tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38950219900176670492024-02-07T12:17:09.082-01:00*****Praying in the Moment*************************************************************************************************************************************************
A personal journey of faith!Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.comBlogger703125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-52735071117798824922014-06-18T19:56:00.001+00:002014-06-18T20:34:43.131+00:00New blogI have a new blog going at http://www.steppingintoit.com please stop by for a visit and say hello.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-90444527840360917152011-01-03T02:57:00.000-01:002011-01-03T02:57:28.012-01:00remaining in Him<blockquote><a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/010311.shtml">USCCB | NAB - January 3, 2011</a><br /><br />Beloved:<br />We receive from him whatever we ask,<br />because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.<br />And his commandment is this:<br />we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,<br />and love one another just as he commanded us.<br />Those who keep his commandments remain in him, and he in them,<br />and the way we know that he remains in us<br />is from the Spirit whom he gave us.</blockquote>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-64645337817545653072010-12-24T18:38:00.000-01:002010-12-24T18:38:19.094-01:00Alleluia He is coming<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/m8GXsxqPbrI?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-80350760836018799802010-12-24T16:08:00.000-01:002010-12-24T16:08:48.999-01:00Michael Card sings "A Better Freedom"<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HxxcTvtURP4?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-24688630723178265402010-12-24T13:59:00.000-01:002010-12-24T13:59:45.536-01:00Joy in Journey<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wD_pd2M4IDk?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-59645615731992288692010-12-24T13:41:00.000-01:002010-12-24T13:41:04.187-01:00God rest ye merry gentlemen (with Lyrics)<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NM57M6NwJvw?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-88386069951259789492010-12-24T13:36:00.000-01:002010-12-24T13:36:22.870-01:00Mary's Boy Child (With Lyrics)<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cCZx5GrmJzk?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-53577219973890390462010-12-24T13:29:00.000-01:002010-12-24T13:29:03.982-01:00Tonight we celebrate our freedom<blockquote>This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:<br />
<br />
<br />
to set us free from the hand of our enemies,<br />
<br />
free to worship him without fear,<br />
<br />
holy and righteous in his sight<br />
<br />
all the days of our life.</blockquote>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-56057147986149384412010-12-24T01:12:00.000-01:002010-12-24T01:12:50.046-01:00DRAW ME CLOSE TO YOU<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mLNL49TFC_8?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-63000213567014860842010-12-24T00:53:00.000-01:002010-12-24T00:53:38.344-01:00Capturing the Day's Message! (Thursday)Today, the Lord spoke to me about silence. Or better yet, 'fasting' from all that tempts to enslave me...be it actual noise (environmental or otherwise), incessant activity, or perhaps gluttony. Everything we do in life needs to be tempered...if we have any sort of disordered attachment then the practice of 'fasting' can be beneficial. We in a sense offer that particular area of our lives up to the Lord and it opens us up to tremendous blessings.<br />
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On the subject of fasting...I learned that Christmas Eve was historically a day of abstinence and fasting. That is how my own Portuguese heritage derived at the traditional salted cod (bacalhau) meal for Christmas Eve. Interesting...and makes perfect sense to me.<br />
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Anyway, this 'silence' is necessary in order for us to sense the presence of the Lord and to be able to hear Him and be in relationship with Him. You can think of it as cleaning the static out of the lines of communication...lol. Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-27800826640858750342010-12-23T16:03:00.000-01:002010-12-23T16:03:48.191-01:00David Archuleta- Silent Night<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IzxksoaU2D0?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-27158387996801747092010-12-23T14:29:00.000-01:002010-12-23T14:29:11.171-01:00A 'freed' tongue..."Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed, and he spoke blessing God."<br />
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After a certain amount of 'God mandated' silence, Zechariah acted in obedience and his tongue was freed to offer God praise and blessings...there has got to be a lesson there somewhere. Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-65011893499802819192010-12-23T14:18:00.002-01:002010-12-23T14:23:06.349-01:00Silence and Presence<a href="http://carmelitemom.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-is-feast-of-silence-and.html">Christmas is the Feast of Silence and Presence</a> <br />
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"Such dispositions of faith, abandonment, simplicity, humility, detachment produce the peaceful silence in our lives which attracts the Word of God."<br />
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<div style="clear: both; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-71142708802991916362010-12-23T13:50:00.000-01:002010-12-23T13:50:07.040-01:00The Messiah and his forerunnerLuke 1:68-79<br />
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Blessed + be the Lord, the God of Israel; <br />
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he has come to his people and set them free.<br />
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He has raised up for us a mighty savior, <br />
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born of the house of his servant David.<br />
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Through his holy prophets he promised of old<br />
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that he would save us from our enemies, <br />
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from the hands of all who hate us.<br />
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He promised to show mercy to our fathers <br />
<br />
and to remember his holy covenant.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: <br />
<br />
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,<br />
<br />
free to worship him without fear, <br />
<br />
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.<br />
<br />
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You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High; <br />
<br />
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,<br />
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to give his people knowledge of salvation <br />
<br />
by the forgiveness of their sins.<br />
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In the tender compassion of our God <br />
<br />
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,<br />
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to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,<br />
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and to guide our feet into the way of peace.<br />
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Glory to the Father, and to the Son, <br />
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and to the Holy Spirit:<br />
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as it was in the beginning, is now, <br />
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and will be for ever. Amen.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-15666954077875025852010-12-23T13:41:00.000-01:002010-12-23T13:41:37.166-01:00Morning HymnOf old the prophets cried aloud,<br />
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Foretelling Christ would surely come,<br />
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Theirs was the special grace to know<br />
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That man's redemption was at hand.<br />
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Hence radiates our joy at dawn,<br />
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Our happy hearts rejoice and sing,<br />
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Proclaiming now our earnest faith<br />
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In glory long since promised us.<br />
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This humble coming known to few,<br />
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Was not to judge a sinful world<br />
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But all our wounds to tend and heal,<br />
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By saving what had gone astray.<br />
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His second coming will declare<br />
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That Christ is at our very doors,<br />
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To crown all those who love Him well<br />
<br />
And welcome them to lasting bliss.<br />
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Eternal light is promised us,<br />
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The star of our salvation shines,<br />
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Already its bright gleaming rays<br />
<br />
Call us to keep the law of love.<br />
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Lord Jesus Christ, we seek but You,<br />
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To see You, God yet truly Man,<br />
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So that this vision blest may be<br />
<br />
Our never-ending hymn of praise. Amen.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-24047213122343617312010-12-23T12:31:00.000-01:002010-12-23T12:31:20.400-01:00The prophet<blockquote>Lo, I will send you<br />
Elijah, the prophet,<br />
Before the day of the LORD comes,<br />
the great and terrible day,<br />
To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children,<br />
and the hearts of the children to their fathers,<br />
Lest I come and strike<br />
the land with doom.</blockquote><br />
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Our current day and age is in desperate need of prophets...those people of God who have the courage, strength and determination to speak up for TRUTH! As a Lay Carmelite, I have a special place in my heart for the Prophet Elijah. His quiet yet powerful ways are to be imitated. He was greatly loved by the Lord and aside from Mary is the only other human being whose body was carried up to heaven.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-35056632855260755032010-12-23T02:11:00.000-01:002010-12-23T02:11:38.810-01:00Days of Elijah<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yWSATpx7uzk?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-70333361729297914162010-12-23T01:19:00.002-01:002010-12-23T12:37:45.331-01:00Capturing the Day's Message! (Wednesday)Today's message for me was about accepting God's will in life with great joy...no matter how insignificant and tedious (or maybe even painful) it may seem right then and there. Godly rejoicing goes beyond the moment and sees into the future...to what the outcome of a situation will be, even if the present looks dire. With God in control there is always something to rejoice about. Don't know what God's will in your life is? Start with your to-do list.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-74775506297748364612010-12-22T18:05:00.001-01:002010-12-22T18:13:56.153-01:00Nobody KnowsHe has cast down the mighty from their thrones<br />
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and has lifted up the lowly.<br />
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He has filled the hungry with good things,<br />
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and the rich he has sent away empty.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BBkxj_Hf-dg?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-39165829905252820732010-12-22T17:54:00.000-01:002010-12-22T17:54:50.093-01:00Marie Bellet in Ordinary Time<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bS_F2_ucYKw?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-37659135354974359362010-12-22T16:05:00.001-01:002010-12-22T16:05:52.275-01:00Crazy-mess<a href='http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2010/12/how-internal-dialogue-colors-our-perception.html'>http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/2010/12/how-internal-dialogue-colors-our-perception.html</a> <br/> <br/> I love Elizabeth's article above...it really brings home today's message. We are going to hear and see in our situation exactly what is inside of us. Are we made out of faith stuff and thus able to rejoice no matter what or does fear and anxiety lead us to whining and complaining?<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5</div>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-31522302373947623012010-12-22T16:03:00.000-01:002010-12-22T16:03:07.168-01:00Today I am grateful...<a href="http://stakerzxposed.blogspot.com/2010/02/today-i-am-grateful.html">Stakerz Xposed: Today I am grateful...</a><br /><br />A modern day Magnificat.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-55213405804782966982010-12-22T14:40:00.000-01:002010-12-22T14:40:47.513-01:00My spirit rejoices in God my savior<blockquote><a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/122210.shtml">USCCB NAB - December 22, 2010</a>:<br />"Mary said:<br />“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;<br />my spirit rejoices in God my savior.<br />for he has looked upon his lowly servant.<br />From this day all generations will call me blessed:<br />the Almighty has done great things for me,<br />and holy is his Name."</blockquote><br /><br />Mary was a young, unmarried girl...looking at it with earthly eyes she had very little to rejoice about in this un-planned pregnancy. I'm not sure how much she knew or didn't know about all that her 'yes' entailed, but her faith told her that no matter what, an abundance of grace would follow. Mary had eyes of faith and knew that whatever God willed would be for the greater good...and thus she rejoiced. <br /><br />How much do we rejoice over our own 'assignments'...those 'jobs' that the Lord has entrusted us to complete. If you are anything like me, I bet there is often much more grumbling and complaining then there is rejoicing. <br /><br />Dear Lord, help me to meet this day with joy and gratitude. Amen.Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-59369185108632360922010-12-22T03:13:00.000-01:002010-12-22T03:13:33.725-01:00Magnificat<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0mdO1OmWUX0?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3895021990017667049.post-78282811158340058042010-12-21T23:38:00.004-01:002010-12-22T02:20:35.869-01:00Foreigner - I Want To Know What Love Is (With Lyrics)<a href="http://www.markmallett.com/blog/2010/12/christ-in-you/">http://www.markmallett.com/blog/2010/12/christ-in-you/</a><br />
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And Jesus is the One that can show me. Maybe that is why we choose to stay hidden from Him...because deep down we know what a relationship with Him REALLY entails. To accept the love that He is freely giving us means that we are to turn around and love in the same way. This is a scary thing to do in the natural...it's easier to keep others in pre determined boxes and therefore at arms length. However, He never said that we had to go about it all on our own...in fact that would be a recipe for disaster. We have Him with us every step of the way. <br />
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Oh Lord, teach us to love like You.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tUYGzZ0tQpA?fs=1" width="425"></iframe><br />
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I remember my mom (who was a very wise woman often saying 'everyone loves, loves, but no one is willing to do anything to help each other'. I can now see the great wisdom in those words. The great love story that is Christmas is only complete when it is put together with Good Friday and Easter. God's great love for us in not reflected so much in the fact that He came to live as one of us, but that He came to suffer and die for us.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VyR0lwO-nXc?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Essyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07502370047285832211noreply@blogger.com0