After a few weeks of having no Monday Memo, we're back! I actually just got super busy and completely forgot about blogging. So much runs through my mind on a regular basis, well this just slipped my mind :)
"Father, I abandon myself into Your hands,
do with me what you will.
Whatever You may do,
I thank you:
I am ready for all,
I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me
and in all your creatures -
I wish no more than this, Lord."
-Bl. Charles de Foucauld
This is actually one of my favorite quotes. I encourage you all to pray this, seeking for the Lord's will to be done always in your life, I know I do!
God bless!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Dare to Be...Radical Christians
Yesterday I posted something from Natalie Grant, an artist whom I love. Her music is beautiful, and you should definitely listen to her! But she's doing something for women, daring them to reach their highest goals. Encouraging women to strive for success. Well, I really like this idea. It's a fantastic idea. However, I want to take the idea and apply it to being a radical christian. Each day(I'm going to shoot for each day, but I'm a nursing student with a job and friends...)....Each day I'm going to post Dare to Be...Courageous or Love or Joyful or Patient...and use virtues that make us radical Christians. Because I want us to be radical. I want us to be different. I want us to be set apart from this world. I want to spread the love of Christ wherever I go, whatever I do, and I want to bring others with me. So I encourage you to join me in this journey and post what you dare to be too and join me in this journey!
Today I dare to be Joyful. Fr. Barron says the most effective way of evangelization is joy(http://www.ucatholic.com/apologetics/effective-evangelization/). It is joy that is contagious. Those who don't know Christ, those who are still searching, see the joy a person filled with the Holy Spirit and desire to experience this joy. So today, I dare to be joyful, no matter what may seem to go wrong.
Today I dare to be Joyful. Fr. Barron says the most effective way of evangelization is joy(http://www.ucatholic.com/apologetics/effective-evangelization/). It is joy that is contagious. Those who don't know Christ, those who are still searching, see the joy a person filled with the Holy Spirit and desire to experience this joy. So today, I dare to be joyful, no matter what may seem to go wrong.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Dare to Be...
Today I Dare To Be….
If you’re anything like me, you have a catalog in your mind of some pivotal moments in your life when different people may have said “you can’t…”
Some of those defining moments have stayed with me, influenced me, kept me from believing that I am who God says that I am.
Some of those defining moments have stayed with me, influenced me, kept me from believing that I am who God says that I am.
But the more I have discovered about Jesus and the more I learn of His thoughts towards me, what once were deafening and defeating statements, are replaced by the Truth of God.
I’m calling on all my girlfriends to rise up and be a part of a revolution. That together, with one voice, the earth would hear us, as the sisterhood of God say, “yes, we can.”
Dare To Be is a call for women to stand and say “I am who God says that I am. I can be what God says I can be. I can do what God has asked me to do.” If we could begin to see what God sees when He looks at us, how would that change our lives, marriages, families, communities and the world?
When Jesus asked Peter to walk on the water, I’m betting there were many “I can’t” thoughts that initially crossed his mind. But because Peter dared to believe and trust, Jesus accomplished the impossible through his life. He wants to do the same through us. Jesus didn’t say, “I’m sorry, Peter, but water-walking is for Messiahs only.” No, he said one simple word: Come. God is daring us to do impossible things by faith.
This is what I am asking of you. Throughout the week, I want you, daughter of the King, to dare to believe & live 1 thing God has called you to be.
1. Write it on a piece of paper. Then sign your name.
2. Take a picture while holding the sign. Tweet or facebook the pic with the hashtag #daretobe
3. Live it out.
We’ll make a weekly collage of all who are Daring To Be. I want to see your face among what will be a beautiful collection, and I’ll be excited to feature you on my website.
So, what will you DARE TO BE? Love, kindness, hope, courage, joy, peace, justice, freedom, empowered, uncompromising, forgiving, whole….
“I can do all things through CHRIST…”(Phil 4:13) – and so can YOU!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday Memo
indulged the fancy of offering myself up to the Child Jesus as a plaything,
for him to do what he liked with me.
I don't mean an expensive plaything;
give a child an expensive toy and he will sit looking at it without daring to touch it.
But a toy of no value - a ball, say - is all at his disposal."
-St. Therese of Lisieux
St. Therese is one of my favorite saints. She chose me as one of her own, to help draw closer the good Lord, and I could never be more thankful to have been put under the watch of such a beautiful saint.
I've heard this quote, and read it a hundred times over. It's one of my favorites, and has a slightly different meaning each time I read it.
Brothers and sisters, St. Therese is telling to offer ourselves to the Lord so he can use us as He wishes. We each are unique persons, and have our own gifts and talents. May we surrender our gifts and talents to the Lord so he may draw us ever closer to him and use our gifts and talents for the glory and building up of His Kingdom!
God bless!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Breathe
This past week I've lost count of how many people have said this has been the week from hell for them. Whether it's failing an exam, having more exams than you know how to study for, having a car getting broken into, a sprained ankle, headaches, sickness, etc. it has been a rough week. And really, in Ohio it seems have been a rough couple weeks between tornadoes and high school shootings, and I'm probably forgetting a few things - life has not been easy.
But, is this really new? Does it not often seem like times are hard?
This week was rough for me because it was busy. I had extra 'stuff' going on in my week that I don't normally have. I have a sprained ankle, am training for a half marathon, and can't run (running is just one of my stress relievers). I have an exam next Friday in O-chem that I basically have to get an 80, which is stressful, I've never had to think about what I get on an exam.. I did not understand my O-chem homework last night, I was to the point of tears I was so frustrated with it. Then I went to One Gospel, an event in Columbus where college students gather together, hear a talk, and praise God. It forced me to stop in the busyness of my week and focus on God. I had been so busy my prayer life got put on the side burner. Normally, I take about 30 minutes and spend time in prayer, but I didn't take that time. There were times when I could have, but chose not to, especially since my normal time was disrupted by various activities or distractions.
Today was a good day. I was still filled with joy from last night, where my brothers and sisters placed so much laughter and joy in my life, they lifted me up in a way they probably didn't realize. However, when I had to sit down and finish my o-chem homework I was like man, I'm not going to get the percentage I need on this to get all 10 points, and every point counts in this class, and I don't know why I'm even bothering because I'm just going to get stuck. Well, I started in, and the first problem stumped me. I was like okay - I need to get out of this attitude because doing it will help me because it is practice and will help me for the exam, even if I don't do well now, it will help me in the long run. So I continued on. The last two problems actually went well. I got both of them right on the first time, and ended up getting me to the points I needed to get full credit for the assignment. Sweet.
So I'm sitting here thinking to myself, wow that was sweet. If we just stop for a second, take a breath and trust that Jesus will take care of it, things will come together.
This week may have been 'the week from hell' but if we remember to take a deep breath and renew our trust in the Lord, all things will come together and his will shall be done.
I can also apply this to my running adventure on Sunday when my ankle became inflamed, I was given a chance to contemplate the grace of God, specifically with the metaphor of a river, and last night we sang a song called The River Flows. The lyrics are below. It explains it all : )
Basically, if you feel like your in a week or even a day or maybe a month 'from hell' stop, turn yourself towards God and trust in His love and mercy!
God bless!
But, is this really new? Does it not often seem like times are hard?
This week was rough for me because it was busy. I had extra 'stuff' going on in my week that I don't normally have. I have a sprained ankle, am training for a half marathon, and can't run (running is just one of my stress relievers). I have an exam next Friday in O-chem that I basically have to get an 80, which is stressful, I've never had to think about what I get on an exam.. I did not understand my O-chem homework last night, I was to the point of tears I was so frustrated with it. Then I went to One Gospel, an event in Columbus where college students gather together, hear a talk, and praise God. It forced me to stop in the busyness of my week and focus on God. I had been so busy my prayer life got put on the side burner. Normally, I take about 30 minutes and spend time in prayer, but I didn't take that time. There were times when I could have, but chose not to, especially since my normal time was disrupted by various activities or distractions.
Today was a good day. I was still filled with joy from last night, where my brothers and sisters placed so much laughter and joy in my life, they lifted me up in a way they probably didn't realize. However, when I had to sit down and finish my o-chem homework I was like man, I'm not going to get the percentage I need on this to get all 10 points, and every point counts in this class, and I don't know why I'm even bothering because I'm just going to get stuck. Well, I started in, and the first problem stumped me. I was like okay - I need to get out of this attitude because doing it will help me because it is practice and will help me for the exam, even if I don't do well now, it will help me in the long run. So I continued on. The last two problems actually went well. I got both of them right on the first time, and ended up getting me to the points I needed to get full credit for the assignment. Sweet.
So I'm sitting here thinking to myself, wow that was sweet. If we just stop for a second, take a breath and trust that Jesus will take care of it, things will come together.
This week may have been 'the week from hell' but if we remember to take a deep breath and renew our trust in the Lord, all things will come together and his will shall be done.
I can also apply this to my running adventure on Sunday when my ankle became inflamed, I was given a chance to contemplate the grace of God, specifically with the metaphor of a river, and last night we sang a song called The River Flows. The lyrics are below. It explains it all : )
Basically, if you feel like your in a week or even a day or maybe a month 'from hell' stop, turn yourself towards God and trust in His love and mercy!
God bless!
From the throne of God and from the Lamb the river flows.
Life redeeming, ever healing, age to age it goes.
No more sun, the Holy One – our light that ever shines.
Crystal clear, the river here, will swell our hearts to join the cry!
Life redeeming, ever healing, age to age it goes.
No more sun, the Holy One – our light that ever shines.
Crystal clear, the river here, will swell our hearts to join the cry!
Awake, O sleeper, rise to life, and Christ will give you light!
Lift your head – behold the river.
He mounts his throne to shouts of praise; be opened heaven's gates.
Enter in, O King of Glory!
Lift your head – behold the river.
He mounts his throne to shouts of praise; be opened heaven's gates.
Enter in, O King of Glory!
"Come!" the Spirit calls, and with the bride the Spirit cries:
"Souls that thirst can drink their fill of water without price.
Blest are those who wash their robes to gain the tree of life.
Face to face with endless grace, lift up your hearts to hear the cry!"
"Souls that thirst can drink their fill of water without price.
Blest are those who wash their robes to gain the tree of life.
Face to face with endless grace, lift up your hearts to hear the cry!"
Awake, O sleeper, rise to life, and Christ will give you light!
Lift your head – behold the river.
He mounts his throne to shouts of praise; be opened heaven's gates.
Enter in, O King of Glory!
Lift your head – behold the river.
He mounts his throne to shouts of praise; be opened heaven's gates.
Enter in, O King of Glory!
O King of Glory!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Mother Teresa
Taking a break from studying I read some Mother Teresa and just thought I would share!
"We must have a real living determination to reach holiness. "I will be a saint" means I will despoil myself of all that is not God; I will strip my heart of all created things; I will live in poverty and detachment; I will renounce my will, my inclinations, my whims and fancies, and make myself a willing slave to the will of God." -Mother Teresa
Intense love does not measure, it just gives. -Mother Teresa
Peace begins with a smile. -Mother Teresa
"We must have a real living determination to reach holiness. "I will be a saint" means I will despoil myself of all that is not God; I will strip my heart of all created things; I will live in poverty and detachment; I will renounce my will, my inclinations, my whims and fancies, and make myself a willing slave to the will of God." -Mother Teresa 
Intense love does not measure, it just gives. -Mother Teresa
Peace begins with a smile. -Mother Teresa
"Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls. A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love." -Mother Teresa
Happy studies!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday Memo
"Our whole perfection consists in loving our most amiable God;
and all the perfection of the love of God
consists in uniting our will with His most holy will."
-St. Alphonus Liguori
Holiness is the perfection of charity. Charity is perfected in the love of God. May we strive to love God more so we may live a life united to God.
God bless!
and all the perfection of the love of God
consists in uniting our will with His most holy will."
-St. Alphonus Liguori
Holiness is the perfection of charity. Charity is perfected in the love of God. May we strive to love God more so we may live a life united to God.
God bless!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
GO! GO! GO!
I'm training for a half marathon. I'm crazy, I know, this has been established. Actually, I really enjoy running. However, I tend to be injury prone. Sprained ankles, stress fractures, and the like. We were supposed to run 6 miles today...I didn't finish my 6 miles. This was really hard for me. I was running, chugging along at my own little pace, and pain started shooting through my leg. I tried to push through, but couldn't, I knew I was injured.
So - I had a 2 mile walk back to my car...and I had to walk slow. Thus I took time to contemplate.(I was actually really annoyed at first because it was just another thing to add to the list of bad things happening)
The trail we run is alongside a river. I began to contemplate this and came to the realization that God's grace is like the river, it's slow, steady constant. When there's a disruption (sin, distraction) the river flows differently, and seemingly faster. I applied this to God's grace -when we are struggling God's grace is poured out more fervently.
This struck me in a profound way because the past two days have been filled with suffering for me, and I was beginning to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Then I realized - God is with me, in this moment, in this trial His grace is being poured in great abundance unto my soul, and he is strengthening me.
After realizing this, it started snowing. This was a wet, cold snow. It caused my sweatshirt to be damp. But I ended up looking at the snow as God's grace. The snow was a literal, physical, tangible (metaphorically) representation of God's grace.
In the time of suffering I was gifted today, I was able to grow by contemplating God's grace. If I hadn't been forced to stop, I never would have taken the time to think about God's grace in my life.
As a college student my life is a constant go, go, go. Work. Class. Homework. Meeting. Social event. Coffee date. Home. Prayer. Mass. go. go. go. There's little time to stop. There's little time to contemplate. It's easy to overlook the little blessings in day to day life.
As I reflected on my time being forced to stop and slow down, I am thankful.
In addition, I realized how we need to stop more in our lives. Life is filled with little blessings. Will we keep overlooking them or will we stop to notice the way God's grace is a constant presence in our life? Will we stop so we can find the grace to remain joyful?
God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. May seek quiet moments in our lives, so we may contemplate God's grace.
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you remember Christ crucified and be silent.
-St. John of the Cross
What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love.
-St John of the Cross
So - I had a 2 mile walk back to my car...and I had to walk slow. Thus I took time to contemplate.(I was actually really annoyed at first because it was just another thing to add to the list of bad things happening)
The trail we run is alongside a river. I began to contemplate this and came to the realization that God's grace is like the river, it's slow, steady constant. When there's a disruption (sin, distraction) the river flows differently, and seemingly faster. I applied this to God's grace -when we are struggling God's grace is poured out more fervently.
This struck me in a profound way because the past two days have been filled with suffering for me, and I was beginning to feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Then I realized - God is with me, in this moment, in this trial His grace is being poured in great abundance unto my soul, and he is strengthening me.
After realizing this, it started snowing. This was a wet, cold snow. It caused my sweatshirt to be damp. But I ended up looking at the snow as God's grace. The snow was a literal, physical, tangible (metaphorically) representation of God's grace.
In the time of suffering I was gifted today, I was able to grow by contemplating God's grace. If I hadn't been forced to stop, I never would have taken the time to think about God's grace in my life.
As a college student my life is a constant go, go, go. Work. Class. Homework. Meeting. Social event. Coffee date. Home. Prayer. Mass. go. go. go. There's little time to stop. There's little time to contemplate. It's easy to overlook the little blessings in day to day life.
As I reflected on my time being forced to stop and slow down, I am thankful.
In addition, I realized how we need to stop more in our lives. Life is filled with little blessings. Will we keep overlooking them or will we stop to notice the way God's grace is a constant presence in our life? Will we stop so we can find the grace to remain joyful?
God speaks to us in the silence of our hearts. May seek quiet moments in our lives, so we may contemplate God's grace.
Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you remember Christ crucified and be silent.
-St. John of the Cross
What we need most in order to make progress is to be silent before this great God with our appetite and with our tongue, for the language he best hears is silent love.
-St John of the Cross
“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”
-Mother Teresa
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Joy Joy Joy Joy Down in my Heart
Joy. That is what this world lacks. We need joy in our days.
How can we be joyful when:
I tell you my brother's and sisters, joy comes from Jesus.
It seems every saint I read about was known for being joyful. St. John of the Cross was a man who loved humor, and loved making people laugh. He was greatly welcomed by those who knew him. He was misunderstood, rejected, imprisoned, and suffered greatly in his life; however, he remained joyful. In St. Therese's little way, she knew the love of Jesus, and she knew suffering, yet she remained joyful.
Mother Teresa was known for being joyful in her time on this earth. Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." (Mother Teresa). Cardinal Dolan, who was just made a Cardinal was recently made a Cardinal is known for his joy. Both Bl. Pope John Paul II and our current Pope Benedict XVI are men of joy. These are just a few examples.
How can we be joyful when:
- there's tornadoes
- car accidents
- school shootings
- exams
- sickness
- death
- ingratitude
- ungratefulness
- rush
- impatience
- hate
- rejection
- misunderstanding
- headaches
- feelings worthless
- lack of motivation
- lust
- sin
- and more...
I tell you my brother's and sisters, joy comes from Jesus.
It seems every saint I read about was known for being joyful. St. John of the Cross was a man who loved humor, and loved making people laugh. He was greatly welcomed by those who knew him. He was misunderstood, rejected, imprisoned, and suffered greatly in his life; however, he remained joyful. In St. Therese's little way, she knew the love of Jesus, and she knew suffering, yet she remained joyful.
Mother Teresa was known for being joyful in her time on this earth. Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." (Mother Teresa). Cardinal Dolan, who was just made a Cardinal was recently made a Cardinal is known for his joy. Both Bl. Pope John Paul II and our current Pope Benedict XVI are men of joy. These are just a few examples.
Practicals: Being Joyful Amidst Trial -
- prayer
- surrender to the Lord
- Christian community
- Giving thanks
- Counting your blessings
I've hit the point of realizing we need to be joyful, but how can I be joyful all the time, or even half of the time?
Reading One Thousand Blessings, I've learned that by counting my blessings, and being thankful for the food on the table, a roof over my head, a family who loves me, the opportunity to get an education, opportunity to serve people, a job - in seeing each of these as a gift from God I rejoice, for the Lord has abundantly blessed me.
"Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer" -Romans 12:12
Friday, March 2, 2012
Indebted to God
From: One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp:
Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world round me;
And with tomorrow begins another.
Why am I allowed two?
"Why are we allowed two? Why lavished with three? A whole string of grace days? Isn't even one day enough?
...
That we are allowed two - a grace miracle I hardly ever notice.
When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn't all become gift?
For He might not have." (pages 93, 94)
This is just an excerpt from her book. Now, I want to pair this with Romans 4:4 "A workers wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due."
Two things have been striking me: 1. God might not have: given grace, given another day, given a wonderful friend. 2. We are indebted to Him
Often times it is easy for us to think that God owes us. We push God into the passenger seat and step into the driver's spot. "I prayed this rosary for my grandpa's healing, why does he still have cancer? I go to mass every Sunday, on week days, pray daily, regularly go to confession and adoration, why do bad things have to happen to me? God, I don't deserve this trial. I don't deserve to go through hard times. Don't I deserve an easy life? Don't You owe Me honor, glory, and blessings?"
This often our mind set. However, Jesus came, and He suffered. He suffered greatly. If Jesus came to us, let go of His Godliness, humbled Himself, and suffered humiliation, beatings, etc then why would we deserve a life of ease and pleasure? Should we not suffer willing for our God?
So, many of us have jobs, right? And we get paid for our jobs, yes? And we feel we deserve to get paid, that we deserve, that it is due to us? We always look forward to pay day - it's the best day every two weeks - I finally get what I deserve for all the crap that I do! What if I were to tell you each day should be treated like pay day? Each day God far exceeds in giving us grace - the best possible gift we could receive.
When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn't all become gift?
We should be praising God and thanking Him all the day long for the precious gift of His grace, for the life He has given us. God owes us nothing, absolutely nothing. He made us. He gave us life. He gives us each day. We owe Him EVERYTHING for this gift He has given us.
May we recall that it is not us who God is indebted to, but us who are indebted to God. May we seek to thank Him for each day, and his precious gift of grace.
God bless!
Here dies another day
During which I have had eyes, ears, hands
And the great world round me;
And with tomorrow begins another.
Why am I allowed two?
"Why are we allowed two? Why lavished with three? A whole string of grace days? Isn't even one day enough?
...
That we are allowed two - a grace miracle I hardly ever notice.
When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn't all become gift?
For He might not have." (pages 93, 94)
This is just an excerpt from her book. Now, I want to pair this with Romans 4:4 "A workers wage is credited not as a gift, but as something due."
Two things have been striking me: 1. God might not have: given grace, given another day, given a wonderful friend. 2. We are indebted to Him
Often times it is easy for us to think that God owes us. We push God into the passenger seat and step into the driver's spot. "I prayed this rosary for my grandpa's healing, why does he still have cancer? I go to mass every Sunday, on week days, pray daily, regularly go to confession and adoration, why do bad things have to happen to me? God, I don't deserve this trial. I don't deserve to go through hard times. Don't I deserve an easy life? Don't You owe Me honor, glory, and blessings?"
This often our mind set. However, Jesus came, and He suffered. He suffered greatly. If Jesus came to us, let go of His Godliness, humbled Himself, and suffered humiliation, beatings, etc then why would we deserve a life of ease and pleasure? Should we not suffer willing for our God?
So, many of us have jobs, right? And we get paid for our jobs, yes? And we feel we deserve to get paid, that we deserve, that it is due to us? We always look forward to pay day - it's the best day every two weeks - I finally get what I deserve for all the crap that I do! What if I were to tell you each day should be treated like pay day? Each day God far exceeds in giving us grace - the best possible gift we could receive.
When I realize that it is not God who is in my debt but I who am in His great debt, then doesn't all become gift?
We should be praising God and thanking Him all the day long for the precious gift of His grace, for the life He has given us. God owes us nothing, absolutely nothing. He made us. He gave us life. He gives us each day. We owe Him EVERYTHING for this gift He has given us.
May we recall that it is not us who God is indebted to, but us who are indebted to God. May we seek to thank Him for each day, and his precious gift of grace.
God bless!
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