MarysLaryVibes

In our family, as Catholics, we followed the traditional Catholic prayer before a meal: Bless us oh Lord And these thy gifts Which we are about to receive From They bounty. Through Christ, Our Lord, Amen When I had a family of my own, I didn't want anything traditionally Catholic. And this mealtime prayer? Well it was a rote prayer that we memorized. We said it so often it became just words, no meaning. My husband and I wanted something more personal done before each meal. A lot of times there was repetition, but we tried to bring in thanksgiving for a variety of different things. However, there was a point that I felt like my husband was doing his devotional prayer at the dinner time....his prayers would seem to go on and on while the food was getting cold. At that point, a memorized, traditional prayer would have been nice. (tongue in cheek) Another thing about a memorized, traditional prayer.....I still know it. I can say it and I love that I still know it. I wish I had institut...

Amen and Amen!  He was born to die.  I hate that. What is there to like about that? Because soon after we celebrate Jesus birth at Christmas, we will begin the 40 days of Lent where we prepare to celebrate his resurrection. There would be no resurrection if He hadn't been born; and then he died. Why did He have to die? It's actually a long story that I don't fully understand, but I'll try to explain a bit. In the beginning, long before the earth was created, God knew that when He created man, man would rebel. But He created mankind anyway. God is a just God and when wrong his done, sin must be punished. Because He is a just God.  BUT WAIT! God set up a system whereby a blood sacrifice would cover your sins. The blood of a lamb. Many sacrifices were instituted, but the blood of the lamb is for forgiveness of sins. So every year, the Jews had to go to the temple to sacrifice an animal for the forgiveness of their sins. But all along God knew that He would provide a sacrif...

  I tried to find in the Bible where it said "we are blessed to be a blessing". The Bible doesn't EXACTLY say that, but what it does say is "And I shall bless you and make your name great and so you shall be a blessing." We are all blessed in different ways. Some with money, some with family, some with relationships. Some are blessed with great talents that can be used to bring glory to God. ALL we do should bring glory to God. We are all blessed, but my name, my being known by many, will never be great. If I can be known to my family as a lover of God, I will be blessed. If those around me, not family, know that I'm a lover of God, I will be blessed just a wee bit more.  I pray that this Christmas you will find ways to be a blessing to those around you. Blessings, Mary

  It's hard for us think that God shows wrath.  After all, He is a kind, loving God that wants only the best for everybody doesn't He? Yet there is evil in the world and evil needs to be dealt with.  When we think about bad things happening in the world we get angry. We want justice for the victim. We don't know the victim but feel bad that something horrible has happened. Now if that victim is our child we take a whole different look at it. We are more determined than ever to not just get justice but to display our wrath on the perpetrator. That's how God is with us. Our pastor said this morning, "the greater the love, the greater the wrath."  God made mankind to have freewill. We are given choices. Those of us with high standards who treat people with love and kindness are making those choices and God gives us strength to carry out those choices. But those that have evil intent also have a freewill.  They are choosing to do evil. Free will is free will. Unfo...