Weightless: Kate Wicker

I have been reading a blog by a wonderful Catholic mom, Kate Wicker.  She blogs on several sites, including Faith and Family.  I think that is where I found her as a matter of fact.  She has such a wonderful way with words and she speaks from her heart.  I could really relate to her articles.

So she has taken her writing to a new level.  She is officially an author! Her very first book is called Weightless: Making Peace With Your Body.  I don't have it in my possession yet.  I'm trying to decide on the Kindle version, or the kind I can hold in my hand.  I really like to have the book to have and to hold, but Kindle is so convenient.  Oh the decisions!

Harry Potter and Cardinal Ratzinger

As some of you may know, I recently wrote about my disappointment of a post on one of my most favorite websites, Faith and Family Live! Since I wrote it, I have spoken to a very dear friend of mine and have gained some more insight into the controversy.

At the time that our now Pope Benedict XVI, voiced his opinion about the Harry Potter series, he was what they called a Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.  You can find information about that on this page.  What does that mean? Well, let's take this step-by-step.  I have a Catholic Dictionary, edited by Donald Attwater, 3rd edition, published by TAN books, that I took my definitions from.

A prefect is one exercising delegated authority of a strictly limited scope.  The strictly limited scope in this case would be the doctrine of the faith.  What is doctrine? Doctrine is

That which is taught.  Christian doctrine ordinarily means that body of revealed and defined truth which a Catholic is bound to hold, but is often extended to include those teachings which are not of faith but are generally held and acted upon.  Occasionally the word indicates these last only, "the teachings of theologians," as distinct from "the faith taught by the Church."

Now, a German author, Gabriele Kuby, submitted her book to Cardinal Ratzinger for review, in which she expressed disapproval of the Harry Potter series.  Cardinal Ratzinger wrote her telling her 

Many thanks for your kind letter of February 20th and the informative book which you sent me in the same mail. It is good, that you enlighten people about Harry Potter, because those are subtle seductions, which act unnoticed and by this deeply distort Christianity in the soul, before it can grow properly.

While Cardinal Ratzinger did not put out an official statement about the books, he DID express this opinion, from the position of Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith.  That is an opinion I deeply respect. 

If you needed legal advice, would you go to a lawyer, or a cashier at the local Seven Eleven?

So, am I going to treat F&F as severely as I was going to when I first saw this headline? Still not sure.  One of the editors did get on the thread and explain a little.  I understand why they allowed this, because this is not OFFICIAL teaching of the Church.  I do however believe that a site like that should be making sure our youth are protected from any, ANY, temptation that might take us further from God.  I will end this with a quote from the Catechism.

1853: Sins can be distinguished according to their objects, as can every human act; or according to the virtues they oppose, by excess or defect; or according to the commandments they violate.  They can also be classed according to whether they concern God, neighbor, or oneself; they can be divided into spiritual and carnal sins, or again as sins in thought, word, deed, or omission.  The root of sin is in the heart of man, in his free will, according to the teaching of the Lord: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander.  These are what defile a man.”  But in the heart also resides charity, the source of the good and pure works, which sin wounds.

Disappointed in Faith and Family

I recently came across an article on the website, Faith and Family Live! I was tremendously disappointed that they would allow this article to be on their site, promoting a book series that the Pope has clearly denounced as good Catholic reading, Harry Potter.

While I have not read the books, I do not ever intend to.  The Devil is very sly.  He can sneak into our heads and hearts and we could not even notice.  Our children are even more at risk than we are.  They are vulnerable and still being molded to be soldiers for God.  We have a responsibility to keep them on that path until they have all the spiritual weapons they need to lead their own battle against evil.

I am extremely disappointed that Faith and Family Live! allowed this writer to put this on a Catholic site.  I will see what comments follow my own before I remove them from my blog.  As it stands now, I will not be promoting them.

Making Music Praying Twice

Making Music Praying Twice is this wonderful Catholic music program that is easy to integrate into any homeschooling curriculum.  The music selected goes by the liturgical year.  The songs are super fun and very catchy.  My kids can be found singing the songs when they are playing and then I find myself singing them too! 

Islam Overtaking Catholicism in France?

There are almost 150 new mosques being constructed in France. In the past decade, the Roman Catholics have only built 20 new Churches. Stark difference.  I wonder if we could take a lesson from the path that took them to this point. 

I'm Back

From the looks of things, it's been a while since I've blogged here, and I'm happy to say that I'm back! I have had so many things going through my mind in the last few months, and no time to get here and write it out. I had baby number four in January, my husband and I renewed our vows in July, and I am homeschooling. So we have some really exciting things happening in our family.

I just wanted to pop in and say hello to my online friends from long ago. ;) I'm happy to be back and can't wait to share my thoughts and faith with you all.

Heroes

My daughter came home the other day from school and had to write a paragraph about a hero in her life. It had to include certain details, an introductory sentence, and a conclusion. She chose my brother. I completely understand why she would because he's so much fun and he's in the Air Force. But at the same time, mama jealousy kicked in! ;) Why didn't she pick me?

Did she not think I was hero material? Do I yell too much? Am I too strict? Do I not do enough with her and her siblings? What? Why??

I've been milling this around in my head for days (since the assignment) and have seriously contemplated homeschooling my children. I have thought about this for a couple of years now, but my husband is not too keen on the idea. While I would love to get a job, I don't think that would solve the problem of relieving undo stress in our lives.

So the past few days I was thinking that if I embarked on this endeavor that I might have more of a chance of becoming a hero to my children. I want to be someone they admire. I don't want them to remember me for the yelling and drill sergeant attitude I sometimes feel I have. I thought that homeschooling may bring more peace to my home. Less rushing around. More interaction with my kids. It all sounds so good. I have a few friends that do it and they always speak so highly of it.

My husband doesn't. He not only isn't comfortable with the idea, he seems to be downright against it. I'm very uncomfortable going against him when he feels so strongly. After all, my kids are in Catholic school, which is the next best thing. So we came to a deal. He would take off work more so I could be involved more at their school. I thought that was a good compromise.

I want peace. I want to exhibit behaviors that my children will want to emulate. I want my family to be happy and I want to be a hero for them. I want them to look back on their childhood and remember the good times we had together as a family. I want them to look back and say, yup, mom (or dad would be OK too) is my hero. They may not feel that way now, but I want their memories to be good ones. I want to be the kind of mom that makes them want to be like me. I don't know the answer to this, and I think it's different for every family, but I hope, and I pray, that we're doing the right things.

Aggie Catholics: Is Pre-Marital Sex Always A Sin?

Aggie Catholics: Is Pre-Marital Sex Always A Sin?

A Letter From My Heart

May our Lord bless you and keep you in His care.
You have made the ultimate sacrifice, against your will.
Your mother and your father decided they didn't want you.
You may even feel they hated you.

I don't hate you.
I'm sorry I didn't speak up.
I'm sorry I didn't do something to stop this.
I'm sorry we didn't get the chance to know you.
I'm sorry we didn't give you that chance.

God loves you so much.
I know you are safe now.
Maybe we will see each other some day.
I think about you all the time.

I'm so very sorry what we have turned into.
I pray that it changes some day.
But I know it will take some time.

I just want you to know that I wish things were different.
I just want you to know that I'm praying hard.
I just want you to know that I love you.

Albert Einstein

Me, Myself, and I

What is it that you do when you're proud or you lack humility? You kind of nourish yourself: "Mmm, I'm wonderful, I'm always right, I'm always good, I'm always persecuted.  I'm always this, I'm always that."  It's me, myself, and I.  You see, you're going to live with a trinity one way or another.  The trinity is either me, myself, and I, or it's the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  The choice is yours.  But if you're not with God, you're with yourself.

~ Mother Angelica, Private and Pithy Lessons from the Scriptures

God VERSUS Science?

I got an email a while ago from my dad titled, "God vs. Science."  Now he just recently told me that he wasn't sure God even existed so I was skeptical about reading it.  I didn't know what in the world I would be getting into.  So it sat in my inbox for a little bit, but I decided to read it.  If it got too bad, I would close and delete.  Well, the beginning wasn't too good and I almost stopped reading it until it started to take a turn for the better.  I will let you read it (I apologize for the formatting.  It came from my inbox.).  Read it all the way through:                                                                                                                                                                                                          
 True Story
                                                                                                                                                 
  'Let me explain the problem science has with religion.'                  
                                                                           
  The atheist professor of philosophy pauses before his class and then asks
  One of his new students to stand.                                     
                                                                                                                                               
  'You're a Christian, aren't you, son?'                                   
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Yes sir, 'the student says.                                             
                                                                                                                                                      
 'So you believe in God?'                                                 
                                                                                                                                                      
  'Absolutely.'                                                            
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Is God good?'

                                                                                                                                                        
  'Sure! God's good.'                                                      
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Is God all-powerful? Can God do anything?'                              
                                                                                                                                                    
  'Yes'                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                      
  'Are you good or evil?'                                                  
                                                                                                                                                     
  'The Bible says I'm evil.'                                               
                                                                                                                                                    
  The professor grins knowingly. 'Aha! The Bible!' He considers for a      
  Moment. 'Here's one for you. Let's say there's a sick person over here   
  And you can cure him. You can do it. Would you help him? Would you try?' 
                                                                                                                                                      
  'Yes sir, I would.'                                                      
                                                                                                                                                    
  'So you're good...!'                                                     
                                                                                                                                                     
  'I wouldn't say that.'                                                   
                                                                                                                                                     
  'But why not say that? You'd help a sick and maimed person if you could. 
  Most of us would if we could. But God doesn't.'                          
                                                                                                                                                     
  The student does not answer, so the professor continues. 'He doesn't,    
  Does he? My brother was a Christian who died of cancer, even though he   
  Prayed to Jesus to heal him. How is this Jesus good? Can you answer that 
  One?'                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                     
  The student remains silent. 'No, you can't, can you?' the professor says.
  He takes a sip of water from a glass on his desk to give the student time
  To relax. 'Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?'                 
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Er..yes,' the student says.                                             
                                                                                                                                                   
  'Is Satan good?'                                                         
                                                                                                                                                    
  The student doesn't hesitate on this one. 'No.'                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Then where does Satan come from?'                                       
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
  The student falters. 'From God'                                          
                                                                                                                                                       
  'That's right. God made Satan, didn't he? Tell me, son. Is there evil in this world?' 
                                                                                                                                            
  'Yes, sir..'                                                             
                                                                                                                                                    
  'Evil's everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything, correct?'     
                                                                                                                                                       
  'Yes'                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                    
  'So who created evil?' The professor continued, 'If God created          
  Everything, then God created evil, since evil exists, and according to   
  The principle that our works define who we are, then God is evil.'       
                                                                                                                                                     
  Again, the student has no answer. 'Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred?
  Ugliness? All these terrible things, do they exist in this world?'       
                                                                                                                                                     
  The student squirms on his feet. 'Yes.'                                  
                                                                                                                                                  
  'So who created them?'                                                   
                                                                                                                                                  
  The student does not answer again, so the professor repeats his question.
  'Who created them?' There is still no answer. Suddenly the lecturer      
  Breaks away to pace in front of the classroom. The class is mesmerized.  
  'Tell me,' he continues onto another student. 'Do you believe in Jesus   
  Christ, son?'                                                            
                                                                                                                                                      
  The student's voice betrays him and cracks. 'Yes, professor, I do.'      
                                                                                                                                                    
  The old man stops pacing. 'Science says you have five senses you use to  
  Identify and observe the world around you. Have you ever seen Jesus?'    
                                                                                                                                                      
  'No sir. I've never seen Him.'                                           
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Then tell us if you've ever heard your Jesus?'                          
                                                                                                                                                      
  'No, sir, I have not..'                                                  
                                                                                                                                                   
  'Have you ever felt your Jesus, tasted your Jesus or smelt your Jesus?   
  Have you ever had any sensory perception of Jesus Christ, or God for that
  Matter?'                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                    
  'No, sir, I'm afraid I haven't.'                                         
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Yet you still believe in Him?'                                          
                                                                                                                                                      
  'Yes'                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                                    
  'According to the rules of empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol,   
  science says your God doesn't exist... What do you say to that, son?'    
                                                                                                                                                    
  'Nothing,' the student replies.. 'I only have my faith.'                 
                                                                                                                                                  
  'Yes, faith,' the professor repeats. 'And that is the problem science has
  with God. There is no evidence, only faith.'                             
                                                                                                                                                   
  The student stands quietly for a moment, before asking a question of His 
  own. 'Professor, is there such thing as heat?'                           
                                                                                                                                                   
  'Yes.'                                                                   
                                                                                                                                                    
  'And is there such a thing as cold?'                                     
                                                                           
  'Yes, son, there's cold too.'                                            
                                                                           
  'No sir, there isn't..'                                                  
                                                                                                                                           
  The professor turns to face the student, obviously interested. The room  
  suddenly becomes very quiet. The student begins to explain. 'You can have
  lots of heat, even more heat, super-heat, mega-heat, unlimited heat,     
  white heat, a little heat or no heat, but we don't have anything called  
  'cold'. We can hit down to 458 degrees below zero, which is no heat, but 
  we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold;      
  otherwise we would be able to go colder than the lowest -458 degrees.    
  Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits    
  energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. 
  Absolute zero (-458 F) is the total absence of heat. You see, sir, cold  
  is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure 
  cold. Heat we can measure in thermal units because heat is energy. Cold  
  is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.'               
                                                                                                                                                    
  Silence across the room. A pen drops somewhere in the classroom, sounding
  like a hammer.                                                           
                                                                                                                                                    
  'What about darkness, professor. Is there such a thing as darkness?'     
                                                                                                                                                    
  'Yes,' the professor replies without hesitation.. 'What is night if it   
  isn't darkness?'                                                         
                                                                                                                                                     
  'You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is not something; it is the absence of
  something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing  
  light, but if you have no light constantly you have nothing and it's     
  called darkness, isn't it? That's the meaning we use to define the word. 
  In reality, darkness isn't. If it were, you would be able to make        
  darkness darker, wouldn't you?'                                          
                                                                                                                                                
  The professor begins to smile at the student in front of him. This will  
  be a good semester. 'So what point are you making, young man?'           
                                                                                                                                                      
  'Yes, professor. My point is, your philosophical premise is flawed to    
  start with, and so your conclusion must also be flawed.'                 
                                                                                                                                                    
  The professor's face cannot hide his surprise this time. 'Flawed? Can you
  explain how?'                                                            
                                                                                                                                                     
  'You are working on the premise of duality,' the student explains.. 'You 
  argue that there is life and then there's death; a good God and a bad    
  God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we
  can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought.' 'It uses        
  electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood
  either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of   
  the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing.. Death is not   
  the opposite of life, just the absence of it.' 'Now tell me, professor.. 
  Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?'             
                                                                                                                                                      
  'If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, young man,    
  yes, of course I do.'                                                    
                                                                                                                                                   
  'Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?'              
                                                                                                                                                    
  The professor begins to shake his head, still smiling, as he realizes    
  where the argument is going. A very good semester, indeed.               
                                                                                                                                                     
  'Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and     
  cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not 
  teaching your opinion, sir? Are you now not a scientist, but a preacher?'
                                                                                                                                                    
  The class is in uproar. The student remains silent until the commotion   
  has subsided. 'To continue the point you were making earlier to the other
  student, let me give you an example of what I mean.' The student looks   
  around the room. 'Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the     
  professor's brain?' The class breaks out into laughter. 'Is there anyone 
  here who has ever heard the professor's brain, felt the professor's      
  brain, touched or smelt the professor's brain? No one appears to have    
  done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable,    
  demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, with all due 
  respect, sir.' 'So if science says you have no brain, how can we trust   
  your lectures, sir?'                                                     
                                                                                                                                                 
  Now the room is silent. The professor just stares at the student, his    
  face unreadable. Finally, after what seems an eternity, the old man      
  answers. 'I Guess you'll have to take them on faith.'                    
                                                                                                                                                  
  'Now, you accept that there is faith, and, in fact, faith exists with    
  life,' the student continues. 'Now, sir, is there such a thing as evil?' 
  Now uncertain, the professor responds, 'Of course, there is. We see it   
  Everyday. It is in the daily example of man's inhumanity to man. It is in
  The multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These       
  manifestations are nothing else but evil.'                               
                                                                                                                                             
  To this the student replied, 'Evil does not exist sir, or at least it    
  does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just
  like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the      
  absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what      
  happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like
  the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when
  there is no light.'                                                      
                                                                                                                                                  
  The professor sat down.                                                  
                                                                                                                                                           
  PS: the student was Albert Einstein.                                     
                                                                           
  Albert Einstein wrote a book titled God vs. Science in 1921..

Now I'm not exactly sure how "true" of a story this "True Story" is, but I liked the argument in it about the absence of God.

But my question is: Is this really about science VERSUS God, or is God science? What I mean is, God created everything on this planet.  He created everything to be able to work together in nature.  He created our cells to divide and to perform certain functions.  He created beings to procreate and live on.  He created the pollen and the bees and all the creatures of the Earth, big and small.

I think this whole notion of science VERSUS God is something we have created in our own minds to be.  We, as humans, have taken science and turned it against God when really, science works WITH God and everything that happens on this Earth, does it not? Without God, nothing "scientific" would ever work.

Thoughts?? Comments??

So...

OK so it's been a while since I have written.  Things catch up with me fast.  The kiddos really keep me on my toes!

There have been quite a few things on my mind lately though that have been giving me headaches.  It gets me so irritated that I end up clenching my teeth in frustration.  Ever since I found my way to God and His truths, I want everyone else to see it too.  The way a family functions, the way women are perceived (and men too by the way~ portrayed as bubbling idiots on television), abortion, gay marriage, the list goes on. 

I get confused with how much to get involved in.  I have three children and one on the way.  I know that my first job is to be a wife to my husband, and then a good mom to my children.  I get that and totally accept every part of that.  But I also feel like if I don't DO something, my headaches are going to get worse.  For instance, abortion really irks me.  I just don't understand how we can keep letting people misconstrue the definition of a life to make our lives easier.  And there's the kicker, "choice" doesn't even make our lives easier!! Do you know how many times I have heard women say, "It wasn't an easy choice to make."  Then why fight for the right to make it?? Who in the world wants to have to decide whether or not to kill their own baby?

And what is really frustrating is that the main argument in favor of abortion is that the baby can't survive outside of the womb, so it's OK to kill it.  DUH!!!! It's not SUPPOSED to be able to live outside the womb!!! That's mother nature! It's the way GOD created things to be! It happens in humans AND in animals! And if we're going on the argument that we should be able to kill the baby because it needs a mother, then are we going to say that until the age of 15 or so that we can kill the child because he needs me?? NO WAY! It makes absolutely NO SENSE to me whatsoever. 

Since when was it a crime for a baby to need her mother (AND father by the way)?? It's so infuriating.  It's this mentality that strips women of our femininity.  We are stripping ourselves of our freedoms, rights and gifts to be female.  And it's other females mostly that are doing it! It just absolutely blows my mind that women are allowing themselves to be subjected like this.  I know, the probably don't even realize what they are doing. 

I could go on about birth control.  Really.  Birth control FREES us?? NO WAY!! If anything, it promotes promiscuity and situations where we contract a sexually transmitted disease that could KILL us! Or we end up with pregnancies we didn't intend for so we opt to kill the baby instead of be responsible for our actions.  Ugh.  It just makes my stomach churn and if I'm not careful, my headache will come back soon.  Seriously, why can't we talk to our children about sex the same way we talk to them about drugs... "Just say NO!" Drugs can kill us, so can sex.  The birth control pill is a drug, and the condom is less effective than natural family planning! We are supposed to be the most intelligent beings on the face of this Earth! So why aren't we acting like it?!

Oh my goodness I could just go on and on.  I need a venue.  I need something to do to change something.  To just change one person's way of thinking....  I know that forcing info down their throats doesn't work, but this makes so much sense to me and it's frustrating that we walk around lying to each other to make a buck.  I know I need to throw this all up to God, and I did that the other day at Church and have felt better, but I feel like I need to yell at the world.  WAKE UP AMERICA!!!

Thanks for letting me vent.  I'm done, for now.

Unproductive

OK so I'm having a problem with productivity lately. I'm being drawn to my computer instead of the chores I have staring me in the face here. I have gotten better since my morning sickness has lightened up a bit, but I'm feeling completely unmotivated. I do Flylady, but haven't gotten myself back on track since I started working part-time.

Is there any advice out there?? I mean, it's the lazy days of summer and all, but I feel like I'm taking it a little too literally!

Trying AGAIN!

Hi out there if anyone is still listening!! I'm going to try this blogging thing again! But this time, I'm going to be a little less serious. I might blog every day, I might not. I might blog on some serious thoughts, I might not! I'm excited to be back here though and can't wait to catch up with my blogging friends!

Now for some news: We are pregnant!! Having baby #4. It was quite a surprise, but a blessing nonetheless. I am completely exhausted right now, but hopefully it will get better once this first trimester is OVER! We are due January 23. Right after the busy Christmas season. At least we will be able to get through that, hopefully right?

So pop in and say hello my long-lost friends!

God's Almighty Presence

St. Contardo Ferrini

Blessed be the Lord day by day, God, our salvation, Who carries us. Psalms 68: 29

Day by day... this is the catch phrase for me this morning. Each day brings something new. It could be good things like parties in school, the birth of a baby, a dance class with my youngest, or a raise in my husband's paycheck. It could also bring challenges like a busted furnace, laundry piled up on my couch, a sick child (or myself), or a bad behavior report from one of my kids' teachers. Either way, God is present in all of it.

Day by day, God is here teaching me and guiding me in my life to get closer to Him. But I must be open to it. I must look at those challenges as chances to get closer in my relationship to Him. I can use those good times too! He is right there, in the smile of my baby, and in that pile of laundry. He is there in our celebrations, and in the lessons I will learn from the misbehavior of my child.

Day by day, I am grateful for all the trials, the tribulations, and the outright blessings that occur in my daily life. It all brings me, and all of us, closer to our Lord.

Dear Lord, be with me today, and every day, to help me to see the blessings You bring me in everything that happens in my daily life.

Daily Readings:
Romans 8:12-17 Psalms 68:2, 4, 6-7, 20-21 Luke 13:10-17

Teach Me

St. John of Capistrano

Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right? Luke 12:57

What I'm about to post is pretty self-explanatory, but a lot to think about. The readings really come together in an effort to make ourselves better. To make ourselves more righteous according to Him. When we relinquish the control we think we have over our lives and humble ourselves to His will, then and only then are we living a life God intended for us to live. I'm not saying it's easy because I struggle with this everyday of my waking and sleeping life. But I certainly do try and I'm hoping God knows that.

I love the Psalms reading for today, it's a good prayer:

Teach me wisdom and knowledge,
for in Your commands I trust.
You are good and do what is good;
teach me Your laws.
May Your love comfort me
in accord with your promise to Your servant.
Show me compassion that I may live,
for Your teaching is my delight.
I will never forget Your precepts;
through them You give me life.
I am Yours; save me,
for I cherish Your precepts.

I need to start everyday out with this prayer. It may help me to humble myself in order to accept the teachings He presents me with.

Lord, open my mind, my heart, and my soul to You and Your teachings so I might accept them and use them in my life.

Daily Readings:
Romans 7:18-25 Psalms 119:66, 68, 76-77, 93-94 Luke 12:54-59

How Great Thou Art

Absolute Slavery

St. Hilarion

Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:18

Well, I'm trying this again. I haven't blogged for a couple of months now, and in those months I feel farther from God than I did while I was blogging. I think that having this blog and a daily reading to post, helped me to stay on track. I was reading God's Word every day and reflecting on it. Now I'm lucky to crack my Bible a couple of times a week. I don't like that. I enjoy reading the Bible and learning all I can learn about how to be a good and faithful Christian.

I want to be a slave of righteousness. I want to be so involved with our Lord that that's all I can think about. I want to fully accept all He has in store for me, without reservation. But it's been a struggle. I have begun to think more about myself and what would be good for me. I have a hard time distinguishing between what I want and what He wants for me. But He always lets me know in some way shape or another.

I thought that getting back to my roots of teaching would make both of us happy, but apparently not. Every time I try to get a job that I think would be good for me and my family, something doesn't work out with it. So that has made me a little miserable because I was trying to accept that as part of my life and incorporate a part-time job into my current life. It's so hard right now. I have 3 children, 2 in school, and a lot of volunteer hours to complete. I have a 2-year-old to keep busy, and a family to keep in God's loving arms. If I had a job, where would I have time to pray for all of us? Where would I have time to spend with my kids without worrying about everything I have to do around the house? Having a job is so stressful. And maybe it will get easier as they get older, but for now, I think my place is right where I am. And I just have to accept it.

I want to accept it, with all my heart. I want to be His slave so I can be led to righteousness.

This Scripture for the day also struck me and I realized just how important my job here in my home is, even though I'm not getting a physical paycheck:

Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come. Luke 12:39-40

Daily Readings
Romans 6:12-18 Psalm 124:1-8 Luke 12:39-48

In Memory of Me

St. Cajetan

Ask now of the days of old, before your time.... Deuteronomy 4:32

OK, I totally stole the title to this post. But I decided yesterday that this would be my last devotional that I put on my blog and send out. The computer and the Internet are taking up too much of my time and I'm not putting the important things first, like documenting and taking care of my family's pictures. Our pictures tell our life stories and we have ours on our computer, (I thought on my external hard drive), and on CD's. We are almost caught up with the pictures on CD's. Then two days ago, the hard drive on our laptop went out. And I'm not sure if we will be able to recover all of our photographs. I may have lost 4 months of my children's, and our family's, memories.

It makes me sad to know that I could have done something about this, but didn't make it a priority. The scrapbooks that I make are our life stories. These are books that my kids are going to be able to show to their kids and their kids and their kids.... They will be passed down from generation to generation. And I want to focus more on that.

So I completely embrace this Scripture passage this morning. I am going to make more of an effort to make our memories a priority. I want my kids to know their past. I want my kids to know where they came from. I also want them to know how faith can have an impact on their life. That is why I want to make a Faithbook. I have wanted to make one for a year now and have not even started it. It makes me sad because there are so many things I want to say. There are so many things that happen in my life with God that I want to share with my children. And I want to make the effort to journal that.

So I have a lot of projects I need to work on. And the Internet is too addicting! I'm going to take the rest of August off to re-prioritize and get everything back on track. After that, we will see how things are going and if I will be coming back to the blogging world.

If you want to read a devotional each day, order some from Living Faith. They are wonderful and extremely affordable. They will come to your home in small booklets. Perfect for the pocket or purse or drawer for easy accessibility. God Bless.

Daily Readings:
Deuteronomy 4:32-40 Psalm 77:12-16, 21 Matthew 16:24-28