Grown in love

Women of Faith:
I am grown in the choices I make. I choose to be grown in love.

Love is not a feeling; happiness is a feeling.
Love is not an emotion; anger is an emotion.
Love is not a state; confusion is a state.
Love can include feeling and emotion and leave you in a state,
But love is, at heart a decision.
Love sees the imperfections, sins and failings and says, “I still choose to love you.” --Mark Hart, Blessed are the Bored in Spirit

We are grown in love thru God.

I choose to weed out the lies which our fed to me by the media and influence all of our lives—the lies that say we can do no wrong. We are all sinners with imperfections, so we must choose to make God a priority so that we can grow closer to him.

The lies that say “it’s all about me and what’s important to me, and how I feel about me, and if I am happy in me.”It’s about putting God in each of those statements for it will only be his judgment in the end.

The lie that says our wrong choices are unforgivable, so there is no hope for me. God always forgives, but it is our choice to forgive others and to ask for forgiveness so that we may be forgiven: “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And the lies that say we have a “right to choose.” Yes, we have a choice… but if we choose death over life, if we choose to sleep in instead of going to church (keep holy the Sabbath), if we choose anger over unconditional forgiveness then our choice is not God—our choice is not love.

Everything we have is a gift from God: Our time, our bodies, our children, the air we breathe, and the food that sustains us. Do we give thanks by choosing to let His seed be firmly planted in the soil of good friends and a God enriched environment?

I choose to be firmly rooted in my faith by truly trusting in the words of scripture—his words which fertilize me. I choose to be regularly fed by daily prayer, weekly attendance at mass and receiving him in the Eucharist so that my soul will be filled by the body and blood he gave us on the cross.

I choose to be watered by His grace because I seek His grace.

I choose to be warmed by the SONshine when I choose to give everything back to God in prayer and thru forgiveness.

Love One Another. As I have Loved You, so You should also Love One another.
John 13:34

Heavenly Father: We praise and thank you for the Spirit that gives us grace (thru water), fertilizing us thru your holy word and blessing us in the gift of your Son. May our choice be to love others as you love each of us. May we seek to be chosen by you, and may our choice be to serve you by serving each other. May we all choose to be grown in love, through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Weed out the bad seeds, be firmly rooted in Christ thru your choices, be watered by the grace of forgiveness, fertilized by scripture and may the Son shine on you this week,

Happy Valentine's Day,
Charlotte

Hope in the Silence (Feb 6th entry not posted)

Friends in Faith:
More and more I find myself wanting silence. I find myself searching for a place and times where I can be alone, so that I can “hear” what it is that God wants me to say and do. I find myself choosing to escape work and avoiding the noise of cell phones, computers and the TV.

I used to be annoyed when I woke up early and could not fall back asleep. Lately I have taken this as an opportunity to lay and pray within the quiet of early morning.

Have you taken the time to be silent? For he says:

“I will come to you in the silence. I will lift you from all your fear. You will hear my voice. I claim you as my choice, be still and know I am here. I am hope for all who are hopeless, I am eyes for all who long to see, in the shadows of the night, I will be your light, come and rest in me.

“Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine.

“I am the strength for all the despairing, healing for the ones who dwell in shame. All the blind will see, the lame will all run free, and all will know my name.

"I am the Word that leads all to freedom, I am the peace the world cannot give. I will call your name, embracing all your pain, stand up now, walk, and live!

“Do not be afraid I am with you. I have called you each by name. Come and follow me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine.” You Are Mine by Daniel Haas

Then Paul spoke these words: “If I preach the gospel, this is no reason for me to boast, for an obligation has been imposed on me, and woe to me if I do not preach it! If I do so willingly, I have a recompense, but if I do so unwillingly,” (out of duty) “then I have been entrusted with a stewardship…. Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may
have a share in it.” 1 Cor 9: 16-19, 22-23

I want to be sure that everything I think, everything I do, and everything
I say is done in, for and thru His glory. But I can only do that if I can find time to be silent to hear what He is saying to me.

He calms me when I get impatient or the demands on my time seem overwhelming.

He gives me hope that I will be blessed with a share of His glory so that when I get discouraged by the laws of man and selfish attitudes of human nature I can ask forgiveness and seek change in my own attitudes. I pray for those who do not yet see.

And I watch in wonder as those who search for His grace are changed because their hearts have been opened and they are willing to be blessed by the gifts of the Holy Spirit: right judgment, knowledge, courage, reverence, wonder and awe, understanding and wisdom.

I feel blessed to know that many of us seek the same Godly wisdom. It is easier to walk the path of faith knowing that we are walking together, with God carrying us through the rough times and leading us when it becomes dark, or we cannot see our companions on the journey.

Heavenly Father, Your silence can be deafening; your call but a whisper. Give me the patience to wait for your call. Open my heart to be ready and willing to listen so that I do not miss a word of the wisdom you want to share. Help me to never fear sharing with others what Your Spirit reveals to me. Teach me to speak compassionately and in righteousness, never judging but as your servant. Thank you for allowing me to see Your light in the signs and gifts shared by our family and friends. Amen.

I am so in awe of Him, and in what He has revealed to me, and yet I know there is so much more still hidden from me. May we all have peace in our hearts to know Him, trust Him and to patiently wait for God’s call.

I look forward to silence so that my ears will be opened. And I want to be ready to answer God’s call by giving Him my ALL.

May we all find time for silence to hear and reflect on His blessings on us throughout this week,
Charlotte

Believe to Achieve

Women of Faith:
I have had the same dreams as most American women: a “showcase” home; a fantasy vacation in a five star hotel; and the lifestyle of the rich and famous.

And I believed I could achieve.

But as I began my Monday morning rosary I reflected on Jesus’ walk with me thru this prayer. As I asked for his blessings on family and friends I realized how important it is to truly believe that the miracles for which I prayed could be achieved.

I realized how important it is that my goals, visions and dreams reflect not the American dream, but rather God’s dream. And that if I believed His vision, I would achieve His vision.

Here’s an example: The Fourth Joyful Mystery is the Presentation. The prayer is, “Mary, you obeyed the Law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple. Obtain for me “a Spirit of Sacrifice.”

I have often asked God to help me to not “want more” of what others have but rather to be more willing to “give up” of what I have been blessed with and to not expect anything in return: to have a Spirit of Sacrifice.

My goal is to be able to not resent what others seem to achieve and to not expect or think I deserve something in return for whatever it is that I do for others: to have a Spirit of Sacrifice.

I realized as I prayed that God grants me a miracle each time I can feel joy in another person’s blessings and achievements. I see Him granting me that Spirit of Sacrifice when I strive to give unconditional love to our family; when I chose to spend time volunteering rather than shopping; and when I have the heart to give away something that is only a material possession.

I am more content than I ever thought possible with the grace that fills our marriage; with a home filled by joy rather than possessions; with time to spend sharing with friends and family; and with the blessing of being able to give to someone who has suffered a tragedy.

I have tried to turn my vision for the “good life” into His vision of a “good life”—that of sacrifice and service. Just as Mary gave Jesus back to God at the Presentation and just as Jesus himself gave to us on the cross—they believed that their sacrifices would achieve life for each of us.

Although I am free in regard to all, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it. 1 Cor 9:22-23

I believe I can achieve.

I believe in a spirit of sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.

I know that each time I unconditionally give of myself I receive contentment, joy and peace from God for sharing the gifts He has given me, material and spiritual.

Heavenly Father: We are truly blessed by miracles when we believe. Help us all to come to know and understand what your vision is for each of us. Help us to know your love, forgiveness and truth and help us to accept and share that same love, forgiveness and truth with each other. Thank you for the many unconditional gifts you give us—especially the graces in marriage and the healing power of forgiveness. Amen.

May we all be touched with a Spirit of Sacrifice—both given and received in love.

Set a goal, see a vision, dream a dream and believe so you can achieve His blessing,
Charlotte

A BIG Fish Story

Women of Faith:

Sorry ladies, this is a “fish” story; the men probably can’t wait….

But unlike the “fish stories” most of you have heard, this is the story of Jonah and the whale and it is much bigger and much more real, because it is the gospel truth, told by God, the real “fisher(of)men.”

The Preface: The Ninevites have succumbed to evil so God asks Jonah to save them. But Jonah, because of his hatred of the Ninevites, disregards God’s call, and travels in the opposite direction. Because of his hard hearted choice Jonah ends up being thrown overboard into the sea and he is swallowed by a big fish. In 3 days (the same time Christ died and rose for us) Jonah humbles himself enough to ask forgiveness, place His trust in God and answer His call at which time he is released from the “Big Fish.”(Jon 1,2)

“Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day's walk announcing, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed, " when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast
and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out.” Jon 3: 1-5, 10

It’s a story where I as a Christian have seen (and see) myself in every role: from the sinful Ninevite who wants/ed my own way; to Jonah who wanted to judge who should be helped, loved and saved (helps, loves and saves.) I can relate to the whale who is waiting (somewhat) patiently and (mostly) compassionately, holding Jonah, until he changed his way. I have also been the Ninevite who converted and asked for forgiveness, and the Jonah who realizes his life is in God’s control, it is not his role to judge, and he is to do God’s will and spread the good news wherever God asks.

God asked Jonah to spread the good news to the Ninevites who were doing evil (definitely not the chosen ones) because God is not particular about “who” is saved, just that “ALL” our saved. And the story teaches that if we truly believe, ask and repent of our sins (put on our sackcloth, shed our pride and be humble and obedient) then God will forgive us regardless of our past.

Think about how many of the stories of the gospel focus on the lives of farmers, shepherds and fisherman—using nature’s analogies of growing, catching and harvesting—to teach us how to grow God in our own lives, to “round up” and “catch” more of humanity thru evangelization, and to show us the urgent need to always be ready for God’s “harvest” into heaven.

“Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." As he passed by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting their nets into the sea; they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Then they abandoned their nets and followed him.” Mk 1:14-20

Heavenly Father: I praise your infinite wisdom that teaches me your way, using professions which provide both earthly food, and heavenly sustenance.
May I be a better fisher(of)men; a better farmer who knows that the end is always near and the harvest is in your control; and a better shepherd of all. Thank you for giving me the food of the Eucharist and the example of the prophets in the bible. Amen.

The Afterword: Do I truly understand, trust and act as if the end of the story is continually drawing nearer? Do I believe in and ask for God’s forgiveness? Do I spread His good news so that others will have the chance to follow? Do I seek His hope and live each day with the joy and peace of His promise for eternity?

May God lead us this week to be “fishers(of)men” who trust in His story and with the urgency of knowing the end is near, change our lives to accept, forgive and spread His BIG fish story,

Blessings,
Charlotte

Here I am Lord

Friends in Faith:

We pray for answers from God. We pray to not be fearful, to have trust. We ask others to pray for us, for our earthly desires, our hopes and our dreams.

We ask God to “speak” to us, but are we really willing to listen? Are we truly saying, “Here I am Lord, I come to do YOUR will.” Ps 40: 2

God spoke to Samuel three times. Each time he went to Eli thinking it was Eli that was talking to him. “Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening." Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.” 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19

“Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" - which is translated Christ. Then he brought him to Jesus.” Jn 1: 35-42

And like Samuel and Simon Peter, God gives us friends and/or family to help lead us to Jesus, to guide us in seeking and finding answers from God, to help us discern the truth and to be our accountability partners and mentors.

Do I say, “Speak, for your servant is listening?” Am I truly willing and ready to be his servant, to listen and do what God asks of me?

Am I missing the gentle nudges, the loving words, the truth that is being spoken to me by friends and those that may already have their eyes opened by/to God? Am I ignoring “wise counsel” and instead trusting my own ideas and judgment?

Sometimes I don’t want to hear God because he says “no.” Sometimes I want to serve myself first.

Sometimes his answer to my problem seems like too difficult a task to complete. My fear paralyzes me and I forget that he will give me what I need.

Sometimes his answer says that I have to be humble and give up perfection. I forget I am human and he died on the cross to save me.

And sometimes I have to give up my pride, admit my wrong doing and say “I’m sorry.” I forget he is all merciful and forgives those who ask to be forgiven.

Sometimes I just don’t really want to do what it is he is asking me to do. I forget to trust.

And sometimes I stop myself from speaking the truth about my faith. I am afraid of being judged by societal norms when the only judgment that matters is God’s.

“Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. I have waited, waited for the LORD, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry. And he put a new song into my mouth, a hymn to our God. Sacrifice or offering you wished not, but ears open to obedience you gave me. Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not; then said I, "Behold I come." "In the written scroll it is prescribed for me, to do your will, O my God, is my delight, and your law is within my heart!" I announced your justice in the vast assembly; I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.” PS 40: 2, 4, 7-10

Heavenly Father, Your Spirit surrounds and uplifts me. Help me to have the patience to listen for your gentle whispers in the silence of my heart and in the faithful friends you send my way. May I be obedient to your call and blessed with the willingness to honestly say, “Here I am, Lord.” May I answer and trust Your call, in Your Spirit, with kindness, compassion and love. Amen.

May you be blessed with the trust to say, “Here I am Lord!”

Charlotte

My Search

Women of Faith:

I search daily for my purpose, for what it is I am to do with the gifts I receive and for how I am to act and react to the circumstances of life. I search for answers to day to day choices and for control of difficult problems. I search to give hope and comfort to those who are suffering loss, loneliness and are afraid of the future.

I search to listen to and be guided on the “right” path, by the “right” voice, and with the “right” heart.

I seek to be patient in a world which is overcome with instant gratification and selfishness. I seek to act in kindness and compassion when I am tempted to be judgmental, cynical and sarcastic.

I seek to find the path of the Spirit while being led by laws in a society which is often self serving and ignores God’s simplest commandments and truths.

As I thought about Epiphany and the role of the three kings in Christmas I thought about how they searched for and found Jesus—without a bible, without GPS and without the knowledge of 2012 years of tradition, history and experience. Do we have the patience to wait or do we need an instant post on Facebook? And could we have endured travel on a camel?

"Go and search diligently for the child… And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. They were overjoyed at seeing the star, and on entering the house they saw the child with Mary his mother. They prostrated themselves and did him homage. Then they opened their treasures and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Mt 2:1-12

Just think about the difficulty of their decision and the actions they took—they chose the “right” star, they chose to listen to the “voice” of an angel instead of King Herod who they could see, and they chose an infant, a stranger, to give their wealth, their gifts.

The sky was filled with a thousand stars for them to choose from, just as we have many paths to follow in our own journey.

A king, Herod, who they could see and touch, tried to lead them astray by tempting them with his own selfish desires.

Finally, they had to believe and trust a Spirit that spoke within them that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One, the one sent to them from God to lead them—a stranger, worthy of gifts of a King.

So are we searching for and praying for the “right” Light?

Are we searching for the grace of understanding: that like the Magi we will recognize God in nature, in our experiences and in our relationships?

Are we searching for greater trust: that God’s Light will guide us into an uncertain future and that we will follow in confidence with a belief in God’s love for us?

Are we searching for peace: that our hearts would follow Jesus by rejecting violence and self gratification and being kind and compassionate in our relationships with spouse, family and friends?

Are we searching for the commitment to begin again: by opening our hearts to wholeness in the Spirit rather than to trying to fill them with earthly satisfaction which will only makes us temporarily happy?

Heavenly Father: I praise the brightness of Your star which guides me. May I continue to be blessed with the desire to follow it, and an opportunity to understand what Your will is for me. May I always search for Your righteous path. Grant me the patience to give to others without expecting instant gratification in return. Help me to stay committed to search for Your love, Your hope and Your peace. Amen.

May your search this week be for His Light, His Choice and His Will in your life,
Blessings,
Charlotte

In the Middle

Women of Faith:
Happy New Year!

I would guess that you are surprised that my subject is “the middle” rather than the “beginning:” for it is the beginning of a new year, the beginning of new resolutions, and even the beginning of a new tax season.

Remember the old saying: 'It’s how we live in the “dash” (19??- 20??) that counts?’

In the beginning ….with childlike faith we planned for perfect happy endings, for happiness and “honeymoons.”

And as Christians we all hope and believe that at the end of our dash we will be granted eternal life in heaven.

But the middle of life brings stresses, challenges, obstacles, loneliness, sufferings and even failures. And we are challenged to keep the same attitude as we had in the beginning: to live life in faith that He has control of the outcome, to TRUST in Him.

“Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. …And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.” 1 Jn 2:22-26

God tells us that as believers, life, the middle, will not be “perfectly happy,” that we will be persecuted for our belief in Him (Timothy 3:12); and that while we suffer we are supposed to “have peace” and “take courage” for “I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33)


The middle is about crosses: crosses which reflect His gift on the cross; about His will, not mine.

In the middle of life’s journey we are given choices, choices of trust and faith which are forced by sufferings, challenges, and loneliness, by new beginnings and untimely endings. I am given the choice to freely give love even when it is not given back; to pray rather than to complain; to accept responsibility for my actions rather than to blame others for what has happened to me or my family; to serve rather than to be served; and to chose God’s world rather than this world.

Do I trust God like a child trusts a parent or am I overcome by worry and fear?

Do I have an “attitude of gratitude” or do I expect rather than accept?

Do I choose God’s love in the middle, to love one another as He loved us (He died for us) and as He asks us to love: “love is patient, love is kind... it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (Cor1:13 4-6)?


Do I make choices in faith: to keep my resolutions, vows and His covenant, even in the sufferings, so that my middle, my dash, will have “new life” at the end?

Dear God, May I always praise you even when things aren’t going my way. May the middle of my life say “faithful, courageous, peaceful and loving.” Thank you for the gifts that you have given me in the middle of the hardships to remind me of your presence each day. Amen.

Blessings in the middle of each of your decisions,
Charlotte