Counsel

We are always asked to seek counsel from Jesus in all of our dealings with others.  Given the difficult climate we are all living in, there can be many obstacles to overcome that require that unique wisdom available to us in Jesus.  We just have to ask.  I was journaling on the following verse in June of this year.  This counsel did have something to do with a particular individual that I was feeling very intimidated by given their seemingly fragile and wounded exterior, but coming up against a very powerful inner darkness.  It also refers to my tendencies in the past to be a fixer. 

1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you might announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

My daughter, my love.  The truth is a  powerful weapon against evil.  You were called out of the darkness of lies, shame, and sin into the light of truth.  I have called you to share this light with others who are living in darkness.  You are discovering that it is not always pleasurable-not soothing and mild to the senses.  To confront evil, to penetrate darkness- a certain violence must be used- not physical violence, but a shaking of the complacency that sets in when one is living in darkness.  To one who is always in darkness, light can be shocking and offensive.  You were taught to never upset anyone.  You were taught to ignore truth to keep a false peace-this is the source of your confusion-you cannot mix darkness and light.  They are incompatible.  Darkness cannot "announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness"....

Interpreting the Present Time

When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot–and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time? (Luke 12:54-56)

I haven't pulled these together to instill fear.  It is how we are to interpret the present time.  They should motivate us to drop our pride and seek reconciliation with the Father....see the previous posts on Divine Mercy.  Time is very short, and we need to hustle!

Be careful, then:  the promise of reaching the place of rest he had for them still holds good, and none of you must think that he has come too late for it. Hebrews 4:1

The Ten Virgins

This painting by Hieronymus Francken the Younger (c. 1616)

The parable of the Ten Virgins came to my mind strongly this morning.  It has actually been on my mind for four years, but this morning during prayer it came back with enthusiasm!  I felt it tied in with the previous message....preparing and filling the spiritual grain bins.  

Night of Sorrows

I am re-posting the message my daughter received in prayer on July 16, 2010 here.  For your discernment.

Friday, July 16

"The world will soon be drowned in a huge vale of tears as the Night of Sorrows nears. Three months before the trials begin. Three months you have to prepare, pray and fast to store up your spiritual grain bins. How I weep for the world so drowned in sin, and excuses, and emptiness. Offer up every ounce of suffering united to the sufferings of Christ's Passion. Do not let any go to waste. Three months to tell your family and warn others. Please don't let this time go to waste, children. The Great Sufferings and Tribulations will soon begin. If God begins with His Household, how then will it end for those who are godless? Offer up every Mass in reparation for sins and for the conversion of sinners everywhere. "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and for your children."  Hold fast to the Eucharist, your only strength, and the only True Light in the Darkness. Do not be swayed by false teachings. Hold fast to the Gospels of Truth and Light. Please pray, fast, and do penance. Offer to God everything, and He will take it and multiply it to feed thousands. Mercy is ending. The blood of the innocent shall now fall to the ground and cry out to God the Father for vengeance and justice. Three months. Three New Moons."

We prayed for confirmation of this message.  If you look up the New Moons for September and October, they coincide with Marian Feast Days.  August is actually the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  The other New Moon days are the Nativity of Mary and the Feast of the Most Holy Rosary.  The "New Moon" term has never been used in the messages she has received, so it caught our attention.  We believe this is a confirmation of the message.  Always for your discernment, however. 

Some Pearls of Wisdom

.
Some wonderful pearls of wisdom from Terry Modica at Good News Ministries!!  I'm posting it here because this "Sin of Being Too Nice" seems to be an epidemic in the Church.  

Good News Reflection

Friday of the Ninth Week of Ordinary Time
June 4, 2010
Today's Readings:
2 Tim 3:10-17
Ps 119:157,160-161,165-166,168
Mark 12:35-37
http://www.usccb.org/nab/060410.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_06_04.mp3
The sin of being too nice
Today's first reading warns that all who live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Is anyone damaging your reputation, rejecting you, or abandoning you because you're standing up for biblical truth and Christian virtue? If you have not yet been persecuted, you've not followed Christ very far.
Following Jesus religiously means going all the way to the cross. Along the way we meet disbelieving Pharisees and others who don't want to hear the truth.
It IS possible to have an easy life as a Christian. We can successfully work hard at being so nice that we're liked by everyone all the time. We can avoid controversial issues. We can love others by only affirming them, never challenging them to new growth or a better understanding of healthy, holy living. We can go so far as to pray that God will lead the sinners we know to repentance, hoping that he'll do all the work. But none of this is true Christian living.
Scripture calls this type of Christian a "charlatan". It's a fake Christianity. It's certainly not a description of Jesus! Such people are deceived – they deceive themselves into thinking that they are okay, because Jesus loves them and will take them to heaven when their time of being nice on earth is finished, and for them, that's all that matters.
The problem with this is that it's very selfish. It shows a lack of concern for the condition of the souls of others. It's self-protective, guarding the comfort of an easy life, keeping it non-confrontational, avoiding persecution, sustaining the illusion that there is no real need to do otherwise – very likely at the cost of justice, love, and even the salvation of others.
If being Christian means being only nice, why do we need the Bible? St. Paul says, "All scripture is inspired by God for teaching, refutation and correction, and for training in righteousness." Oh-oh! It's not nice to refute lies and misconceptions. Nor is it easy to successfully give correction.
Sometimes, we are called to quietly smile and show love by our niceness; when we're with someone who is not ready to hear the truth, we can do more harm than good by forcing it upon them. At other times, we are called to show our love by speaking up about the truth, even if it stirs up trouble.
How do we know when to be quiet and when to speak up? Only by listening to the Holy Spirit and paying attention to the nudges and inspirations that come from the Lord.
What's the value of being a Christian if we don't care enough about others to tell them the difficult truths that will bring them closer to Christ? What's the value of following Christ if we don't stand up for the truth and go all the way to the cross with him for the sake of their eternal happiness?'

To sign up to receive the Good News Reflections by email,  go to

http://gogoodnews.net/DailyReflections

Very Helpful Books

I just finished two books that I highly recommend!!  They are "Unbound" and "Resisting the Devil-A Catholic Perspective on Deliverance"  by Neal Lozano.  They were excellent, very helpful, easy reads....full of spiritual insight, help for yourself and for others. 

Here's what the back of Resisting the Devil says:

Find Your Way to Spiritual Freedom

Do you find yourself struggling with a particular sin or dysfunction over and over again?
Do you feel hopeless in finding freedom despite your best efforts?
Do you still feel guilty, ashamed, and doomed to repeat a besetting sin, even after receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

In Resisting the Devil, author Neal Lozano shows that sometimes evil spirits tell us lies that lock us into sins and personal problems.  He explains the practice of deliverance, a way of dealing with such demonic influences that is supported by the teaching and tradition of the Catholic Church.  Lozano's  "Unbound" Model, based on thirty years of experience in deliverance ministry, builds a bridge between the sacrament of Reconciliation and exorcism.  People only very rarely need exorcism. 

 He also has a website if you want to investigate further:   www.heartofthefather.com

The first book he wrote was Unbound...it is best to read that one first.  You won't be disappointed!  It was money well spent!

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Gifts!!  These gifts, operating within us, are essential for a strong faith!  I think there is a lack of understanding and knowledge of the Holy Spirit in the Church today.  He doesn't appear to be operating amongst the Body of Christ.

Children, you are still not listening.  The voice of your Savior cries out, and yet you still do not listen.  Is it that you do not know my voice?  Has the weight of your worldliness caused deafness?  Are you afraid of My voice?  The voice of Love?

 I have given you every means to come to Me.  What is keeping you from embracing the gifts being offered?  Ponder this children, and quickly.  Nothing is more important than this.  You will never regret time spent pondering My Love.  You will, however, regret time wasted in rejecting Me.  I love you.

Jesus, Remember Me

Children, you are beginning Holy Week, the most holy week of the year.  Mercy has never been so abundant as it is right now.  Please, ask Me for it.  Ask Me to pour out my mercy upon you and I will do it.  I cry out in love to all that will hear....Repent of your sinfulness!  Repent of rejecting my love for you!  Accept My Sacrifice...Let it not be for naught!  There is no sin that is so great that cannot be forgiven.  Please, ask Me.  Do not hide in your shame.  Do not attempt to protect yourself with false bravado...with pride.  It is unnecessary.  I see your heart and everything in it, yet I still love you, still cry out for you!  Would I call to you if there were no hope of forgiveness for you?  Would I persist in begging you to accept my mercy if there were none to be had?  Would I continue to bend to earth, searching for hearts in need of My love and mercy if I were going to reject you?  Children, the thief was promised Paradise at the last moment because of his acceptance of My love and mercy....my sacrifice.  Won't you please do the same? 

Come and Walk With Me

Children, what have I done that causes you to fear me so?  Why is it so difficult to embrace me, He who is true love?  Your minds and hearts have been poisoned against me by the spirit of this world.  You know who the prince of this world is, do you not?  It is satan himself. He who was thrown from heaven like a bolt of lightning...hurled to earth in shame and humiliation for opposing the love of the Father.  Why do you serve him?  What does he provide for you that I do not?  I hear very often that it is difficult to believe in me because you cannot see me.  You cannot see him either, yet find it preferable to serve him. I hear very often that I am to blame for your suffering...I who am all Love am to blame for your suffering?  Sin is to blame for suffering.  I came to take away sin...the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  Why do you not harbor anger towards satan, who is the author of sin?  Children, you are being deceived.  It is time to wake up.  It is time to cast off the shroud of darkness that keeps you from trusting and loving Me.   I cannot violate your free will...if you choose to remain in darkness, I will honor that .  Keep in mind that it is not I that am very far from you, but you, who in your obstinate free will keep yourselves from Me.  Your misery will only increase in proportion to your rejection of Me.  The farther you travel from Me, the more lonely and desolate your life will become.  You will not be able to find your way in the darkness that you choose without light.  Drop your foolish pride now, take my yoke, which is light and sweet....walk with Me.  I love you, I forgive you. Come and walk with me in light!