I was convinced I was going to die young. I am still young so I hope that is not true physically, but it has already happened spiritually. God knew me before I was born and in the time I pushed aside His love for a worldly life, He taught me to die to myself so I could let Him increase …
Side by Side – Day 24 “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
Love makes us do crazy things doesn’t it? Especially if it is pure. We all have the ability to witness those in relationships who have lived their vocation to love in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, with death being the only thing to make them apart. I’m a hopeless romantic who loves to see the …
Side by Side – Day 21 “Scripture”
I spent a lot of my early years being told what I should believe. I have to say, it wasn’t fair that people allowed me to think that is how a relationship with our Lord works. You must make an effort in your day to live in His word. It fills you in ways with grace that you cannot even …
Side by Side – Day 20 “Blessed Mother”
Some denominations of Christianity hold a very negative view of the Catholic recognition of Mary as the mother of God (Christ in His humanness). I don’t understand that. Mary was the first disciple, the first one to answer the call to follow Christ by her “Yes” to bring Him into the world. She was also the ultimate mother. Doesn’t every …
Side by Side – Day 16 “Follow the Leader”
When we were kids we loved playing “Follow the Leader.” It was so much marching or doing silly things and having others mimic our movements. Life pretty much plays out the same way whether we choose to recognize it or not. People are following our living example of faith… people we care about and love deeply. Our goal is to …
Side by Side Day 14 “Man of Few Words”
Strength, courage, obedience, faithfulness, and leadership are all qualities we admire in others. Joseph, husband of Mary Our Blessed Mother, possessed all these things. Yet, he doesn’t say one word in all of scripture where he is mentioned. It’s his quiet nature to give all of himself for the will of God that makes us want to live like him. …
Side by Side – Day 8 “Great Power, Great Responsibility”
In the movie, Spiderman, there is an awesome line: “With great power comes great responsibility.” As Catholic Christians we are all given gifts and talents to play our part in changing the world; it’s called our vocation. Every once and a while we don’t like what we are being asked to do…we have to do it anyway. Today our readings …
Side by Side – Day 7 “For Crying Out Loud”
Reverence in prayer is a beautiful thing. Surrounded by candles, lifting our soul up to God in quietness of the church so He can hear our desires. While that is a beautiful picture certain videos and movies depict, it’s not always reality. I would go deeper to say that it’s not what God wants all the time. He loves our …
Side by Side – Day 5 “Daily Battles”
One thing we don’t talk about enough is “Spiritual Warfare.” Anytime we desire a closer relationship with Christ, the devil will work harder to do what he can in order to persuade us away. The Father knew this would be part of our humanness, so the Spirit leads His Son, Jesus, into the desert to be tempted before he begins …
Side by Side – Day 4 “Perfectly Imperfect”
“I’m not as holy as that person.” “God could never love someone like me.” “My life is a mess, I can’t even think about praying.” These are all expressions I’ve heard from people at one time or another. It’s sad to me because they’re missing the point of the healing love found in Jesus Christ. We don’t have to have …