The Sacrament of the Present Moment

"God speaks to every individual through what happens to them moment by moment. The events of each moment are stamped with the will of God...we find all that is necessary in the present moment." (John-Pierre Caussade, SJ)

Choose whom you will serve

“Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve him completely and sincerely. Cast out the gods your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.
If it is displeasing to you to serve the LORD, choose today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors served beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose country you are dwelling. As for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”  (Joshua 24: 14 - 15)

In his last testament, Joshua admonished the Israelites to serve the Lord "completely and sincerely." These are two strong adverbs.  An adverb qualifies an adjective.  The adjective "complete" means total, 100%, full.   I looked up "completely and sincerely" in other translations and found the following:

"with all faithfulness", "wholeheartedly", "in sincerity and faithfulness", "in sincerity and truth", "in faithfulness and truth", "with integrity and loyalty", "with integrity and faithfulness", "with a perfect and most sincere heart", "in perfectness and in truth", "in perfection and in truth".

Does it matter which word or synonym is used to cover biblical truth?  It matters a great deal.  Different words impact us differently.  A synonym of a word used in our standard text and version may be what nails in the message.  For me the message in Joshua 24: 14 is this:
It is God's will for me to serve Him with 100% of my heart, mind, will and body; of my time, talent, treasure.  Plus all my weaknesses.  Impossible?  Not at all!

"I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me."  (Philippians 4:13) 

Unfailing Providence of God

" Commit every particle of your being in all things, down to the smallest details of your life, eagerly and with perfect trust to the unfailing and most sure providence of God" (St Albert the Great)

Sacred memory and faith

Psalm 136:1
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

136:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

God's mercy is not a one time wonder!  What God has done once He can and will do again!
Remember God's blessings.

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

God so loved the world

John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 19:33-34
33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

St. Thomas More Church Sanctuary

"Family of Families"  - Check out the Church when you are in Houston Texas.

Isaiah 40:30-31

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint."

Trust God forever as your Rock!

Seekfirst.blogspot.com

The Second Coming

HIS SECOND COMING

  "It will go well with those servants whom the Master finds wide-awake on His return." —Luke 12:37  
We are often more out of touch with reality than in touch with it. For instance, many people "live in fear" (Lk 12:32) although the Lord has assured us 365 times in the Bible that we need not fear. Moreover, many people are so insecure that they think they will starve to death if they sell what they have and give alms (see Lk 12:33). They're not sure their heavenly Father will provide their "daily bread" (Mt 6:11). Furthermore, some people pretend they'll live forever. They try not to think about their deaths and the world's end. We all are inclined to get out of touch with reality.

The Lord has given us a very effective "reality check" to keep us from becoming "spaced out." The awareness that Jesus may come back at any time and bring everything to an end helps us be realistic. For instance, our fears about the things of this world fade into the background when we realize this world can pass away at any time. Also, when we are aware of the possible, imminent, and final return of Jesus, we don't hold onto our money as if it were a god. In the light of Jesus' coming, we realize that we better learn to trust our heavenly Father. We are even at peace with death because we realize the risen, glorified, and returning Christ has conquered death and taken away its sting (see 1 Cor 15:54-55). Because Jesus may return at any moment, we can live this moment and any others in touch with reality.

  Prayer: Maranatha! "Come, Lord Jesus" — today! (Rv 22:20) Promise: "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see." —Heb 11:1 Praise: Praise You, risen Jesus! You welcome those who trust in You! All praise to You forever!   (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, , or our four-tape audio series starting with or two-tape video series starting with .)  
  Rescript: In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant my permission to publish One Bread, One Body covering the period from August 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013.