The Storm

in the midst of a Storm - a painful

adventure which challenges me this 

way and that - especially when the 

outcome is protracted and nebulous 

while feeling powerless to confidently

steer my half-sunken vessel into any 

of the meager options as anxious 

imaginations and vain dreads flash-

flood my battered beliefs as my

repetitive cries for relief and favorable 

resolution seem to be disregarded 

once again by the Master of my 

beleaguered ship as I find myself

fruitlessly striving for Peace by Trusting 

that - whatever the outcome and however

prolonged and violent the Storm -

both within and without - He WILL 

Calm the Sea...eventually...but in the 

meantime as the winds gust and the 

rain hammers down and the rolling 

waves lash dangerously high then 

brutally low...I wait... and wait... for 

an answer but only Silence responds 

the loudest to my desperate supplications 

and I am compelled to ask...Will I

Trust... the One who Trusted while bearing 

the Burden of Unending Guilt while 

Himself being Infinitely Innocent?...

the One Lone Light in a World Darkened 

by Sin?...the One whose Intentional 

Submission Bore the Rebellion of the 

Masses? reluctantly and without surprise                          

I once again conclude that my meager

efforts will never be sufficient to reap a 

Harvest of Kingdom-Fruit to fill my now 

depleted storeroom...that it can ONLY be 

by HIS Power / Grace - not by MY Gerbil-

Wheel Striving - that will enable me to...

- Confidently Surrender to His Purposeful  

Allowances and the Mysterious Designs 

of this Adversity that it is the Best Way 

for Him to Achieve His Good Ends in me 

even though veiled from sight and arduous 

to endure..

- Receive the Balm of Peace and let it

Soothe my fierce reactions and Quiet 

my questioning heart

- Join my hidden affliction to the Public 

Degradation of His Crucifixion - 

a Spectacle of Divine Intervention 

undergone for no other reason than 

His Extravagant Mercy / Love for me 

despite all my habitual self-preoccupation 

and pitiful whining - and thus sow 

Meaning into my anguish so that I

Become More Like Him and His 

Kingdom-Grace is bestowed upon 

those for whom I make this Storm a 

Sacrificial Offering as I in Trust keep 

my eyes fixed on the Master of Mercy 

and Rely on the Embrace of His Spirit 

to bring about whatever Good He 

Desires as well as His Peaceful Calm 

to the Storm within and - in His Perfect 

Timing - without 

Reflection / Discussion:

-What is your experience of being in a Storm?

-What lessons did you learn?

-How did the Lord use it in your life?

-How do faith and feelings differ . intermingle in a Storm?

-Why is Grace the key to unlocking the mystery of suffering?

-What does "Redemptive Suffering" mean?

-How can you be a support for someone you love who is going 

  through a Storm?

The Regrets Dialogue

           

Lord Jesus....I can't seem to shake these regrets...

they keep bothering me...I feel so bad about them...

I try not to think about them but they just  keep popping

up...sometimes out of the blue...I've asked you for 

forgiveness but I can't forgive myself  Why am I so 

adamant @ beating myself up every time I think of them? 

what's up with that?

You tell me...

.
Well,.. I think it's because I did all those things...or in this case, I DIDN'T do what 

I SHOULD HAVE done so I SHOULD be the one who pays the price.

and, even though I can think of reasons why I SHOULD forgive myself,

I can't because that'd be like giving myself a pass and minimizing the harm

I did even though I wasn't aware of it at the time...

Got a lot of shoulds there...but I agree...

somebody has to pay....

Right....but it's not working...why is that?

Why do you think that is?...

This is so frustrating...why don't you just change me and fix it all 

so I don't have to deal with this anymore?..

It doesn't work that way...I didn't create 

you for things to be done like that...

I love you too much. 

What do you mean?

Love doesn't work that way...otherwise

it's not really love...

.

Please explain...

I created you with your own 'space' if you will, and I 

respect that...I don't 'invade' anyone's space...you are a

free person and I love you too much to take that away 

from you, so, I simply 'offer' you alternatives for you 

to choose to accept or not...

.

Even if what I choose is bad for me?

Yes...

.
That doesn't seem fair...

What's not fair about it?...

Well....I might be hurting myself and others...

And? .

You know....why not just stop me?

I just told you why..

.

But what about all the consequences of my sins

and not just for me but for those I sinned against?

I know...but there's even more to it than you realize...

.

Hmmm...you know...something I have to say...you get a lot of blame for

all the bad stuff...I mean sins that people do...like it's YOUR fault

because YOU didn't stop them.....

I understand...people are free to think what they may...

So...why don't you just 'set the record straight'?

They wouldn't accept it anyway, and, besides, life

doesn't work that way...remember...you are free...

Why are you doing all this...I mean communicating like this...like you're right here????

Because I am...I've always been 'right here' even if you don't want Me to be...

that's how I created things...and, besides, this is not just for you because 

who doesn't have regrets?...this is for them as well...

So...why me?

Why not you?...

Well....I'm not the "holiest" guy out there.

No...but you'll do just fine...you're open to working through all

this and you have the issues I want to address since

they are so common to people...

You mean "regrets and performance" issues?

Yes...

That's tiring to even think about especially when I feel like 

I don't know how to resolve it all...

I know...

.

It's like it's never ending...like a gerbil wheel...it keeps turning and turning 

going nowhere but just creates more and more
frustration / anxiety./ pain.. and never "reaches its goal"

And what's that?.

Hmmm...perfection??

You mean 'your' idea of perfection....

Well...what "I" want...

Hmmm...seems like I've heard that somewhere before...

So you mean we're back to the start of this dialogue?

You tell me...it's your issue...I'm here to help you reach

what's best for you and not just what you want...those

aren't always the same thing...sometimes what's best for 

you and those around you is not what you want...

This is kind of frustrating...more circles.....

.
Why's that?...

Why don't you just give me what I want?

I am...

Not really...

Why?

Because it's not really giving me the results I want.

..
What's that?

Ahh...satisfaction...justice...peace...

It can't....

Meaning...?

Your offences...whether they're commission / omission are not just

this / that instance here and now...with finite effects...they're 

more than that...

..
What do you mean?

You're not just offending the one in front of you...

you're offending Me as well...

.

How's that?

You are part of My creation...with my order of reality...

I've given you everything you need to know in order for 

you to flourish in love...it's not 'your' order though that is

what you'd like it to be...you want to be in charge...that's

what started all this in the beginning...

You mean Adam and Eve and the Fall?

Yes....

That whole pride / rebellion thing?

That's right...

Oh...you mean all this is rooted in my pride?

You tell me...

It feels like it...

How?

Well...like I'm the one who says what is and is not...what should be or not...

I'm the one in charge who decides not YOU...who should pay and how...

how to fix things or if it should be fixed at all....it feels like it's almost uncontrollable...

like it has a mind of its own...almost more than I can handle...

Almost???

OK....good point...so....now what?

What do you want?

I want this to be done...over...now...

So...why isn't it?

Because I "can't do it"...it's too much though I keep trying and failing...

you know...Performance...

You mean the 'finite' trying to fix the 'infinite'???

Yeah...I suppose...

Like...you're God and not Me??

I guess.

Well...that's impossible but you keep trying....

So...how does this change?...that is assuming that's what I want 

to have happen.....which seems to 'go against the grain'

That's because it does...it's a battle all the way...who's 

in charge?...and you get what you choose...it's 

called freedom...

.
I don't like all this...why can't it just be like I want it to be?

Yes...I know...but your way never works well...was 

never meant to...though you...meaning humanity...keep 

trying...now...there IS another way...but you have to choose it...

What's that?

You know...

.
Surrender....right??

But not 'your' way of surrendering...

You mean I don't get to determine the whole thing from beginning to end???
I'm joking...but not really.

The word 'arrogance' comes to mind...

So...pride again...right??

So, what's the opposite of pride?

Humility...

What does that mean?

Just that YOU are the LORD and not me...and sin--my choosing to offend YOU 

by choosing to do what I want and not what I know YOU want or not want- 

means that because YOU ARE THE LORD....ETERNAL...INFINITE...PERFECT
and I am not any of that....that therefore the punishment is of the same NATURE 

which I can't ever sufficiently accomplish no matter how hard I try...that gerbil wheel thing.

..
So, now what?

So...I can't resolve this on my own...

Never could...but I have a solution....

What's that? 

How about I pay the price?

Why would you do that? you didn't do any of the sinning...

Why do you think I would?

.
Love?...

It's who I am...I've made a way for you. I 

have already paid the price...taken the 

punishment for your sins / failings...'carried

your sorrows...bore your pain'...by my stripes

you are healed...

Isaiah 53,,,so how do I go from here - my pride -  to there...humility? 

from my way to YOUR way???

Grace...just ask...remember...freedom...

when you ask according to My will...you receive...

How do I know what's according to YOUR will???

My Word and My Spirit show you...sometimes it takes

a while because I have more in mind for you than just 

answering your questions, but, it's a process...you're on

a journey...you made a decision to follow Me and you 

and I are on that journey together...to become One...

eternally...infinitely...perfectly...holy as I am Holy...one 

step at a time...by Grace...not by striving on your own

to mete out your justified punishment on yourself in your

own way which only adds to your burden and which 

never works anyway...

So...now what?

How about I make it simple for you?

That sounds really good...I like that...

You give me the regrets...all the emotions / pain / sorrows / guilt

connected with them...all the self-inflicted punishment...beating 

yourself up / self-condemnation...hatred...shame...anger and ask

Me for the Grace you need to do that for I have already carried 
your guilt along with your pain and sorrow

It's all GRACE isn't it?

Yes...as well as for having mercy on yourself...

Forgiving myself  in your Name...

And by Grace to let go of your control...anger...

accepting your weaknesses and asking me to Change 

and Heal you.....

And of course Thanking You...

You will still remember the regrets but the pain 

will be gone because I took care of it. ..

Thank you so much for this talk...you knew I needed it...

You always know and You're always ready and 

willing to give me the Grace...Thank You again...

Be at Peace...I am always with you...

Reflection / Discussion:

-How would you summarize how to handle regrets?
-Meditate on Isaiah 53 with regrets in mind.

-Why is it so hard to forgive yourself?

-What regrets do you have?

-Make a list...topic by topic...person by person...Journaling is helpful

-Ask for the Grace to face and surrender all of it to the Lord

-One by one, In Jesus' Name...Repent / Forgive yourself...Give it all to Jesus...

-Ask for His Healing / Peace...Thanking Him for His Mercy...

The Line in the Sand

the day is at hand

time to choose

for or against

no matter the cost or

personal price to pay

they will not let you

slip away unnoticed 

hide in the basement

blend into the crowd

you will have to 

wear the badge if you 

disagree with them

a sign of your 

nonconformity - hatred

in their eyes but

nonsense in your eyes -

it will be your badge of

courage...faithfulness...

love / honor / standing

for the Truth / Reality

but ignorance / bigotry in 

their world...you will have

to endure like your Master...

receive like unto what 

He Received...it will be 

painful...humiliating....

they will come for you...

your family....job / business...

careers will have to change...

relationships will be ended...

friends will no longer be 

there for you...nor some 

family members despite 

your love for them...problems

will arise that you never

imagined would come knocking

on your door let alone take over

your life...money...reputation...

pressures of every kind even on 

your children....all because of 

Him...yes...He is the Line in

the Sand...the Pont of Contention...

what He Said...Taught...Passed on...

the Truth about Reality...Life...

Who you are...What you are

Called to Be in this World...

His Witness...Follower...

Disciple...to speak as He

Spoke...to say what He is

Saying now...Truth in Love...

to deny His Teaching is to

deny Him...to please the world

is to displease Him...to agree

with the world is to disagree

with Him...He told you this 

was coming...that they would

hate you because they first 

hated Him...only now it's 

not just written words...

it's here...in your face...in

your children's faces...what 

others - in times past...in 

other places...cultures...

circumstances have had to do...

say...live...endure...now you are 

called to replicate...make your own...

Stand...Fight - not with weapons

of this world but in Spirit / Truth...

not returning hatred but Love...

not by might / power but by Grace

for on your own you will fail...

you will not be able to live

Virtuously by merely trying

harder...it will only be possible

if you are One with Him...

depending upon His Spirit of

Power...day by day...supporting

one another in the Lord...loving

one another as He loves us...and

lastly...Rejoicing in the Lord...

that you are Chosen to suffer 

along side Him .knowing that 

He is Risen!...He lives within you...

He will never leave you nor 

forsake you...He will always

Love you...Dearly / Infinitely....

remembering that all you see / 

hear / experience will pass away...

only what is in Him will Stand...

Forever...do not fear those who 

can merely kill the body...rather

be in Awe of He who has 

Power over death...who can

Destroy the soul in Fire Forever...

He is the Line in the Sand so

Choose Wisely and Fearlessly 

Obey God rather than man

Reflection / Discussion:

-How is Jesus the 'line in the sand'?

-What are some of the issues at stake?

-How do you handle family members who don't follow the Lord?

-Where have you seen 'persecution' in Western society?

-What can you do now to prepare yourself / family for persecution?

-What is your prayer life like?

-Have you / family made a personal commitment to Christ?

-Be informed so as to make a 'simple / loving' defense of your faith.

The Doubter

no...it's not just about 

sin / guilt - though at times

consternation ensues when

your enemy lights the fireworks

by his accusations / lies and

you jump down the rabbit hole

once more as he delights in

your 'guilt pangs / confusion' 

searching for 'absolute certitude' to

your infinite doubts buried in the 

mired maze of your delicate conscience

no...it's also about your entire life...

it's about spiritual warfare...the

daily battle for peace / joy / love

in the Lord...the real question that 

you need to ask is this - is it 

going to be 'me or Thee'? for 

that is ultimately where the 

Battle rages most fiercely...it 

is the prized territory that your 

enemy most covets...he who knows

you better that you know yourself

for his address is that rabbit hole maze

that he has lured you into more times

than you care to remember...he knows

your weaknesses / patterns / tendencies

that spring doubt / fear / anxiety into

action avalanching downhill into the

darkness of 

'no man's land' of self-absorption...

introspection...self-pity...hopelessness...

sheer terror...yet even then know that

all is not lost for the Warrior King

is on your side...in fact...He is with you

even when you feel 'trapped'...His 

Love for you is Infinite...beyond 

every imagination / limit you may

think separates your now terrified life from 

His Pure / Holy Presence within you...

the Beauty in your heavy cross is that 

you Know your need for His Grace...

your utter Dependence upon Him...

the Truth is that you do not have to

do...say...think...pray...act...'perfectly' /

in a 'particular pattern' in order to 

arrive at the 'promised land' of peace /

joy / love...no...that is a lie...a trap...

straight from the pit of hell...no...

the Reality is that All is a Gift...

undeserved...Pure Mercy to you...

for He First Loved you even before 

your first breath...He Called you into

existence by name...through Baptism

bestowed upon you a New Identity as

a Child of God because He Loves you

as you are...for Jesus shed His Blood that

your sins be forgiven...guilt washed away

that you are Free to Love Him...free to

love one another...live in His Presence

day by day...by Grace Alone...He has

Gifted you with His Holy Spirit - Power

from on High to live in Victory not 

defeat...simply because He loves you

even when you struggle to believe...

trust...hope...love...over and over...

so...listen now...for you must be alert

because 'your enemy prowls about like a

roaring lion seeking someone to devour'

and your must learn to 'resist him steadfast

in your faith' and this is the way forward

to Gain the Victory...day by day...battle

by battle...remembering that your may

be by yourself but you are never alone...

He is with you...Loves you...especially

when you don't 'do things perfectly' which

is always since you will only be 'perfect'

in Heaven when you are One with Him...

these are your 'marching orders'...the way

forward to 'Gain the Victory' - not just in

avoiding 'sin' but in 'Knowing His Love

for you and Loving as He Loves in 

Freedom and Joy'... and...remember too

that there is no sin involved in these...

knowing that He will make up for 

anything done 'imperfectly'...

-Thank Him for your cross for 'All things

 work for good for those who love Him and

 are called according to His Purpose'...even

 you don't see it now...you shall some day

-Unite your cross to His for those you love

 therefore do not 'waste' your suffering...use

 it for 'good'...  Satan doesn't like that...

-All is Grace so you don't have to just 

 'try harder' and 'figure everything out yourself'

-Do not trust your 'feelings' for Satan can 

 manipulate them to attack you in order to 

 'murder' you psychologically...emotionally...

 'spiritually' even 'physically'...whatever way

 he can to hurt you because he is the Enemy of

 the Lord and therefore of you because you 

 Love Jesus

-Doubts are 'false accusations'...'lies'...temptations

 to be resisted / not paid attention to

-Any questioning about...doing / saying / thinking /

 in the 'exact / proper / perfect way' is from Satan 

 not the Lord

-Since you are a Child of God / a Disciple of Jesus /

 and the Holy Spirit rests upon you...you have Jesus'

 Authority therefore whenever you are tempted to 

 question...doubt...wonder if...ask 'did I'...or 'feel'

 condemned / rejected / guilty / anxious / afraid or 

 'just want to make sure that'...then you need to 

-Renounce / Rebuke / Reject in the Name of Jesus 

 whatever demon is hassling you...eg. the 'accusing / 

 lying spirit'...'spirit of scrupulosity' 'fear / doubt /guilt 

 and tell them to 'go to the foot of the Cross there to let 

 Jesus deal with you'

-Ask Him to... help you rely on Him not yourself...

 not trust your feelings because they are meant to 

 give your intellect 'data' to evaluate in order to make 

 a decision by your 'will'... they are not 'tyrants' to be

 'obeyed without question'...know that He Loves you

 Perfectly even though you are imperfect...

-Satan wants you to even questions your faith...trust...

 love...beliefs...God's Word...forgiveness...ALL are 

 temptations to be resisted and He will help you do that

-He Knows your Heart so don't worry about 'doing it 

 just right'

-When you pray...spend some time with Him telling 

 Him what you are feeling / thinking / having a hard 

 time with whatever is on your mind

-Obey your Confessor in all things pertaining to doubts

-Read Sacred Scripture asking for faith / trust to accept 

 His Truth and to Rely upon His Word for He is speaking

 to you through it

-Remember...'Be Perfect as your Heavenly Father is Perfect'

 is the Lord's job not yours...'I can do all things through Christ

 who Strengthens me'...'In my anguish I cried out to the Lord,

 He answered and delivered me from all my fears;. The Lord 

 is with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me. The 

 Lord is with me as my helper. I will look in triumph upon my 

 enemies.' 'I will never leave you nor forsake you'. 

-'Thee not me'...Thank you Jesus

Reflection / Discussion:

-What is scrupulosity?

-What is 'Spiritual Warfare'?

-What is 'taking authority in the Name of Jesus' mean?

-Has 'going down the rabbit hole of darkness' happened to you? How?

-How can you take advantage of your Confessor to help you deal with 

 a 'tender conscience'?

-How can 'Redemptive Suffering' help in carrying your cross?

  

The Template

Trials present challenges to 

our Faith which we would

rather not have to deal with

more-often-than-not overwhelming

our comfort-level of Trust

leaving us grasping for answers

that do not readily appear even

after exhaustive pleading to

the Lord to whom we have firmly

committed ourselves / believed in

His Love for us but Who now seems 

alarmingly distant / very quiet

resulting in and often yielding to 

temptations of doubt / fear /

anxiety which leads to us just 

'trying harder' to Trust which 

puts you firmly on the 'treadmill of

self-reliance' and into the 'revolving

doors' of frustration / discouragement / 

self-pity / more effort to Trust

while not 'understanding' what's

going on or how to 'solve this

predicament' and just 'putting our

head down / putting one foot in 

front of the other with teeth tightly

clenched in resolve to come out

of all this in one piece' or worst of

all....giving up believing that 'all

this doesn't really work' to which

I say....you're right..it doesn't...but

then ask you...is there another Way? 

yes...there is a Template to Follow...

it is the 'Way of the Cross' which 

began in the Garden's Agonizing

Resolution to Accept Calvary's Price

for the Forgiveness of our Debts...a

Pattern of Death-to-Self...Humility...

Surrendering to the Father's Will...

Acknowledging our utter weakness...

our inability to overcome the 

Pride of the Fall by ourselves...

our Full and Final Dependence

upon His Strength to bear this Cross...

Joining our Offering with His for

the sake of those we Love...

Trusting in His Merciful Love...

Accepting this Trial in Faith that He

Knows what He is doing even if we 

are struggling to see His Purposes...

Relying upon Him to Give us 

His Perseverance / Patient Endurance...

it is Essential that we tell Him of our 

deepest anguish...transparently

reveal our true self to Him even

though He already knows it all

for only then can He address our

true self Wounded from Eden...

the World and our Sinful Complicity...

that which we often hide from others...

sometimes even ourselves when we 

don't want to face the pain...

All is Grace...Salvation...Redemption...

Resurrection...Pentecost...Purification...

Sanctification...Heaven...face to Face

with Father...Son...Holy Spirit...

Eternal Joy and Peace...All is Grace...

so too is our Daily Life in Christ...

every Trial...every Challenge...

every 'Revelation of His Love'...so...

Don't just 'try harder'...Let go of 

'self reliance'...Ask for every little 

thing we need...Grace to...Accept 

our 'Neediness'...Rely upon Him not 

ourselves...Be Transparent...Be open 

to Share our Inner Self with others in 

the Lord...Keep our eyes upon Him...

Trust Him...Believe His Word...Pray - 

not less but more...Overcome 

temptations...Faith in His Will for us...

His Plans / Timing for this Situation..

Love especially when we don't feel 

we can right now....Draw us Closer 

to Him through this Trial...Teach us

what He wants us to Learn.....Surrender / 

Acceptance of this Trial...Thank Him 

for His Abundant Graces...Faithfulness...

this Present Situation...Knowing that... 

we are Not Alone and that 'All things work 

for Good for those who Love Him and 

are Called According to His Purpose'...

Reflection / Discussion:

-What is the 'Template' for dealing with Trials?

-How does your experience of Trials compare to the above description?

-Talk about your experience of a significant Trial in your life.

-What is your experience of 'self-reliance' vs dependence on the Lord?

-Why is 'humility' essential in the Christian Life?

-How are you 'broken' by Eden / World / our Complicity of sin?

-Find supportive relationships if you don't have any.

-Do you have a daily prayer time / Scripture prayer time? Why / not?

 

The Accompaniment

I knew she was there

persevering till the end
steadfast throughout My Passion
despite her powerlessness to
change the outcome...
step by step she valiantly 

shared My Cross by joining
her agony with Mine as
swords of sorrow
pierced her precious heart
while nails fastened Me to
My obscured Throne-
forever to become the symbol

of My Love for you-
there she remained at
My side vainly attempting to 

soothe My Wounds with caressing
glances of Motherly love
though seeing her mournful 

countenance only added more 

distress to My final Offering...

yet still...I was grateful for the 

ministry of her pensive presence 

which nevertheless strengthened 

My determination as I infused her 

heartache into My Sacrificial Gift...

and then... with great humility she
resolutely received My Calling to..
-be a Mother for all who follow Me.
-be their Comfort so that they too
 can accompany their beloved
-be a source of strength to their 

 human frailty as they imitate her 

 faithful love by also offering their 

 sacrifice with Mine as they trek the
 well-worn path to Calvary trusting 

 that together with their Heavenly 

 Mother they and their loved one 

 shall one day gaze upon the Face 

 of their Resurrected Savior by
 finishing their Race and thus 

 capturing the Crown of
 Everlasting Life

Reflection / Discussion:

-What does "accompaniment" mean?
-How is Mary the supreme example of that?
-What does it take to do that?
-What can you learn from her journey?
-Where can you get support if you are on that journey?
-What does "offering their sacrifice with Mine" imply?
-Describe your relationship with Mary.
-Do you think of her as your Mother?  Why / not?
-How can you grow in that relationship?

The Time-Out

I invite you to

view your illness as a
"time-out" in life- just as in
sporting events "time-outs" are
an opportunity to
-evaluate how things are going...
-what changes should be made..
-what play should be called...
-are the players "playing to win" because...
that is their calling....
and so it is that in your present "time-out"
I invite you to evaluate your life with Me:
-have you "chosen" to follow Me?..
-are you "playing to win" ie. to be "holy"
to be "set aside" for Me as is the
Altar and Chalice at Holy Mass...
because that is your calling...
-how does your daily life show that?
in your marriage / family... loving /
forgiving / showing Mercy to others...
using your gifts / talents to serve and
give Me Glory...job...money...
-do you seek to please Me first or
are you more concerned
about pleasing others?
-what changes do you need to make?...
it's a lot to think about isn't it?
I know...but now you have the time...
I see your heart and
know everything about you...and
I Love you dearly...
don't be anxious or overwhelmed...
I know your weakness
becoming a Saint - to be Holy -
is beyond your own abilities
but not beyond My Power to
form you into My Disciple but
only with your cooperation and
one day at a time
that is why I offer you now My
Grace to follow Me as
your Personal Lord and Savior..to
accept My Call to Holiness...so -
if you should decide to
accept My invitation...
ask My Spirit to... guide you...
strengthen you...increase your
devotion to Me...surrender your life
to Me and with it your present illness...for
as My Word says ":...all things work
for good for those who love God
who are called according to His purpose"*
so let Me use it in your life
for My purposes and your good
Trust Me....I Love you...
See My Cross....the Price I paid
for your Salvation...for...
I AM Risen...Alive...Real...and
I want to reveal Myself to you
in ever deeper ways...Fill you

with My Spirit...Empower you

with My Gifts to serve the Kingdom...so

Ask and you shall receive...

Seek and you shall Find...Knock

and it will be opened for you...
Remember...I am with you...
say "yes" and Come follow Me...

Reflection / Discussion:
-*Romans 8:28
-What do you think about viewing your illness as a "time-out"?
-What does it mean that Jesus is your personal Lord and Savior?
-Verbally say the prayer below to give / renew your commitment to the Lord.
-The Lord is with you, entrust your illness to Him-"use it as You will in my life".
-After illness, what is the area most in need of change?
-What should happen to begin to get order in that area?
-Where can you get support to make changes in your life?
-Set a daily prayer and Scripture time and be faithful in keeping it.
-Go to Confession as soon as you can.
-Begin to make the Eucharist and Adoration a greater part of your life.

Prayer of Salvation: 
"Lord Jesus, come into my heart, I desire that You be the Lord of my life so that I may be a
Child of the Light to know you as my personal Savior-for I know and believe that you died on the
cross for my sins.  You rose again from the dead on the third day and you are coming again
in glory.  I believe in your forgiveness and I desire that you help me overcome any temptations that
would keep me separated from Your everlasting Love."





.

The Father Wound

the father-wound
is a plague
all too rampant
among us
sadly most are
damaged by Dads who
pass-on their own
wounds through
sins of what they
do or fail to do
leaving us with
sometimes under-the-
surface feelings of being
abandoned / unloved
angry / alone / insecure
neglected / abused
leading us to look for
love and comfort in
places that ultimately
do not mend our hearts but
lead to deeper destruction
all of which delights
satan who makes it seem like
it's all our fault while also
deliciously contaminating
our self-image and that of
God The Father
without realizing the
transference of infected
characteristics and feelings
but... Jesus came not only to
save / free / heal us from the
effects of sin but also to
reveal His Father to us
because through Jesus
His Father has become
Our Father who has
Created us in His Own
Image and Likeness
and who FIRST loved us
through Jesus despite
our sin and weakness-
even while being rejected
He showed us that
His Father is
Tender
Merciful
Loving
Forgiving
Gracious
like the father of the
prodical son story
so...now what?
we need to
go after the Truth by
asking The Father to Reveal:
-any false images
 we may have of Him and
 ourselves and begin to live our
 True Identity and Dignity as a
 Son or Daughter of God
-His Personal Love for us
-by Grace forgive our own Dad of
 his sins againt us- one at a time
-give over our anger and hurt to Jesus
-realize how these have led into
 behavior / thinking that are
 not true / healthy and ask
 The Father to heal us
-get whatever help we need
 in this process
-begin to speak to The Father as
 our ABBA...Daddy.....because
THAT is the TRUTH...and
ask for the Grace to
accept in our hearts that
we ARE precious to Him
He DOES Love us and...
He WANTS us to live in
Intimacy with Him
Now and Forever

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is your image of The Father?
-What was/is your relationship like with your own Dad?
-How has that affected your own self-image?
-Spell out the truth/lies about The Father's image you have?
-With whom can you talk about these matters?
-If you haven't done so, speak to The Father in prayer.
-Ask Him to speak to you and listen for His quiet Voice.

-If you are a Dad, ask The Father to show you where you
      have sinned by what you have done and failed to do
      with your children.. Then, begin to repair. The Father
      will help you. Get help if you need it.