Hope For Hard Times - A Review

Just finished the 30 minute read "Hope For Hard Times" by Scott Hahn. What a gem!
It is definitely a quick read, but not without serious impact. From the Babylonian Exile to the Crucifixion, Dr. Hahn offers us an opportunity to understand our sufferings and trials here on Earth by relating them to the Biblical trials and ultimately uniting them to the Cross of Christ who bears all for our sake.

Love hurts. At least true love does. We are required to live unselfishly if we are living in love. We must have hope that our treasure is in Heaven. We must trust in our Heavenly Father, that He does know what's best for us.

We must relinquish our hold on our own tragedy and, as the saying goes, offer it up. Don't concentrate on the negative, but rather keep your eye on the prize, Heaven. Thank God for the suffering He has seen fit to bestow upon you. It just might be the answer to your prayers.

Grab some coffee, sit back and enjoy this little gem of Catholic teaching. You can find Hope for Hard Times at the Catholic Company.

Also be sure to check out their great selection of baptism gifts.


This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company.

Ulterior Motives

I read this last night...

Have you asked The Holy Spirit to show you your hidden sins?

The ones you subconsciously THINK are hidden.

Then I read in the the Gospel of Matthew 15:11 "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

and...

15:17 "Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and so passes on? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, slander."

I got my feelings hurt the other day. It's been a week or so actually, and it's still bothersome. Just because it was done so nonchalantly. Most of the time I just brush it off, but this one went a little deeper. I want to know it's just human failure..slip o' the tongue..shouldn'ta said that..oops..

That little demon that follows me around..akin to wormwood..he wants me to think that there were ulterior motives. He wants me to think more into it. Ugh. Sometimes he gets me.

St. Michael the Archangel..defend us in battle!
Be our protector against the wickedness
and snares of the devil.
Rebuke him, O God!
We humbly beseech Thee.
And do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host,
by Divine Power
Cast into hell
satan and all the evil spirits
who roam about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.
Amen.

What to be..what to be..

looks like we are going with hobo and drama queen. On our evening walk the girls were lamenting their lack of costumes. After tossing a few ideas around..tossing out the idea of buying ANYTHING for halloween..they have begun the creative process.

My oldest daughter, the hobo, is now sewing odd bits of fabric to some old pants so they look "patched". She's made herself a kerchief bandanna. We found some old outdoor tenny's she can cut the toe out of and some colorful socks to interchange.

The youngest, Mr. Pinch, she grabbed one of her sisters dresses and her flashy pink sunglasses. We'll roll her hair and throw on some "really red" lipstick. I asked about shoes..she says absolutely no high heels..but she's got some shiny bits of craft supplies to stick on her shoes.

I love watching their creativity and imagination take hold. I can't wait to see the final products! I'll share pics with ya'll.

I need something to be...

so says my youngest in reference to her Halloween costume. Or lack thereof.

Baby is doing well as far as my doc can see :) No signs of trouble so far. I'll be able to see more on Tuesday when I receive a much more thorough ultrasound. It's so exciting!

Here's what Dr. Scott Hahn shares with us about todays next weeks readings

October 31, 2010 - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lover of Souls

Readings:
Wisdom 11:22-12
1 Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14
2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2
Luke 19:1-10

Our Lord is a lover of souls, the Liturgy shows us today. As we sing in today’s Psalm, He is slow to anger and compassionate towards all that He has made.

In His mercy, our First Reading tells us, He overlooks our sins and ignorance, giving us space that we might repent and not perish in our sinfulness (see Wisdom 12:10; 2 Peter 3:9).

In Jesus, He has become the Savior of His children, coming himself to save the lost (see Isaiah 63:8-9; Ezekiel 34:16).

In the figure of Zacchaeus in today’s Gospel, we have a portrait of a lost soul. He is a tax collector, by profession a “sinner” excluded from Israel’s religious life. Not only that, he is a “chief tax collector.” Worse still, he is a rich man who has apparently gained his living by fraud.

But Zacchaeus’ faith brings salvation to his house. He expresses his faith in his fervent desire to “see” Jesus, even humbling himself to climb a tree just to watch Him pass by. While those of loftier religious stature react to Jesus with grumbling, Zacchaeus receives Him with joy.

Zacchaeus is not like the other rich men Jesus meets or tells stories about (see Luke 12:16-21; 16:19-31; 18:18-25). He repents, vowing to pay restitution to those he has cheated and to give half of his money to the poor.

By his humility he is exalted, made worthy to welcome the Lord into his house. By his faith, he is justified, made a descendant of Abraham (see Romans 4:16-17).

As He did last week, Jesus is again using a tax collector to show us the faith and humility we need to obtain salvation.

We are also called to seek Jesus daily with repentant hearts. And we should make our own Paul’s prayer in today’s Epistle: that God might make us worthy of His calling, that by our lives we might give glory to the name of Jesus.

Sweet Dreams

Had my first dream about my baby last night. I was with my parents, but only saw my father. No delivery or anything..just walking through my parent's house with this little balled up bundle with a binky. :) I knew it was my little boy. I woke up happy. I don't usually remember my dreams so this is a special treat.

This morning as I took my first sip of coffee, I felt the baby kicking. Oh what joy! I cannot express it. I guess this little one likes Dunkin' Donuts Hazelnut :).

Of course, I haven't felt it again, but it is enough. I go for another appt this Thursday and hopefully Doc will take a peek with the ultrasound. I have the big ultrasound where they check for all kinds of stuff (that's so very medical sounding right?) on the 26th. I have to go to the big hospital downtown for that one.

I am still amazed that God has given us this wonderful opportunity. Oh! That we may serve Him well.

Silent Sunday

sunrise over Myrtle Beach...

Building a City...

Just got back from our MCCW World Wide Conference in Baltimore, MD. The Theme was Build a City of God. Over 250 military Catholic women gathered together for a week of spiritual growth and fulfillment. I was able to go with 13 of the finest women I know. Plus (BIG BONUS) I was able to see and have dinner with Sarah from Prayer 4 The Journey. We've been apart for going on 3 years now and it was such a delight to see her again.

Here are some pictures:


Home to some of the finest crab cakes in Baltimore.


Baltimore at sunset 30th floor Tremont Plaza Hotel


St. Alphonsus Church Baltimore Built 1845


My brother, sister in law and nephew. Such a treat to see them!


My bff. So glad we got to see each other.

Back on Track

I have officially started back on my 10 miles a week track. Although, this time I am walking. Not running. Of course I know I won't "lose" weight, but I hope to maintain my stamina and get back into a little shape.

So far it's been very good. Yesterday, the first day, first mile, was hard. I haven't exercised in over 3 months and I felt it. Last night was better and today was even better than that. Got 3 miles in today.

That's 5 for my week so far. Hubby mapped out a new route for me so I can get 1.5 in each time. The goal is to get to 6 miles a day walking. I hope to be there by the end of November. The weather is great for walking and the dog is loving it as well.

I've constantly got this baby on my mind. I've got no choice but to trust God that all is well. I've not experienced any signs of miscarriage so I keep on truckin' , but if I had a doppler I'd have it hooked up 24/7. :)

Had a wonderful time at a friends daughters wedding today. Beautiful couple. Wonderful family. Danced with the kids and had a good laugh at myself when the song said "How low can you go?" ummmmmmm..not very low these days :) At least, not if I want to get back up.

Glad to see the democratic rally had mediocre attendance. I find it funny that they continue to harp about how terrible the "extreme" conservatives are. They call them names like "teabaggers" and "racists" and they do it all from their own lofty self-righteousness. Ugh. If only they could see the log in their own eyes before they pick on the twig in others.

I'm tired of folks trashing others so harshly and then calling themselves okay. State your problem but don't verbally cut 'em to pieces.

Just my rant.