There is a whole 4 weeks until we celebrate the birth of Jesus. It is the most wonderful time of the year. A time of sharing and giving and some recieving of wonderous gifts. Yet, it is the most hetic time of the year as well. It is a time when we all rush to accomplish all that we need to do beofre Christmas eve or Christmas Day. A time when we find all of our time is taken up by cleaning, shopping, baking, writing out cards, mailing presents to those who are not near during this time of the year. Yet, there is more to Christmas and these four weeks then we realize.
It is in these four weeks that we begin to really prepare our hearts to recieve the love of the Heavenly Father and that of His gift of Jesus. In this time we should be seeking God in an more intimate manner as we are preparing to celebrate his vigin birth into the world and all that it has to offer us as Christians. It is during this time that we are able to reach out to those who are in need, hurting and really share that Love of Jesus with them. Christmas can be a hard day for many individuals and families who are hurting and are afraid to show that deep hurt and pain. By showing them the Love and that gift if Jesus we can share with them a piece of our heart and a part of our joy that is always within us because of the Hope that Jesus brings to our lives. We have this joy because of that personal relationship that we have with Jesus, and knowing He is there when we cal or cry out to Him!
It is in these four weeks that we are so wrapped up in the presents, baking, cooking and others things that we have to do to fully prepare the family and home for the glorous day that we often overlook so many things. We often forget that there are famlies out there that are really struggling to make ends meet, or if there children get a gift at all it will be a miracle because right now all they are focusing on is keeping them in there home. We can be a blessing to them and so many others in Christmas season. We can pick one of the tags off the tree at the mall, in the church and bless that child, adult or family in a manner that they would not be able to do on their own. We can get that tag and find a gift, but what if we blessed them in a manner that they would not expect, if they ask for a coat, get the gloves, scarf and hat that goes with it. Pick up a couple of extra outfits if the child needs clothes, you don't know long long they have to last that child and it could be close to a year before they get something new. Or when you buy that barbiew get some accessories that go with it. That child will be blessed and so happy on Christmas morning because you took the time to give to them. We can give to those in the parish as well, the sisters and priest who work so hard to keep things running smoothly at the church year round and never ask for a thing in return. They rarely get a thank you, or positive feedback. Take the time bake an extra set of cookies for them, or pick up a gift card for something you know they like. If you are unsure take the time to email the church office and ask what cookies, brownies or what their favorite store is and bless them in that way to say thank you for their service to you all year.
By giving of ourself to others, God takes notice. He sees when we are there helping those in need, and will give that blessing back to us in ways that we could never expect. By giving to those who have less, those who are hurting by giving them time to talk to you, you are giving them a piece of God's hope and love. We are after all His children, and we are to reach out and help those who are in need. If we know of a need and cannot meet it, help them get in touch with others who can guide them in the right direction, and take the time to call them and see how they are doing during this wonderous time of the year. It is amazing to see how much one can belss others in these 4 weeks if we take the time to reach out to those around us.
Showing posts with label nuns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nuns. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Walking on the road.
We as Christians are followers of the Lord. We walk daily with Him and long to be in His presence. Yet, there are times that we all slip and fall, and may even walk away from the Lord. Yet, in the end when we return He is there to welcome us home with loving, open arms. We then find that ultimate love once again and start over with God. We have to be open to the Father and His love to be able to walk, pray and grow in him. We also have to learn how to listen to God as we walk the road of life.
As we walk this road, we are to share the ;love of Christ with those who are around us. We are to have the Love of Christ with our family, neighbors, friends, people in the community, strangers, members of the church, the priest, the pastors and all that we can come into contact with daily, weekly and monthly. We are to inspire those who are around us to want to walk with God, and if they are to walking with the Lord, then we want them to walk closer, deeper relationship with the Heavenly Father. We are there to lead others in there walk, and to be lead by others as well. To be open to teaching and talking about the Lord with others, along with having a open spirit to learn about God from others. We are to have that communion with God, and woth those in our lives.
We are to pray, and listen in prayer. We as Christians are called to pray, to interceed daily for those needs, and people in our lives. We need to pray, and a part of prayer is being still in God. Something that is very hard for many people. To take that time to listen, be still and sit in God's presence and allow him to minster to us as His children. It is so important to listen and sit quietly in prayer, yet we are so distracted in todays society with TV, sports, cell phones, email and work that we often list the petitions to God and say Amen! I can see God, sitting on there on the couch, going to say something, yet we say bye and walk out the door before we allow Him to speak to us. I heard a perfect example to this, we walk into the MD office and sit down, then The doctor come in and we say hello, and list all out complaints and worries to him, when we are done we say bye and leave. We didn't give him a chance to speak, and he stops you at the door and says, so you want to hear what I have to say? One other thing we all should do when we take the time to pray is to lift up the spiritual leaders in our lives. To pray for the priests, the pastors, the nun's who are in the convent and teaching in the school or working out in the community. They too need our prayers, they face some giants in life that we as lay people may never face. They fight for us in the spiritual realm, and we are thankful for them in our lives, so lets remember them in prayer as well.
As we continue down this road we are to take the time to become part of the church. I know that many are members of the church, but are you there in church or is it that you are just going through the motions. Er are to listen to the homilys, the sermons that are presented on Sunday morning. They are given to help us walk that road with God. They are there to help us when we come to the stumbling block, to give you the tools to use to keep on the straight and narrow path. Are we singing the songs with our hearts or just our heads? Are you there wondering about lunch, who is calling as you hear the cell phone vibrate, or what the afternoon holds, and wow this is a long sermon! Are you just there waiting to see what happens, or are you drawing near to God, focusuing on him for that hour or 45 minutes once a week. Can we give God our full attention for that short time to God and learn more about Him, or are we so distracted that we lose the purpose of why we attend mass or church.
We are to go to one another or to the priest, pastor or maybe a deacon and cofess the sins that we have in our hearts. We are to go to them to help us in admitting our wrongs against Christ, and by doing this big step in faith we are taking the stronghold over that sin. We go to the priest and the pastors to help us in gaining forgiveness form God, so that we no longer continue to sin in that manner.
As we walk the road and follow after the Lord, we begin to grow and mature in Him. Those old desires to son become less frequent, we have to the tools to say no and to walk away from that sin. We are able to be secure in the Lord, because of His blood and His love for us as His Children.
As we walk this road, we are to share the ;love of Christ with those who are around us. We are to have the Love of Christ with our family, neighbors, friends, people in the community, strangers, members of the church, the priest, the pastors and all that we can come into contact with daily, weekly and monthly. We are to inspire those who are around us to want to walk with God, and if they are to walking with the Lord, then we want them to walk closer, deeper relationship with the Heavenly Father. We are there to lead others in there walk, and to be lead by others as well. To be open to teaching and talking about the Lord with others, along with having a open spirit to learn about God from others. We are to have that communion with God, and woth those in our lives.
We are to pray, and listen in prayer. We as Christians are called to pray, to interceed daily for those needs, and people in our lives. We need to pray, and a part of prayer is being still in God. Something that is very hard for many people. To take that time to listen, be still and sit in God's presence and allow him to minster to us as His children. It is so important to listen and sit quietly in prayer, yet we are so distracted in todays society with TV, sports, cell phones, email and work that we often list the petitions to God and say Amen! I can see God, sitting on there on the couch, going to say something, yet we say bye and walk out the door before we allow Him to speak to us. I heard a perfect example to this, we walk into the MD office and sit down, then The doctor come in and we say hello, and list all out complaints and worries to him, when we are done we say bye and leave. We didn't give him a chance to speak, and he stops you at the door and says, so you want to hear what I have to say? One other thing we all should do when we take the time to pray is to lift up the spiritual leaders in our lives. To pray for the priests, the pastors, the nun's who are in the convent and teaching in the school or working out in the community. They too need our prayers, they face some giants in life that we as lay people may never face. They fight for us in the spiritual realm, and we are thankful for them in our lives, so lets remember them in prayer as well.
As we continue down this road we are to take the time to become part of the church. I know that many are members of the church, but are you there in church or is it that you are just going through the motions. Er are to listen to the homilys, the sermons that are presented on Sunday morning. They are given to help us walk that road with God. They are there to help us when we come to the stumbling block, to give you the tools to use to keep on the straight and narrow path. Are we singing the songs with our hearts or just our heads? Are you there wondering about lunch, who is calling as you hear the cell phone vibrate, or what the afternoon holds, and wow this is a long sermon! Are you just there waiting to see what happens, or are you drawing near to God, focusuing on him for that hour or 45 minutes once a week. Can we give God our full attention for that short time to God and learn more about Him, or are we so distracted that we lose the purpose of why we attend mass or church.
We are to go to one another or to the priest, pastor or maybe a deacon and cofess the sins that we have in our hearts. We are to go to them to help us in admitting our wrongs against Christ, and by doing this big step in faith we are taking the stronghold over that sin. We go to the priest and the pastors to help us in gaining forgiveness form God, so that we no longer continue to sin in that manner.
As we walk the road and follow after the Lord, we begin to grow and mature in Him. Those old desires to son become less frequent, we have to the tools to say no and to walk away from that sin. We are able to be secure in the Lord, because of His blood and His love for us as His Children.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Dying and Heaven
When some of my residents die it is totally different then others, being in the fact that they are of the religious order. They are declared as professional religious, meaning that they are nuns or priests. They look and perceive death very differently then those of us who are lay persons. They see death as a reward as they look forward to Heaven and all that it holds for them. I can say that I have seen many beautiful souls go to Heaven in the last year, with one dear soul that just departed from us very recently. She will be greatly rewarded for all her work here on Earth.
The nuns and priest do not fear death, rather they often embrace it. They see it as a reward for all that they have done here to serve their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They look forward to going home to see Jesus and receive from Him their true and ultimate reward as it states in Matthew 5: 12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." The nuns and priest have this reward to look forward because of what they have done to forward the gospel, and the life that they have chose to live for Him as it states in Mark 8:34 "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." They have given their entire lives to following Jesus. They have put away all other gods, and only serve the one true God as they are directed to in 1 Sam. 24:14 (NIV) "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD."
In Philippians 1:21 (NIV) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." They know they will be rewarded for their works here on Earth. They understand that by living for Christ here on Earth that she will now reside with Jesus in Heaven and that is a gain. She is now with her true Savior. Thus death for them is not bad, or a sad time rather it is a a good thing if you are in Christ Jesus. It is exciting to know that all our hard work here on Earth will be rewarded when we get to Heaven, since we are there for an eternity Matthew 5:12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They are excited to go to heaven because of what it states in Luke 6:23 (NIV) "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."
They understand that God will be faithful to them since they have walked in His ways and have followed his narrow path for their lives. As it states in Psalms 108:4 (NIV)" For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." They are graceful for His continued faithfulness to them and they continue to walk and believe in God no matter what happens to them as they travel that path. They know that God will always come through on the promises that were made to them. Psalms 145:13 (NIV) states "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." They long to hear the words of the Father when He states "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:21 (NIV).
The nuns and priest are able to understand that they will be taken care of by the Father in this life, that their needs will be met. As Philippians 4:19 (NIV) states "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." They do not fret over daily things because they are able to trust in the Lord completely. They know that God will take care of them and their needs without a shadow of a doubt. Psalms 33:21 says "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." then in Psalms 62:8 (NIV) it states "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Therefore if pour our hearts out to God and put our trust and fatih in Him, He will respond to us. God is there for us, it is stated that "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." in Psalms 91:2 (NIV).
By their faith, and knowledge of who God is and their constant companionship with the Father, they do not fear what is to come but rather embrace it and look forward to meeting the one that they have devoted their lives to following. We too are entitle to all of this and more by following Jesus and walking with him daily. We do not have to fear death, we can have the same confidence that they have in their soul, by following the Lord daily. By walking with him and having fellowship with him in prayer, singing and meeting with other Christians on a regular bases.
The nuns and priest do not fear death, rather they often embrace it. They see it as a reward for all that they have done here to serve their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They look forward to going home to see Jesus and receive from Him their true and ultimate reward as it states in Matthew 5: 12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." The nuns and priest have this reward to look forward because of what they have done to forward the gospel, and the life that they have chose to live for Him as it states in Mark 8:34 "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." They have given their entire lives to following Jesus. They have put away all other gods, and only serve the one true God as they are directed to in 1 Sam. 24:14 (NIV) "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD."
In Philippians 1:21 (NIV) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." They know they will be rewarded for their works here on Earth. They understand that by living for Christ here on Earth that she will now reside with Jesus in Heaven and that is a gain. She is now with her true Savior. Thus death for them is not bad, or a sad time rather it is a a good thing if you are in Christ Jesus. It is exciting to know that all our hard work here on Earth will be rewarded when we get to Heaven, since we are there for an eternity Matthew 5:12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They are excited to go to heaven because of what it states in Luke 6:23 (NIV) "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."
They understand that God will be faithful to them since they have walked in His ways and have followed his narrow path for their lives. As it states in Psalms 108:4 (NIV)" For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." They are graceful for His continued faithfulness to them and they continue to walk and believe in God no matter what happens to them as they travel that path. They know that God will always come through on the promises that were made to them. Psalms 145:13 (NIV) states "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." They long to hear the words of the Father when He states "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:21 (NIV).
The nuns and priest are able to understand that they will be taken care of by the Father in this life, that their needs will be met. As Philippians 4:19 (NIV) states "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." They do not fret over daily things because they are able to trust in the Lord completely. They know that God will take care of them and their needs without a shadow of a doubt. Psalms 33:21 says "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." then in Psalms 62:8 (NIV) it states "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Therefore if pour our hearts out to God and put our trust and fatih in Him, He will respond to us. God is there for us, it is stated that "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." in Psalms 91:2 (NIV).
By their faith, and knowledge of who God is and their constant companionship with the Father, they do not fear what is to come but rather embrace it and look forward to meeting the one that they have devoted their lives to following. We too are entitle to all of this and more by following Jesus and walking with him daily. We do not have to fear death, we can have the same confidence that they have in their soul, by following the Lord daily. By walking with him and having fellowship with him in prayer, singing and meeting with other Christians on a regular bases.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)