Keep Praying

   Many years ago a woman named Monica fervently prayed for her husband and son to come to the saving grace of Jesus. Eventually her prayers were answered.
   This woman is now known as St. Monica and her well known son is St. Augustine.
  St. Augustine was on the road to ruin. He was an alcoholic and womanizer to the least.
   Monica knew that living a life of sin wasn't what God has in mind for any of us.
   Living in sin is a life of separation from the fullness of God's presence. And a life without God isn't a life at all.
   It was the fervent prayer of a concerned mother that reached her sinful son.
   I can attest to the power of such prayer and intervention in my own life. I know that the prayers of the faithful have brought me and my wife to the loving grace of God. We both go to church as much as possible and prayer every night before bed.
   All of have called into the loving arms of God.
   We are all called to be children of the king of universe.
   Prayer changes things. Prayer can send pleas to The Holy Spirit to stir the hearts of those who don't know The Lord and warm the hearts of those whose hearts who have grown cold.
   It's God who shows us the error of our ways and proves that indeed his ways are far above our ways.
   So like the faithful St.Monica if we truly love someone who has gone astray we will see the fruits of our passion and will see the yield of the harvest when we enter the eternal Kingdom of God.
   Pray without ceasing for we cease without praying.        

"Weeping Rich"

   In the Book of Matthew Jesus meets a rich man who asks Jesus what he must do to have eternal life and what it would take to follow The Lord.
   Jesus tells the rich man that he must keep the commandments.
   The rich man smiles because he has always kept the commandments. So this eager man asks if there is anything he must do to follow Jesus.
   Jesus replies that he should give away all he has to the poor. The rich man walks away sad for he had
much.
   And that's the last we hear of this rich man.
   But I dare say that wasn't the last that wealthy fellow heard of Jesus.
   I know from personal experience that a relationship with Jesus is of utmost importance.
   I have given up much to be with him. But giving up those things made me a better person.
   I feel that sure when God gets a hold of a persons heart and if we nourish the flame of his love no matter how much or how little we have every sacrifice is worth it's weight.
   So maybe if your unemployed and it's alcohol that got you to a state where you couldn't perform your duties at work. Maybe it's time to put that bottle down and get back on your feet. Beating addiction is
possible. I have nearly 6 years without alcohol or pot. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
   Maybe you're well off. You have all you need and then some. But I've heard it said that money isn't everything. Money can't buy you love.
    It can't buy you a place in Heaven either. So maybe you can give to charity. More importantly maybe you can get to church and feed on the richness of The Holy Spirit.
   Maybe volunteer as an usher at church.
   Go through old clothes. How long ago have you worn that "favorite" sweater?
   The point is you have something you can give.
   Giving=Receiving