You Are Who Your Friends Are

Donald Miller says who you hang out with matters more than you think.

Last month I visited a prison in Texas. I had the chance to guest-teach a class in a progressive rehabilitation program. I taught, but mostly I listened. As the guys told me their stories, their reasons for being in prison, I noticed a common thread. The real reason they were in prison was not because they had committed crimes, though they had, but rather it was because of the people they hung out with. Almost all problems and success in life boil down to relationships. These guys had gotten themselves into relationships that led to trouble. Either they had joined gangs or hung out with drug addicts or met girls who took them down a bad path.

READ full article HERE at Relevant.com

WELL, what to say..... if Jesus is YOUR Friend, and if you hang out with Him sufficiently each day, then you "should" become more like Him! Once again we would like to highlight this article: http://www.fathershands.com/jim/

A simple prayer for your friend, Jesus:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I
THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."

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How to find a child-like joy—freedom—when talking with God?

“Today’s sunshine was pretty. Thanks, God. Bye!”

That was the ending of a prayer I once heard made by a 5-year-old girl. I’ve come to believe it to be the most selfless, beautiful, profound prayer I’ve ever heard.

Read this article for more: "A NEW WAY TO PRAY"
 
 
God bless,

"Once Saved, Always Saved?"

How can we be assured of our own salvation if St. Paul wasn't (1 Corinthians 9:27)? Catholics believe: Salvation is not a "one time" event, but an ongoing process until "the end" (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13).

READ MORE:
http://www.catscans.com/catholicsite/saved.htm

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What the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on "Once Saved, Always Saved:"

161. "Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for obtaining that salvation. [Cf. Mk 16:16 ; Jn 3:36 ; Jn 6:40 ; et al.] 'Since 'without faith it is impossible to please (God)' and to attain to the fellowship of his sons, therefore without faith no one has ever attained justification, nor will anyone obtain eternal life 'But he who endures to the end.'']"

162. "Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to man. We can lose this priceless gift, as St. Paul indicated to St. Timothy: 'Wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith.' [1 Tim 1:18-19 .] To live, grow and persevere in the faith until the end we must nourish it with the word of God; we must beg the Lord to increase our faith; [Cf. Mk 9:24 ; Lk 17:5 ; Lk 22:32.] it must be 'working through charity,' abounding in hope, and rooted in the faith of the Church. [Gal 5:6 ; Rom 15:13 ; cf. Jam 2:14-26.]"

READ MORE here!: http://www.catscans.com/catholicsite/saved.htm

PENTECOST & Checking in with Jesus Daily!

For those who missed out last Sat, here's a summary (make sure to read, or at least scroll, to the end for this week's "Homework"):

Watch these 2 clips first:

1. Reading of Pentecost account
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOm1DMZJITs

2. Short teaching by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa abt Pentecost
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFZ1N9gbSHY

The first video evokes the feel of dramatic events which took place at Pentecost. This is how we usually view Pentecost... tongues of fire, people speaking in tongues, mega rally and the radical conversion of 3000.. all the big stuff, the drama stuff.

In the second video, Father brought everyone to the core event of Pentecost. Look deeper behind the 'wow' events, and we see that Pentecost is really about being 'filled with the love of God' in an intimate way.
The apostles were with Jesus every day for 3 years, seeing His miracles firsthand, having private sessions with Him away from the public, sharing meals with Him.

But only after Pentecost, after experiencing His love intimately (through the infilling of the Spirit), did they find the courage to live their mission.

They were transformed by the love of God, much like many of us when we experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, through YISS or other retreats.

Now, we've learned what is the Pentecost experience about, let's look back again... What happened before Pentecost? How did the disciples prepare for this great event?

1. They waited
- Acts 1:4 "... Wait for the gift my Father promised..."
- Most people don't like to wait, esp in today's world where we seem to be rushing from one thing to the next.
- We tend to want to do things our way, instead of consulting God, "waiting" upon God to show us the right way.
- Sunday's first reading is a great example, Acts 15:28 says "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us..." --> illustrates beautifully the partnership between man and God, which is still very much vital in today's context as well.

2. They prayed
- "They joined together constantly in prayer" - Read Acts 1:12-14
- Most of us experienced Pentecost in a dramatic way, through the praying over, resting in the Spirit, manifestations of joy, repentance, etc.
- The First Pentecost happened through prayer
- The "New Pentecost" in Duquesne University, 1967 (which is generally regarded as the birth of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal) also happened in prayer, while some young men & women were in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

We too can experience Pentecost, the infilling of God's love thru His Holy Spirit, in our times of prayer. Go before the Blessed Sacrament in humble adoration, for it is literally the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Why do I say it is the heart of Jesus?

Read here about the Eucharistic Miracle at Lanciano, Italy

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html

http://www.miraclerosarymission.org/lanciano.html

http://www.zenit.org/article-12933?l=english

It's truly a wonder.. Jesus loves us so much that when He ascended into Heaven, He left His heart behind on earth. Every time we celebrate mass or go for adoration, we behold the very heart of our Saviour, our Lord and our God.

Just bring urself before Him and spend some time with Him..
You don't really have to do anything in there except to "Son-bathe", but here's a few tips to help u be still:
http://www.saintpetercatholic.com/QA_Holy_Hour_Activities.html

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Finally, DO Join us with some Homework!! ;)

1. "Check in" with Jesus everyday. Read here 2 see what we mean:
http://www.fathershands.com/jim/

2. Visit Jesus in the adoration room at least once this week. Spend at least 30 minutes with Him, but if u can, go for the full Holy Hour.

If you don't do this "homework", God will NOT strike you down with lightning. But if you do, wouldn't it be great knowing that you made Jesus happy by being in His company? Plus, you'll get a nice "Son tan" =)

Have a great week, everyone!

Smile, Jesus Loves You!

A LOVE STORY

A good poem recommended from Michael!
http://www.knowjesus.com/Encourage_love.shtml

A LOVE STORY

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.

Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.

As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.

As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me. He asked me, "Do you love me?"

I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"

Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love Me?"

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs, and the rest of my body

and wondered how many things I wouldn't be able to do, the things that I took for granted.

And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the

blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation.

So I answered, "It's hard to think of it, but I would still love You."

The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to My Word?"

How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to

God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.

I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your Word."

The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occured to me: God wants us to

sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And

praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give

God praise with our words of thanks.

So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You

because You are the one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but . . .

God asked, "Then why do you sin?"

I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

"Then why in times of peace do you stray the furthest? Why only in times of

trouble do you pray the earnest?"

No answers. Only tears.

The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me

only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so

unfaithfully?"

The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the Good News?

Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder to cry

on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

"You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have

blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have

revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to

you, but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes

were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idlely by as they were

pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."

"DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME?"

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no

excuse. What could I say to this?

When my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive

me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do you love me so?"

The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are My child. I will

ever abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.

When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will

encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry

you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I

have hurt God as I had done?

I asked God, "How much do You love me?"

The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed
down at the feet of Christ, my Savior. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

-- author unknown

Asking & Receiving? A look at John 15:7-8!

This was an interesting incident recently with John 15:7-8.. the verse goes like this:

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

BUT if you read it "wrongly" without separating the verses 7 and 8 and looking at the punctuation, you could get:

 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory....

So it means, ask and it will be given and it will be glorifying to God? Ask "anything"? and God will give it to be glorified? hmm... a bit weird rite?...

So then, read it again, and you'll probably realise that the punctuation makes a whole lot of difference!

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Now this means that it is To our Father's glory >> THAT WE BEAR MUCH FRUIT when showing ourselves to be His disciples.

That is a whole lot of difference right?

And if you go further to the beginning of the verse you'll probably understand it better. OUR GOD is glorified by us "remaining in Him" and "His words remaining in us".

Because if that is so, it means God is FIRST in our lives, and it means that we will have such a close relationship with Him that whatever we ask, he will give to us!

Think about it, if we miss out the first part "If you remain in me and my words remain in you", then no amount of asking can help, cos maybe the things we are asking for are not something GOD can grant.
We must desire to Glorify GOD First and foremost, not ourselves. Then we can bear Godly fruit...

God can't be answering prayers which at the end won't result in Godly Fruit, or where at the end, He wont' be glorified. Sounds like a materialistic God? not quite... our God is also a God of logic, justice, virtues of honesty, integrity.. surely he can't stand unGodly things right?

Just something to think about!

Seven heavenly virtues!

Something interesting... what's the 7 heavenly virtues in Japanese? I'm sure some of us who know chinese traditional characters will recognise some:

Faith (Shinnen)

 

Hope (Kibou)

Charity (Jizen)

Fortitude (Kennin)

Justice (Seigi)

Temperance (Sessei)

Prudence (Shinchou)

But did you know...  in Catholic catechism, the seven virtues refers to one of two lists of virtues, most commonly referring to the 4 Cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Restraint or Temperance, and Courage or Fortitude, and the 3 Theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love or Charity; these were adopted by the Church Fathers.

An alternative list is the Seven heavenly virtues, opposed to the Seven deadly sins, and consisting of Chastity, Temperance, Charity, Diligence, Patience, Kindness, and Humility.


Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues

THE POPE, THE MEDIA, AND THE SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDALS

Pope Benedict XVI has come under intense scrutiny over the last few weeks, regarding the sexual abuse scandals. This page seeks to set out the facts, in an attempt to rectify and combat some of the biased and incorrect media coverage that has surrounded this issue. Sexual abuse of children is a horrific crime. No coverage of this issue would be complete without a frank acknowledgement of the errors that have been made in the handling of child sexual abuse cases in the past. Pope Benedict XVI has apologised on behalf of the entire Catholic Church, and met with victims in several countries. At the same time, it is important to recognise the extraordinary efforts that the Church now goes to assist victims of sexual abuse in their healing, to remove offenders from positions of responsibility, and to safeguard children in our institutions and parishes.

More at: http://www.xt3.com/smallprint/media.php