Transformation

"One night the Lord said to Paul in a vision, 'Do not be afraid, but speak and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you or harm you, for there are many in this city who are my people." (Acts 18:9-10).

This passage reminds me of the most powerful spiritual moment I have experienced in my short life. I have been thinking more about that feeling lately and yearn for it all the time! For those who have never felt the unafraid, completely trusting, and full love of Christ, I will pray you, too, will be filled with the Holy Spirit. It is a feeling, I believe, we will all feel once we are called to our real home.

If you would like to read my experience you can do so here: http://faithfulmamadiary.blogspot.com/2011/11/we-are-called.html

This last month has been life changing for my husband and me. We have a higher level of spirituality that I honestly did not think we would achieve! We have been together for just about 10 years; the last 6 we have made such a difference. Not only making a difference individually, but in our marriage, our parenting, friendships and our lifestyle.

You would never guess it now if you did not know me back then, but just 6 years ago I was a heavy smoker (2 packs a day), heavy drinker (the bartenders knew me by name and drink), blasphemer, liar, I never attended Sunday Mass, and basically denied most of the Ten Commandments. I have LOTS of work to do. I am still very much a sinner....but now I strive to notice my sins and correct them to please my God. I love my Father and want to make Him proud!!!

Are you spiritual?

Are you religious?

Jesus wants us to be BOTH. He gave the Apostles (our very first pope, priests & bishops) the Church and the Last Supper was the very first Mass! You can read about that more here: http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/churb1.htm

Mr. Faithful and I attended our very first Charismatic Healing Mass last week. It was AWESOME!! Out of the ordinary for us, so to be honest we were a little weirded out at first. But WOW!!

We experienced the Gift of Tongue twice during the Mass. I wasn't sure if it really was, but I did feel faint both times it happened. We were standing and I had to grab the pew. I felt almost nauseated I guess the word would be? I cannot explain it. It was very strange, but in an amazing way!

It just so happens the next one is on the morning of our anniversary. Hmmmmm, ok God we are listening!!!

During the Healing Mass, the priest spoke of "invoking the Spirit" and "becoming children of God". Sound familiar? That is because my last blog was about those two particular phrases...only thing is, I wrote that a week before the mass!!!

You can reread that post here:  http://faithfulmamadiary.blogspot.com/2012/05/invoke-spirit-invade-my-heart.html

I am telling you, something INCREDIBLE is happening to me!! I thought I was faithful before, but now that I ask Jesus to invade my heart every morning, I am transformed!! I can see through Christ's eyes much easier now!!

Allow God to take FULL control and open your heart to Jesus. Do not resist. The results are AMAZING!

Have an incredibly Faithful day!!

Invoke the Spirit, Invade My Heart

I accept that I am a sinner.

I accept that I have flaws, issues and immature moments.

Yet...

God still calls upon me to be His servant.

I inhale the Holy Spirit...I exhale and spread the love of Christ as best as I can. I eat Jesus' Body and Blood every Sunday so I can remain nourished. I offer myself to do His biding, to empower others, perhaps, to feel the same as I do.

I offer myself to be a ray of light in the dark world.

I am ready and willing to be crucified just as Jesus was. I am a humble servant for my King.

I have been called upon yet again after a long time waiting. Now, I am called for my family. I have no idea what will happen, but know in my soul something great is in store for Faithful Family! With many prayers, meditation, trust and love, we are fully on board with God's will for us.

Mr. Faithful and I have realized, with the signs I have been given, we must be literal children of God. So, we wait in great excitement as children do on Christmas Eve!

We do not know what our future holds, but know it will be awesome so long as we have complete trust in the Lord!

I have been shown, through the Holy Spirit, St. Therese of Lisieux. She is the Little Flower, the child of God. Ironically, this is the saint I chose as my Confirmation name at 13 years old. Had I known then what I know now about her, I'd say I chose the perfect saint that I can relate to. No wonder why I chose her! She is my patron saint!

Have you ever learned about any of the saints? Do you have one that calls you?

As I learn more everyday, I trust more.
As I trust more, I can love better.
As I love better, I am drawn more intimately with Christ.

As my patron saint said her vocation was love, so do I. I am meant to love others in a way to draw them closer to God.

I INVOKE THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Use my body as a vessel to gather Your flock, dear Lord. Allow others to witness the ultimate love only You can have for us, sweet Jesus! I am Yours and I ask that You invade my heart every day for the rest of my life. AMEN!!

What is your vocation?

What are you meant to do on this earth before you are called Home?

I will leave you today with a powerful prayers that has been crying out to me the last two weeks.

THE MAGNIFICAT

My soul magnifies the Lord

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; 

Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,

And Holy is His name;

And His mercy is from generation to generation

On those who fear Him.

He has shown might with His arm,

He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

And has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

And the rich he has sent away empty.

He has given help to Israel, His servant,

Mindful of His mercy even as He spoke to

Our fathers, to Abraham and to

His posterity forever. Amen.

Have an incredibly faithful day. Peace in Christ. Xoxo

The Cross We Bear and How To Handle It

The last few weeks have been filled with gladness, sorrow, tragedy, triumph, spirituality and happiness. A roller coaster of a ride for Faithful Family!

It's easy to lose sight of important things in life when you surround yourself with a busy lifestyle...play dates, sports, work, meetings, internet; but when something happens that throws us out of our normal routine, it puts all that secular business on hold. You are forced to reevaluate what it truly means to let God be in control.

Even those who do not allow Jesus into their lives have this happen at times. In my observation, this is one way our Heavenly Father gives them an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior...but they must be willing to surrender themselves to His unconditional love. Sometimes that is the hardest part for people. God only gives us what He knows we can handle. We have all told ourselves at some time or another, "I just can't take any more." But if we just look at each moment as a gaining of wisdom, we can start to see the big picture.

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. 

God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond 

your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the 

way out so that you may be able to endure it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13

I saw this next excerpt and wanted to share it as it relates to what I am trying to remember myself. I hope it touches you as it touches me. Maybe God is talking to you through my writing? I will leave you today with a dialog all of us could have with God. Make it a faithful day and give your worries and stress to God!!!

Me: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure
Me: Promise You won't get mad
God: I promise
Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do u mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late
God: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start
God: Okay
Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait
God: Hmmmmm
Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call
God: All right
Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one
of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that
Me (humbled): OH
GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me (embarrassed):Okay
God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.
Me (softly): I see God
God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a short that would knock out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I'm Sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good & the bad.
Me: I will trust You.
God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...