Stolen From Terry

"To wish to be corrected is an evident sign of perfection, for the principal point of humility is realizing our need of it.
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"A convent is a hospital for the spiritually sick. The sick wish to be cured, and, therefore, they willingly submit to be lanced, probed, cut, cauterized, and subjected to any and every pain and discomfort which medicine or surgery may suggest." - St. Francis De Sales

I love this post--found it over at Terry's blog--I wanted to postulate the sentiments--so I stole his entire post and am posting to my blog.

Be Still And Confess That I Am God!

"Tara, why is the God of the Old Testament so mean and the God of the New Testament so nice--what happened between the Old Testament and the New Testament?"

This question was asked me by a friend at work. Over the years I’ve been Catholic, she is the third person to ask me this question. Being Catholic, I find it an odd question. In my schemata God is the same in both halves of the Bible. He is full of mercy and compassion, but if you don’t straighten up and “fly right,” He disciplines you.

The bottom line to this question, really, is who is this God of the Bible? A most excellent question! Okay, the three people who asked me this question, all thought that God was downright mean in the Old Testament. So, is God a mean disciplinarian or is He a soft, turn the other cheek sorta guy?

Our most beloved Pope Benedict XVI says that today there is a most ferocious attack on Christian truth, he calls it the Dictatorship of Relativism. Things are whatever you believe them to be--there is no right or wrong--no good or evil--because what is right for you, may not be right for me--hogwash. No wonder there are so many “Christian” religions, all claiming their God to be whatever “they” want Him to be.

Saint Augustine said: “Our thinking about God is more true that our statements about Him, and His Being is more true that our thoughts about Him.” Our schemata of God, can be somewhat distorted by where we live, how we were raised, our society, and what others have told us about God. But no matter how we conceive God--that does not change God. God is unchangeable, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God is infinite--never was there a time when God did not exist. God is all-perfect--The perfect does not need to change--for it is already perfect.

As finite humans, we will never be able to fully comprehend God--Only an infinite intellect can comprehend an infinite being. Therefore God is the only one who possesses infinite knowledge of Himself. God is all-knowing. God is not bound by time--He see’s everything in the present moment. God is the same in the Old Testament as in the New Testament.

Why then does He seemingly appear to be so different?--The answer comes from how we creatures know God. The Bible was inspired by God, but written by human hands--the words were filtered through the human writers of the time. In the Old Testament man was estranged from God, God spoke to man through the prophets. In the New Testament--God Himself--Jesus--came to show us His love. God and man were reconciled. Same God--but the RELATIONSHIP of man to God changed.

To have a relationship with God, we do not need to fully understand God. A small child at hearing their father’s voice, turns and runs to “daddy.” The child may not know what their father does for a living, what books he likes to read, what is his favorite meal--the child just knows--it’s daddy. This is the same relationship God wants to have with us. We turn away from trust in our own miniscule knowledge, power, and turn to trust in the infinite knowledge and power that is God. We run to “daddy.”

Our relativistic society has twisted and imprinted a Jesus that allows one to sin, with no consequences--just believe in Jesus and you go to Heaven. This is a major distortion of truth. God is all-merciful--He never changes. But in God’s infinite mercy--He expects man to turn away from sin, and know He is God--be in relationship. God does not change, man changes. The message throughout both halves of the Bible is the same--turn away from sin, turn toward God--turn away from sin, turn toward God--turn away from sin, turn toward God--or burn in Hell!

Psalm 46
For the leader. A song of the Korahites. According to alamoth.

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Thus we do not fear, though earth be shaken and mountains quake to the depths of the sea, Though its waters rage and foam and mountains totter at its surging. The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah

Streams of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High. God is in its midst; it shall not be shaken; God will help it at break of day. Though nations rage and kingdoms totter, God's voice thunders and the earth trembles. The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah

Come and see the works of the LORD, who has done fearsome deeds on earth; Who stops wars to the ends of the earth, breaks the bow, splinters the spear, and burns the shields with fire; Who says: "Be still and confess that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth." The LORD of hosts is with us; our stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah

Resisting Temptations

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 13
Of Resisting Temptations:


As long as we live in this world, we cannot be without temptations and tribulations. Hence it is written in Job "Man's life on earth is a temptation." Everyone therefore should be solicitous about his temptations and watch in prayer lest the devil find an opportunity to catch him: who never sleeps, but goes about, seeking whom he can devour. No one is so perfect and holy as sometimes not to have temptations and we can never be wholly free from them. Nevertheless, temptations are very profitable to man, troublesome and grievous though they may be, for in them, a man is humbled, purified and instructed. All the Saints passed through many tribulations and temptations and were purified by them. And they that could not support temptations, became reprobate, and fell away.

Many seek to flee temptations, and fall worse into them. We cannot conquer by flight alone, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies. He who only declines them outwardly, and does not pluck out their root, will profit little; nay, temptations will sooner return and he will find himself in a worse condition. By degrees and by patience you will, by God's grace, better overcome them than by harshness and your own importunity. Take council the oftener in temptation, and do not deal harshly with one who is tempted; but pour in consolation, as thou wouldst wish to be done unto yourself. Inconstancy of mind and little confidence in God, is the beginning of all temptations. For as a ship without a helm is driven to and fro by the waves, so the man who neglects and gives up his resolutions is tempted in many ways.

Mermaid Or A Whale

Recently, in large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym . It said:

¨THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?¨

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans).. They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’ t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don’t have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a piece of chocolate with my friends. With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, ¨Good gosh, look how smart I am…¨

Only Twelve Years Old

Today is the feast day of Saint Maria Goretti, she became a saint at only twelve years old. Saint Maria, rather than submit to the man who wanted to rape her, rather than lose her precious virginity to this violent man, she fought and was repeatedly stabbed. But the most remarkable thing about Saint Maria, is that as she lay dying in the hospital from her stab wounds, she FORGAVE her attacker.

At Mass today Father said that Maria had been pursed by her attacker for a long while--and that someone should have noticed his unhealthy interest in Maria before it turned into rape and murder. Father also said that moms and dads need to notice what's going on in their children's lives, including watching the way their children dress--Children should not dress provocatively--ever!

How is it, that a girl of only twelve years is already so holy that she would rather die that commit even one sin against our Lord? I want to be that holy! And how is it that a man is so evil, that he would kill a young girl who would not submit to his sexual desires?

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve's name.

Break the sinners' fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

Angela made this card for me--way cool!

Some Kind Soul

My favorite Birthday cake--pineapple bars from Mrs. Backers Bakery in Salt Lake--yum!

As long as we were in the world, our eyes looked down into the abyss and we lived in filth. After we were rescued from the waves, we began to look upon the sun and look up at the true light. ---Saint Jerome

Today is my 53rd Birthday. Fifty-three years ago today, my mother was screaming with labor pains as I was expelled into this world. Out of her pain I was born. Nine months before that--ewwww, kinda icky to think about what my parents were doing. My parents were co-creators with God--without their co-operation with God--I would have remained in my nothingness. But I was born.

This was only my physical birth--I would have to wait until forty six years later until my spiritual birth. My parents, not knowing God, could not give me what they themselves did not have--Jesus. So for all those years, I stumbled around in the dark, in the filth of the world, blind to the true light which is God.

Then my earthly existence changed. Some kind soul, out of the goodness of their heart--in love with Jesus--prayed for me. Prayed for me to be converted, for God to remove my blindness and see the great treasure that He had for me--they prayed, the Lord heard their prayer, and I was rescued! After I die, hopefully God will reveal to me that kind person, who co-operated with God, and I was born.

God can do anything He wants--He could have shown me His light at my birth--but He asks for man to co-operate--If someone would have prayed for me sooner--I could have known God sooner. He asks for us to pray--do you know how much power God gives us in our prayers!? But man in his own selfishness, thinks only about his own needs and desires--there is only love for himself--his neighbor can fend for himself. But God asks us to love--everyone--"our neighbor as ourselves." If we did, and we interceded for the well-being of our neighbor the world could be transformed from the evils of sin and darkness, to the power that is goodness and light.

So today, on my Birthday, I am asking YOU for a gift--YOU who have been so abundantly blessed--who daily walk in the light with the Lord. I am asking for your intercession, for your prayers--even just the smallest prayer--please pray for the conversion of sinners, please co-operate with God, and help rescue someone else out of the darkness of the world--bring them into the light of God's presence. Co-operate with God, and let them be born!

Angel Of Fatima Prayer

Given to the three children by the Angel who
preceded Our Lady's first appearance to them.

MOST Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I adore Thee profoundly.
I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity
of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world,
in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges, and indifference
by which He is offended. And through the infinite merit
of His Most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.

True Hearts Award

Angela gave me this "True Hearts Award." I think she's really getting me to come out of my withdrawal, I mean praying, and get back to blogging. Angela you are so very kind to give me this award. In this darkened world--it's so good to have a friend like you--Thank you. And the award is made of chocolate--yum, chocolate.

The True Hearts Award is:

"Those who receive this award are of the sweetest nature. They are kind, friendly, funny, loving, eager to share their love for Jesus with others, and brave in their efforts to reflect Him to this darkened world. They are the kind of folks you're blessed to know, even if it's only in the blogo-sphere."

I pass this award onto:
Cathy

Gone Praying!

It feels as if this little black box (my computer) is like a large black hole--it's force is drawing me inside. I'm going to take a prayer break--until I can break the gravitational pull. So until further notice--I've gone PRAYING!

Prayer to Our Lady of Perpetual Help:Mother of Perpetual Help, you have been blessed and favored by God. You became not only the Mother of the Redeemer, but the Mother of the redeemed as well. We come to you today as you loving children. Watch over us and take care of us. As you held the child Jesus in your loving arms, so take us in your arms. Be a mother ready at every moment to help us. For God who is mighty has done great things for you, and his mercy is from age to age on those who love him. Our greatest fear is that in time of temptation, we may fail to call out to you, and become lost children. Intercede for us, dear Mother, in obtaining pardon for our sins, love for Jesus, final perseverance, and the grace always to call upon you, Mother of Perpetual Help.
Amen.

Bejeweled

I've been thinking alot about temptation lately. We always think about the temptation to sin, but sometimes we are tempted to do good. To turn to God, to pray, to teach, to help others, to love. But it feels like mostly we are tempted to sin. In our temptation we can prove our love, will we love the Lord with all our heart and soul, or will we give into the temptation to sin?

Our flesh is always seeking physical pleasure, lust, overindulgence in food, drinking, or playing on the computer. I just recently joined "facebook" with the thought that it would not interfere with my spiritual good, but I have found myself recently spending more time on the Internet then in prayer--especially on the game, bejeweled--very addictive--if you haven't tried it, and your prone to addiction--don't even go there.

Now I'm not saying that "facebook" is necessarily a bad thing. Our flesh is a part of us, and a little healthy distraction is healthy to our psyche. But we need to distinguish between the flesh and it's wants and true needs--our flesh should never stand between us and our entering Heaven.

Living in Utah, where half of the State is deceived by a false prophet in a false religion, I can't help but think that temptations are like false prophets. They promise us sweet physical satisfaction, while taking us away from God. I think the biggest "false prophet" is distraction. The newest news story about Michael Jackson dying--today was a major distraction. Not that its bad to hear and contemplate his death--but when we dwell on the story for hours--and watch all the news reports--it can become a major distraction. Even things that are noble and good, can end up being a distraction and a source of temptation toward the world and away from God. And the Lord allows these "false prophets"--temptations to test us to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

So, the struggle is between the temptation to good or the temptation to evil, am I going to spend more time on the Internet, playing bejeweled, or more time pursuing what will nourish, refresh, and restore my spirit? "I'm so addicted--I'm just going to go play bejeweled--just a couple more times--ahhhhh."

He Affected Us

Michael Jackson died today at the age of 50. He was a part of our lives--a part of our culture--a most talented entertainer--he affected us. May he rest in peace.

The Promise

The priest promises his entire self to God, not my will Lord--but Thy Will. Today is the 15th Anniversary of Father Erik's ordination to the Priesthood. One good thing about being friends with the priest's mother is she shares great pictures of Father's ordination: Happy Anniversary Father!
Be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth--Ephesians 4:23-24

Intentional Self-Disclosure

Self-portrait by Albrecht Durer at age 28.

Every self-portrait is an intentional self-disclosure produced by the person who knows best who he is, and it is offered presumably to be a window onto his true character--Michael Schrauzer, "This Rock" magazine July-August 2009 edition

I love this picture--the highlights in the curls flowing down over his shoulders--are there artists today who can paint as magnificently as Durer? Durer painted several very different self-portraits--but which one portrays the true Durer? All of them most likely. At very different times we are very different people. When we write our blog posts we also "paint" our own self-portraits, we intentionally self-disclose who we are--what we look like, but those images may be fabricated with countless possibilities and may or may not portray reality.

At my last Carmelite meeting one of my fellow Carmelites said to me, "Tara, I know more about you than you could ever know about me--from reading your blog." It struck me then, that for those who visit my blog--they could, over time, develop an image of who I am, but only what I choose to self-disclose, I am the artist--and I "paint" the image.

In my favorite Bible verse 1 Cor 13: "At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror, but then face to face. At present I know partially; then I shall know fully, as I am fully known." I think of looking in a mirror as a small child, then as a teen, then as a young woman, then as a mother, then as a wife, now as a soon to be grand-mother. When I look in the mirror, I only see one part of the whole--God sees the whole.

Our true characters develop over time--but our "true" characters are not yet fully formed. We paint a new picture each day--post a new blog post--we are the artists. Each day we "paint" an intentional self-disclosure, each day we have a choice to remain within our circumstances or to create a new character--a new picture. In the end, we create the full picture we see staring back at us from the mirror, and with the help of God's Grace--may the picture appear as Jesus.

For Cathy And Terry--Behave Yourself

Behave yourselves, while the priests are gone--no running off with each other!!!

God Sees All, And God Will Avenge All

There are so many, so many men who will "use" a woman for their own selfish desires, their minds are darkened with sin, they have an insufficient trust in God. They have NO FEAR of God--none. They believe they can do what they want--with no consequences to themselves--No fear of God.

This past weekend, Jim and I watched "Taken" a show about human trafficking of women to be used for sexual purposes--now while I know the film is fictional, human trafficking exists--today. In the film, the women who were abducted were more valuable if they were young beautiful virgins. Why is a man is so anxious to commit the most heinous evil, a rush to defile innocence?--it's horrifying--Satan himself would salivate at the corruption of man's will.

I enjoyed watching the main character of the show blow the heads off of the evil guys--while he fought to rescue the victim--his daughter. I enjoyed the avenging of injustice--"send the sorry SOB's straight to Hell!" Oh, sigh, now I'll have to go to Confession and tell Father that I liked watching the evil guys get killed.

If you were to compare a saint to the man who is rapes a kidnapped, drugged victim, the saint overlooks his own comforts, and conveniences for another--The saint loves the other and wants what is best for her--helps her to attain Heaven. The evil rapist does not even consider that the woman he is raping is human--he views her only in the light of his own selfish satisfaction. His mind is full of the darkness of sin. He has listened to the seduction of the spirit of the world and in his own corrupted will he finds sin enticing. He has paid good money to the women's abductor and he will take his pleasure at her expense.

I asked my husband Jim, from a man's perspective--why did he think a man could take an abducted virgin and salivate at the thought of taking her virginity. Jim said, "Maybe it's because he thinks he can have something no one else can have, and once he has had the virgin--no one else--will ever have her the same way again." Basically, Pride of self--having something that no one else has--makes him feel powerful and above others. Others are just creatures to be used for his own selfish gratification--no one counts but him.

While in this life, Satan is the ruler of the world, and God must allow the consequences of man's own selfish free will. Man--in his own self pride--wanted to "know" good and evil, he turned away from God, and now we live the consequences of the dominion of man--A little taste of Hell.

Temptation and sin are all around, they say if you swim in a pile of manure--it's hard to come out smelling like a rose. But now is the time to walk away from sin and the dominion of man's darkened minds. What men need is a healthy "fear of the Lord." God sees all, and God will avenge all. And Jim says he's not ever letting me watch movies again that disturb my delicate psyche--sheesh.

Styrofoam Peanuts

I wonder if Styrofoam peanuts ever deteriorate? Just asking?