Morning HOPE!

My People,

Merry Christmas!

This is a season of HOPE and FAITH. Hope is what keeps us floating through the storms of life and faith seals the heart with the bonds that time can do no damage to.

Psalm 118:24 states, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Praise God for the morning!

Praise God with singing!

Praise God joyfully!

Every day is a gift from God. Every day God continues His work of Creation. If we begin each morning with praise, it would go a long way in getting off to a good start. Begin each day with praise to God for all the love and praise He deserves.

Praise God for the life you have been given.  It is God’s gift to you and me. You are His masterpiece.

 

Often through the ups and downs people begin to feel inadequate, but God doesn’t. He sees you and me as whole!

Judges 6:12 states:  And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor.”

Gideon was hiding out from his enemies. He was afraid and didn’t feel equipped to do what God called him to do. Gideon was focused on his circumstances and his limitations, but God was focused on what He could do through Gideon.

Gideon felt weak, unqualified and he felt insecure.

But look at the words of the angel of the Lord, the angel calls him mighty man of valor. That is the way God sees us, that is the way we need to see ourselves and others with. We need to look with the eyes of God.

God saw him as strong, ready to do the job and full of boldness.

When Gideon obeyed God, against all odds, he became victorious!

When we obey God, when we trust Him beyond the circumstances, that’s when God will work with us and through us and bring about greatness in every area of our lives!

 

God is a promise-keeper. He is called the OLD FAITHFUL. Believe the promise!  Believe in the Word of God!

 

With all my Love,

For Love Prevails!

AnitA.

To you, my love!

 

My People,

 

Good Morning! Here we are, and we are getting closer each day to my favourite time of the year. It’s Christmas -

It’s a HOPE that heals the hurt in our hearts.

It’s a HOPE that we have today.

It’s a HOPE that when things get weary we will never be alone.

 

Luke 1:38 states - And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

 

My dreams had to be God’s dreams, the one He’s placed in my heart. They couldn't be the ones I thought I should have, or needed.

If I followed my will, which at times, knowingly and unknowingly I have done, I am sorry God. Let me like Mary say, Your will in me be done.

 

 

 

Day 23^rd November, 2014 – I love Christmas carols. At, Mt. Carmel Church, we had the Cantata choir. I loved their enthusiasm with which they sang.

But of all the things I loved, what did stand out was their love for the gift of music in them.  

I say ‘Love your life.’ What it implies is that you appreciate God’s creation, yourself. You understand that you are God’s magnificent gift and in so doing you have appreciated God. And when you do you are open to Gods ways in your life.

Coming back, this is what they stated in their opening line, they made an earnest request of everyone in the Church to switch off their cells and they asked that nothing be recorded.

There was one woman, who was recording them as they were singing. One of the volunteers came and asked the woman to have her cell switched off. I appreciated that with all my heart.

 

 

When the mass celebration is going on we hear every now and then 1 or 2 people who keep their cells switched on. When you come with a Love for God, you will never do such a thing. The sheer act of such behaviour implies that there is no reverence to God in the house of God.

When watching a movie or a game you wouldn’t want to be disturbed, because you could miss an important dialogue or a pass at a game-depending on what you are watching.

The celebration of the mass is of intrinsic (essential) value.  

When you love someone, you cannot hurt them. You desire every moment to be with them. You savour every second. You do not want anything to come in between you and your love.

You can gaze at into each other’s eyes and that becomes your world.  

Every word spoken becomes important - Every gesture.

When you love someone – Love becomes you.

 

 

 

I love to speak on this particular topic. I do not remember the day. But it is something that will forever remain with me. A valuable lesson I learnt. Well taught.

Fr. Ashlyn was conducting the Bible study class, and of a sudden he called a kid in front and gave her a chocolate, she took the chocolate from Fr. and thanked him. Fr. Ashlyn looked at all of us, and said if I gave this to any one of you, you would have questions to ask. And that is so true. We need to be like kids. Open to receiving what God freely gives.

  

St. Paul in Colossians 1:10 states - “Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in knowledge of God”.

Paul tells us to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

We need to be more like Christ-Kind and gentle, more forgiving.

 

My mom is the Head of the Eucharistic ministers in St. Blaise. When my mom, prays for anyone her prayer always gets answered. I have learnt to have faith watching my mom. My younger three brothers are the answer to her prayers.

 

Day 15^th December, 2014 – Sometimes, some lessons are learnt the hard way. All I did after receiving communion was call out to God, from the depths of my heart. I know that I called on God because I did not know what else to do?

 

Day 16^th December, 2014 – When hurt, the Spirit of God is always the closest. When one calls the Holy Spirit is quick to respond.

If told to move to the right, you do-if told to move to the left, you do. You obey.  

I had been for both the mass in the morning.

I reached Church a little after 7:30 p.m. for the prayer meeting. Noticed there was a party going on. Enquired with the ladies outside and they invited me to which I thanked them and made a move. When walking across, I suddenly felt the impulse and went attended the mass.

There is this one instance, which I remember - after attending confirmation classes I saw my mom in the Church. From inside my mom called me to come for the mass and being with my friends I just walked away. Of course my mom got this behaviour of mine corrected. So today, when I passed by I attended the mass, this being my third for the day. I enjoyed the mass. When I hold Jesus the desire is stronger-it grows each day. I cannot resist giving a kiss to Jesus and so I did.

 

The first time I read Padre Pio’s letter to Annita Rodote, I felt that he wrote it with me in mind too. Each passing day I am convinced even more. At this moment, I feel his presence around me. I can feel my heartbeat.

This is one of the things Padre Pio has mentioned in his letter: Before leaving the church, take your leave of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; ask His forgiveness for the shortcomings committed in His divine presence.

  

 

 

Jonah a prophet was told by God to go to Nineveh, and preach against their wickedness and call them to repentance. The fact that God would offer them an opportunity to repent made Jonah mad. So he got on a ship going in the opposite direction.

A storm broke out on sea. The ship's crew cast lots to see who was responsible for a calamity. The lot fell to Jonah and he admitted that he was the culprit and he told them to throw him overboard so that the sea would become calm again. They threw Jonah into the sea, and it calmed down.

Jonah was swallowed alive by a whale and was in the belly for three days and three nights. Jonah prayed acknowledging God’s sovereignty. God did not allow Jonah to be drowned because He still had a plan for his life and for the people of Nineveh.

Here is what the prayer says: "I cried out to the Lord because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice. For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, And the floods surrounded me; all Your billows and Your waves passed over me. Then I said, 'I have been cast out of Your sight; Yet I will look again toward Your holy temple.' The waters surrounded me, even to my soul; the deep closed around me; Weeds were wrapped around my head. I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; Yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple." Jonah 2:2-7

When Jonah was thrown overboard he expected to die. At the same time a hope rose from within him. Something from inside him still trusted God. He surrendered his will. He would no longer fight the plan of God.

After 3 days in the belly of the fish he vowed that he would now do whatever God wanted him to do. When the Lord said a second time to go to Nineveh, Jonah went and preached God's message to the great city.

This is God's compassion and His mercy to the people of Ninevah. God patiently kept pursuing Jonah and protecting him until he had a change of heart. God is all forgiving. Surrender to His will and be determined to obey no matter what He tells you to do.

 

 

Day 17^th December, 2014 – The Bible I carry is a new revised standard version which would just not fit into my bag on the given day. I am used to having my Bible with me. I have carried the Bible in my good times and my not so good times-through the rain and through the storms of life. I stuck with my Bible as my Bible stuck with me. The Holy Spirit gently reminded me of my cousins Bible on the day. At class I realized when others were reading that it was a revised standard version. On coming home, it was pretty clear and so I asked my cousin IF I could have the Bible?

One of my happiest days ever.

 

Day 18^th December, 2014 – I have had a fascination for the number 13.

Today I remembered one of my cousins who is no more in this world. His birthday being the 13^th of July.  He had this habit of carrying a particular bag with finesse. My mom gave me her odd looking bag to hold and I just had to pull her leg on it, so I said, ‘I am his cousin you know.’ My mom said he would be proud of you.

We were out shopping, and we were given a token number-my cousin was busy-so I put my hand in front-I was given number 13. When my cousin asked me for it-I told him that’s mine.

I am thinking on the lines of the title for this topic and the number 13 comes to mind(the prior events). When filled with these thoughts I see 444 (Tobit-pg on my Bible) and still uncertain of the title I yet again see 444 all in a span of 3-4 minutes. Now I have no doubts whatsoever.

 

 

St. Raphael the Archangel is sent by God to heal Sarah, who, grieved by her trials and the insults of others, has begged God for death. Sarah had been married seven times and seven times had seen her husband killed on their wedding night by a jealous demon.

Raphael persuades a young man named Tobiah to marry Sarah, assuring him that he will not be the demon's next victim. Tobiah follows Raphael's directions for driving the demon away, then he and Sarah pray together for God's mercy and deliverance. God hears them, and (to the relief of Sarah's father, who already had a grave dug for son-in-law number eight) they spend their wedding night in marital bliss.

Raphael is an archangel commissioned by God to lead us to the person God has chosen as our spouse from all eternity.

For instance God knows very well where we both are. It seems pointless to run about searching for a mate. Tobiah — he was simply running an errand for his father, but Raphael led him to Sarah. Being where God wants you to be, doing what He wants you to do, means you'll be ready for the spouse He has for you, whether you meet him or her tomorrow or in 10-20 years.

The words in the prayer to St. Raphael says our partner should be loyal, pure and sincere so that together we may strive to perfect ourselves in soul and body.

Trying to live a chaste life can be even more difficult when you doubt that God has a plan for you at all. God’s plan is that you marry the person according to His Holy Will, with whom you can live in peace, love and harmony in this life, and attain to eternal joy in the next. And that person is worth waiting for.

 

A friend was speaking to me about the poor people in our country. She had contempt in her manner of speaking. She disliked the idea that poor kids eat chips and stuff as it costs. Her basic notion was that they do this often. She believed that when they have the money, they must not spend on such things. I just told her something that we all need to keep in mind. Kids being kids, they watch and learn.  We all watch and learn. We all have desires. Kids do too, so how wrong is it if they want to eat the things that others eat? Not at all, we need to have an open heart.

We need to not discriminate. We need to love everybody who is anybody. Nobody must ever be left feeling unloved and uncared for. We as Christians must reach one and all.

Reach out with your thoughts, with your words, in all that you do-let all your thoughts be of love-to love and for love. Empty yourself and let everything in you be God.

God does no wrong. God is all truth encompassing. God is faithful. God loves all.

 

With all my Love,

For Love Prevails!

AnitA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRAYER: Abba, Father, keep me obedient and always faithful. Remember, this your servant.
Mama Mary keep me humble, I pray. Amen.

 

The TRUTH . . Part 3

My People,

Good Morning! Here I am, and I have missed you. I am truly sorry for my delay in getting here, but believe me it would never be on purpose. All my thoughts would be to be with and for you. 

I love this song and this is to my absolutely wonderful Abba Father, to Jesus and to the most gentle, most understanding, Spirit of God, I always do need you, forever and ever. Amen. Here is, ‘You needed me.’

I cried a tear
You wiped it dry
I was confused
You cleared my mind

You held me up
And gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me

You gave me strength
To stand alone again
To face the world
Out on my own again

You put me high
Upon a pedestal
So high that I could
Almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me

And I can't believe it's you
I can't believe it's true
I needed you
And you were there

And I'll never leave
Why should I leave, I'd be a fool
'Cause I've finally found
Someone who really cares

You held my hand
When it was cold
When I was lost
You took me home

You gave me hope
When I was at the end
And turned my lies
Back into truth again
You even called me friend

You gave me strength
To stand alone again
To face the world
Out on my own again

You put me high
Upon a pedestal
So high that I could
Almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me
You needed me, you needed me
 

Words have power. It depends on the one who uses it best. Words...

When we speak we need to think....before we speak because words they hurt. People can talk mean.  When I hear how one describes the other it hurts the deepest part in my heart. The Spirit of God makes me understand how it hurt Jesus. So when I feel anger and there are times that I do, the Holy Spirit will immediately explain to me how my reaction could have hurt someone deeply and then Jesus lets me feel His pain, and this is the pain of when we as a people see bad in each other, it hurts Jesus.

When I say this, that don’t mean, that when someone does you or anyone wrong you sit hand on hand. That would be wrong. There is a saying, that "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” And that is precisely what our world has come to – everybody wants to get rid of the person who speaks the truth.  Truth is difficult to handle but it still remains to be the truth.

The choice is yours. Free will - Gods divine love.

 

When two become one – the promise is to love forever. A promise binds them eternally. Let me explain:

A Husband and Wife: Promise to love each other and to be faithful. As time passes by they run out of patience and can no longer bear each other. They remember to love someone else.

Faithfulness is the highest priority in marriage. When one cheats on their spouse – they become a pig.

God is forgiving. He looks past all our mistakes.

To be faithful, means no looking in a flirtatious manner at the opposite sex, no talking in that manner that shows attraction which initiates a response. No desiring - no eying the other person, because flirting is nothing but lusting after another person. It’s just a name given to something ugly that a person does.

·       In some marriages, the Husband is the abuser and consequence is both the wife and children suffer.

·       In other marriages, the Wife earns more than the husband and she calls the shots. Trouble is nobody is really happy.

·       Sometimes, in a family – everything is conducted as business, due to a lack of love. They have no time to spare because their individual careers take precedence over marriage and children.

TRUTH

1: Ephesians 5:31 - For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

2: Ephesians 5:33 - However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

3: Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

4: 1 Timothy 2:12 - I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

REMEMBER:

"Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."- Ephesians 4:2-3

If a husband and wife are humble, patient, gentle, and selfless in a relationship this will cause less confrontation and arguments.

Through the years of being together in a marriage, you may enter times of hardship that threaten your relationship. Allow God's word come into play. You have been joined together under God don't let anyone or anything separate your love for each other. Mark 10:9 - "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

 

 

When the Archangel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary the plans of the Most High, Mary listens and asks a question to understand what the Lord is asking of her. Then she replies, ‘Be it done unto me according to thy word!’ Mary chose the will of God.

In an outpouring of love - Jesus accepts the sacrifice that the Father is asking of Him - Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter. 

Jesus had told His disciples - 'This is why my Father loves me, because I lay down my life to take it up again afterwards. Nobody can take it; I lay it down of my own accord. I am free to lay it down and free to take it up again.'

To love fully is to give your all, holding nothing back. It’s a total surrender. Only when you love someone can you fully understand.

To surrender is to hold infinite love in the heart. The heart becomes the enflamed fire – the fire of love, thus denying everything to self for the betterment of the other. 

Day 24^th November, 2014 – I nearly had tears in my eyes at the 7:30 am mass, when I heard Abba Father, tell me not to cry and to keep my head high.

God's love is unconditional and He longs for us to give ourselves completely. A soul in love knows suffering finds the yoke easy and the burden light, because Jesus carries it upon His shoulders. But there are people who do not understand that even when God's Will seems painful it coincides perfectly with our surrender.

We have to be like Jesus, meek and humble of heart. His yoke is freedom and love which He won for us on the Cross.

Sin is a voluntary evil that in no way would it be sin if it did not have its origin in the will. This is the freedom with which Christ has ransomed us. That is why He teaches, 'if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed'. 


If we reflect on the teachings of Jesus, we will see how gently Christ invites: 'If you have a mind to be perfect... If any man would come after me...' His implies no violence.

The young man found it difficult to let go of his worldly possessions. He lost his happiness because he refused to hand over his freedom to God.

When we breathe this air of freedom we understand that evil is enslavement. 'He who sins against God does his will but he is no longer free from blame. Such a person has acted according to his will and he has become the slave of his decision, for the absence of God, where there is no freedom to be found.

Love of God marks out the way of truth, justice and goodness. When we make up our minds to tell Our Lord, 'I put my freedom in your hands, I surrender' we find ourselves loosed from the many chains that were binding us to the ridiculous cares of the world.

Only when we love do we attain freedom - the freedom of not wanting to ever abandon, for all eternity, the object of our love.

 

How do i define truth?

It’s just simple words.  I ask a simple question, ‘Do you love me?’ You answer with a pause, ‘Yes, I love you.’ A simple answer to a simple question- an uncomplicated sentence becomes the truth.

You took a moment to think and then the answer came right from your heart. Truth always is related to the heart. Without love, there can be no truth.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  Jesus said the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, so tell me if the heart is full of deceit will it ever speak the truth?  It certainly will not. Matthew 12:34 states: - For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

We know that God is faithful. How do we know that? Faithful has its bearing to the Truth.

The world is a funny place I know you will agree, maybe half heartedly. But you and I have to walk the way, I‘d love that we agree to something.

Truth is always a beautiful thing. It hurts, but in time it strengthens you.

With the passing of time I have always heard people complain of one thing, that everybody lies. It sets a precedence for the people who want to make that as a standard line for the future. What the sentence implies is that one wants to stick with what they are familiar with. To be good is difficult. To follow the truth means to deny oneself, to co-exist in a world filled with hate, violence, corruption and yet show love to the ones who do you wrong on purpose. To forgive, like Jesus, to lay down your life that is the call of the CROSS-that is the call for us Christians.

Numbers 23:19 states: God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfil it?

God speaks and confirms His promise. God is faithful. Genesis starts with the universe coming into existence. How often we must have read the chapter and how often must we have missed on understanding what it implies. God brings about His best for man. He stretches His hand to bring about the whole constellation, the Sun, the Moon and the stars into being. He separates Day from Night.

Genesis 1:27 states - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

God created us in His image. He took time over everything He brought forward. He did not create us when He was bored and then leave us forlorn and dejected.

To be wanted by the one we love, that is the strongest desire and desire it is that we are here, it is the strongest form of LOVE. God needed us from the beginning. He planned each one of us in His time. We were no accidents in His sublime plan for our lives. You and I were always wanted.  We always are.  Man’s greatest hunger is not just food it is a hunger no doubt. But what kills a man other than food is also the second greatest hunger; it is the hunger of the heart. Our greatest craving, our greatest need – to be loved. We are never more stronger than when we are truly loved.

When we became victims of sin, God promised us His Son-Jesus who would carry our sins upon Himself so that we would be redeemed.

I love that we are still on this conversation, I do love you with all of my heart and I pray to God Almighty, that as you read that every hurt that is in you be replaced with all the love and contentment that is GOD.

God needed us He brought us into the world. He knew before creation, before everything that could be anything, He knew that HE that is God, would have to sacrifice His only Son Jesus, to the most humiliating and gruesome (torturous) killing in all of history.  But He needed us, so much. So much love from the beginning. He needed us. He needed you, He needed me. People fear speaking of love. They feel love makes you weak. But it is not true. The strength of a man or a woman is not in denying love. Love makes you strong. Look at God, seated in all His power. No God like Him. HE is the one and only. The Alpha and the Omega – a God Who needs me a God Who needs you.

 

Whenever someone makes you feel small, don’t. We are all made to be equal, in the likeness of God. You have a God given potential in you use it to God’s glory.

The Bible is THE TRUTH – It is a promise that is renewed over and over till the PROMISE (JESUS) was delivered. Ever often we fail to see God’s divinity. We forget we need to show our reverence to the Holy of Holy’s. We need to need Him with the strongest desire in our Hearts just the way He always needed us and continues to need us.  

Day 6^th December, 2014 – I entered Church exactly after the Gospel. I felt God’s presence so strong, it is indescribable. I felt Peace, I felt like dancing and I felt contentment.  I felt God.

 

Forgive anyone who does you wrong, no matter how bad the hurt. And if you could reach out to them with love-a love from the depths of your heart.  Remember St. Stephen in his dying breath continued praying for the people who were stoning him to death.  That is how our love should be.  Love through the heartache.  Love expecting nothing. Emptying yourself and letting God prevail.

 

As I walk, there were times, when God would on purpose bring a person on my path and this happened often. I learned I had no choice but to walk slowly.  I learnt to be even more patient and sometimes I walked a step at a time. Later I understood how walking fast made me cough a lot, two valuable lessons at a go.

 

When we are on our way to achieve our goals, when something comes in between and blocks our path or causes hindrance, we lose our direction. We get mad, and sometimes some people get abusive.

When people get impatient they lose their focus. They begin to think that God has abandoned them.

When something becomes a hindrance, we must not look back but continue on our journey knowing that whatever may come our way  cannot destroy or harm us. But rather we must look at it from the perspective that it is what God has brought along our path, to show us our true potential and make us a strong people. From my personal experience I have learnt  to not focus on what causes the hindrance, but rather to enjoy the moment no matter where or what I am doing.

I know what it is to be tormented. I know what people can do when they want to get even. I have seen the bad and how worst it can really get. I have been there, seen it all. And I have seen God’s saving grace. HE never abandons the one who believes in Him.

A PERSON CAN DO ONLY THAT MUCH HARM - TO WHAT GOD PERMITS.

If a person intends to harm me, God will allow only so much – that which is required for me to go through. And whatever a person uses to harm me with, God will use it to bless me with.

Romans 8:28 states - We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.

Faith is a strong belief. It’s not that things are going to be easy. No they won’t. It’s not that you can pray and things will fall onto your lap. For certain people things just happen. But those are very few occasions.

I’m a believer. I believe that things do come to pass. I have never gotten everything I wanted. Sometimes I wonder what would happen to us if we got everything we ever wanted. Would we know God, would we have this want? I shudder to think.

We need God, I need – I want Him with every fibre in my being.

 

There are so many things that I wished for.  If I could name one thing that I wished came true, I wonder what I would say. Do I regret my life? No.

I could never and the only reason is that I got more than I ever asked.  I got LOVE. People search their whole lives and even being amidst it fail to recognize it. Love is here, when we come to the world. IT is right there in the heart of the person. IT is something that needs to be practised on every day, kind of like exercising the muscles in our body.

When I found LOVE - I found God. I am blessed with a whole world of LOVE, with the angels and the saints. I know God. I truly know Him.

I have not gotten what I wished, but I have gotten what God wished for me – HIMSELF.

 

Often we wonder what the Truth is. We complicate it. In a world governed by hate, corruption, lies, greed, lust – it is difficult to find a way when hate is all you see and know.

What I can do is a question you ask? You believe that majority is power.  I believe a single person can move an entire nation. Like you, I can by myself do nothing. But Philippians 4:13 reminds us all that : ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

 

With all my Love,

For Love Prevails!

AnitA.

 

 

PRAYER: Abba, Father, keep me obedient and always faithful. Remember, this your servant.
Mama Mary keep me humble, I pray. Amen.

 

November, 23^rd 2014 – Holy Hour, Fr. William. Amazing.

November, 25^th 2014 – Holy Hour, Fr. Ashlyn. Simply amazing, I will remember it forever. Give Thanks.

Day 8^th December, 2014 – I had my holiday moved from (today the 8^th) a Monday to a Saturday the 13^th, so I could begin with my much awaited holidays, 13^th December, 2014 - 5^th January 2015. It’s been long overdue. I thank You and praise You Almighty God.