Jesus Taught Us ...

…how to pray. Because of this, I believe it is important to pay attention to what this prayer says to my heart... to our hearts...



“Our Father who art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name... I don't think of God as male or female...to me God is all of this, even more so, beyond all I can conceive; a God who cannot be enclosed... put into a box. Jesus invites us to draw near to God who is beyond human understanding, who dwells in mystery, who is all holy… to be still and know that

I Am God...

My God, My All, I praise and worship your Holy Name… the Creator of my soul… All honor and glory are yours, O’ LORD.)

Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven...
Jesus repeatedly tells us that God's power will appear and renew all creation. That God's plan from the beginning of the world would be fulfilled. God's kingdom would be marked by peace and justice. Good would be rewarded and evil punished. The kingdom, according to Jesus, is not far off, but already present in our midst, though not yet revealed.

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God" Romans 8:19

A favorite author, Agnes Sanford, in her book "Creation Waits" writes... "Jesus the Transformer needs us ; God's power sent into the world through Jesus Christ yet needs us smaller beings to transmit that eternal radiance into the world, that it may become His kingdom."

What a powerful thought… that God's will is for our good…for there is no pain in Heaven… no wars in Heaven… no corruption, no greed, no poverty, no loneliness, no fear, NO______________ in Heaven. And we are to pray for God's power to come about here on earth...and BELIEVE that as Jesus said that it is here in our midst and renew... restore ALL creation!Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven,,,Jesus...Jesus...Jesus... Say this slowly as a heartfelt prayer…let it become the fiber of your very breath.)

Give us this day our daily bread, (We are His children… and as children is it not childlike to ask for our very needs to live by.
Thank you, my God, for the work you have given me today, the food that is on my table, my family and friends, my time with you, _______________.)

and forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, (This is so vital for us to come to God and ask His forgiveness for what we have said or done to hurt others, to sin by thought, word or deed. And can you see, can I see, how we link God's forgiveness of us… by our forgiving others. Sometimes, I find it not always easy to forgive when someone has really caused me great harm, but I know I need to. I can not do it by myself, I need God's help to do it. I know I must forgive or otherwise I cannot receive God's mercy and this I long for.

Search my heart; O’ LORD and illuminate my sins … that I may ask forgiveness. I forgive … LORD, help my un-forgiveness that I may know and receive Your mercy.)

and lead us not into temptation, ( I don’t know about you, but I feel my life has been one big war zone… I have been tested... life has not been easy. When I meditate, I so often think of myself as clay and the process that clay undergoes before it becomes a beautiful, useful vessel. Yes, there is the kneading, the pounding to remove all air bubbles, the pulling apart over and over before the clay is ready to be shaped by the hands of the Potter into a beautiful, unique vessel and placed into the fires of life... A vessel to help and encourage others on a journey to wholeness!!
Yes, we need to ask God, as the Potter, to protect us from failing when we are tested, to help us to know the right thing to do, that HE delivers us from the evil which awaits us in life. To continue to pray...Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven...) but deliver us from evil... AMEN "

(When Jesus was led into the wilderness, He said to evil …”It is written!”)
JESUS...JESUS...JESUS... JESUS, I trust you!


The Lords Prayer Candle

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My Life With The Paraclete...

My thoughts, are centered on knowing the Holy Spirit and what an exciting relationship this is becoming; a rich tapestry that is deeping every day … when I begin it with Him.

Jesus said when He left the disciples that He would send the Paraclete, the Comforter to be with them and all of His followers. He would be present with them at ALL times. With us at ALL times!!


I think with each one of us He speaks to us in our own language, our own personalities . For me, I am becoming more and more aware of His guidance and gentle nudging by using a perpetual Novena, (a Novena is a daily prayer or thoughts pondered on throughout the day for a number of days… such as 3 days, 7 days, “ the first Novena-Acts 1:14 and 2:3-4, was a 9 day Novena”) …this, Novena that I’m speaking of begins with each day of my life, now thats daunting when I think that I have commited my self in this way. But, I have asked Him to help me and the Comforter gives me the heart to persevere and the staying power to continue!’. He keeps drawing my thoughts to Him, teaching me to quite my self and listen to what He wants to tell me. I'm so excited when I hear and recognize His voice…I just delight in this knowing, this experience. I remember seeing years ago, in a Noah's Ark movie, an image of Noah dancing to his silent music, the music of the Holy Spirit and I longed to hear it, I longed to dance... I love it!!!

I use a little book called “Novena to the Holy Spirit”. You can find this and other wonderful little books through…Apostles of the Holy Spirit, 2709 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45206. Their website is... http://www.aoths.org/ or email them at ... apostles.holyspirit@fuse.net

An interesting look into the word "Novena"... Nova is an explosion, a star of mediam size suddenly bursting into great light... becoming a "Nova".

Novena is a sudden bursting into a great light of God's Divine Glory... God's Intervention

It is written...

Luke 1:39-41 Mary Visits Elizabeth ...At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'


Luke 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Luke 1:67 [ Zechariah's Song ] His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Luke 2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

Luke 4:1 [ The Temptation of Jesus ] Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,

Luke 10:21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Luke 12:12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."


John 14:26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

These are but a few scripture verses which reveal the Holy Spirit and ways he works in the lives of his people. Weave the tapestry of your life as you ask Lord Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit...

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There She Is Again...

Just a few weeks ago I was asked if I had a problem accepting the Blessed Virgin Mary when I became a Catholic... and now I have the perfect story for the answer! I laughed with such delight


The following account was told by Father Sineux, during a spiritual retreat given on July 29, 1964: A Protestant pastor from Scotland had a large number of Irish families in his parish and, consequently, some fervent Catholics. He was extremely annoyed by these people and, being fervent himself in his religion, tried to fight against their beliefs in any way he could. He went readily to children with his ideas. One day he came across a young Irish girl of about eight years of age on the roadside. He stopped her, spoke a few nice words to her and then asked her to recite a few prayers, promising to give her two pennies if she recited them well. At once, the girl recited Our Father and the pastor congratulated her. “Do you know any others? Can you say another one?” he asked her. The child began the “Hail Mary,” but the pastor interrupted her. “That one is not a prayer, because you mustn’t pray to a woman, you should only pray to the Good Lord.” The small girl was a little embarrassed, but she continued and recited the Creed and the pastor encouraged her this time. However, when she arrived to the words “was born of the Virgin Mary”, the child sighed in annoyance and said, “There she is again! What am I to do?” The pastor later acknowledged that he almost suffocated when he heard the words of the young Irish girl. He gave her two pennies, sent her home and returned to his own abode very upset. There she is again, that Virgin Mary, even in the Creed, which he had recited so many times without noticing the words he was pronouncing! There she is in the center of our Christian faith! This marked the beginning of long reflections, which resulted in his own abjuration, shortly afterwards. He himself told this story many times, which was so decisive for his vocation, when he had later become a Catholic priest.


F.J.E. Marian Collection # 25, 1991

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Peace and Blessings on your day,

http://www.myprayercircle.com/?refid=10473-6ca81c73

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THE KEY THAT OPENS THE DOORS...

O my Holy Lady, Mother of God, full with grace, you, the Glory of our nature, the Channel of all goods, the Queen of all things after the Holy Trinity… the Mediatrix of the world after the Mediator. You, the mysterious Bridge which connects the earth to Heaven, the Key which opens the doors of paradise for us. Our Advocate, our Mediatrix, look at my faith, look at my desires and remember your power and mercy. Mother of the One who is true mercy and goodness, receive my heart in its misery and, by your intercession, make me worthy to be on the right-hand side of your only Son one day. ...Amen. JESUS...JESUS....JESUS...

St. Ephrem the Syrian

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen!

http://www.myprayercircle.com/?refid=10473-6ca81c73

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A Gift to Cherish...

There is an inspiring site that I'd like to share. I have a friend, along with her husband who was in a life threatening fire before Christmas. Their daughter posted daily their recovery. Jeff was touch and go for a few days, but through the prayers of those who visited Caring Bridge, his healing was miraculous. Visit www.CaringBridge.org This site is truly a place of many blessings.

It is written...

Isaiah 58:8... Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.


Jeremiah 33:6... I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.


Luke 6: 19... Everyone was trying to touch Jesus, because power was going out from him and healing them all.


Luke 7: 21... At that time Jesus was healing many people who were sick or in pain or were troubled by evil spirits, and he was giving sight to a lot of blind people.


Luke 9:1-2... Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them complete power over all demons and diseases. Then he sent them to tell about God's kingdom and to heal the sick.


Luke 13: 10- 13... One Sabbath, Jesus was teaching in a Jewish meeting place, and a woman was there who had been crippled by an evil spirit for eighteen years. She was completely bent over and could not straighten up. When Jesus saw the woman, he called her over and said, "You are now well." He placed his hands on her, and right away she stood up straight and praised God.


Acts 10: 38, 45... God gave the Holy Spirit and power to Jesus from Nazareth. He was with Jesus, as he went around doing good and healing everyone who was under the power of the devil.


There are many powerful healing stories in the Bible...whoever came to Jesus and asked for healing, Jesus healed them. I've recently joined a prayer forem... I encourage you to join and experience the power of prayer.

http://www.myprayercircle.com/?refid=10473-6ca81c73

The Healing Candle
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A MAZE OF RELEASE

For the past few weeks I feel my mind and my life has been on this path, this spiritual
labyrinth maze of discovery and healing. My meditations and time in prayer is focused using this prayer of release...

Prayer of Release

O Holy Spirit, please show me, all the negative thoughts and negative feelings within me: find the time they began, the source of them...(list them)___________________.

With each and every image, impression given to me... I ponder their meaning and with as much understanding as I have... I bring them forward in time, surrounded with God's healing Love. Knowing that as I bring them into the present time, at every level they are being healed. I can feel God's Peace and His Love envelope me, as I forgive myself for my false perceptions and as I forgive every person, every place, every circumstance and event which reinforced these feeling and thoughts in me. With complete forgiveness and the unconditional love of God I erase them from my very being. I place them into the outstretched hand of God and in the Light of His Truth, His Word, I release them... I know that every physical, emotional and spiritual problem and every inappropriate behavior based on these old feelings quickly disappear. I feel exalted, filled with new life, new hope and new energy___________________ (list other ways you want to feel...new peace...)

JESUS...JESUS...JESUS...

I will... to will... the will of God!!

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One Day...

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't anymore. No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage ... and old cars ... and children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.
Life is important, like people we know who are special. and so, We keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way.

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them? I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said. Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case GOD calls me home ..... I LOVE YOU!!!

Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

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A MESSAGE ON STONE...

Before Easter a friend sent this message to me... I cannot express in words what this meant as I read it . Please I give it to you for it only takes a moment...


TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING THROUGH THE DESERT.DURING SOME POINT OF THE JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE IN THE FACE. THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING, WROTE IN THE SAND: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE."

THEY KEPT ON WALKING, UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS, WHERE THEY DECIDED TO TAKE A BATH THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING, BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM. AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM THE NEAR DROWNING, HE WROTE ON A STONE: "TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE ".

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU, YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW, YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"

THE FRIEND REPLIED "WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY. BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING GOOD FOR US, WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE WHERE NO WIND CAN EVER ERASE IT"

LEARN TO WRITE YOUR HURTS IN THE SAND AND TO CARVE YOUR BENEFITS IN STONE. THEY SAY IT TAKES A MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL PERSON, AN HOUR TO APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN AN ENTIRE LIFE TO FORGET THEM. DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE!


"Jesus, open my eyes, my heart to see a friend. Give me a confidence that I have much to share with them. Holy Spirit, give me the boldness I need to open my mouth and speak words of healing promise and truth. Forgiving one another, wholly in Your Presence."
A prayer adapted from one in "The Word Among Us"


Psalms 118: 22~25
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity.



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I BELIEVE GOD...

I'm coming to the 10th week, the final week of a study that, for me, has been so powerful.

"You are my witness," declares the LORD, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I Am...He. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me." Isaiah 43:10

We are led on this Bible faith journey of knowing, believing and understanding that God is who He says He is. I look at the Cross and at my life; I can see what He says He can do. I know that the Truth is before me; and as I gaze upon my LORD, I know I am who He says I am. That I can do all things through Jesus Christ, who gave His Life for me. Behold and Believe...and I say YES to His Word that it stays active and alive in me.

One of the tools Beth Moore gave us was to do a time line of our life experiences (broken into three, 1/5th segments), where we have seen God in our lives. This simple exercise helped bring to mind the periods of my life that, whether I knew it or not, God was beside me. I shall continue working on the 4th... fifth of my life, and looking for and expecting God to show me His Glory.

LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

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God Believes In Me...

All my life I've been in search... of "knowing" deep in the fibers of my being... of someone’s unconditional absolute Faith in me. Some one who would understand the essence of who I am... knew my thoughts, my words even before they were formed. What would it be like... to "know" that I would never be abandon no matter what I thought or what my actions were like?

I have a young friend, Katie, who is now on the cruise of her life...sailing around the world on a ship with none other then Desmond Tutu. Yesterday, when I received a book she loaned me that Desmond Tutu wrote..."God Has A Dream"; I was surprised when I opened to the first chapter...God Believes in Us. The title of my blog… God knew what I needed to help me on my journey with him. Last night I even had a dream with Desmond Tutu in it. Will wonders never cease with these little gems of Heavenly love for me? I know not!

“The Bible has this incredible image of you, of me, of every one of us, each one, held as something precious, fragile in the palms of God’s hands. And that you and I exist only because God is forever blowing God’s breath into us. And so God says to us (to me, to you), “I love you. You are precious in your fragility and your vulnerability. Your being is a gift.” Desmond Tutu… quoted from his book “God Has a Dream”.

[God's Love Means More Than Life] You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you...as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. Psalm 63:1

But I am like an olive tree growing in God's house, and I can count on his love forever and ever. Psalm 52:8

I will tell them, "God's love can always be trusted, and his faithfulness lasts as long as the heavens." Psalm 89:2

Praise the LORD! He is good. God's love never fails.Only God works great miracles. God's love never fails. Psalm 136: 1, 4

All we have to do is look to the Cross and we can see His love for you and I… and then accept this gift of LOVE... this gift of FAITH!

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