Interesting

 I have noticed something interesting. If misfortune strikes and it is everywhere, it has to be the hand of God trying to get our attention and spare  us something worse. Injuries and losses happen all the time to people, but it is not every day that the whole planet is either turning lush meadows into deserts, or lush deserts are being turned into meadows. Simply put, there is no substitute for obedience, and any disobedience is corrected so that we can learn right habits. Of course, we are free to do as we please, but if crops wither in the sun and cattle die for lack water, you are going to get very hungry.

Our civilization cannot survive too unpredictable climate. Economies cannot survive the disruption of desertification or the ravages of the stupidity of wars. It is, plainly, a time of repentance. We cannot prosper without the help of the Lord, and He is not going to help war mongers kill millions to satisfy some idiot's lust for blood, or to aid his greedy schemes trying to bring all power and wealth in one man's hand.

It is a time to pray for healing of climate, end of wars and the reconstruction of nations. While you are rebuilding, make a time to listen to the Lord stock-still in silence dedicated to Him alone. It is so beneficial to do so, that it is ludicrous that anyone should think they can stay safe and sound in their home without the nearness of the Lord. He is closer than what we know.

Peace be with you, and may all illness be healed and all souls blessed.

Interesting

 I have noticed something interesting. If misfortune strikes and it is everywhere, it has to be the hand of God trying to get our attention and spare  us something worse. Injuries and losses happen all the time to people, but it is not every day that the whole planet is either turning lush meadows into deserts, or lush deserts are being turned into meadows. Simply put, there is no substitute for obedience, and any disobedience is corrected so that we can learn right habits. Of course, we are free to do as we please, but if crops wither in the sun and cattle die for lack water, you are going to get very hungry.

Our civilization cannot survive too unpredictable climate. Economies cannot survive the disruption of desertification or the ravages of the stupidity of wars. It is, plainly, a time of repentance. We cannot prosper without the help of the Lord, and He is not going to help war mongers kill millions to satisfy some idiot's lust for blood, or to aid his greedy schemes trying to bring all power and wealth in one man's hand.

It is a time to pray for healing of climate, end of wars and the reconstruction of nations. While you are rebuilding, make a time to listen to the Lord stock-still in silence dedicated to Him alone. It is so beneficial to do so, that it is ludicrous that anyone should think they can stay safe and sound in their home without the nearness of the Lord. He is closer than what we know.

Peace be with you, and may all illness be healed and all souls blessed.

Tears

There is so much suffering, so much sadness. When I see something that touches my heart, the tears well up in my eyes. Moments of exaltation wait in ambush everywhere. It is the way those suffering can catch a glimpse of God, like sunrise peeking over the horizon or a mountaintop to paint the sky.

Solitude is a magnificent thing all by itself, and it gets a bum rap from people intimidated by such austerity. Still, even in such solemnity, each such tearful moment is also a moment of gratitude to a God who invited me to the cross, then made me forget the pain by raising up my heart so it might fill with the tears to give the Lord, for the fruition of all solemn austerity is the offering of self to God.

It is like a little boy dancing to the drums and music with a beautiful lady, and receiving a hug for thanks.

In this time of winter approaching, perhaps bitterness will fill our hearts with sadness and the emptiness of solitude. Remember then, the heart filled with tears; in receiving your gift, He did not spill a single drop.

Tears

There is so much suffering, so much sadness. When I see something that touches my heart, the tears well up in my eyes. Moments of exaltation wait in ambush everywhere. It is the way those suffering can catch a glimpse of God, like sunrise peeking over the horizon or a mountaintop to paint the sky.

Solitude is a magnificent thing all by itself, and it gets a bum rap from people intimidated by such austerity. Still, even in such solemnity, each such tearful moment is also a moment of gratitude to a God who invited me to the cross, then made me forget the pain by raising up my heart so it might fill with the tears to give the Lord, for the fruition of all solemn austerity is the offering of self to God.

It is like a little boy dancing to the drums and music with a beautiful lady, and receiving a hug for thanks.

In this time of winter approaching, perhaps bitterness will fill our hearts with sadness and the emptiness of solitude. Remember then, the heart filled with tears; in receiving your gift, He did not spill a single drop.

Gold

 

Gold requires fire, to be free
from the rock it is in. 
Can you stand the fire?

All the terrifying visions which visited St. Francis and St. Padre Pio, did not visit St. John of the cross, in spite of his name. Yet the total sacrifice they desired did visit St. John of the Cross, and was not less violent than the bloody sacrifice of the others.

He was able to endure and withstand the violence of God's love and come away stammering to enchant the souls of visionaries everywhere. 

Who else might have grown up in poverty and simplicity which they espoused as the companions of their soul? How many other living torches have been enkindled with the love of God?

Look about you and see the gentle spirits that have tasted the cross and entered heaven. Look about you, and encourage the ones who are lost in pitiful pain, looking for their true Companion, and the way into the Garden to be with God. 

They are not afraid that anyone might hear them because they would be unable to understand what they heard, but it might drive them deeper into the furnace of His love.  If that were to happen, they would only stagger smoldering in love, lost and looking for the way. You cannot see beforehand, where He wants your steps to tend, but you will arrive where He intended, and be nourished by the Garden's rest.

Gold

 

Gold requires fire, to be free
from the rock it is in. 
Can you stand the fire?

All the terrifying visions which visited St. Francis and St. Padre Pio, did not visit St. John of the cross, in spite of his name. Yet the total sacrifice they desired did visit St. John of the Cross, and was not less violent than the bloody sacrifice of the others.

He was able to endure and withstand the violence of God's love and come away stammering to enchant the souls of visionaries everywhere. 

Who else might have grown up in poverty and simplicity which they espoused as the companions of their soul? How many other living torches have been enkindled with the love of God?

Look about you and see the gentle spirits that have tasted the cross and entered heaven. Look about you, and encourage the ones who are lost in pitiful pain, looking for their true Companion, and the way into the Garden to be with God. 

They are not afraid that anyone might hear them because they would be unable to understand what they heard, but it might drive them deeper into the furnace of His love.  If that were to happen, they would only stagger smoldering in love, lost and looking for the way. You cannot see beforehand, where He wants your steps to tend, but you will arrive where He intended, and be nourished by the Garden's rest.

Delights

 

One of the delights of the Christmas season is the anticipation. Anticipation of good things, warm hugs and splendid natural phenomena; heavy fluffy snow fall or fantastic frost crystal displays in the sky or on the trees.

Circumstances do not always cooperate with things and places to allow for the marvels, but for the Christian, the newness of life is springing up everywhere that humans dwell.

Celebrating the newness of life is an ancient pastime in the long dark winter nights. That time when for the new born, the body works perfectly and there are no deficiencies. Childhood is loved world-wide for its freedom from things that hurt and limit abilities. It is celebrated as a time when parents enjoy the beauty of their children and dream of the possibilities in the lives of their children. To live to see that flowering and the joy of wonder that is becoming. Parents do all they can to enable their children to do marvelous things, as a vicarious way of participating with them in experiences that are fantastic.

Not every childhood is so idyllic, and it does not take long before children notice the ugliness in life. People deliberately hurt one another, taking what is not lawfully theirs, and forcing others to do what they do not wish. 

Not everyone is born in perfection, and lives can be very short. There can be no word said that does not hurt some. Our enemies in the world are spiritual in nature and never learned the Divine gratitude, but were maimed by malignant selfishness that regards nothing in it native holiness.

That is why it is so important to celebrate Christmas and the season of it, defying evil's desires. The overcoming of evil in the world is celebrated by Christians and revealed in His glory. It is unthinkable that the Son of God should come into the world in so humble a manner without being recognized by someone and celebrated with high festivals, because of its gift - Salvation.

In every season, we recognize that victory of Jesus that is eternal life. Jesus depended on the Father to work a miracle, and lived to tell of it, rising into Heaven to return to His Father, waiting for a time to reveal the  plan of God for all. Alleluiah.