Sunday, April 28, 2013

God's Sign....... Part 2


My People,

Good Morning! I love to hear the sparrows chirp in the morning. It is the sweetest music that just gets your heart moving. They are so tiny and so full of life. They give me hope.
 
Growing up, was never easy. If I liked something, it never remained to be mine. Way back then I always believed in God – but where I lacked in understanding – the Holy Spirit guides me.
Looking back – on yesterday – they were all a preparation for the times to come.
Psalm 56:8 states You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.
God cares so much about us all. What you are going through is so important to Him that He records every sorrow and collects every tear you've shed. God keeps account of every wrong that's ever been done to you. God wants to heal every hurt. He sees the longings of your heart, and you can rest knowing that God is working things out for your good! Remember God collects every tear and will restore every broken place in your life!
 
Two months back, there was this cute altar girl, who was new and really mischievious - and I thought that her behaviour was little out of line especially during the mass.
Clearly I was wrong to make that judgement. Today she was the only kid serving at the 7:30 p.m. mass and I was very proud of watching her. I learned my lesson well.
How often we commit the same mistake? How often do we judge others, and give them a hard time?
Only God knows each and every person and the true potential, He has placed in each and every individual.
 
One thing I ask, is please do not discriminate another person. Don't hurt any one. Don't look down and never think yourself superior to others. Its wrong done to the other person and wrong before God. No matter who you are, you are answerable.
God made all men equal. So no matter what the reason, love and help each other.
 
So many times in life, we come to a certain point and don’t really know which way to go. There are often two choices and one will always outweigh the other. What do you do? God always gives us choices And most often, God will bring us to the crossroads so that we know that it is He Who has blessed us. So if you have been yearning for something, then God will not hold it back from you. God always gives us the desires of our heart. What we need is the COURAGE and BOLDNESS to trust in God and make the decision. You have to know that God will make a way where there seems to be no way. "IF GOD LEADS YOU TO IT, HE WILL LEAD YOU THROUGH IT."
Psalm 25:4 states Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths”
When you have a heart to please God, you may miss an exit, you may make a wrong turn, but God has already recalculated another route. He’s still going to get you to where you’re supposed to be. He loves you with an everlasting love, and when you seek Him with your whole heart, no matter where you are in life, He’ll get you back on track! Amen.

 
I appreciate Simplicity. For with simplicity one can reach into the heart of a person. Only with simplicity can you truly love.

Love is kind... Just, the other day, I overheard a priest talk so lovingly to people. There was so much kindness in his words, and much love. Believe me, kindness impacts. I cannot and will not forget the way he spoke to the people. His act of kindness is forever engraved in my heart.
Don’t look for faults in others. But in your kindness and compassion, be the one who cheers them on. Be simple. Be appreciative. God loves that. It pleases His heart immensely. Imagine the world with all simple and kind people. What a wonderful world that would be.
 
I wait on God - I wait on The Holy Spirit.



The 16th of April was the first day we were moved to our new work location. 
The 22nd of April – I saw the no. 768 on one of the trees as I walked into the office. 768 is the number that I have often noticed and tried to understand but somehow could not find the answer to. This was for me a sign from God.


The 24th April, I reach my office in Goregaon East. It’s a beautiful place. Since two to three years, often when passing that way I would wonder how it would be to walk into that place.
Today as I walk along, I am wandering through-I just look up at the trees above and I look at the flowers that have bloomed (they are sort of pinkish-purple in color) and that’s when I remember seeing those very flowers in my dream a long time back.
I believe God talks in dreams-HE does with me. When I saw the flowers, I immediately recognized this as another sign - a sign of the things to come. My dreams, they follow a sequence. When I see a sign I know the next is not far behind.
I have thoughts run in my head at what I can say is at a speed that I myself cannot comprehend. This is the Holy Spirit.

The 25th April, Its 06:25 am, I am in my office compound and I am gazing at the flowers. I am glad, I am. I feel so much happiness in my heart. I know my time will come. I am standing right in front of the signs that God has given me, so the first thing I think is of you, and I want to share them with you.
As I am looking at the flowers and walking, I fell, scraped my right knee and the side of my face brushed to the concrete ground. I know and thank my Guardian Angel for holding my face in his hands. I just felt a little bruise on the face but everything was fine. Got up and then dusted the dirt off. Sat for two minutes, then took my cell and clicked the snap of the flowers. That’s what I wanted to do before the fall, that’s what I did after the fall.  

Long before I could begin my walk with God, I had a dream where the devil was a very evil looking woman who kept punching me down. The punches were so bad that I could not fight. When I woke up the next day, I was in terrible pain. Back then, I did not realize that I was fighting the devil.
Most recently, somewhere in October-November, I went to my room and suddenly from nowhere something punched my eye so bad, all I know is my immediate reaction was I called out to Padre Pio. I held my eye, I did not know what to expect, so I prayed hard to Padre Pio and then looked in the mirror. My eye was intact. I know the punch was from nowhere. I looked all over the room and could not find anything that even matched or came close. When I told my brother, he told me the devil hit you. He might have been joking, but that’s what it felt like.
Praise God! Thank you God, for letting me find Padre Pio.


I love Psalm 23: It’s my favourite prayer, after the Our Father and St. Francis of Assisi’s-Make me a Channel of Your Peace. One of the verses from Psalm 23:4 states Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
The devil fears two things the name of JESUS and the Word (The Bible).
The devil attacks you because you believe in Jesus. He knows that you are getting to where God wills you to be. He knows that it is your belief that will get you there-and it is faith that he fears. When you trust in God, that means he looses on keeping you in his grip. Therefore he has no control over you. When you have faith then God fights on your behalf and the devil has to flee. That is exactly when – God and you stomp the devil together.

When we put our hope in God, we will never be disappointed. There may be temporary disappointments, but we will never be permanently disappointed. Somewhere down the road, God will cause it to all work out for our good. With God on your side, you will always end in victory! When I think about it – I just think how wonderful a God we serve, He encourages us in every way possible.
Isaiah 49:23 states “...those who hope in me will not be disappointed.”
 
Turn your circumstances over to God, by refusing to worry, that’s when God can do a work in your life.
Choose to put your hope in Abba, Father; you won’t be disappointed. Trust Him because God is faithful.

My God can and will do the IMPOSSIBLE! I BELIELVE! Amen.  

REMEMBER: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13


LOVE IS......

Love is understanding
Love is undemanding
Love can stand the test of time.
Love is Forever! 
And forever I am yours 
And forever You are mine.  

With all my Love,
For LOVE PREVAILS!
AnitA.


 

PRAYER: Abba Father, keep me always obedient and faithful to You I pray. Amen.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Forever I am yours!

My People,

Good Morning! I am glad that God has given both of us the opportunity to sing His praises and watch the sunlight spread across the Horizon. It’s a very good morning indeed!

If and when I reach the Church early, I love to open to hymn no 32 and sing this hymn, but on the 12th of April, Friday, I reached just 1 or 2 minutes before the mass could begin, which was celebrated by Fr. Leslie. And being as joyous as I was, I wanted to sing, and what do you know that was exactly the hymn that we sang. I held the hymn book to my heart and said thank you God. Below are the two paragraphs:
As we gather in this place today
Holy spirit come and have your way
Have your way
As we lay aside our own desires
Sweep across our hearts with Holy fire
Have your way

This is your house your home
We welcome you Lord we welcome you
This is your house your home
We welcome you today.



The day, 14th of April, today after the mass they were distributing the ‘Holy Queen’ magazine, outside Mt. Carmel's Church. I was reading the life of St. Gertrude and then I came across this prayer – that our Lord gave to St. Gertrude and told her that each time it is said it would release 1000 souls.
PRAYER: "Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."
1000 is a number that I am so familiar with – because this is one of the numbers that I get to see from time to time.
My published article mentions the number 1000.
The Fiery Furnace - Sunday, May 1, 2011.
I Love reading the chapter on Daniel. It’s, page 1000 (the fiery furnace) on my Bible. And, it’s something that God so lovingly brings to my notice when things are the toughest, ‘1000’


People often think what they can benefit from a situation? The most rewarding way to live is not being self-focused wondering what our benefits are.  Think of the many ways of how you can be a blessing to others. Who can I inspire today should be the question?  Acts 20:35 states: “...It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Look for ways to be a blessing to other people. It’s amazing how one word of encouragement can change a person’s life forever. Speak faith over others speak encouragement thus causing people to rise higher.  

God has blessed everyone with potential. Not every one is aware of what they can become. I believe Words if spoken with faith have the power to push people into the right direction. Romans 4:17 states: “...God...calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”
I believe that we are here to encourage each other. Look around at who God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. See what they’re good at. Don’t just think about it, tell them what they can become. Let your encouragement help them rise up in confidence so they can be all God has called them to be!

The Word of God is living and active; it’s powerful in our lives. God communicates to us through His written Word, the Bible. When He does speak, your spirit knows it. God always speaks the truth, and the truth will set you free!
When you hold God’s Word close to your heart, it acts like a shield around your heart. You hold His Word close to you by meditating on it, thinking about it and declaring it. As you allow His truth to sink into your spirit, it will empower you and change you. It will equip you to live the good life He has prepared for you! “Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You” Psalm 119:11


Many a people sacrifice to get somewhere in life and I have seen so many a times that people give in to anger. They let anger take control of themselves. e.g. That I can think of right at this moment is the game of Cricket: (just because I mention cricket – that does not imply that this is for men-women are not exempted from this e.g. - Anger is experienced by both). I am sure you must have watched a game or two. Now think about it, you must have made some kind of arrangement to watch the game. You may have purchased expensive tickets, made sure you got a holiday, made all the additional purchases to enjoy and to a certain extent to get there before time.
Of course you are supporting your team. But for some reason, they happen to be on the loosing side.
Now you are really mad or maybe you are in a foul mood, you could tear something up, or maybe you are so upset that you will not talk at all.
What have you done? Have you never realized?
Let me help. You are supporting this team, you are such an ardent fan, that you feel like mourning and you are. Tell me does the team you support know what you are going through, would any of the team member know that you even exist? You know the answer to that.
The reality is – you need to lighten up (have fun). Shout if you wish to when cheering for your team or just join in with all the other crazy fans.
Whatever you do, have fun.
So your team may have lost the game – it’s not the end of the world.
The Sun you see no matter what the situation is-will always shine through.
The Sun is always up and doing and so must we be.  

Ephesians 4:26 states: "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
In the above paragraph, I did start it with take control of anger. Dissatisfaction is one of the reasons which causes irritation and if not stopped in time will only grow—thus bringing about anger. So you go from the stadium after the game, you get caught up in the traffic-what should have been a 45 minutes drive now takes 11/2 – 2 hrs caught up in the traffic and you get abusive just because the vehicles move at snail pace. Finally when you reach home – you are completely tired and hungry. You watch your mother/father, or sibling or wife/husband or whoever watching the television and having a good time. You look for food and it needs to be heated. No one is getting off their seats to cater to you. So what do you do? I’ll tell you, you are fuming by now. Your patience is tested to the limit. All hell breaks loose. And you give everybody what you think they deserve.
Why? Is it just because you had a bad day?
So now, are you calm? Let’s take the first step together, shall we?
You are angry. Why?
Identify the reason. 
Your team lost. But you know that some one has to win. The reason you went for the game is to have fun. Didn’t you?
What can be done.
If you have friends who react in the same manner then most certainly they are not the ones you need to stick with? Because when you have friends who feel the same way, you do, you will justify the feeling. Relax.
Reward yourself.
So things have not gone your way. Take a seat and let your nerves relax. Think of how anger can harm others and especially your loved ones. Do you really want to hurt anyone’s feelings the way you felt when you watched your team loose?
I don’t think you ever want to. The best thing you can do is relax, calm down. And when you get home, you notice that your family is all below one roof sitting there together, having fun. Shouldn’t you be happy? Aren’t you the lucky one? They are having fun, the way you should have, at the game. Count your blessings and you will realize that you are blessed above and beyond all your wildest expectations.
So no matter how your day went, how disappointed you got, when you enter the door of your home tonight when you look at your family sitting together - realize – that this is your reward, the best one indeed. Thank God!


Love - how do you ever tell someone you love them? How do you ever tell them that they mean the world to you? How do you?
I can talk about love. I can write about it. I say Love Prevails. I always believe and say it so often, that Love Always will win. It does you know. But how do I put it across to you?
So I’ll say it the best way I know, I LOVE You!

I am nothing without God! But with you oh God I can do anything! Philippians 4:13 states: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

With all my Love,
For LOVE PREVAILS!
AnitA.


PRAYER: Abba Father, this is Your promise made on the 10th of April
– The moon, reminding me of my happiest moments.  
- 1111: It is Between You & me.
When God reconfirms His promise, to me, it is always in numbers, this is what I wrote on the last article, as promised by You. Abba, Father, I’d die trusting in You. Forever I am Yours, oh God of mine. Here I am I come to do Your Will! Amen.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

God's Sign


My People,

Hello! The Peace of Jesus be with you!

On the 5th of April, I was coming back from the 7:30 p.m. mass, when from a distance I saw a little baby about 11/2 years old, run outside the gate onto the footpath. And oh my God, he was running to freedom. Maybe he was practising to run the next marathon!
Anyways, I walked a little bit faster, to catch up with the baby. I held him in my arms, and took him to his home. Thank you, God. You gladden my heart.

The 7th of April, the Feast of Divine Mercy, the mass was celebrated by Fr. Leslie. I loved this one thing-he mentioned: that through the week he watched people come for the novenas, and while he appreciated that – he asked the people to follow it with Deeds of LOVE-that is mercy expressed in each and every way possible.

Exodus 17 tells us that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea. The Israelites complained about the lack of water and quarrelled about whether God is really with them or not. God made bread rain from the sky for them. They had all the reasons to believe that God was watching out for them. All they thought was of wanting God to perform for them at will.
We learn in Matthew chapter 4 that satan tempted Jesus in the desert just like he had the Israelites.
Then the devil took Him to the holy city and had Him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: “'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
The devil is not asking Jesus to test the evidential foundations of His belief in God. He is asking Him to force God's hand so to speak in producing an act of power.
The command to not test the Lord your God has nothing to do with truth seeking. It is about needlessly forcing God to demonstrate His power. He is not a magician to perform at our will.
Look at Jesus response, "It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test." Matthew 4:7 
Therefore let us carefully anticipate the challenges that await us, and even as we gratefully receive God's intervention in our lives, let us strive to be alert: let us never put God to the test.

On Mercy sunday, I wished one of the Priests on my cousins insistence. I love to wish, but there are times that I feel to hold back. Prior to this day my cousin had mentioned a passage from the Bible, to which I knew was the Holy Spirit’s doing. And then when he insisted, I knew it was the Holy Spirit, again. I went and wished the Priest only to feel literally miserable as he did not even look at my face. That hurt.
I kept the hurt locked in my heart. My cousin realized and asked me what the matter was? …  I said I am nobody. A moment of dejection (a feeling so low) is what it was. My cousin replied-God never made anybody to be nothing.  At this point, I had tears running all over my face. God is amazing! 
Don’t get me wrong, I am and will always be fond of this priest. It’s just that there is a higher reason for everything under Heaven. God wills everything, so Fr. had to be that way with me. If he was not, I would not be able to go to the next level. I had to obey and be submissive to the Holy Spirit, even at the cost of getting hurt. From all the hurt inside, I had to recall Gods goodness and at that moment trust in His infinite mercy and love. I still had to be grateful to God.
So when my cousin spoke - God never made anybody to be nothing-he spoke his blessings over me. I felt all the love of God. I believed and so I moved to the next level with God-with the Holy Spirit.
Key is to be Humble and Obedient both at the same time.


As the day proceeded I was reading on Pope Francis, and I came across, this article where it stated that he was elected on the 13th of March, 2013.  
1313 - The no that I have witnessed so many times since before and after the article.
 
My article: UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES - Published on - Saturday, September 29, 2012 – states:
Day 1:  18th September, 2012.   1313
Day 2:  19th September, 2012.   1313
Day 3:  20th September, 2012.   1313
On the 3rd day when I saw the number again it just was a reconfirmation. And what followed it on the third day, itself was the Reading from the 1st book of Corinthians 13:1-13.

God speaks using all means possible. The first number that God got me to notice was 1111 and that was nearly 4 years back.
I learnt that it meant to be Hebrews 11:11 – But today, the 7th of April, I also came across this: 
Pope Francis; is the 266th and current pope of the Roman Catholic Church. We follow him here with Pride, Prayers & Hope for All Humanity.
KINDLY LOOK at the word FIRST its repeated 4 times -in numeral-look for 1111.
Biography-Francis is the first Jesuit pope, the first from outside of Europe in more than a millennium, the first from the Americas, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. It signifies 1111.
My first article Faith was published on January 3rd, 2011 and has Hebrews 11:11 passage in it.

The 9th of April, I had finished with writing my article for the blog. God told me to hold on for a day. What I learned is that there were 3 reasons:
Today, the 10th of April, the Gospel was from John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (also published as the picture in the article – The Cross – date Monday, April 1, 2013).
The mass was celebrated by Fr. Chand. I had written the below article in march of 2012 and Fr. Chand came in June 2012. (Chand meaning 'The Moon')
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - Take the Long way HOME
On a Saturday evening, not of my choice, I had to take the long way home. For the entire week, I had been down with asthma and that made the walk seem a little more tiring. God is good.
As a family, during our school holidays we would go for long walks after dinner. I loved watching the starry sky, and would look for 'the moon'. Those were one of my happiest moments. As I remembered and looked around me, everything suddenly looked so beautiful. I looked around at the houses on both sides of the road, the leaves that were scattered around. And I looked at the flowers, they looked so pretty. Everything looked so wonderful. I felt completely relaxed. I didn’t feel tired anymore. God walked with me!

I know this person. I always would hear his footsteps and know when he enters the Church. I missed not seeing him for quiet some time now. His name is Arnold Albuquerque and he is all of 82 years. When he told me his name, I told him we both have the AA Factor. A is the first alphabet-It signifies 1. (1 1 1 1).
I dont look at numbers from any other perspective than my link with God. When God reconfirms His promise, to me, it is always in numbers.

What it means is that God was talking to me in what He knows I will understand. I write so that you may understand too. That there is nothing that God wont do for you.
My cousin, he calls me ‘PointBlank’. His logic is that I - never think – just talk - that used to be my philosophy. Not anymore.
This is what ‘Abba Father’ told me, I have put my heart in you.
Do you know that Love hurts the most? Do you know it takes a life time of waiting?
I believe, oh God, that in my heart, there is a growing of You in me. I love You and I recognize my own unworthiness. I believe in love, I believe in You!

GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES.


People speak different things at different times. Most often they don’t have a clue to what they want. They want something one moment to forget it the next.

We need to boldly pursue pleasing God rather than pleasing people. Don’t be a people pleaser.
God’s all-knowing eye is upon us. He knows our hearts. He wants to cleanse our hearts so that we might stop being deceived about how good we are. Paul said that, "In my flesh dwells no good thing." If there is any goodness in me at all it is because of Christ and His transforming power in my life. It is for no other reason.

King David acknowledges God’s works in his life. At the end of Psalm 139 he says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."
David is asking God to look with the intention of revealing to him that which is in his heart so that he might rid himself of what is hideous to God’s sight. David was telling God to put his heart to the test so that he might find the defects and correct them. He was asking God to give him a detailed report of what was displeasing to God that He might live in a righteous manner. He was seeking God’s revelation of the secret areas in his life that were currently hidden from his sight.

This is what I want to say please don’t let anyone ever tell you – that you are a mistake. Don’t let anyone treat you bad. REMEMBER -

GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES.

You are God’s most prized possession.
If you think talking to influential people or walking with high ranking officials or with stars will make you feel great and noble - then that’s just a momentary phase - a rush.
Rule of nature is that anything that climbs to the most elevated position must also descend. This is with speaking in human terms – and man made denominations.
With God-LOVE is the only force that is here to stay. The love of Christ is what makes you feel so complete-that there is nothing that you can lack. Because if you fall short-you never will worry, because with Christ there can be no lack.

Philippians 4:13 states: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Remember, to Love with all your heart. Do good to everybody. BE JESUS!

With all my LOVE,
For LOVE PREVAILS!
AnitA.

 
 

Prayer: Abba Father, keep me always faithful and obedient to You. Amen.

Monday, April 1, 2013

The CROSS

 
My People,
 
“Jesus Christ has Risen! Alleluia!  We have risen with Him, Alleluia!”

I love the Cross at Mt. Carmel’s Church. I do. Every time I gaze at the cross, I love Jesus even more. I can’t take my eyes off Jesus.

From my window, I see a tree, that I am quiet fascinated with. Once in a year all the leaves turn to a red colour and the leaves remain that way for another 3 days. When the colour fades off the leaves begin to fall, and the tree gets completely barren. After another 3 days you will see the shade of green on all the branches of the tree. It is filled again with the loveliest green leaves you’ve ever seen.

At the workplace, for Christmas, two years back, we had a secret Santa-Claus. While everybody had opened up their gifts, I did not. Reason being, I don’t like it if anybody would find faults into what I had so lovingly received. The Manager walks up to me, and asked me what I had received. I told him that I did not open it. He looked at me excitedly and said ‘come on, open it.’ I did. He looked at it and said ‘Anita, you received the best gift of all.’ I am blessed. I am. I received ‘The Cross’.

Often, when I need my spirit to be lifted – God does it so amazingly. The tree from my window is a reminder from God to me – it is what Ecclesiastes 3:3 says it best - ’to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:’

On the 28th, I was there for the 3 hours agony being preached by Fr. Jude. It was simply amazing. He began with a request for all cells and pagers to be switched off. And that is something I truly appreciate. People need to understand and show reverence to God. He stated

  • That forgivenss is a grace and therefore we need to pray to God for that grace and the ability to be able to forgive.
  • That women should not dress inappropriately-when they come to Church.
  • That we must be able to participate in the mass celebration by singing Gods praises together.
  • That we need to repent and make a good confession.
  • That we should be like Mama Mary, ever ready to do God’s will.

For the Good Friday, service, there were two points in particular that I loved of what Fr. Leslie gave in his homily:

  • When we come in contact with the poor, we must not treat them miserably. Mostly when the poor ask for alms-and they happen to touch the hand-people treat them like parasites. That should not be the behaviour rather we must be like Christ-compassionate.
  • Fr. Leslie then mentioned of how his mother always said: ‘Children are a gift of God.’
I think if we remember this point-we will never be biased (never make gender differences).

On the 30th I went for the Easter vigil, which began at 8.00 pm. Fr. Alvaro gave the homily. You definitely need to hear him. He is his enthusiastic best when he delivers the homily. I love the way Fr. Alvaro expresses himself.

I love the way Fr. Chand when he prays during the celebration of the mass gives a long pause for remembering all the souls.
I offer the mass and pray for Gods mercy to all the souls and I also pray for the souls that will leave the world today-till the day I attend mass next.

The 1st of February I remember being miserable (it was really bad). At that moment, the bell rang and I stood up for the celebration of the mass. As I saw Fr. William, come up the altar, my anguish (torment) it all disappeared.
After the mass, I got myself seated on my toes, looked into the eyes of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and I prayed for Fr. William with all my heart. I prayed for his good health. This is my prayer to you my sweet Jesus. 

When I was in school, our whole family went to the beach in Mangalore. Every one had given all their belongings to me and they went for a swim. I removed my chain of my neck and before I knew it, I dropped both my gold pendnants on the sand. I looked–I could not find it. My mother saw me and from afar asked what the matter was?  Everybody, got off the water, and started looking, my aunt was the first to find Mama Mary and then my mum found my Cross. The fishermen had told my mum, that once you loose something on the sand, you will never find it. My whole family, they turned the deaf ear to what was advised to them and within 15 minutes of hunting, the unimaginable happened.

My Cousins cell is programmed, to call out names out loud. Just the last week was when I actually heard it echo as ‘The Cross’ for (D’CRUZ). If you think all this is a coincidence. It isn’t. God talks using different means.

People often compare themselves to Priests. How can you? And my words of advice don’t look to criticize Priests-and certainly don’t come talking to me about it.  Remember, they are Jesus Priests.
I believe that Priests walk on ‘Holy Ground’.

I believe Jesus is saying to us, "Before you take up your cross, be ready to face a moment of truth. Be ready to experience a crisis by which you will learn to deny your self-will. You can follow me as a true disciple only when you can freely admit you can do nothing in your own strength—you cannot overcome sin through your own willpower—your temptations cannot be overcome by your self-efforts alone—you cannot work things out by your own intellect. Philippians 4:13 states: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

Paul speaks of servants who “knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness”. Romans 2: 18-19. Such saints as Paul describes are to be commended.
We are only able to bring light to our communities as we are full of Christ’s life ourselves. We have to live out the message we bring, if we are to preach it with any power. God help us to remember that the light shines through in the little things of life.

With all my Love,
For Love Prevails!
AnitA.
 





Jesus said to his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me". Matthew 16:24

As Jesus bore his own cross to Golgotha, led by His tormentors, He was too weak and frail to carry it for long. When He had reached the end of His endurance, Simon, the Cyrene, was compelled to pick it up and carry it to the place of crucifixion. Matthew 27:32

Jesus knew exactly what He was saying when He called us to "take up our cross and follow him." He remembered His own cross - He knows all about the agony and the helplessness. He knows we can't carry it all the way in our own strength.

God knows that not one of His children can carry the cross they take up when following Christ. We want to be good disciples by denying ourselves and taking up our cross, but we seem to forget that that same cross will one day bring us to the end of our human endurance. Jesus forewarns us, "Without me ye can do nothing" John 15:5.  So He asks us to take up our cross, struggle on with it, until we learn that lesson. Not until our cross pushes us down into the dust do we learn the lesson that it is not by our strength, but by His power. That is what the Bible means when it says His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
 
 
Prayer: Abba Father, keep me always obedient and faithful to You.
Promise Date: 30th MARCH 2013.  Isaiah 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.