The ROSE

My People,

Good Morning! I know I have started one of my letters with these words before and I will start it again, these are the words of my teacher, written for me, ‘Be sublime like the rose, which perfumes the hand that crushes it.’

 “I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”  Psalm 16:7–8

Back then I could not come into appreciating that there could be something deeper to it than just mere words. To me the words meant just what they were read as. And even some months back I did not completely understand it. Even though I thought I did, but today, as I am writing these words the words are coming to mean more than what I thought. See the words were of the ‘Holy Spirit’ to my teacher because they were an instruction to me to follow when the time would be right.

The Rose is Jesus,

Sublime  -  Signifies complete surrender of Jesus,

Perfumes - Set us free from sin, giving us eternal life

Crushes – Was flogged , spat upon, humiliated and crucified, but through it all – Jesus prayed, Father forgive them for they know not what they do.

We are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. —2 Corinthians 2:15

My life is meant to glorify God. Life is about change. I am subject to change. God has promised that He will never leave us. If and when I turn a corner without knowing what is on the other side, God will not allow me to stumble when I am following Him.

Go ahead with confidence knowing that God is always at our side!

 

 

We who understand the sacrifice of Jesus have the opportunity to be the fragrance of Christ. When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance — a reminder of Him—to others. The gospel has a sweet spiritual fragrance for those who believe.

Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways,
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise. — James

 

Day 7th January, 2015 – The entire day, no matter where I went the aroma of the sweetest wine followed me.  I say sweet because the aroma was the best - one could sense.  I have not consumed alcohol in all these years, neither did I feel the urge to.  I felt wonderful.

In the evening I heard Fr. Joe’s mass, I felt  blessed.

Today, we were given jackets at our work place and some of them had it interchanged. Not that it was wrong. They were just looking for the best fit. I did not try mine.  One of my close friends asked me, why I did not give it a check? I told her, ‘This is what God has given me, He has given me the best, and I’m happy with His best.’  She then made a comment, saying, that I was just the opposite to the person she knows, who keeps looking at all angles to whether everything is perfect.

And she mentioned how after searching through, defects were found in the stuff. I told this friend of mine-what I’m writing here, If you look for problems you will find them. 

I am a simple person. I take what God gives me with love. He is my provider.  I don’t have expectations other than what is in His Will for me. My life is in His hands.

Ephesians 5:2 - Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.


Abba Father taught me to pay attention to the smell of the roses, to see things the way He does. I trust in Him always, knowing my Abba Fathers the Best.

 
When we stop to smell the roses, we think about the good things God is doing in our lives and our thankfulness is then reflected in every aspect of our life. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 states "rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks"  

Paul was scourged in prison, but through it all, he learnt the secret of having abundance and suffering need. We have to believe in God, that He works all things together for good to those who love Him -- no matter what happens.
When we walk in love, we abide in Him, we will smell like Him.

When we follow the Holy Spirit no matter where He leads us, we may offer a repulsive smell to those who refuse Christ, but those who are seeking Him will smell His life upon our garments.

 

The sweet-smelling fragrance of God’s presence - One way to get to that place is opening our heart completely, asking for nothing and ready to receive anything He might offer, and pursuing His heart with all of our heart.  God teaches us to enjoy all our blessings while doing good.

How sweet it is when we come to the moment with a fragrance that will attract others to His heart. Amen.  

Day 8th January, 2015 – We were having coffee at work and a friend just blurted out loud saying – ‘you want very little’. I did not feel offended, considering we were all there. I just asked him to explain, and he said, I did not mean anything bad. I told him I understood and he was right.

Friends of mine, just debated on whether Raphael is a name that I liked? They asked me and I knew then that St. Raphael is making me know God is with us.

Through the day, I kept seeing the number 111 in all ways possible. 

Fr. Joe's mass – 7:30 pm - I am overjoyed.

 

  

Feelings and emotions can change quickly! Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing soul and spirit and judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God’s Word gives us the wisdom to know right from wrong, and to keep our thoughts in control. We need to discern if what we want is in line with what God wants for us.

When you’re being led by the Spirit, He will do many things in your life that you just cannot understand. God‘s ways are above our ways, and He has a better plan for our lives than we do. I know that apart from Him, I can do nothing, and in Him, I have everything I need to live the abundant life He gives me in Christ.

 

Victory is pretty much impossible until we learn how to live beyond our feelings.

 

Day 23rd December, 2014 – I saw a brown bird, long beak with blue wings (kingfisher) just outside my window. Imagine that, what a rare occurrence. And yet like God, to remind me that no matter how rare or unusual an instance might be – it is not out of God’s reach. It is impossible to man, never impossible to God.

My God – Jehovah Rohi  (The Lord is my Shepherd).

I believe that any time in a year is a good call to begin to change. Waiting for a particular time, implies that one does not really want to change. Giving oneself the time-means buying time to do what one wants to do, and that simply implies to anything but change.

 

Day 4th January, 2015 – I was extremely overjoyed at seeing Fr. Leslie and happy to be a part of the mass celebration at Mt. Carmel’s Church 7:30 am. (Fr. Ashlyn & Fr. Leslie)

After the 7:30 p.m. mass - I was a little tense.  I thought to see the Christmas tree (made with bottles) and what it was that was making it display so many colours. It was not that I was actually figuring out the Christmas tree but something that had me want to think. Fr. Alvaro was there, we began speaking, and he asked me to sit. I did. I had a really wonderful conversation with him. I felt totally calm like I  was sitting there with my best friend in the world. It felt good.  I found my answer.

 

As Christians we know that we are safe in God’s arms and that He will always take care of us, even in the hardest of times. Our lives should reflect our faith in that Truth. Sometimes God places us in situations where we’re uncomfortable. In those times, we need God more than ever. God needs us to go out and shine His light into the darkness of the world. We have to believe that in Christ, we have what it takes to not be afraid and to be a person that God can use to change people’s lives. 

 

 

When we face situations, we want to go to doctors, psychiatrists-name it and we are there. When everything fails, when running around turns futile, when all the squandering of money, brings no result, then we want to think of God.

God should always be our first

Our first thought in the morning

Our first word

Our first breath

 

Each of us wants to be noticed. We want for people to know us, to be recognized. But it is only human to have such a feeling, and it is deep rooted in our psyches. To want nothing to do with the adulation of the world is a grace. To not let it affect the way we think, live and behave we must only look to Jesus, the Son of God.

I won’t quit talking. I can name the Greats-such as Mother Teresa and the Present and most humble Pope Francis.

Day 9th January, 2015 – Fr. Alvaro’s Mass. The guitarist was lost to himself.
Who doesn’t love Christmas carols?  When speaking with Fr. Alvaro I remember telling him of how everyday is Christmas for me. I love everything about the Christmas season.

When you listen to Christmas carols you suddenly feel so good, joyous and all Christmassy. There is a reason why Carols are sung, they are to remind us of good cheer and to remind us that it is the season of HOPE and you know sometimes maybe we need to know a little of kickboxing. Just kidding. But that is the zest of life that we need to have. Humour is necessary. And just making sure that you are reading.

Some of us come to Church as an obligation. That could be once a week.

Some make it daily.

Some maybe occassionaly, according to seasons.

Now for all the people, who come – each brings his own baggage. Some carry it to the Church and from the Church. Let’s say we don’t all give it 100% participation during the celebration of the mass. But maybe because of the hymn or carol our participation increases becuase something about the hymn or carol charges us up.

I said it in my last topic and this time I will say it clear and again. We cannot have a dead response or lukewarm response to the mass. We need to participate with our hearts. We sing the lines to the hymn ‘you alone are my heart’s desire and I want to worship you’.

But it’s far from the truth.  I’ll tell you how

Now let’s say I love this person, so much, my heart won’t ever want to think of anyone else. It can’t. I don’t want anything to come in between us.  I will clear all other things off my mind. You alone become every thought in my head and heart. There is nothing that I wouldn’t give up to be with you.

Nothing will ever separate us.

So when I come for the mass, I leave the outside world outside the Church. I come to Jesus, I come to pay homage to the Holy of Holy’s and I come with reverence. He lets me come into His presence therefore I must come with the willingness to love and be a participant in the celebration of the mass with God and all of Heaven.

When I sing you are my heart’s desire, then my heart will be focused on you. When the hymn is sung from the heart it becomes the strongest form of praise and thanksgiving and brings in participation from the community.

 

We need to love others like we would ourselves. As humans we are protective of ourselves. We become defensive when we think someone is attacking us.

We take care of ourselves what we smartly call self preservation.

People hurt every now and then.  If you watch carefully, behind an arrogant person, behind an abusive person, behind a stubborn person there is a lot of hurt hidden in all of them.  Hurting the one who is hurt serves no purpose. It does not heal the wounds and cannot remove the scars.

We have to love tenderly and with compassion approach the person. It takes time, but love heals all wounds.

When hate builds the China wall, love breaks the Berlin wall.

Love tenderly means to not criticize, to sometimes bear the stuff, people keep throwing.
There is this person who sits besides me at work. Today, she found some other place. I enquired with her regarding the work and as she was seated by these guys she made a statement saying that how she keeps helping me. It was not entirely true, because we both love being seated together. I just said what? And she thought I missed on hearing her. She was content. She answered my question and then I looked back and told her that I heard. She then asked me as to why I did still question.
The answer was simple, I wanted her to know that I heard what she said, and I love her that much to not want to reply in front of others.

 

The word-seek means “to crave-to pursue.” To fall deeply in love with GOD is to choose to seek Him all our lives. By seeking God for ourselves, we get to know the essence of His character.
When we are wronged, we are to forgive and bring our wounds before God in prayer. And He will make us more loving and forgiving, like Him.
We need to want God to grant us the grace to change instead of making excuses for bad behaviour. When we do wrong, God doesn’t just let us get by with it. The Bible says God chastens us and tells us our faults because He loves us.

God knows our heart. He’s merciful.

 

The only thing that is truly going to compel me and you to be obedient is our love for Christ.  John 14:15 says, If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
The truth is, whatever God asks us to do, it’s for our good, so we need to surrender to His will.
First, make a commitment to obey His Word. And remember that whatever God asks me and you to do He will give us the ability to do it.
Second, obey the prompting of the Holy Spirit for our life and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our heart. God doesn’t lead every individual in the same way.

 

Day 11th of January, 2015 – 10:15 am Fr. William & Fr. Ryan.

I got a beautiful butterfly shaped birthday cake. To me butterfly signifies the tenderness in love. I got a box of chocolates. My mom got me a bouquet of flowers, all white roses - in my mothers words, white for Heaven.  I absolutely loved the white roses.

I like to share with you one of my favourite lines from the movie Forest Gump, where the actor says, Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.

 

Day 13^th of January, 2015 – The place I am currently working at, I had never wanted to be there. No particular reason, just my thoughts. I went for interviews around that area but never there.

One fine day, I thought I would just give it a try. Got selected, but did not take up the offer because I still loved working at the place I was at. The people from that office did call up and ask why I did not take it up? I told them that I went back to my old office. The person on the other end told me that the offer would be valid for 3 months. Should I decide to come there would be no questions asked. Things did not work out at my old work place. I remembered the offer and went back. Believe me they stuck to their word. I got the job. I have completed 9 years on the 24^th of October (which used to be previously celebrated as Archangel Raphael’s day)  

I submitted my resignation at my workplace with the consent of God. I waited on God for His answer and I was told to do so on this day (13^th). Later Abba Father told me to believe in Him and not to worry for He would take care of me. When my manager called for me on the 16^th and asked me as to why I felt like I wanted to leave, I told her that I was tired. I was sitting back every-day and I was unable to for nearly 4 months and more to receive the ‘Body of Christ’ on an every day basis. She told me the work hours would come to a normal time and I did see she was right. She made sense and I knew what God had done, He had made me see the other way of everything.

I thank God for my job.

Day 17^th of January, 2015 – I love this day the same as my birthday, it was the day I was baptised. I thank God for the privilege of knowing Him. I always will.

Because of Christ, we give off a fragrance of grace that permeates the air showing the effect that Christ living in us should have. In Christ, we are dipped in His blood and left as a sweet fragrance to the Father and those around us as we live our lives redeemed by LOVE!

 

 

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.

Confirmed date: Day 17^th January, 2015 – the prettiest Pink roses at Mt. Carmel’s Church.
   

The Gift

My People!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year - 2015 and God’s PEACE!

But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," 1 Corinthians 2:9

The most important thing in our lives should always be GOD and our motto - Keep God first.

If we begin to look and think the way God thinks - we would see through our eyes of faith.

We need to live each day filled with faith and expectancy. God wants to do something new in our lives. We have to let go of our old way of thinking and take hold on to the new thing God has for us! Jeremiah 29:11 states, "My plans for you are good and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Don’t allow the distractions of the world to keep you from God. Keep your eyes fixed straight ahead. Don't look to the left and don't look to the right.

Adversity brings out the best, if we let it. When we complain over and over, first we don’t trust God to do what God can, second we write ourselves out.

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

Remember: When things get tough the tough get going.

In times of trouble we can't run and expect God to deliver. Remember God will not waste anything you go through in life.

When the enemy tries to attack you through sickness, fear or worry just put your faith to work by declaring the Word of God. Declare that because you are born of God, you have faith to overcome the world! 1 John 5:4 states - For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.

There is this tall lady, who happened to be teaching with reference to the Bible. I was there for two or three sessions of what was conducted by her say about 2 years back. Needless to say, she did not like the questions being asked with reference to the topic.  I could feel the annoyance. After the session, I went and apologized. She told me that she did not like being asked the questions and she felt like killing me. It was rude and unexpected.

Day 1^st July, 2014 – when this same lady was doing up the built up altar, placing the flowers – I saw her struggle a bit, so I asked if I could help. She hesitatingly showed how it needs to be done. To me that came fast, I fixed that one and asked if I could help with more. She reminded me that there was the card that needs to be filled. I thanked her and as I moved she removed the flower redid that part of it. It did not trouble me. I felt sorry for her.

Day 30^th December, 2014 - I sense some kind of stubbornness with this person as such. After the reading every person, concludes with saying ‘The WORD of GOD’, but not her. I guess she wants to differ – she concludes with ‘The WORDS of GOD’

All I am saying is that a teacher should lead right. We don’t have 55 Jesus roaming around. We don’t have Abba Father saying ‘My beloved sons’, with reference to Jesus. Do we?

Mark 1:11 states - and a voice came from heaven, “Thou art my beloved Son; with thee I am well pleased.” (time1:11 a.m. date 31/12/2014 as confirmed)

John 1:1 states:  (date 31/12/2014) and later in the morning, confirmed with Gospel from John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, (Word is Jesus)

and the Word was with God,     (Word is Jesus)

and the Word was God.          (Word is Jesus)

Word is Jesus. No mistake there.  We cannot lead others wrong, can we?  

When a lay person makes an error, such as this-which by all standards is a biggie-everybody just turns a blind eye, to it.

God forbid if a Priest just makes a slight error, due to lack in judgement, you will hear no end of it. People want to call the press or take it higher.

The Priests are here to guide us just as Jesus, we can’t judge them ever. Only Jesus can judge His Priests. Not you neither me.

We talk of Protestants and how they misquote the Bible. Tell me, is this not misquoting the Bible by all standards?

BE HONEST!

• The most difficult thing to put into practise is the art of being happy. But when you stay full of joy no matter what you are facing you’ll soon discover the victorious God. The enemy knows that if he can get you discouraged, you'll get weak and he will be able to easily defeat you.

• No matter what a situation you are in always hold your head up high. Don't allow the enemy to deceive you with his lies.

• Let go of the past. Rise up and boldly chase your victory! It is time to pursue happiness, and peace.

• When you have a heart full of gratitude, there is always something to thank God for, no matter what kind of adversity you have in your life.

• Let no foul language come out of your mouth. Declare your blessings. Declare that any curse that's ever been spoken over you is broken in the name of Jesus.

• One way God speaks to us is through that small "inner voice" that prompts us when we should or shouldn't do something.

• To stay away from evil, it is important that you keep a check on what you watch, read and listen to. Don't let the enemy have a single opportunity to pull you down. Remember you are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

• Always remember, that God takes every obstacle that comes into our lives and turns it into a stepping-stone that will catapult us to a whole new level.

Before your dreams come to pass, you've got to look through your eyes of faith and see them coming to pass. Hebrews 10:35 states - Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

True happiness and fulfilment come when you give of your life in some way to others. When you step out in faith, you open a door for God's hand of blessing to move on your behalf. God has a specific plan for every one of our lives. His plan involves reaching out and touching other people with His love, mercy and compassion.

My favourite Christmas carols are Mary’s Boy Child, Away in the Manger, Christmas in Killarney and ((Drummer Boy).  I play this real loud, so my brother knows I play it for him too.)

When I was in the 4^th standard, we had our music teacher who told the whole class to sing and from the 48 students, she picked out 46 of them who could sing. I and my friend were the two who she chose to leave out. Maybe I was not enthusiastic enough to sing. Maybe I lacked the spirit of singing. I was a kid who never knew how to sing.

Day 25^th December, 2014 – The two performances that were the saving graces were ‘Silent Night’ and the other by the kids. After the kid’s performance, the congregation broke into an applause right in the middle of the mass. I don’t blame the people, they were right. They made us feel alive with their singing.

It’s nice to respect our elders. A Christmas choir should be vibrant and should make you feel like putting up the Christmas tree and spruce up the place, that’s the least to speak off.  But that is what carol singing is all about. It’s bringing in the Christmas Spirit sadly that’s what was missed the most.

We have to make way for the new, for the lively, for the ones with spunk. 

 

Ephesians 4:31 states - Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice,

Bitterness, resentment and an unforgiving heart block the flow of God's blessing in our lives. The enemy will try to hold you to your fear. Choose to forgive when wronged by people. Our past does not define us. We are defined by God's plan for our life. We become over comers in the mighty name of JESUS!

When you step out to do something good the enemy will send challenges to knock you out. Remember, God is working behind the scenes. When you take a stand, you make a declaration of your faith in God which automatically raises that shield of faith, which extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

God has put a dream in each of our hearts, which we don't have to force to make it happen. When we pray in faith according to God's Word, then God will answer those prayers. Habakkuk 2:3 states - For still the vision awaits its time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.

When you have the promises of God deep in your heart, you will - enter into the rest of God. God is in complete control, and at the right time, He will bring your dream to pass! (1145-Thank you, God.)

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Hope is confident expectancy. You can't have faith if you don't first have hope.

If you never expect anything good, you're never going to receive anything good. Live everyday filled with a belief that God is going to bless you abundantly above and beyond your wildest dreams!

The enemy has a lot of tricks that he can and will try and the one he plays the most is the one where we consider the opinions of others. Opinions matter, but if you are secure in who God made you to be, then you will resist those pressures that try to mould you into something you are not.

When you have grown in your belief in God, then what people think of you will matter very little. Then and only then will you turn out to be the person God has called you to be!

Forgive others in the same way Jesus forgave you. Don’t let jealousy or pride creep into your heart and develop in your life. Don't allow discouragement to affect your faith.

Psalm 44:7-8 states - But thou hast saved us from our foes, and hast put to confusion those who hate us.  In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to thy name for ever.  No matter what you are going through, no matter how dark it looks, you can be encouraged that defeat has to give way to victory! Don't talk about your problems; talk about how big your God is! Don't go around speaking words of defeat; speak words of faith and victory! Start praising and thanking God, and expect things to change in your favour.

It is disheartening at times to know that people – get brutalized in the name of religion. Some people do their utmost to reach out to the people who no one wants to think of (the backward people).

WORDS they are the most powerful tool in the hands of a person. If rightly used – they enter the very depths of the soul of a person who is otherwise unreachable. Mostly words are used randomly and without a thought. You wish to heal the inner pain, but sometimes words are all that are left. I hope and pray to God that no man have the ache of not being loved – and I pray that all of us on this planet earth be filled with the love that bleeds from the heart of JESUS.

Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto thine.

Suffer me JESUS for the love of souls.

As a society we fight and watch people killed in the name of religion. We have become cruel, selfish and blind. God needs no defense and yet here we are waging wars and on the kill in the name of God.

The world aches with an intense ache that nothing in this world can ever fill. No wealth, no money, no fame will ever fill the emptiness in ones heart.

To be not wanted, to have no means of livelihood, no food & no shelter, to be rejected by all – that is a terrible-terrible ache, an ache that cannot be filled by man. Every-body needs to be loved. You only have to feel the Heart of Jesus, so tender, so full of love, that my heart is so filled this moment-that I want to just stop and hold on to Jesus heart, hold on to Him. That is the love I feel this very moment.

When you take Jesus, to the people, you give them the world they never thought is possible. You make them cry. We need to let people know of Jesus’s immense love, the rest we need to leave to Jesus.

This is the reason why we need to be the best JESUS there is in the world. Because anybody can be cruel, anybody can be revengeful, anybody can be mean. Just about anybody can push you to get ahead in life. And sometimes people can do you all wrong, and sometimes you could be the one who has done no wrong.

Someone has wronged you and you think that maybe that person deserves a cruel treatment-maybe they are expecting it. But suddenly you have a change of heart, and you begin to want to be kind to them. And say you don’t do this just for a day but repeatedly.

Tell me how would you not feel good? And tell me with each passing day – have you not been touched by love? You have, haven’t you? You have begun to love the person irrespective of how the person’s behavior is towards you. You no longer see his or her deed, you only see the person. You will see Jesus – and honestly we need to see Jesus in everyone. We cannot then go wrong. And could it also be that the other person sees Jesus in you. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

See a simple deed and you have opened his or her heart to goodness paving the way to JESUS.

Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto thine.

Suffer me JESUS for the love of souls.

Fortunate are the people who learn in their life time and accept Jesus as their Saviour. He reigns forever in their heart. Our heart is His residence. Allow, Jesus to enter. Jesus will make His way, where there seems to be no way. 

I had learnt this in religion classes during school days, (and this is one of the reasons why attending a catholic school is so very important, you are taught about God-which sadly is not the case in other schools) when we were told that once you are baptized you remain a Catholic forever.  So maybe you get yourself converted but once a Catholic to death you remain a Catholic.

You cannot erase your name from the Lamb’s Book of Life. Period.

If you forget to be faithful, don’t worry GOD IS always FAITHFUL.

Faith is nothing but Belief. A bit of it – can move a mighty mountain, a little more and the mountain can be told to be cast into the sea.  

There is no name as powerful as the name of JESUS.  All hell breaks loose. We are not to fear at what the opposition does to us, we are to glorify God amidst all the troubles. Praise precedes victory. Amen.  (Confirmed date 03/01/2015-The Holy name of JESUS)

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.

Day 27^th December 2014 – 7:30 p.m. Fr. Ashlyn – Family Day.

Day 31^st December 2014 – 10:00 p.m. Fr. Ashlyn – Holy Hour (GOI-Zechariah) J