A place of calm, a place of joy

A place of calm, a place of joy.

Replaces _____ or re-places ______

          The place we are has some choices that are positive or negative.  The positive places may include calm and joy.  It can be peaceful and one of chosen happiness.  We might enjoy so much if only we see it that way.

          Any positives can “replace” something that isn’t, and that improves our environment.  Such an outlook might be hopeful and upward/forward looking.

          We can also compile some “calm” or “joy” suggestions in a box that we might draw from when needed to spark us on.  These ideas may be helpful in incentivizing us toward newer prospects.

          Such things can prod us on toward places of peacefulness and happiness that should improve our mindset.  We might find ourselves in zones of serenity, giving us new wonders to consider.

          It is harder to see clearly through water that is boiling.  The clarity is not there unless it is calmer.  The same is true for us, if we are boiling it may be more difficult to have clarity in a situation.

          Being in God’s Presence can prepare us for whatever is ahead in our day.  It is like the exercise we need to get our muscles ready for the battle we are to face.  The place of calm and joy is the encouragement for our body to meet the next challenge we are about to encounter.

Be Awake To _____

Be Awake To _____

         We have to be awake to and aware of so much in our lives.  There is a lot we can sense in various environments.  We are continuously being fed and quenched, but do we notice the nourishment that God provides?

         Sometimes God is sending someone into our lives to bring us a gift, but it might come wrapped in a way we don’t recognize.  And then do we receive it, and unwrap it properly or use the gift to its fullest extent?

         Being awake to God’s approach can be tricky.  It may come to us disguised as something we might miss if we aren’t looking for the way it comes into our lives.  Be on the lookout at all times, in all ways for the blessings offered.

         What we gain may be different than the expected presentation.  It must be noticeable that we can get the full effect.  God gives us things beyond our understanding.  They might come to us as “aha moments” in surprising ways, catching us off guard.

         To be awake and aware we must be open to possibilities that reach us unexpectedly.  God is always sharing things with us through people, words, phrases, ideas, actions and more.  Be watchful for various messages given to us.

         Notice what God has to offer – whether in seeing or hearing or touching or smelling – any sense can pick up things.

Palanca for Cursillos #298 & #299

Abide in His Love

Cursillo 298 – October 2021    

There is so much we are searching for

In our relationship with God

We are trying to connect with God in so many ways.

Just be open to the possibilities that are present.

          Abide in His Love

 

Once we’ve connected with God we are then called to share.

We are missionaries to all that are brought to our path.

The stories we tell bring God alive to others’ and builds the kingdom.

Love is overflowing through us onto the many we reach.

          His Love Abides into More Life

 

Under Your Wings I Find Refuge

Cursillo 299 – October 2021    

We seek God possibly for protection.

To cover us in our need for security.

That place might help us feel like we are not alone.

We’ve found that God offers us many blessings.

          Under Your Wings I Find Refuge.

 

God challenges us to help others in need

That they won’t feel like they are alone.

We can offer them support for what they are facing.

To find their place of protection and security.

          God calls us to share the refuge we’ve found.

Ex-chooses

Ex-chooses – bad choices can lead to excuses

         Many things in our lives are accomplished because of choices we make.  But when we make bad choices that can result in excuses.  So make good decisions about our directions.

         Certainly pray about things ahead of us and then listen for the advice God is pouring into our lives.  Be on the lookout for ways that bless our lives.  We are presented with many things to choose, and we can pick right or wrong from the options.

         If we’ve chosen something “wrong” or “right” we might be called on to defend that action, and then do we own up to why or do we try to “excuse” our way through?  What will be the way we proceed?

         An examination of conscience may be a fitting way to help us deal with what we’ve selected as what we have chosen.  Thinking our way through might help us reflect on the choices made and how they affected others or us.  Did our choosing bring us closer to God or further away?

         Choose a way that gets us closer to God, and ultimately strengthening the bonds with our community.  Making good choices builds up the kingdom of God, and is a blessing for many.

Even If Something Negative Happens, We Can Learn A Lesson From It.

 Even If Something Negative Happens, We Can Learn A Lesson From It.

         We have all kinds of experiences, some negative and some positive.  But in each there is something we can learn.  We have to be open to that lesson that we can get out of it the thing it offers.

         In the occurrence we can be taught the message(s) that benefits us greatly.  The lesson learned can be immediate or delayed.  It is only effective when we are aware.  Then it blesses us with an “aha moment” revelation that may be surprising.

         The nugget of blessing can come from an experience, even if the overall occurrence was negative.  The ways we are affected may be different than what we expect.

         God wants to show us so many things, but only gives us what we can handle at any one time.  There is much for us to learn if only we are aware and open to the possibilities.  We can be so nourished by experiences that feed and quench our soul/emotions/intellect as well as our physical needs.

         If we are open to it there can be many blessings.  God’s grace is so in tune with our needs that is the perfect filler for any holes we have.  The love of God overcomes whatever is lacking in our lives.  It accomplishes goodness out of each occurrence.

A good day can start with the choices I make

 A good day can start with the choices I make

          The day can start out good if I choose to make it so.  Each day offers me choices that can make it positive or negative.  So I can make the day look upward or not by my decisions.

           If I see God’s value in my life that I don’t lose because of something I or others do then I find so much more positive in myself.  There is an inherent beauty in us as children of God, which we don’t lose because of actions that are not of God.

God will never choose something that would separate us from His love.  We can only be a part of the relationship with God (Father, Son & Holy Spirit) if we make that choice.  So choose well the ones we make.

We can become the best version of ourselves by choosing to do so.  There are so many ways we can go that have an incredible impact on our pathway and that of others too.  If we allow the spilling of blessings onto those around us, we can improve our own outlook also.  The goodness we impart on others can be blessings in our lives too.  God blesses each of us through each other.  We are so connected that we affect those God brings to our path.

We are so alive through our sisters and brothers in Christ.  We receive Holy Communion, but we also become holy communion; uniting with each other strengthens our community bonds.  We can become and stay connected.  Each day God needs us to build up His kingdom, and offers us opportunities to do just that.

At a hospital that I volunteer at I saw a sign "This is a good day to have a good day."

This Is the Thanks I Get

 This Is the Thanks I Get

(This was published in a newsletter in Nov. 2005)

             When I take on a task it should be without regard as to what the reward will be or how much appreciation will be shown.  When the "thanks I get," becomes more of a concern than accomplishing the task, I am being selfish.

             At this time of year we are reminded, not of thanks-getting, but of thanks-giving.  I certainly have many reasons for giving thanks to God. There are the blessings of my family, friends, the church community, opportunities to serve God, and on, and on, and on.

             Aside from thanking our Lord, I also have reasons to give thanks to those around me. The people in our lives do things to help us, whether intentionally or not, and those are chances for us to show our appreciation. I sometimes get so busy (though I let myself get into those situations) that I easily overlook the need or chance to say "thank you!" or pass up the opportunity to show my appreciation. It is important to remember that "Thank you!" goes a long way in building good relationships.

             I am striving to be better at giving thanks. I've also discovered that when I am more giving and willing to share, God blesses me in many ways. I don't know that this is God's reward system, but I think that in giving and sharing I am also opening a part of my life. I then realize the hand of God reaching in, with a loving touch, to bless me even more.

             Another area in which I am sorely lacking is offering thanks to God. In fact, God could be asking the title question, "This is the thanks I get?" of me. I try to remember to thank God, but I still feel like I could do so much more.

             This month we will celebrate Thanksgiving. I can remember many times that I've sat down to Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends and had such an awkward feeling. The strangeness was because I had barely been thankful in my words and infrequently thankful in my actions.

             I should not look at Thanksgiving as an occasion, rather I should practice it as a way of life. In that way thanks-giving would actually become thanks-living.  I know my world changes because I am the one who is changed; and maybe others are changed as a result also.

     At a recent conference a speaker told us "We don't just give because there is a need.  We give because we need to give."

     Memo to myself (To Do Item):  This is the thanks I give!!!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

 

“ ….. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. …..”

 “ ….. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.  …..”

          People came to Jesus looking for a message of hope, to see how they were significant to God.  He was offering them some encouragement, so he started with the Beatitudes.  He used some characteristics that the people already had to point out some ways they were important to God.  When we can find something simple in them, we will get messages that are more fruitful in our lives.

          In “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall  be comforted” the simplest way to look at that is – when we see the ways that we are hurting, that is the first step toward healing.  If I’m playing soccer and I sprain my ankle, but think the injury is not bad and I can keep playing, I am probably going to make it worse.  If I take time to address the injury, and allow the healing to begin, I have already taken steps toward the healing process.

          The injury in our lives can be multi-faceted, not just in sports.  So as long as we are willing to begin the healing process, the repair has begun.  And with the healing process, God has a beginning point to start working in our lives.  With God in our lives, it can become apparent how we are important to God.

          God is available to us at all times, but we have to open the doorway for the connection to happen.  We have to see the value in the relationship to be a blessing in our lives.  Jesus didn’t give them as “Do-attitudes”, but “Beatitudes” so realizing them is so much more important.

Beyond Blinders, Blessings

 Beyond Blinders, Blessings

          Can we see beyond our blinders, the blessings that exist in our life?  We have so much to be thankful for, but do we notice that?  There are so many blessings in our life, but we must be open to such possibilities.

          God graces us with so many things that we can enjoy, but the blinders can make it harder to see them unless we are aware about what is so apparent.  We have to be “clued in” to be able to see the things that might be right in front of us.  It may be hard to see something without the clue to that blessing.  It might be a word or phrase from someone that points us in that direction.  Or it might be a picture that helps us see what was there all along.

          Be looking for things all the time, for God to show you something.  Don’t let blinders block out what God wants us to notice.  Asking good questions might be the way to get the right answers that lead us to what God wants to show us.  So be on the lookout for the things God is presenting us as opportunities

          God is continually blessing us in ways that sometimes appear as “aha moments” and catch us off guard.  Such surprises might become part of our lives, but we may be unaware until they are upon us.

          Keep looking for the blessings God is offering us.