Tag: Lifestyle

Remember You Are Dust, And Dust You Will Return

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, Jesus, Lent, Personal Reflection

It is Ash Wednesday, and here we have the opportunity to return to God’s family. He waits for us to walk the 40 days with His son Jesus.

A Prayer for Ash Wednesday

“Remember you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.”

Gracious God, today begins a period of inner reflection and examination. The days stretch before me and invite me inward to that silent, holy space that holds your Spirit. This special time beckons me to see my life through Christ’s eyes and the truth and reality of your love incarnate. Give me the grace to enter the space of these days with anticipation of our meeting. And, when I open my soul to your presence, let your loving kindness flow over me and seep into the pockets of my heart. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.

How will I practice my journey this Lent? The list of my own sins is long – from gluttony to sinful thoughts, to not loving the unlovable with a deeper heart, and to all those faults I have completed in ignorance. Oh there is my shopping habit! I can only ask for God’s forgiveness and His every giving mercy in acts of penitence.

The list to choose of what to give up with the long term goal to be a better “me” is embarrassingly long. Perhaps, I will cut down to two cups of coffee instead of my daily 5. Or, I can say something positive and thoughtful in the midst of all the rumblings and complaining that’s usually around me – including my own loose tongue – unfiltered.

The point of Lent is to be a better me in my existence and in the process walk more closely in with Jesus. The goal is to be more like him, as he modelled for us while on earth.

Thank you, most merciful God for loving us in completeness in the gift of Your son, Jesus. May the Holy Spirit grace me with a deeper walk with Jesus in his Passion, and in the journey to draw nearer to him, know him more intimately and follow his will more closely.

God Bless all of you during your Lenten journey 🙏💕

Truth Or Riding The Status Quo

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Jesus, prayer, Truth

Often times Christian’s and Catholics working in a toxic environment endure it as an act of love and compassion. They dare not speak out for fear of rocking the boat.

In a toxic work environment, I have been advised by my Catholic counterpart to accept it with love in my heart, that to act otherwise is being non Catholic. Well, I have got to say that only works for a limited time. Although I have given up these challenges to Jesus to carry my yoke, the feeling of being silence eats at my soul.

I have the choice to bear and grin it with a loving heart, or I voice my opinion and express the injustices I see and call it out for what it is – on my part out of love for all – the management, the staff, the children in my care, and, for the healing and happiness of all who are affected within the environment.

I recall when Jesus chased out the money changers in the temple (accounts are found in Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; Luke 19:45-46; and John 2:13-17). I also recall Jesus calling out the Pharisees and teachers (Mark 12.38-40; Luke 11.37-52; 20.45-47).

Yes, we are loving and compassionate. It also means that we have the duty to call out inappropriate practices and situations around us with a Jesus centred heart.

After many weeks or pondering on it, praying about it, and then even talking with my priest during confession – I went with my heart and gave my seasoned opinion as well as possible solutions.

It’s always a choice to be honest and vocal, or to be silent. As a follower of Jesus, it is important to not be seduced by the silence of following a false narrative or the status quo. It is important to speak out on injustices and to be honest in our observations and recommendations without bias. Above all, it’s not about me, but the people around me who are too fearful or passive to speak out.

In the end, in the midst of chaos and darkness, the light of Jesus and truth will aways create conflict. After all, when the light of God pierces into the heart of darkness, a prideful heart is unable to see the light. There will be criticism for my actions (“You are not being a Christian!” – this coming from a Christian), and I gladly take responsibility for it – because as a Catholic it is irresponsible for me to be silent.

Blessings to those who stand firm in the truth of God 🙏💕

The Best Part Of My Day

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Personal Reflection, Praise, Rejoice

I returned to work today after a long sojourn, and the best part of my day was going to Mary Queen of the World Cathedral to pray and attend the 7:30 am mass.

A wonderful way to start my day as I return to the hectic world of teaching young children. A lot has changed within me the last few years, but the world and the job all remains the same. The staff changes and children changes throughout the years, but the same hectic reality remains the same.

I have changed. My faith has deepened and for those of us who walk in Jesus:

“Three things are necessary to everyone: truth of faith which brings understanding, love of Christ which brings compassion, and endurance of hope which brings perseverance.”

–St. Bonaventure

A comforting thought as I start my day.

God Bless 🙏💕

Thank You Jesus

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Give Thanks, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Lifestyle, Mother Mary, Praise, prayer, Thankfulness

I give thanks for two beautiful children my husband and I adopted as babies. I give thanks to God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit for the graces and blessings bestowed upon us.

Yesterday we celebrated MeiMei’s 16th birthday – how quickly the time has past.

Father of Jesus,
We praise you and give you glory
For the wonderful things you do for us;
For life and health,
for friends and family,
for this splendid day.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come.
Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, 
Full of Grace, 
The Lord is with thee. 
Blessed art thou among women, 
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus. 
Holy Mary, 
Mother of God, 
pray for us sinners now, 
and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

Glory Be

Glory be to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now,
And ever shall be,
World without end.

Amen.

Thank you for sharing in my joy!

God Bless 🙏💕

A Message For Each Of Us

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Christian Blogger, Christianity, Divine Mercy, Faith, God, Jesus

There’s a saying that the truth will set us free. When I think of all the controlled narratives in our secular world, of cancel culture, of hidden agendas cloaked in the name of Social Justice, how many of us see outside this? Seeing the truth of God sets us free from the chains of Satan’s machinations of lies.

Well, another old saying is “to divide and conquer.” Division or creating a wedge by making a group of people disagree and fight with one another is a sure way to ensure they will not join together against one. One of Satans greatest attributes is his ability to lie and cloak his lies in half truths.

The following video is a must watch by Peter Herbeck. He discusses God’s love for all of us – and uniting in walking away from our potentially dangerous life style. It is to recognize the social malaise and narratives that divide, and to know all are loved by God. God has no borders, and he simply calls us to him.

Love for Enemies (Luke 6:27-36)

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

God Bless🙏 💕

Creative Expression

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholic Faith, Catholic Journey, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, creative expression, creativity, Faith, inspiration, sketching

It’s been years since I’ve work on my own themes and images. For the past 30 years, I’ve worked on small and large scale projects for work. Much of these themes were related to children and education.

For the past two weeks, I have been sketching again…building a body of background drawings for larger paintings.

God Is Love
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4 | NRSV

Today, I feel free to express what I want to without constraints. I can be creative and express through my sketches and drawings for myself again. I can laid bare my soul in praise of God and His amazing love.

I have also been working with an art therapist along with a spiritual guide from St. Ignatius Spiritual Centre. Both have helped me deal with all the stress and anxieties that COVID-19 has produced in my workplace and communities.

Officially I am on sick leave, and taking the time to heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Praise be to God for looking after all my needs. I can take the time to glorify Him in everything I do.

❤️‍🔥 My heart is on fire for Jesus!

Page with more of my sketches: https://rejoiceandpraise.ca/recent-sketches/

Mary’s Month

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Catholic Faith, Catholicism, Christian Blogger, Christianity, Faith, inspiration, Praise, prayer, Spirituality

Ways to Celebrate Mary’s Month

(https://www.motherteresa.org/)

There are many ways to celebrate this particular devotion. Most churches have a daily recitation of the rosary. Some include the crowning of Our Lady’s statue. The important thing is that Mary be honored in a special way. At one time, the domestic celebrations of the month of May were widespread, especially by setting up a small May altar in the home.

♦Consecration and Entrustment to Mary

♦Litanies of the Blessed Virgin Mary

♦Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Mother of God (the Theotokos)

♦The Holy Rosary

♦The Regina Coeli

 ♦Holy Rosary

 

Saint Teresa of Calcutta:

“During this beautiful month of Our Lady, let us crown her with  fragrant flowers – the flowers of love, gentleness, meekness and  humility for one another, and ask Jesus to be truly a cause of joy to her as He was.” (From her letters)

Let’s take time each day and venerate our beloved Mother Mary.

God Bless 💖

Wake Up Call!

by rejoiceandpraise, posted in Bible, Catholicism, Christianity, Faith, inspiration, Lifestyle, Personal Reflection

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

For a whole year, I’ve been physically inactive. Aside from short walks with my dog to our neighbourhood park, I have not worked out. I feel my clothes getting tighter, my extra weight gain now visibly obvious. Urgh!

God has a way of revealing to us our shortcomings and imperfections. In my Alpha group this week I was moved by many of the personal testimonies shared. One participant reminded us that as we feed our spiritual body, we can’t neglect our physical one.

God has a way of communicating with us through the Holy Spirit. He often uses those around us, along with what’s within our sphere to guide and lead us. Well, again this week one of my favourite bloggers on Instagram posted:

https://beautybeyondbones.com/

God also moves me through the testimonies of a personal friend and colleague. Her stories gives me encouragement and strength. She inspires me with her kickboxing updates on Instagram. I admire her fortitude when she is also going through personal health challenges. Her faith in Jesus has inspired and deepened my own trust in Him.

Wow, I can’t ignore this, especially as everyday this week I have been waking up at 5:30. Each time, as soon as I realized how early it was, I snuggled back into the warmth of my duvet, “No!” “Please Jesus, it’s too early – 30 more minutes”. Then, “6:30!” “No, too early!”

Yesterday at 5:30 am, and I even felt a light nudge – a gentle caress on my left hand – the light and feathery touch of my guardian angel. I woke up immediately and seeing it was 5:30, I shamefully went back to sleep. “No!”

Finally, today at 5:30, I slowly got up and said to myself, “OK, I’ll listen!” After a coffee to wake myself up along with toast and jam, I prepared myself – in slow mode – to go work out. When I finally stepped onto the elliptical, it was cutting into my morning Rosary time, so I put on my earphones and listened to the Rosary while I silently murmured along with each breathe. It was not easy, but I did it!

Although I’ve been getting my daily spiritual nutrients, I have ignored my physical well being. Although I eat well (ok, I’ll admit a weakness for poutine and potato chips), and take my vitamins, I have neglected keeping my body healthy through exercise. I sit in front of my laptop or devices for the greater part of the day (as I am now, writing). God has been sending me nudges throughout the course of this week – all ignored! I finally stop to listen.

Thank you to all those around me for being God’s conduit.

My prayer is for God’s continued blessings for all those around me. I give thanks to all of you – my Christian family. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, as I do for each of you.

God Bless 💕