What are you living for?

Today's reading really got me thinking! It points out how we are born into freedom, and Christ Jesus gave us that freedom! How awesome is that! Many people don't know of Christ, nor do they know of his great love for them! Continuing on, Jesus died on the cross to set us free. He also gave us the option of free will. We can choose to follow him or we can choose to be stuck in the world. I have learned, through my life experience that when you surround yourself with worldly things you constantly feel empty and move from one thing to another seeking fulfillment and recieving emptiness. We're always searching, wanting, desiring something more.

We all want a reason to live, what are you living for?

I live for Jesus Christ! I live in order to know, love and serve him as best I can! Jesus Christ is my King and Savior. My life would be empty without him! He completely cares for my every need and I would be nothing without him! He died on the cross to set me free; therefore, I owe my life to him. You choose, what way of life do you want? One of empty, endless searching or one where you always have someone to run to for comfort and who loves you unceasingly?

Galatians 5:1-

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm

and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Keep praying!
God bless!

In Jesus&Mary,
amber

Food for Thought

During mass today the priest got me thinking, how often do we really give thanks? Once a year, maybe twice...at thanksgiving? That's not nearly enough when we look at how much Christ gives us each and every day! It's truly amazing. He gives us air to breathe, water to drink, food to eat, in the mass he gives us his own body and blood to rely on for strength, he gives us the roof over our head, the job we may have, he comforts us in sorrow and rejoices with us in times. He is constantly with us and constantly giving us exactly what we need at each and every moment of each and every day. I encourage you now to reflect on your life and offer thanksgiving to Christ for the many blessings he has given you. Recognize that we are nothing without Christ. We survive on Christ, and Christ alone!

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.


Some food for thought:
 "The thoughts of those moved by natural human love are almost completely fastened on the beloved, their hearts are filled with passion for it, and their mouths full of its praises. When it is gone they express their feelings in letters, and can't pass by a tree without carving the name of their beloved in its bark. Thus too those who love God can never stop thinking about him, longing for him, aspiring to him, and speaking about him. If they could, they would engrave the name of Jesus on the hearts of all humankind." ~St. Francis de Sales

Keep praying!
God bless!

In Jesus&Mary,
amber

Reality

How often are we 'real' with ourselves? For me, it's often never. Who wants to sit down and look into what's going on with their life? Why do we want to think or talk about our pain, our suffering, when it's seemingly so much easier to pretend everything is okay?

When we are realistic with our lives it makes us stronger in Christ because Christ is strongest in our weakness. He builds us up. Therefore, do not be afraid to be real with your life, with pain, with suffering, heartache and more. Reognize it, talk about it with someone. You do not have to tell every person you meet your life story and the pains you suffer, but you should find those people who you can come to with your problems. In reality, it is not healthy to hold in those emotions either. We need to continue to recognize our weakness and let Christ be our strength in them. We, as Christians and followers of Christ, need to be able to unite our pain and our suffering to Christ our King so He can be our strength, our rock on which we stand firm.

Who are you?
What's your story?
Where do you struggle?

Keep praying.
God bless!

In Jesus&Mary,
amber

Charitable Love

So often in this world we struggle to love. We are so self-absorbed that we become only concerned with what will benefit us best. I know I often struggle to love an acquaintance of mine. However, when we struggle to love we just need to remember who we are living for, what we are living for, what our goal in this life is: to know, love and serve Christ Jesus. Next time you struggle to love someone ask Mary for help. Say: Mary, help to love as you love; Jesus give me a heart of love. Ask the Lord and our Mother for strength and grace to love each person we meet and reach out to them as their needs require. Give everything to the Lord. Everything you do should be a gift to Jesus. Offer it to Jesus; give it him. One day you will be greatly rewarded. Remember we are living for Jesus, to love him, to serve him, to know him and to be united with him one day in heaven!

God bless!
Keep praying!

In Jesus&Mary,
amber

Discernment

God has a plan for each of us. He has each moment of our life planned out and knows the exact way we will go. Each decision we make is discerning God's will.
"Should I help this person, or pretend I don't see them?"
"Should I say my prayers or go watch television?"
"Should I do my homework or go out with friends?"
"Am I meant to be a mom or a consecrated religious; a priest or a father?"
"What career path should I take?"

These are all questions we ask ourselves or have asked ourselves. Each of these decisions should be made with God in mind. Each of the decisions should be made with God. Some of them are easier to discern an answer than others.

However, what's most important to remember when discerning is: ultimately, it is your decision. No one, can decide for you. You have to make your decision, you can seek advise from friends, but ultimately, God will tell you what he wants from you, from your life. Only you will know the answer in your heart. You can't let other people influence your decision so much that they make the decision for you because only you can make a decision for your life. Unite everything to the Lord and he will help you to make your decisions, whether daily or life!

God bless!
Keep praying!

In Jesus&Mary,
amber

How to Handle a Busy Life

The past few days I've been wondering, what am supposed to say in my blog? What does God want me to share?

In our busy-ness we so often forget who matter most. We go from one moment to the next, constantly moving and forget to take that quiet peaceful time with our Lord, so like a car, after we run so long we eventually hit E which is when we run into trouble if we don't fill up.

My life has been crazy busy! I was on a wonderful retreat over the weekend. My grandpa passed away. I started dating a guy. School is going full-force. So many things are happening at once, I would be lost. I am feeling burnt out, tired, worn down, but with Christ as my strength I know I can do anything.

Your life is most likely different than mine, but that doesn't matter. What you need to be sure you do is pray. Each day pray and seek God to 'fill up your tank'. Our spiritual lives need refueled everyday because as we seek to serve Christ we run low daily and so we need to refuel in order to serve Christ most fully each day. I encourage you to take time to pray each day. Whatever it is that works for you, do it. Make yourself spend that time with God each day. It's okay if you don't do it at the same time each day. Be careful not to 'go through the motions' either. Rather dive fully, deeply into your prayer each day and unite it all to Christ.

God bless!
Keep praying.

in Jesus&Mary,
amber

Don't Rush, Don't Worry

“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.” -St. Francis de Sales

This is one of my favorite quotes because it reminds us to be at peace always, to trust Jesus always. No matter what is happening in our lives we must always trust Jesus and allow him to reign in our hearts. My life is crazy right now! There is so much going on and with my grandpa being so ill my world should be in complete disarray, but its okay. I am able to trust Jesus and remember not only that he is in charge, but also that my ailing grandpa will soon be with the heavenly Father. In addition, school is going full force and as I am busy with school, youth group, friends, retreats, and more I remain at peace. I know Christ is in control. I know Christ will provide. I know Christ will take care of everything. So, as St. Francis says do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Whenever anything happens do not become fired up, do not become upset, rather remember Christ our king, our true savior allow him to be in control.

God bless!

Keep praying!

In Jesus&Mary,

amber