I needed time to heal from my ex, so I did not contact my friend for 2 months. I called for this first time on November 9 and explained why I haven't contacted her.
She completely understood and our friendship has never been stronger.
God is great!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Is suffering bad?
Each of us have gone thru many struggles in our lifetime. Nine times out of ten, our struggles are not suffering; it is our emotions. When most of us suffer, the first thing we do is cry. Sadness is a very strong and powerful emotion.
Many of us suffer from one or two main things: death and the economy. Death is very powerful suffering; we lost someone dear to us. The economy also hits home. Maybe we, ourselves, are out of work or someone we love has lost their job.
Have you considered that suffering can be good? Yes, you read right-- suffering is good. Let me explain.
1 Peter is a great book to read if you are currently going thru a struggle. It discusses how suffering can be good. One verse speaks of suffering for God. (If you were "looked down on" simply because you believe in God.) "But if you endure suffering, even when you have done right, God will bless you for it" (1 Peter: 20)
-- In other words, God will bless you if you suffer because of him. (That is very powerful!)
Another verse speaks in terms of general suffering. "My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you. Rather, be glad that you are sharing Christ's sufferings so that you may be full of joy when His glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13)
-- In other words, we may suffer for a short time here on earth, but God will give us blessings and happiness when we go to heaven.
Feel free to comment and remember that suffering does not last forever.
Many of us suffer from one or two main things: death and the economy. Death is very powerful suffering; we lost someone dear to us. The economy also hits home. Maybe we, ourselves, are out of work or someone we love has lost their job.
Have you considered that suffering can be good? Yes, you read right-- suffering is good. Let me explain.
1 Peter is a great book to read if you are currently going thru a struggle. It discusses how suffering can be good. One verse speaks of suffering for God. (If you were "looked down on" simply because you believe in God.) "But if you endure suffering, even when you have done right, God will bless you for it" (1 Peter: 20)
-- In other words, God will bless you if you suffer because of him. (That is very powerful!)
Another verse speaks in terms of general suffering. "My dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful test you are suffering, as though something unusual were happening to you. Rather, be glad that you are sharing Christ's sufferings so that you may be full of joy when His glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13)
-- In other words, we may suffer for a short time here on earth, but God will give us blessings and happiness when we go to heaven.
Feel free to comment and remember that suffering does not last forever.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
An amazing experience
Hi all. I would like to share with you a very powerful experience I had 5 years ago. Before this experience, it felt like I was going to burn up from heat exhaustion and I even said I'd be guardian angel for a couple of my friends.
This is what happened... I was in downtown Milwaukee, on the corner of Milwaukee and Wisconsin streets. I was waiting for something. I saw VERY bright light in the distance. I watched as the bright light approached me, where I stood. I then saw it was a bus. There were 2 people standing next to me. I saw my neighbor Jim who died 10 years ago and my high school English teacher who died 6 years ago. They stood next to me. Jim walked on the bus and my English teacher whispered to me "get on the bus". I smiled at her and did not get on the bus.
Here it is, 2009, and I remember vividly what happened. I racked my brain trying to come up with an explanation and still do not have one.
Feel free to comment.
This is what happened... I was in downtown Milwaukee, on the corner of Milwaukee and Wisconsin streets. I was waiting for something. I saw VERY bright light in the distance. I watched as the bright light approached me, where I stood. I then saw it was a bus. There were 2 people standing next to me. I saw my neighbor Jim who died 10 years ago and my high school English teacher who died 6 years ago. They stood next to me. Jim walked on the bus and my English teacher whispered to me "get on the bus". I smiled at her and did not get on the bus.
Here it is, 2009, and I remember vividly what happened. I racked my brain trying to come up with an explanation and still do not have one.
Feel free to comment.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
My faith story
Hi all. When I was a teenager, I sometimes felt family wasn't as important as friends. I had many friends and did not spend much time with my family.
I followed advice from my friends instead of my parents. I was like most teens in that I thought my parents could not relate to young people. Why should I listen to their advice? They did not like the same music I liked.
Now as I'm nearing my 30th birthday, I view family differently. I am VERY thankful for my parents. My mother gave birth to me and my father gave me the strength to endure in this sometimes painful world. I am also ever thankful that they passed on their faith to me.
In my studies of the Bible, I saw one major difference in the Catholic faith. It was in relation to faith and heaven. I was taught that the ONLY way to make it to heaven was to follow the 10 commandments. Faith was only mentioned in relation to God; we must have faith in God.
When I read in the Bible that faith was required to make it to heaven, I was shocked! I thought: so where do the 10 commandments come in? I was silent for a few seconds and God spoke to me. I wrote in my journal: "The 10 commandments show us where we sin. They CONVICT of us of sin. If we did not have them, we would not know where we have sinned. We must ask God to forgive our sins and have faith that he has forgiven us. Faith in God will get us heaven. Faith that He will answer our prayers. And faith by allowing him to rule our lives."
Feel free to comment.
I followed advice from my friends instead of my parents. I was like most teens in that I thought my parents could not relate to young people. Why should I listen to their advice? They did not like the same music I liked.
Now as I'm nearing my 30th birthday, I view family differently. I am VERY thankful for my parents. My mother gave birth to me and my father gave me the strength to endure in this sometimes painful world. I am also ever thankful that they passed on their faith to me.
In my studies of the Bible, I saw one major difference in the Catholic faith. It was in relation to faith and heaven. I was taught that the ONLY way to make it to heaven was to follow the 10 commandments. Faith was only mentioned in relation to God; we must have faith in God.
When I read in the Bible that faith was required to make it to heaven, I was shocked! I thought: so where do the 10 commandments come in? I was silent for a few seconds and God spoke to me. I wrote in my journal: "The 10 commandments show us where we sin. They CONVICT of us of sin. If we did not have them, we would not know where we have sinned. We must ask God to forgive our sins and have faith that he has forgiven us. Faith in God will get us heaven. Faith that He will answer our prayers. And faith by allowing him to rule our lives."
Feel free to comment.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Knowledge is power!!
Right now, I am listening to a very interesting podcast. One of my friends practices a different religion from me. I am learning a lot from her podcast.
Even though it is a religion different from mine, I am learning a lot.
I am seeing many similarities between the two religions. I think people need to expand their knowledge. Knowledge in religion and in life. It expands your knowledge into other people's lives. I'm going to repeat myself, but I feel it's very important... Knowledge is power. Knowledge expands your knowledge of the world. You see how others see the world. You don't have to agree with them, or go with their views. Just knowing where they came from is important. And when you learn new things, you MAY see some similarities.
The topic I'm listening to is my friend telling her family & friends her religion.
Her experiences are interesting!
Until next time, expand your knowledge.
Even though it is a religion different from mine, I am learning a lot.
I am seeing many similarities between the two religions. I think people need to expand their knowledge. Knowledge in religion and in life. It expands your knowledge into other people's lives. I'm going to repeat myself, but I feel it's very important... Knowledge is power. Knowledge expands your knowledge of the world. You see how others see the world. You don't have to agree with them, or go with their views. Just knowing where they came from is important. And when you learn new things, you MAY see some similarities.
The topic I'm listening to is my friend telling her family & friends her religion.
Her experiences are interesting!
Until next time, expand your knowledge.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Trust in the Bible
Hi everyone. I am currently reading a few remaining books in New Testament. Yesterday, Nov 2, I read Titus. Titus is short but "packs a lot of punch". A few lines are key for followers of God. These lines also spoke to me because I had been recently going thru a "friend issue".
"But avoid stupid arguments, long list of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing to do with them. You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong". (Titus 3:9-11)
When you know or are aware somone has done something wrong, tell them. You bring it to their attention, when you tell them. If they forget, remind them a second time.
After you tell them, twice, they may realize that they did something wrong.
The key here is change and trust. If they apologize, you may want to continue the friendship/relationship... if you think they will change. If they do not apologize, and you don't think they will change, end the friendship/relationship. This may be hard to do, but it all boils down to trust. If trust gone, there is no friendship or relationship.
Do not automatically end the friendship/relationship based on one mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. If the person makes the same mistake twice, that's when you have to think. Do you think the other person will make the same mistake again?
And trust must be considered... Do you still trust the other person?
What do you think?
"But avoid stupid arguments, long list of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing to do with them. You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong". (Titus 3:9-11)
When you know or are aware somone has done something wrong, tell them. You bring it to their attention, when you tell them. If they forget, remind them a second time.
After you tell them, twice, they may realize that they did something wrong.
The key here is change and trust. If they apologize, you may want to continue the friendship/relationship... if you think they will change. If they do not apologize, and you don't think they will change, end the friendship/relationship. This may be hard to do, but it all boils down to trust. If trust gone, there is no friendship or relationship.
Do not automatically end the friendship/relationship based on one mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. If the person makes the same mistake twice, that's when you have to think. Do you think the other person will make the same mistake again?
And trust must be considered... Do you still trust the other person?
What do you think?
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