Today while I was at prayer group I had a compelling feeling I needed to share some words that came to me. But due to my own fears and my own inadequacies I did not feel strong enough to share what I had received. As I listened more and more to others share their messages, I became more and more anxious to share what I had received as everything confirmed what I had written. But as I got more anxious, I also got more hesitant. I could feel my heart pounding. I could feel my pulse racing. I wanted to share but there was something holding me back. Mike and Rita kept asking if others had more to share. I kept silent even after I heard more words encouraging to share. I kept the words and the message to myself.
After prayer group I was approached by Maria. I do not know her well. I see her every week at group. In the few short weeks that I have seen her, I have seen a change in her that is amazing. I have seen her grow and become more bold in her faith. It as somewhere I knew she was not just a few weeks before. During group Maria had shared a word that I knew was speaking directly to me. I knew that these words were meant for me to hear. But still my own fear and my own human nature would not let me share the words I had written on my paper. When she approached me, she asked me directly what was the message I had to share. I was not sure exactly sure what she was referring to but in a small I knew. I knew the words she shared were meant for me to hear so I could be more bold and stronger in my faith. I showed her the words and message I had received during group. She asked me why I did not share during group. I told her of my fears and inadequacies and she reminded me that it is not about what I think I need to share but what God wants me to share.
I know now that I need to be more bold in my faith. More bold than I already am. More bold to share the truth that I know. More bold so those who do not believe can believe. I worry that others will see me and think that I am not sincere or genuine. Others will see my youthful appearance and think that I do not have the knowledge or experience to be able to share the word of truth. But Maria reminded me that it does not matter what others think. I should not worry that others do not believe me or in my sincerity. God has given me this faith and this fire and it is up to me to share. It is up to me to get the word out there for others to hear.
I am reminded of the lessons we learned tonight. I need to let the light inside of me burn bright. I need to let His light shine brighter. I need to go forth and witness.
Lord help me to shine-radiate-emit.
The message I wanted to share:
Radiate my love.
Let my love emit from your whole being.
Shine for me.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, October 4, 2010
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time -- Respect Life Sunday
October 3, 2010
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time -- Respect Life Sunday
Church of the Incarnation, Sarasota, FL
Priest: Father Mike
First reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3, 2: 2-4 "The rash on has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live."
Psalm 95: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
Second reading: 2 Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 17: 5-10 "Increase your faith" "When you have done all you have been commanded say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.' "
Notes from Homily (Respect Life Sunday)
We can use the life of Christ as our example for respecting life.
Annunciation (Luke 1:31-35) This shows us the very beginning of life. From the very moment of conception, there is life within the mother's womb.
Visitation (Luke 1:41-44) This shows that even in the womb at the earliest stages of pregnancy there is life growing within the mother's womb.
Presentation at the temple (Luke 2:25-32, 36-38) Through Simeon and Anna's interactions with the infant Jesus we see a respect and dignity for the elderly and those who are advanced in years.
The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4: 1-42) It is through Christ's interaction with the woman at the well that we see a respect for all life regardless of gender but especially in the dignity of woman.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18: 12-14) It is through this parable that we learn a respect for those who are lost and seeking to return home again including the homeless and those who have no one to pray for them.
Jesus' interaction with the lepers. It is through this that we have a respect for those who are considered outcasts in our communities.
Jesus' interaction with the poor, downtrodden, and vulnerable. It is through this interaction that we see a respect for the sick and dying.
As we follow and look at the life of Jesus, we see and learn a respect for all life in all stages, backgrounds, status, and situations in life.
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time -- Respect Life Sunday
Church of the Incarnation, Sarasota, FL
Priest: Father Mike
First reading: Habakkuk 1: 2-3, 2: 2-4 "The rash on has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live."
Psalm 95: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts."
Second reading: 2 Timothy 1: 6-8, 13-14
Gospel: Luke 17: 5-10 "Increase your faith" "When you have done all you have been commanded say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.' "
Notes from Homily (Respect Life Sunday)
We can use the life of Christ as our example for respecting life.
Annunciation (Luke 1:31-35) This shows us the very beginning of life. From the very moment of conception, there is life within the mother's womb.
Visitation (Luke 1:41-44) This shows that even in the womb at the earliest stages of pregnancy there is life growing within the mother's womb.
Presentation at the temple (Luke 2:25-32, 36-38) Through Simeon and Anna's interactions with the infant Jesus we see a respect and dignity for the elderly and those who are advanced in years.
The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4: 1-42) It is through Christ's interaction with the woman at the well that we see a respect for all life regardless of gender but especially in the dignity of woman.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18: 12-14) It is through this parable that we learn a respect for those who are lost and seeking to return home again including the homeless and those who have no one to pray for them.
Jesus' interaction with the lepers. It is through this that we have a respect for those who are considered outcasts in our communities.
Jesus' interaction with the poor, downtrodden, and vulnerable. It is through this interaction that we see a respect for the sick and dying.
As we follow and look at the life of Jesus, we see and learn a respect for all life in all stages, backgrounds, status, and situations in life.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A new blog
It has been so long since my last post on this blog. So much has changed in my life. Everything, of course, for His greater honor and glory. I hope to try and post more to this blog so as to continue to inspire others on their walk with Christ.
There will be 4 different types of posts.
1. From notes while at Mass and Homily.
I have been bringing a journal to Mass with me for sometime and taking notes on the readings and Homily. I keep them for myself but I think that others will benefit from what I have learned at Mass each week or when I attend daily Mass.
2. From notes while at prayer groups.
I have been attending several charismatic prayer groups and I often take notes on the prophesy or scripture that is shared. When I am truly inspired, I will post some of the prophesy or scriptures.
3. Songs or prayers that inspire me.
Sometimes a song or prayer will inspire me and I just have to share it with you and see how you can be inspired, too.
4. Anything inspired by God
If I find something that inspires me, then I will share it here so that it may also inspire you.
One of the biggest changes in the last year was that I got married on April 10, 2010. I have started a new blog called A Marriage Full of Hope about our ups and downs in our marriage and the experiences and lessons learned. Please also follow my new blog http://amarriagefullofhope.blogspot.com/ and see the journey my husband and I have ventured on together.
There will be 4 different types of posts.
1. From notes while at Mass and Homily.
I have been bringing a journal to Mass with me for sometime and taking notes on the readings and Homily. I keep them for myself but I think that others will benefit from what I have learned at Mass each week or when I attend daily Mass.
2. From notes while at prayer groups.
I have been attending several charismatic prayer groups and I often take notes on the prophesy or scripture that is shared. When I am truly inspired, I will post some of the prophesy or scriptures.
3. Songs or prayers that inspire me.
Sometimes a song or prayer will inspire me and I just have to share it with you and see how you can be inspired, too.
4. Anything inspired by God
If I find something that inspires me, then I will share it here so that it may also inspire you.
One of the biggest changes in the last year was that I got married on April 10, 2010. I have started a new blog called A Marriage Full of Hope about our ups and downs in our marriage and the experiences and lessons learned. Please also follow my new blog http://amarriagefullofhope.blogspot.com/ and see the journey my husband and I have ventured on together.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Holiday letter 2008
It is a little late for a holiday letter, but I had so much to say that I just did not have time to finally sit down and write it until the other day. I am still behind on mailing it out but I hope to get that sometime early this week. I also waited because so much happened in the last few weeks of 2008 that I wanted to include ALL the changes which occured right up until the very end. I am not sure if this really is a faith blog or not but I do talk a lot about my faith and where I've been and where I'd like to go. Regardless, I'd still like to share it with all who follow my blog publicly as well as anonymously.
So here it is:
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello! This was supposed to be my "2008 Holiday Letter", but now it has become "My launching into 2009 Letter" instead. With the end of the year and holiday season just passing, I got so busy with the hustle and bustle of work and everyday life that I did not get a chance to reflect on 2008 and put my thoughts on paper. So, here we are at the beginning of a new year, and I finally have a moment to look back on the highlights of 2008 and make predictions on the year to come. I cannot believe the new year is already here. It seems as if it was yesterday that 2008 began. I am very excited about the challenges that 2009 will bring,
In 2008, I set out a few lofty goals and although the year got off to a good start, I was not able to meet my main goal of finding the right relationship that might lead into a promising future. I know it seems rather superficial, but I set a pretty high goal of getting into the right long term relationship. I started off the year with a few "blind" dates but none ended up anywhere. I have made a few good friends but nothing more. 2008 as a whole was filled with many ups and downs throughout the year but all in all I think I was able to end the year on a pretty big high note.
Highlights of 2008:
January through March seemed uneventful. I do not recall much going on these first few months other than the usual post holiday celebrations. It was a hard beginning of the year with Mom and Dad in the Philippines during this time. Starting in April is when the excitement started to happen. First, I joined a young adult ministry in Altamonte Springs at Annunciation Catholic Church. At the start, I only attended dinners and participated in activities, but as time went on I got more involved. I am now on the Spiritual committee and the core team for the group. On April 20, my sister gave birth to my niece Miranda Elayne. She was born at Winter Park Hospital at 11:47am. I had every intention of being here in Orlando for her birth, but our little princess had other plans. My sister went into labor fairly early and within a couple of hours our precious angel was born. I made it to the hospital in the late afternoon a few hours after she was born. May was actually a pretty tough month. Despite being my birthday month, I did not have a great month or birthday for that matter. I suffered a bit of depression that month. It lasted a couple of months but I bounced back in late June/early July. At that time I started to get very involved in the Singles for Christ Orlando chapter. I was able to give the Transformation in Christ talk. Things started picking up. In this talk, I was able to give my testimony as to how God had healed me from the pains of the past and other traumatic experiences that I had as a child as well as an adult. Life really started to pick up from there. The next few months I continued to grow in my faith. I continued to flourish and experience even more healing of old wounds. September brought the biggest change of 2008 when I moved into a house with my friend Christine (Tin) from SFC. I enjoy being in a house but I do miss being near my sister and the kids. I am now living in west Orlando near Ocoee which is about 30 minutes from Lalie and the kids. I miss being able to see them after work, but I do try and make time for them on the weekends. In October, I was able to take a short 1 week vacation to Naples to visit family and friends. While there I attended the wedding of two of my good friends Lindsay and Jose. I had the opportunity of being an active part of their wedding day including reading the first reading. It was a great time at their wedding. I enjoyed my vacation to Naples as well. I was able to see many of the old places I used to go and finally visit Palm Cottage near the Naples Pier. I had always wanted to go and I am glad I got the chance. Palm Cottage is an old house owned by the Naples Historical Society. It is a beautiful old home filled with lots of history. I just love old houses like this. October was also the month that I started my online blog. I started an online ministry where I have posted many different views of the same testimony. I share my journey with Christ on the Internet for all to read. I have not been too active in posting there, but please do check it out and follow along my journey of faith. This was also the month I attended the Life in the Spirit (charismatic) conference. At the conference I found a whole new side of Catholicism that truly has deepened my faith. I continue to stay involved with SFC and have had the chance to minister to the youth of Youth for Christ. I did an improv comedy workshop with the kids at their youth Camp. I had so much fun with them that I decided I am going to start writing my one-woman show again with the hopes of performing it either late spring or early summer. Stay tuned for the new blog that will chronicle my writing journey in putting together this show. The last few months of 2008 were quite busy. I have been quite involved with SFC as well as other Church groups. Aside the young adult ministry and SFC, I am now a part of the charismatic renewal group at Church. I hope to get even more involved at Church as well. I am looking to be a parishioner at this new parish. I also want to try and get involved in the contemporary choir there. The last couple of months at work were quite crazy. Just after coming home from vacation I started working a lot of extra hours. I was working an average 53 hours every week for nearly 5 or 6 weeks. It finally took its toll on me and I cut back to just over 40 hours a week. I was still making a few extra dollars working OT but not as much. I was still pretty tired and beat every night after work. I also started to get involved in a social Catholic group started through a Catholic website I belong to. We started with an informal meeting for lunch in November and plan to alternate between Tampa and Orlando every month. We have a pretty good group going. The last few weeks of year have been the best weeks of 2008 and probably the reason I did not write this sooner. I wanted to be able to include the changes and happenings of the last few weeks in the letter. I have made a lot of new friends through the gatherings our small group has been having including a very good friend I have been talking to and getting to know the last few weeks. For right now we are just friends but we get along well and have great conversations. I do not know what is going to happen with that but I am starting to think that meeting that special someone might not have been the plan for 2008 but I certainly have included in my plans for 2009. 2008 was not only a great year spiritually but I am very blessed to have a good group of friends at work as well as outside of work to keep me focused and grounded. I am so lucky to have my friends Johnerick and Christine who have been my rock and support this whole year. I owe much to them and the bonds of friendship we have shared this past year.
So what is in store for 2009? Not only did 2008 bring about spiritual change but I had made some physical changes as well. I was able to lose almost 25 pounds and finally fit back into a size 6 pair of SKINNY jeans. Part of the challenge of 2009 is to keep off the weight and lose another 5 pounds. I want to start exercising more so as to stay fit and in shape. I already lost the weight so now I have to try and maintain it and stay fit. I am so happy that I have lost the weight but the sad part is all my clothes are now 4 or 5 sizes TOO big. I have to work on buying a new wardrobe. I decided that since I was buying a new wardrobe I would try a different look. I have decided to go from the loose and baggy clothes to a more professional and feminine look. I have made some changes in my wardrobe these last few weeks that I hope to be propelled into the future never to look back on the past. I am changing my wardrobe for 2 reasons 1) to replace my now extra baggy clothes into something that fits and flatters my body and how I look 2) to try to hook in that man who may someday be the one for me. I realized that I was not going to go anywhere if I did not make a change. It is going to be a major challenge but I look forward to meeting it this year. For 2009, I also want to build a stronger relationship with God. I want to get closer to Him. I want to have a deeper and more personal relationship with Him. I want to be able to evangelize and claim lives for Jesus Christ. I want to pray and read the Bible more. I hope to do this through my writing – my faith blog as well as my one-woman show. But the one area I want to work on is living my life for God so that others may know and see that in me and want it and desire it for themselves. If doing full time ministry and bearing witness would actually make ends meet and pay the bills, then I would change careers and give my hand at working doing full time mission work with SFC. One of my goals for 2009 is to plan a trip home to the Philippines in December. I will go back to my Mom’s hometown and stay with family for 2 weeks. I really hope and pray that God makes this happen as it will be over 30 years since I have last been home. A lot has changed and I want to connect with family there before it is too late.
I look forward to the many challenges of 2009. I know that through God there is NOTHING impossible. I put all my faith and trust in Him and I know that He will provide for my every need just as He has since the beginning of time.
I wish all of you a blessed new year. I wish for you joy, peace, prosperity, good health, love and happiness which comes from God and God alone.
With Lots of Love,
Eileen Mae
So here it is:
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello! This was supposed to be my "2008 Holiday Letter", but now it has become "My launching into 2009 Letter" instead. With the end of the year and holiday season just passing, I got so busy with the hustle and bustle of work and everyday life that I did not get a chance to reflect on 2008 and put my thoughts on paper. So, here we are at the beginning of a new year, and I finally have a moment to look back on the highlights of 2008 and make predictions on the year to come. I cannot believe the new year is already here. It seems as if it was yesterday that 2008 began. I am very excited about the challenges that 2009 will bring,
In 2008, I set out a few lofty goals and although the year got off to a good start, I was not able to meet my main goal of finding the right relationship that might lead into a promising future. I know it seems rather superficial, but I set a pretty high goal of getting into the right long term relationship. I started off the year with a few "blind" dates but none ended up anywhere. I have made a few good friends but nothing more. 2008 as a whole was filled with many ups and downs throughout the year but all in all I think I was able to end the year on a pretty big high note.
Highlights of 2008:
January through March seemed uneventful. I do not recall much going on these first few months other than the usual post holiday celebrations. It was a hard beginning of the year with Mom and Dad in the Philippines during this time. Starting in April is when the excitement started to happen. First, I joined a young adult ministry in Altamonte Springs at Annunciation Catholic Church. At the start, I only attended dinners and participated in activities, but as time went on I got more involved. I am now on the Spiritual committee and the core team for the group. On April 20, my sister gave birth to my niece Miranda Elayne. She was born at Winter Park Hospital at 11:47am. I had every intention of being here in Orlando for her birth, but our little princess had other plans. My sister went into labor fairly early and within a couple of hours our precious angel was born. I made it to the hospital in the late afternoon a few hours after she was born. May was actually a pretty tough month. Despite being my birthday month, I did not have a great month or birthday for that matter. I suffered a bit of depression that month. It lasted a couple of months but I bounced back in late June/early July. At that time I started to get very involved in the Singles for Christ Orlando chapter. I was able to give the Transformation in Christ talk. Things started picking up. In this talk, I was able to give my testimony as to how God had healed me from the pains of the past and other traumatic experiences that I had as a child as well as an adult. Life really started to pick up from there. The next few months I continued to grow in my faith. I continued to flourish and experience even more healing of old wounds. September brought the biggest change of 2008 when I moved into a house with my friend Christine (Tin) from SFC. I enjoy being in a house but I do miss being near my sister and the kids. I am now living in west Orlando near Ocoee which is about 30 minutes from Lalie and the kids. I miss being able to see them after work, but I do try and make time for them on the weekends. In October, I was able to take a short 1 week vacation to Naples to visit family and friends. While there I attended the wedding of two of my good friends Lindsay and Jose. I had the opportunity of being an active part of their wedding day including reading the first reading. It was a great time at their wedding. I enjoyed my vacation to Naples as well. I was able to see many of the old places I used to go and finally visit Palm Cottage near the Naples Pier. I had always wanted to go and I am glad I got the chance. Palm Cottage is an old house owned by the Naples Historical Society. It is a beautiful old home filled with lots of history. I just love old houses like this. October was also the month that I started my online blog. I started an online ministry where I have posted many different views of the same testimony. I share my journey with Christ on the Internet for all to read. I have not been too active in posting there, but please do check it out and follow along my journey of faith. This was also the month I attended the Life in the Spirit (charismatic) conference. At the conference I found a whole new side of Catholicism that truly has deepened my faith. I continue to stay involved with SFC and have had the chance to minister to the youth of Youth for Christ. I did an improv comedy workshop with the kids at their youth Camp. I had so much fun with them that I decided I am going to start writing my one-woman show again with the hopes of performing it either late spring or early summer. Stay tuned for the new blog that will chronicle my writing journey in putting together this show. The last few months of 2008 were quite busy. I have been quite involved with SFC as well as other Church groups. Aside the young adult ministry and SFC, I am now a part of the charismatic renewal group at Church. I hope to get even more involved at Church as well. I am looking to be a parishioner at this new parish. I also want to try and get involved in the contemporary choir there. The last couple of months at work were quite crazy. Just after coming home from vacation I started working a lot of extra hours. I was working an average 53 hours every week for nearly 5 or 6 weeks. It finally took its toll on me and I cut back to just over 40 hours a week. I was still making a few extra dollars working OT but not as much. I was still pretty tired and beat every night after work. I also started to get involved in a social Catholic group started through a Catholic website I belong to. We started with an informal meeting for lunch in November and plan to alternate between Tampa and Orlando every month. We have a pretty good group going. The last few weeks of year have been the best weeks of 2008 and probably the reason I did not write this sooner. I wanted to be able to include the changes and happenings of the last few weeks in the letter. I have made a lot of new friends through the gatherings our small group has been having including a very good friend I have been talking to and getting to know the last few weeks. For right now we are just friends but we get along well and have great conversations. I do not know what is going to happen with that but I am starting to think that meeting that special someone might not have been the plan for 2008 but I certainly have included in my plans for 2009. 2008 was not only a great year spiritually but I am very blessed to have a good group of friends at work as well as outside of work to keep me focused and grounded. I am so lucky to have my friends Johnerick and Christine who have been my rock and support this whole year. I owe much to them and the bonds of friendship we have shared this past year.
So what is in store for 2009? Not only did 2008 bring about spiritual change but I had made some physical changes as well. I was able to lose almost 25 pounds and finally fit back into a size 6 pair of SKINNY jeans. Part of the challenge of 2009 is to keep off the weight and lose another 5 pounds. I want to start exercising more so as to stay fit and in shape. I already lost the weight so now I have to try and maintain it and stay fit. I am so happy that I have lost the weight but the sad part is all my clothes are now 4 or 5 sizes TOO big. I have to work on buying a new wardrobe. I decided that since I was buying a new wardrobe I would try a different look. I have decided to go from the loose and baggy clothes to a more professional and feminine look. I have made some changes in my wardrobe these last few weeks that I hope to be propelled into the future never to look back on the past. I am changing my wardrobe for 2 reasons 1) to replace my now extra baggy clothes into something that fits and flatters my body and how I look 2) to try to hook in that man who may someday be the one for me. I realized that I was not going to go anywhere if I did not make a change. It is going to be a major challenge but I look forward to meeting it this year. For 2009, I also want to build a stronger relationship with God. I want to get closer to Him. I want to have a deeper and more personal relationship with Him. I want to be able to evangelize and claim lives for Jesus Christ. I want to pray and read the Bible more. I hope to do this through my writing – my faith blog as well as my one-woman show. But the one area I want to work on is living my life for God so that others may know and see that in me and want it and desire it for themselves. If doing full time ministry and bearing witness would actually make ends meet and pay the bills, then I would change careers and give my hand at working doing full time mission work with SFC. One of my goals for 2009 is to plan a trip home to the Philippines in December. I will go back to my Mom’s hometown and stay with family for 2 weeks. I really hope and pray that God makes this happen as it will be over 30 years since I have last been home. A lot has changed and I want to connect with family there before it is too late.
I look forward to the many challenges of 2009. I know that through God there is NOTHING impossible. I put all my faith and trust in Him and I know that He will provide for my every need just as He has since the beginning of time.
I wish all of you a blessed new year. I wish for you joy, peace, prosperity, good health, love and happiness which comes from God and God alone.
With Lots of Love,
Eileen Mae
Thursday, December 25, 2008
The best Christmas gift ever given AND received
What was the best Christmas gift that you have ever received? Was it something that you still cherish today or is it just a memory of a Christmas from long, long ago? I know as a child growing up I received some really nice Christmas gifts that I truly enjoyed. I remember a finger paint set I got once when I was 5 years old. I had so much fun with it, too. Where is it now? I don't know. It was long gone once all the paper and paint were used. It was just temporary happiness. As all the material gifts we receive at Christmas time.
This year I received the best Christmas gift ever. It wasn't something material but something very special. Something I know I will cherish the rest of my life.
It all started a few weeks before Christmas. I was on my way home from a long day at work. I had no plans for the evening but Johnerick was in my neighborhood so we decided to have a nice dinner together at Golden Corral. It started off as a pretty normal dinner. We enjoyed our buffet, conversation, and fellowship. At the end of dinner, we both had realized that we had no cash to tip our waiter. We could have easily just eaten and run without tipping the waiter. He may or may not have noticed. But we felt bad. We had nothing to give him. Not even a penny. So we told him on his next day at work we would stop by and not only tip him for that day's service but also for this evening's service. We had vowed to come back and double tip him for his service. He was not expecting us to come back. But being a woman who is true to her word and a devout Catholic I knew I couldn't just eat and not come back. So Johnerick and I made plans to return that following Friday to give Henry (our waiter) what he deserves. So enter the following Friday. Johnerick and I had every intention of returning. And we did. Both of us with cash to properly tip Henry. When we got there we immediately asked about Henry. We were hoping he was there as he said he would. We wanted to sit in his section so that we could not only tip him for Friday's service but also Wednesday. When he saw us there he was just speechless. He wasn't expecting us to return but being people who are true their word we came back. He led us to our table and we had a nice dinner. He came up to us and talked with us a few times as a good waiter should. And out of the blue I made a suggestion I didn't know how he would take it. Being a devout Catholic (and Johnerick a devout Christian) I asked if and when Henry had a free moment I wanted to pray with him. I have never made such an offer in public before but I have felt more inclined to do things like that when I am so moved by the Spirit to do so. I wasn't sure how he'd take it or if he'd even sit with us. But a little while later Henry came and sat with us. So I bowed my head and prayed. I prayed thanking God for Henry and the service he does at work for his customers. I prayed thanking God for allowing Henry to be touched by us. I prayed for blessings for him and his family. After we were done praying, Henry again was speechless. He told us that twice in the same night was he rendered speechless by us. He said never before has he had someone offer to pray for him. He said the prayer was so beautiful. He was so touched. He even told us that a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. I knew we had done a good deed. I told Henry to pass it on. To share it with others. I know that even if he didn't even if it was just for that one night Henry was a changed man. We opened his eyes to a new experience. Johnerick and I walked out of there changed forever. We knew we had made a difference in his life.
How amazing God used us at that moment to minister to Henry. How amazing that God allowed us to touch Henry on that day. This was and is the best Christmas present ever given AND received. Not only did Henry receive monetary tips but also spiritual ones. I am lucky to have had this experience.
I hope that you too can make the difference in some one's life. It can change the hearts of many.
God bless you this Christmas season and always.
This year I received the best Christmas gift ever. It wasn't something material but something very special. Something I know I will cherish the rest of my life.
It all started a few weeks before Christmas. I was on my way home from a long day at work. I had no plans for the evening but Johnerick was in my neighborhood so we decided to have a nice dinner together at Golden Corral. It started off as a pretty normal dinner. We enjoyed our buffet, conversation, and fellowship. At the end of dinner, we both had realized that we had no cash to tip our waiter. We could have easily just eaten and run without tipping the waiter. He may or may not have noticed. But we felt bad. We had nothing to give him. Not even a penny. So we told him on his next day at work we would stop by and not only tip him for that day's service but also for this evening's service. We had vowed to come back and double tip him for his service. He was not expecting us to come back. But being a woman who is true to her word and a devout Catholic I knew I couldn't just eat and not come back. So Johnerick and I made plans to return that following Friday to give Henry (our waiter) what he deserves. So enter the following Friday. Johnerick and I had every intention of returning. And we did. Both of us with cash to properly tip Henry. When we got there we immediately asked about Henry. We were hoping he was there as he said he would. We wanted to sit in his section so that we could not only tip him for Friday's service but also Wednesday. When he saw us there he was just speechless. He wasn't expecting us to return but being people who are true their word we came back. He led us to our table and we had a nice dinner. He came up to us and talked with us a few times as a good waiter should. And out of the blue I made a suggestion I didn't know how he would take it. Being a devout Catholic (and Johnerick a devout Christian) I asked if and when Henry had a free moment I wanted to pray with him. I have never made such an offer in public before but I have felt more inclined to do things like that when I am so moved by the Spirit to do so. I wasn't sure how he'd take it or if he'd even sit with us. But a little while later Henry came and sat with us. So I bowed my head and prayed. I prayed thanking God for Henry and the service he does at work for his customers. I prayed thanking God for allowing Henry to be touched by us. I prayed for blessings for him and his family. After we were done praying, Henry again was speechless. He told us that twice in the same night was he rendered speechless by us. He said never before has he had someone offer to pray for him. He said the prayer was so beautiful. He was so touched. He even told us that a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. I knew we had done a good deed. I told Henry to pass it on. To share it with others. I know that even if he didn't even if it was just for that one night Henry was a changed man. We opened his eyes to a new experience. Johnerick and I walked out of there changed forever. We knew we had made a difference in his life.
How amazing God used us at that moment to minister to Henry. How amazing that God allowed us to touch Henry on that day. This was and is the best Christmas present ever given AND received. Not only did Henry receive monetary tips but also spiritual ones. I am lucky to have had this experience.
I hope that you too can make the difference in some one's life. It can change the hearts of many.
God bless you this Christmas season and always.
The true meaning of Christmas
How sad that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. We get so bogged down with shopping and finding that right gift for that special someone that we often forget what Christmas is truly about. We forget the reason we even celebrate Christmas. Christmas has become such a secular holiday that we have already forgotten the religious reasons we celebrate Christmas. Christmas has become so much about decorations and all things secular that we forget why we REALLY celebrate Christmas? Do you know what Christmas is about? Do you remember why we REALLY celebrate Christmas? Is Christmas just about Santa Claus and getting that right gift from that special someone or for that special someone? Not at all. Christmas is about one thing and one thing only and that is the birth of our Lord Christ Jesus. I have in the past given into to all the hype and spent an excessive amount of money trying to find the right gift if not giftS for everyone in the family. And now I am reminded again this year since I had no money to really give gifts that Christmas is NOT about having the right gift under the tree but about celebrating the birth of our Lord. On this day, Christ was born. On this day, a Savior came into this world to save us from Satan's power. On this day, God became man so that we may never die but live eternally. Today at Mass I was reminded of how special today is. Not because we get gifts but because have already received the greatest gift of all and that is God's only Son Jesus Christ. What more can we want if we have Christ Jesus in our lives? What more can we ask for? Is that perfect gift going to be there in the end? Only God will be there. Let us be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas this holiday season. Let us remember that Christ came on this day to save us.
Bible reading to share: My favorite story of Christmas can be found in the Gospel of Luke. It is the story of Mary and Joseph traveling through Bethlehem when it came time for Jesus to be born. It tells how he was born in a manager. It talks about Jesus' humble beginnings in a manager because there was no room in the inn. Read it for yourself and be reminded why we celebrate this day. Luke 2: 1-14
Bible reading to share: My favorite story of Christmas can be found in the Gospel of Luke. It is the story of Mary and Joseph traveling through Bethlehem when it came time for Jesus to be born. It tells how he was born in a manager. It talks about Jesus' humble beginnings in a manager because there was no room in the inn. Read it for yourself and be reminded why we celebrate this day. Luke 2: 1-14
Monday, December 1, 2008
Readings for First Sunday of Advent
First Reading: Isaiah 63: 16b-17; 19b; 64: 2-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80: 2-3; 15-16; 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
Gospel: Mark 13: 33-37
Notes taken from Homily at St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Sunday, November 30
First Reading: We were wandering about without focus. God come down from heaven and save us. We need to have the attitude to allow God to form and shape us into something beautiful and useful. We give God permission to mold us. "We are the clay and you are the potter: We are the work of your hands"
Second Reading: This talks about how God's graces work in us the community of faith. We look forward to God's graces working in us as a community.
Gospel: Be watchful and be alert. There are diversions that take us away from God that make it hard to examine our conscience and pray our conscience and pray. Be watchful and slow down. Do less and not more to be more attentive to the works of Jesus Christ. Be a person of prayer. Be watchful, alert, and centered on the Lord.
How can we be more watchful? This is the challenge for the Advent season. Let us be more watchful as we wait for the birth of Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80: 2-3; 15-16; 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 3-9
Gospel: Mark 13: 33-37
Notes taken from Homily at St Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church Sunday, November 30
First Reading: We were wandering about without focus. God come down from heaven and save us. We need to have the attitude to allow God to form and shape us into something beautiful and useful. We give God permission to mold us. "We are the clay and you are the potter: We are the work of your hands"
Second Reading: This talks about how God's graces work in us the community of faith. We look forward to God's graces working in us as a community.
Gospel: Be watchful and be alert. There are diversions that take us away from God that make it hard to examine our conscience and pray our conscience and pray. Be watchful and slow down. Do less and not more to be more attentive to the works of Jesus Christ. Be a person of prayer. Be watchful, alert, and centered on the Lord.
How can we be more watchful? This is the challenge for the Advent season. Let us be more watchful as we wait for the birth of Jesus Christ.
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