Eyes Open

     All I could think when I first heard was..."it could have been us."  It's times like these that it's so easy to lose our faith, but it's times like these that we have to keep a hold on our faith the most.  It is not a question of "why them?!" but a question of "what do we have to learn from this?" that we should be asking.  And I'm not saying to move on, to put a smile on your face, or to act like you're not hurting, because we all know that denial does nothing good to our hearts.  But what I am saying is this event did NOT just happen, there is a reason for everything...no matter how terrifying it could be.  Years after 9/11 we learned and we are still learning what we need to do.  After Columbine too, we gathered as a nation.  What is it now? What can we do? ...to help ourselves, to help those who are hurting.  Ephesians 6:12 teaches us "our struggle is not with the flesh and blood, but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness with the evil spirits in the heavens."  Evil has always been around, and it always will be until the day the Lord comes and we unite as one faith.  But in this we must not forget that evil is strong too, and he can manipulate us into something else, something we were not designed to be.  But it is us, our soul, our heart, and our faith that helps us break out of that evil, to turn to the Lord and ask "what is your will?" "what shall we do?" "what do we have to learn from this?"  What happened in Aurora, Colorado last night/this morning at The Dark Knight Rises premiere is unbelievable, it is terrifying and it is wrong.  Prayers and thoughts and tears go out.  Lord bless those who are hurting, just bless those who are hurting.  And keep us all strong.  It is not wrong to mourn, for "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Mat 5:4)  But, as batman taught us...why do we fall?  So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.  "Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your guard.  So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a brestplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace.  In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Eph 6:13-17)

Catholic Evangelist Richard Lane.

  I met an incredible man last week who changed my life.  His name?  Catholic Evangelist Richard Lane.  Look him up and try sometime to go hear him speak, or watch his videos, you won't regret it.  My church community had the chance to have Richard for a week, giving us a church mission, it was called Mission Possible.  To put a long story short, each day consisted of many lessons.  Some just refreshed your mind, while others...well, they completely slapped you in the face.  He spoke about holding on, and to let only God open the doors to our hearts, and when necessary, close them.  Let Him take control, at every moment.  How Jesus calls us each by name, that each of us have a purpose and we are put in this life to seek that purpose.  How we cannot be afraid to show others our faith, our strength, our love for Jesus, because that is EXACTLY what He calls us to do all over the Bible.  There was so much Richard taught us that I can write about.  But, there was one thing he said to us, that, I always knew, but it never really hit me until he said it how he said it.  "When you are sad, mad, confused...Satan is looking at you saying 'yes, I got another one.'  Deep right? WE MUST GET AWAY FROM THAT.  Jesus gave us the power, the strength, His image to fight evil off just as much as He did and to this very moment is doing.  Paul teaches us in 2 Corinthians 12 "Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hard ships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong."  When we find ourselves coming home, or waking up in a bad mood, when even the smallest thing ticks us off.  When we feel like hiding under the covers for the rest of our lives...Let the teardrops fall, but let them fall to make you stronger.  Defeat the evil, walk away from it.  Pick up your sword, the work of God, your Bible, show the crucifix which clearly depicts the LOVE Jesus had for each and every one of us.  And do not, do not, be afraid to share the truth that you know, with others.


Thank you Richard Lane, you have completely changed my life.

When In Worry

Stress is one thing you will never be 100% free from. It can come in so many ways. In small packages, or in big packages. As a student, my stress is probably 70% school. The rest would be friends, boys, family, and preparing for retreat is a big part of it. I found myself needing the Lord yesterday and today. Even though I knew I had Him, always do, I still felt a little empty. I was not putting my entire self into His hands. I knew where to go to change that. I was able to find my release through drinking tea, taking a nap, and going to my friend's show, but that is just me. We all need to lean to someone or somewhere for that extra push. Because we never know who God is talking to us through. Meditation, relaxation, praying, and comfort, are four key elements to the beginning of finding peace in the hard times. We move on to what allows us to be 1000% truly, confidently, ourselves. My way is sitting in my room, with calm music, writing, and maybe even making bracelets or reading. There are so many things we can do to feel better, we just have to let ourselves do them. So what if we're a little late to work or school. Or we didn't get to finish an assignment or clean our house. None of that is greater than taking the time to relax in God's love when we feel lost. The last thing that helped me today was going to one of my trusted adults, to her I can tell anything. I asked for prayers, and for advice. I'd like to share what she gave me.



Verses to Un-Worry
For I know what my plans for you are, plans to save you and not to harm you, plans
to give you a future and to give you hope. (Jeremiah29:11)

Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh
you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of
heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light.
(Matthew11:28-30)

I have told you all this, so that in me you
may have peace. You will have trouble in the world; but, courage! I have overcome
the world. (John16:33)

If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will
be given to you. (John15:7)

Three times I prayed to the Lord that it leave me, but he answered, "My grace is
enough for you; my great strength is revealed in weakness." Gladly, then,
will I boast of my weakness that the strength of Christ may be mine. (2Corinthians12:8-9)

With God nothing is impossible. (Luke1:37)

Peace be with you; I give you my peace. Not as the world gives peace do I give it to you. Do not be troubled; do not be afraid. (John14:27)

If you remain in me and my words in you, you may ask whatever you want and it will be given to you. (John15:7)

Be still and know that I am God…Psalm 46: 10



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4e87vIRpds&feature=share&fb_source=message