My
People,
Good
Morning! Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart.
And Jesus
answered them, “Have faith in God. Mark 11:22
No matter where I turn, these days the message to me is from Mark
11:22. When one walks in the way that Jesus does, the road never gets easy. 1 Corinthians 10:31 ‘Whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God’". That is, do everything so that God
might be magnified.
I am sorry, for the delay. God has a set time for everything. I am a wretched sinner, and I
am absolutely nothing without God. But for God’s grace what am I?
Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like unto thine.
This is one of my
favourite love songs. They don’t write songs like this. This is Diana
Ross with 'When You Tell Me That You Love Me'.
I wanna call the stars
Down from the sky
I wanna live a day
That never dies
I wanna change the world
Only for you
All the impossible
I wanna do
I wanna hold you close
Under the rain
I wanna kiss your smile
And feel the pain
I know what's beautiful
Looking at you
In a world of lies
You are the truth
I wanna make you see
Just what I was
Show you the loneliness
And what it does
You walked into my life
To stop my tears
Everything's easy now
I have you here
In a world without you
I would always hunger
All I need is your love to make me stronger
We all need LOVE!
David had quite a few enemies. From Goliath to King Saul, David faced a lot of
opposition! Yet, in the midst of David’s struggles with those who oppose him, he says
in Psalm 34:3 something which is so profound, O magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his
name together.
The word "magnified" means "to make
large".Seeing we do not see and hearing we do not hear. When our hearts are in
such a condition, we need to beg God to open the eyes of our hearts that we
might know the hope to which He has called us and the immeasurable greatness of
His power in us who believe.
I have had moments when I have felt God’s goodness and faithfulness. At moments like this doubt and despair is the furthest
thing from my mind. And yet there are moments that creep in – which leave me
discouraged. As humans we are so prone to forget the evidences of God's goodness which we ourselves have
experienced. Notice what David says:
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within
me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:1-2
I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord; yea, I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate on all thy work, and muse on thy mighty deeds. Thy way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God? Psalms 77:11-13
We are called to be people who make the greatness of God seem as great
as it really is. But we can't magnify what we haven't seen or what we quickly
forget.
Remember, REMEMBER - the greatness and goodness of
God.
Psalm 69:30: "I will magnify God with thanksgiving."
Gratitude glorifies God. A "thank you" tells the person what a wonderful job they have done.
All the years growing up I believed my brother needed me. Some years back it was my cousin who told me what I had never thought off. He reminded me that God gave me my brother. It was i who needed him. He made me see the truth. As long as my brother was, I never thought anything, I mean I did not always get what I want. I never did blame God. I always thought there was a reason. But when my brother went – my whole world collided. I had to undergo a change. And Life changed in a big way. I thank God for my brother Adrian. I always will.
I have this habit of thanking everybody, irrespective of the good or bad they do. If they ask me why, I say-I thank God for you. The day before my brother’s death I had kept my stuff and left for work. On coming back I noticed all the work done. I did not enquire, I was tired. After my brother’s death I was told what my brother had done for me. I did not get to thank him.
I don’t leave without thanking anyone now. I make sure I thank the person and when I do I actually thank God.
Jesus says that whenever I
look at people to look at them with love. I look at every one the way Jesus expects
me to.
When gratitude springs up in our heart toward God, He is magnified as the source of our blessing. When a man loves his own glory and hates to think of himself as sinful and helpless, he will fail in feeling any genuine gratitude to God and so will never magnify God, but only himself.
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanks!
In my present moment, I will glorify thee oh Lord.
When troubles surround me, I will bless Thy Holy name.
When the world denies my existence, I will forever glorify thee oh LORD.
No matter how life turns out, I will glorify
thee oh Lord.
To my dying breath: Thou Who didst know
everything -
To the Great I AM, I Glorify Thy Holy name.
20th January, 2016 – My brothers birthday, I had put in a request to leave early for the day but there was so much work I don’t think I would have gotten it.
When I woke up I was okay. I tried to lift something and ended with a terrible pain (I felt a nerve twitch in the back). I understood immediately what God allowed. I went to work I could not sit at all. I stood for most of the time. My supervisor finally let me go.
I reached home for lunch and had a wonderful time. In spite of the terrible pain, it turned out to be a very beautiful day.
On the way back from Church, noticed a person drop a bundle of notes (money) on the ground. Since I had taken a big bite of a slice of cake I had my mouth full I could not scream out and call to the person. But a passerby who saw me understood and said I will call her for you. I bent down to pick the money up and nearly fell to the ground. I could not find it in me to bend.
26th January, 2016 – Jesus told me, He will restore me.
Day: 31st January, 2015. – After the 10:15 am mass, as I was leaving I noticed an elderly lady sitting right near the entrance of the Church. When I looked at her she seemed like she wanted to talk. I got myself seated next to her. She asked me the name of the Priest who celebrated the mass. She asked me my name and told me that she had a sister - a nun with the same name. I learnt she is: Theresa Hodges, from St. Peter’s Church. She told me that she heard the mass seated as she could not stand due to her health. She spoke of losing one of her sister most recently. She reminds me that I had to go home, as someone might be waiting. I told her not to worry. As she continued she told me that she fought with Jesus mostly because of her health. I assured her that Jesus does not mind, He understands. I told her that there are so many who don’t come to Jesus, let alone talk. I told her you fight-you express yourself. Jesus will never leave you alone. I reminded her even when you feel most alone you never are. I reminded her that she had just received Jesus, ‘He is in you and He loves you’. As I got up to leave I told her I will walk you out.
I gave her a hug, I told her Jesus loves you, I love you. As I was helping her to get up someone she knew quiet well came along. I said good bye.
After the Christmas holidays, it's kind of difficult to go to work. I noticed the drum on the top of the monitor and it changed my whole outlook of things. The snowman at the side of me made me even more comfortable. Today the 3rd of February 2016, I still have the little drum attached to the screen that I work on.
The Little Drummer boy, used to be my brothers favourite Christmas Carol. Whenever I used to play Christmas carols my brother would ask me to play this carol twice and loud. Every time that I play my brothers favourite songs I always play them twice and loud. And yes I love ‘The little Drummer Boy’.
Day: 25th December 2015.
– Celebration mass: 10:00 p.m.
Fr. William, Fr. Alvaro, Fr. Lenny, Fr. Ashlyn & Fr. Savio.
When Fr. Savio led us with singing the ‘Our Father’, He brought back wonderful memories. I remember the choir in Mt. Mary’s sing the prayer. It is where I studied.
Day: 31st December 2015.
– New Year’s celebration mass: 11:00 p.m.
Fr. William, Fr. Alvaro, Fr. Lenny & Fr. Ashlyn.
Holy Hour – Fr. Ashlyn (Breathtakingly beautiful).
Day: 7th January 2016. – After the 7:30 p.m. mass at Mt. Carmels, as I was walking out of the Church compound a Sr. Called out and asked me the way to Mt. Mary’s Church.
She asked me if she could hold my hand and I reached out to her. As we walked I showed her the way but on seeing the traffic I thought I would just help her cross. As we spoke, the way got interesting and I told her on each part at the intersection that this would be it and I would go home. But I never felt like leaving her. Half way through the walk, I knew I would walk her to her destination. She said no that would be too much. I told her that wouldn’t be.
We spoke of Jesus and the various experiences. She shared hers with me. I remembered Jesus and the walk on the road to Emmaus.
I asked her name. Sr. Noel Theresa Furtado – that she was from Mt. Mary and now situated at Wellington. She had come down for some work and she was staying with one of her nephews.
Sr. Noel told me she worked as a counsellor. Her persona was something that you don’t come across much these days. She was calm, peaceful and very loving. She held my hand throughout. I felt so loved. I walked with Jesus. I told her that. Everything about her radiated love-radiated Jesus.
When we finally reached the destination that we were looking for with the search for the building by its name, Sr. though being tired wanted to walk with me to Mt. Mary’s Basilica. On our walk she had told me of how the roads were all lit up and I had spoken of my love for watching the display of lights.
But I had to on purpose resist with a stern voice so that she goes straight home and rest. The sheer thought of walking with her a little more seemed so fantastic, that I had to say no. I love her so much that the best answer was a no and I know she understood.
I asked her to remember me in her prayers. I hugged her and I will forever cherish the walk.
When I woke up in the middle of the night I felt such a pain in the heart....
Day: 8th February, 2016. – I am mentally exhausted due to work. My body aches. I can’t think at all.
Being at home i realize how tired i really am. It’s been over a year now and I have missed my daily mass. I can’t breathe – I tire easily. On the 3rd – a Wednesday, also our Bible Study Day and St. Blaise feast. Fr. Ashlyn goes to the Church which is on the ground floor for the blessing of the throat. (I don’t have the right term for it, sorry) Some of the ladies insisted that I go for the blessing since I had not gone in the morning. I told them I was tired. I couldn’t see myself getting down the stairs again. I don’t think they understood. But when you are tired, things like that don't trouble you. All you wish is that they understood.
The beginning of this week, I am with the grace of God going to follow a discipline and leave once my work hours are done.
I have learnt that suffering gets you closer to God. That when I suffer and give glory to Him, I feel like nothing else in the world. I feel totally in union with Him. But this only lasts a few seconds before the reality of everything the Body goes through comes crashing in.
From the right side of the ear i can hear a bare minimal. If someone speaks, they would need to speak from the left side. It’s over a year now. I know nothing is wrong with my ear-or hearing for that matter. I don’t know how long it will be. God is good. God always has a purpose.
Words of my Pio: He is always sending me words.
Take heart and don't fear the gloomy wrath of Lucifer. Always remember this, that it is a good sign when the enemy makes an uproar and roars around your will, as this shows he is not within you. Courage, my most beloved daughter. I offer you these words with great feeling and in Jesus: courage I say! There is no need to fear when we can say with determination, even without feeling: "Long live Jesus!" St. Padre Pio Letters III, p 414
You must turn to God when you are assaulted by the enemy; you must hope in Him and expect everything that is good from Him. Don't voluntarily dwell on what the enemy presents to you. Bend your knees before God, and with the greatest humility say this short prayer: "Have mercy on me, a poor weakling," Then get up and, with holy indifference, go on about your business. St. Padre Pio.
We must acknowledge God as the giver and accept the lowly status of receiver. This is what magnifies God. Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise," The psalmist is simply describing the only sort of heart from which the sacrifice of genuine thanksgiving can flow.
For by such He will be found; and God will pour into their empty hearts such a love as they have never known. And there will arise such a joy and a sense of gratitude that God will be greatly magnified as the merciful giver of everything we have and are.
"Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility . . . for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you". 1 Peter 5:5–6
Matthew 1:20 states, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.
Mary is told that she would conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary accepts with the words “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Luke 1:38
When we are obedient, we trust God completely and when we do we Magnify God.
Day: 13th February 2016. – At work there is no time to breathe. I mean there is no consideration that it can get on the nerves of a person.
It suddenly came to me that one has to walk into the others shoe to understand what it feels like. Jesus broke Himself for each and every one of us. He understands us perfectly. He undertook every sin of ours. If a man has to understand another he has to break himself for the other person. Luke 9:23-“Whoever want to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. ... "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross ...
When we break ourselves for others, we don’t do it on our own, but by the grace of God.
As humans we seek glory. To deny ourselves that glory is the hardest thing to do and yet it comes only when we surrender ourselves to God completely and when we do we magnify God.
I would love to conclude with two things actually one which is Psalm 103 and will be at the end of this letter and here the one from James 5:7 states Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.”
God has put dreams and desires in every person’s heart. But most of the time, when things don’t happen on our time, we get discouraged or anxious.
The key to life is to be hopeful, positive and full of expectancy! We should wait—patiently and eagerly like the farmer.
The key to believing for us is an expectation that things will change. Trust God in all seasons. For today could be the day when things turn around. Don’t give up!
Have gratitude and a song in your heart. Here's to New Beginnings!
With all my Love,
For Love Prevails!
AnitA.
There is a memory.
That we all love to return to.
An enchanted place
where the colours are the prettiest ones you’ve seen,
The air is gentle
And the morning ever so beautiful
In a dream and which is true
My every heart-beat and my every prayer is You.
PRAYER: Abba, Father, keep me
obedient and always faithful. Remember, this your servant.
Mama Mary keep me humble, I pray. Amen.
Mama Mary keep me humble, I pray. Amen.
Psalm 103
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19 The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21 Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul.
