Our hearts go out to all those impacted by the evils of
violence, death, and grief.
First, I would like thank all who called, emailed or were
concerned for my safety after receiving the spam email last week which appeared
to be from my blog—it was not. I apologize for the inconvenience to you, and
for not replying sooner, but I wanted to complete all necessary precautions to be
sure that my email was completely secured.
If you still have reservations about receiving further email
from me, you can continue to receive my weekly reflection by becoming a friend at
my blog: www.morningreflection.blogspot.com
“If the world hates
you, realize that it hated me first.” Jn 15: 18
I believe this occurrence, like many others in our lives, was
just another worldly “darkness” meant to remind me to humbly search and become
more aware of God’s “light” in my life. Light is much brighter and a much clearer
guide when anyone is in darkness, we only need to look for the light.
“Brothers and
sisters: Rejoice in the Lord
always. I shall say it again:
rejoice! Your kindness should be known
to all. The Lord is near. Have
no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your
hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4: 4-7
Rejoice—find JOY! Always look and pray to the Lord who is
near. Stay vigilant in searching for the light and realizing that He is in
control so that His peace will guard your hearts and minds.
“For God did not give
us a cowardly spirit but one which would make us strong, loving, and wise.”
2 Tim 1: 7
God tells us we will find JOY and peace if we live with courage,
love and faith, by setting our priority to become Holy—to become Christ like—to
become a gift to others—by living thru Him and reflecting His light with the
help, guidance and power of the Spirit of God.
An easy way to remember our priority is to live with JOY as
your guide.
J – Jesus (Do we HONOR Him with our actions? Do we accept
our sufferings as He did for us? WWJD?)
O – Others (Does it serve our spouse, our family, our
neighbor, like He served us?)
Y – Yourself (Have
I laid down my life for another and denied myself?)
O God our Father, in Jesus you call all Christian families and homes to be
signs of living faith. By the light of the Holy Spirit, lead us to be thankful
for the gift of faith, and by that gift may we grow in our relationship with
Jesus, your Son, and be confident witnesses to Christian hope and joy to all we
meet. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(USCCB Prayer for Families in the Year of Faith)
“God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and my courage is the LORD, and
he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of
salvation.” Is 12: 2-3
As we realize in this time of another
national tragedy, JOY is ultimately found in caring for what is truly cherished,
Love and Life. And it (tragedy and evil) provides us as Christians the
opportunity to talk about how our faith in God helps us find Joy by looking for
and seeing the light even when it is darkest.
May you find JOY and Peace as you and your
family eagerly await Christ(mas),
Blessings,
Charlotte
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