markdohle

Also I did not try to decieve. I was stupid for not being more clear....

LOL I gave you a quote from the book of revelation showing you the significance of the rock with her name on it, which is scriptural and now you are going to fault me for showing you some scriptural for it? I did not mean to deceive, I should have been more clear ;-).

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it .Rev 2:17

The point is well taken in my post, God's mercy is everlasting and he does use our wounds and struggles to draw us closer to himself.

Thank you for your understanding, I just need to learn how to post here LOL.

Below is my apology for unintentionally causing so much division on this site. I was playoff the nuns story. I am at fault in this, sorry. It was a play on the nuns story, I thought people would get it, but that is my fault and I am sorry about that. Fiction can go both ways, also from my talking to people, God does use their inner struggles to draw them closer to him, the thorn in the side that St. Paul talks about. Fiction can be used many ways. What does God see when he looks at a soul, he see everything, we see very little. I wanted to show how the death of a nun as indicated on the post by that name could have gone otherwise. I need to be more careful in the future. I will also post this on the general discussion board, I need to let people know that I did not mean for it to be taken as non-fiction. I tend to forget how difficult this medium can be when trying to share something important. I will not make that mistake again. It was a story on how God brings all things out for the good in all who love Him. Sorry if I have caused unnecessary division here, was not my intent. Still learning the ropes here.

Yeah, but that was not my intent.

I am at fault in this, sorry. It was a play on the nuns story, I thought people would get it, but that is my fault and I am sorry about that. Fiction can go both ways, also from my talking to people, God does use their inner struggles to draw them closer to him, the thorn in the side that St. Paul talks about. Fiction can be used many ways. What does God see when he looks at a soul, he see everything, we see very little. I need to be more careful in the future. I will also post this on the general discussion board, I need to let people know that I did not mean for it to be taken as non-fiction. I tend to forget how difficult this medium can be when trying to share something important. I will not make that mistake again. It was a story on how God brings all things out for the good in all who love Him. Sorry if I have caused unnecessary division here, was not my intent.

Actually I was trying to show how hard it is for people to trust at least on a level of conscious intent. Yet people still love and serve God. If God is love, then he sees us at our very depth, we only see the surface. In my post I was trying to show in some small way the love that Jesus has for all of his children. We see little, God sees all, that is why we are told not to judge, because we can often be wrong in our assessments of others. Trust is a choice, not an emotional state. I have learned to trust in God's love for me in Christ Jesus because of my experience of his faithfulness to me in all of life's circumstances. However whenever we experience God's love first hand, it is very emotional, for it touches the hearts deepest longing, to be seen and loved.

LOL love the humor

I am not offended, why should I be ;-). I read the gospel everyday and love St. Paul. If I had thin skin I would not post here my friend. I am proud to be Catholic, it is because of my faith I have come to love Jesus Christ with my whole being, well as far as I am able, and with his love and grace I am sure he will bring it fruition. Jesus always completes his work. The sacraments are important to me in my spiritual life, the Eucharist especially, as it has always been from the beginning of the Christian church. We are told to confess our sins to one another, so the sacrament of reconciliation I find deeply healing. I also have a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother who is not anywhere a replacement for Jesus. For it is only because of the grace of Jesus death on the cross that she is who she is. I also pray to the saints, because like Mary are part of the Body of Christ, and truly have the heart and mind of Christ in its fullness. They in no way get in the deeply personal love I have for Jesus Christ. I have nor problem with the anti-catholic bias here, this is a protestant site after all ;-). I am here to learn but also not to hide. I don't argue, it is a waste of time. As far as I am concerned you and all those here are my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, if some here don't believe that, I am fine with that also. There are good people here, people who love Jesus, that is enough for me.

Only God know our true name, we do not yet know it, one day he will let us know Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it. Rev 2:17 Also the Eucharist is the body, blood soul and divinity of Christ Jesus, to receive with faith is to receive healing and mercy and deepening of ones union with God. For Catholic's and for many other Christians our growth in Christ Jesus is gradual as we allow grace to heal and work in our hearts. We normally don't think of one moment, but that our whole life is a journey into Christ. Baptism is an initiation into the Body of Christ his church.

Thank you my friend.

The life death of Sr. Mary Magdalene a 97 year old Nun (In her own words) My birth name was Ruth and I was born on the 1st of January 1918 and died on the 25th of March 2015. Though I was born on a day that promised new beginnings, sad to say that was not true for me. I really did not have a childhood for I was abandoned at birth in a dumpster in back of the apartment building that my mother lived in. Back then there was no way to find out who my mother really was, so I was taken in by the state. All I remember was the orphanage that took me in. The people who took care of me did their best, but it was a rough environment. There were so many of us and the staff were so overworked that none of us were able to get much attention. When I was seven I was adopted by what seemed to be a nice family. However when I got to the home I found out otherwise but it did not surprise me. All I knew was neglect, though in the orphanage the neglect was benign, in my new home it was far from that. I was more or less a slave to the family and the father and teenage son sexually abused me on a regular basis until I was 16 when I ran away from home. Living on the street was better than living where I was at. In 19 34 things were rough it was the depression. Since I was a beautiful young woman I was taken in by people who gave me all that I ever wanted. A nice place to live, food and good clothing, though not without some sort of cost to me, there is always someone to pay. The nice man at first turned out to be a pimp and since I was so used to being used sexually it was not that difficult for me to adapt to that kind of life. Though I say that with a certain reservation; for soon after I started taking drugs to dull the pain of my life, I believed that I was a worthless commodity. After a few years, when I was about 25 and used up, I was thrown out on the street. I started using drugs big time then and sold my body to get by. I never experienced love, or met anyone that I could trust….for me a young woman that was simple reality. When I was 27 I almost died of an overdose. I was found by the police and taken to the hospital. It was a Catholic hospital and they showed great concern for me and I stayed there for a month. That was how sick I was. While there I noticed that the nuns and the nurses who worked there were filled with joy and had a trait I never experienced before, they had compassion and what I guess at the time was what was called love. One of the nuns shared her faith in Jesus Christ with me and though I rejected much of what she told me, her love and joy as well as the gentle way that she presented her faith n Christ Jesus with me did plant a seed. Slowly over the next two years I got my life together for the first time. I was very distrustful of everyone but my heart started to open up to the possibility that there might be more to life than simply struggling with myself and others. My heart felt dead and my chest always felt tight and guarded. When I was 30 years old, I volunteered on weekends at the hospital that took cared for me at the time when I almost died from my overdose of drugs, when I was a working girl. I found great joy in helping others; it got me outside of myself. I found that I was good working with people who had my kind of background. I started going to mass with the Sisters and learned of the importance of Eucharist for them. I listened to the scripture readings and over time found myself going to the church to sit in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament and simply be there. Over time I felt a glimmer of hope in my heart and slowly learned to love Jesus. In the end, to make this short, I wanted to become a Nun and help and serve others. So over the years as a Nun, they sent me to the roughest places on earth to take care of those who like me had experiences of sexual abuse and different types of addictions to deal with the pain. I was amazed at the love I had for those I took care of. I did not know where it was coming from really, since even then, I was still distrustful of others and yes, I struggled with this trust with Jesus Christ, though I loved Him and spent time with him everyday in prayer and adoration. Even though I felt healing in the Eucharist, there was still a barrier that I could not get through over or under. I often talked to the Lord about this, but I never felt heard, yet I continued on my journey of faith. When I would talk to a priest, he encouraged me and told me that Jesus walks with me, uses me in helping his wounded children and to simply move forward in faith, even if I felt trust was lacking. It was good advice. On the day I died at the age of 97, I was not feeling well and knew my time was very near. I was afraid to meet my maker for I still felt soiled and unworthy and still had not really experienced true love. I knew that it was my own doing, even if I could not over come it. For I was surrounded by the love of those I took care of and my religious community. So on the night of my death I went into the chapel and prayed. I told the Lord that I knew that death was very close (though I did not understand how close) and I was afraid and that I was sorry that I could not experience his love, that I blocked it out because of my lack of trust. Then I went to bed. I was exhausted and short of breathe. I never dream, or I have never remembered my dreams. Perhaps it was because I was afraid of them. When young I did dream a few times but they were dreams filled with violence, fear and self loathing. So I guess for my own protection I repressed them. Not this night. I found myself dreaming and knew it was a dream. I was outside of a room and the door was closed. The area I was in was dark and cold and from under the door there flowed a bright warm light. I knew who was behind the door and I was so afraid, all of my fear came up in waves, I felt like I was drowning. I fell to my knees and wept shaking in terror of what I will find behind the door. I still did not understand the love that Christ Jesus had for me. So I got up and went to the door and opened it. I entered and sitting at a chair was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He was strong, majestic, filled with light and I was afraid to look up at him. Then gently he said: “Ruth, please look at me my child”. Still trembling I look up. When I saw Jesus, I totally lost it and fell prostrate before my Lord. My heart that was so guarded suddenly burst open and all the pain and sorrow and abuse I experienced poured out, I saw it all. I saw all the pain I also poured out on others before my conversion. I was not spared from any of it, I felt it all. Then my rage at God came out in full force and I screamed it out before my dear Lord, who came over and picked my up and help me tightly and tenderly at the same time. He was weeping with me and this is what he said: “My beloved child, I was always with you. I never left you. In your pain as a child, when you felt abandoned, I was with you. Each human is unique, each has a different name, and so with each their journey is not like any others. So I accompanied you and slowly through my love drew you close to me. Through all the events in your life I have drawn out for the greater good for your soul, evil never has the last word. For all things come out for the good for those who love me, and you have loved me deeply child, even as you struggled with trust. Your struggle with trust was the thorn in your side that kept you seeking me. For even when you thought you did not trust, you really did for you kept on your path in serving and loving others. The love you have for others was mine my child. Your heart became my heart, your hands my hands, your healing words were me speaking to my beloved children that I sent to you over the years. Your prayers were the prompting of the Holy Spirit, your groans was the Spirit groaning within you.” I could not move after these words and for the first time I allowed fully the love of Jesus Christ into my heart. Though I knew it was always there. Then Jesus smiled at me and gave me a stone with my name on it. I could not believe what my name was and I cannot tell you, but it is something beyond anything I could hope or dream of. Then Jesus said, “We will now walk through another door my child and you will continue to work as you have worked on earth, but this time you will be deeper in and higher up, for now you truly have put on the Mind-Of-Christ. So now the love of Christ Jesus propels me to continue my work with Him so as to bring all into the kingdom, for it is all grace, mercy and compassion. No one on earth can understand it, I did not, yet now I do, though my knowledge continually grows, it is an eternal journey.

Well said. Peace Mark

The argument has been beaten to death. All who call on the name of the Lord are saved. God wills the salvation of all. All this going back and forth merely makes this a matter of opinion, it is kind of absurd. We are called to allow God's love into our hearts, his mercy and compassion. We can do nothing to win it, it is given. I also believe that Christians mature and grow in their understanding of grace by personal experience in how it works in their lives.

Wow, the second one is really spectacular. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for you comment ;-).

Thank you my friend, to be they are like the song of birds, the world would be a sad place without their beauty.

Pray what you are When I pray and am disturbed, I gather that disturbance and offer it up as my gift to the Lord. All that is good and loving in me is from graces giftedness, all I have to offer is what is still in distress and rebellion against God's loving intent for my life. In prayer we become transformed into Christ Jesus......it is a true wonder, though I am still very much on the way. Now if only I could allow Christ to work in me in such a way that others see Him when they encounter me. Even in failure I trust in God's mercy and love not only for me but for all. Yet in spite of myself, God will have His way with me. I pray that is true for all.

I pray for the "Mind of Christ", the flesh can manifest in many ways. Peace Mark

The meeting of a wise gentle man I had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. As I was sitting in the office reading, a man walked in, I guess he was a little younger than me, but in his 60’s. He seemed weary and brought in with him a cup of coffee. After a while we started talking to pass the time, for the Doctor was running late. He was a man who for the past ten years has had many serious, chronic, medical conditions that he has had to endure. Yet as he continued speaking he brought up his faith. He spoke in simple terms about how he has never lost trust in God even in the worst of times. As he talked he brought up ‘trust’ and how it is never too late to begin again, even after a life that has been wasted on activities that have been self destructive. He spoke with such gentle compassion that I felt in some way he was revealing some of his past to me. Yet in all the time he did not feel the need to quote scripture. He just talked about his personal experience of the love and mercy of God. I found it very powerful and when I got up to go to the back office, I shook his hand and told him that he has given me quite a bit to meditate over. He seemed surprised, for I suppose he was not telling me anything new, since for him that was the world he lived in. In such a quite gentle way he touched me at such a depth that I will never forget him. The way to touch another heart is to be gentle, loving and respectful. This man was all that, though I doubt he was conscious of the fact. Perhaps it was because of that childlike unconsciousness that allowed me to listen so freely and openly. My only regret is that we did not have more time to share. However, I think I needed to be ministered to by him. People don’t understand the power of their personal experiences when spoken in simply loving language. We each have a way with words, just as this beautiful soul did…he showed me how to embrace my own life on a deeper level and taught me the power of gentle speech. In all of my years, when someone talks to me about their faith, when they start coming from "I am Infallible in my own private interpretation of scripture" and then starts preaching or talking down, he or she has little or any impact on me. Scripture can be used to back up pretty much any position. I think it has got to the point that everything is really an opinion. So many disagreements and each feels that the Holy Spirit is enlightening them.

I had a friend who said he was an atheist. Then he read "The great late planet earth" and became a fundamentalist christian out of fear. When he came here he tried to make us fearful as well, even though we were Christians (yes I know some here don't believe that). Then as time went on, there was less fear and now he is back to being an atheist, or so he says. Perhaps he would rather there be nothing, rather than the God of Johnathon Edwards. However people need to know how important our lives are and that if we choose 'sin' we become spiritual monsters for eternity, separated from what we made for, union with God in Christ Jesus. Peace Mark

Full moon and clouds above (the beauty in the world) I like to get up early. I have a routine that I do just about everyday. I go to the retreat-house kitchen and turn on the back porch light. I also shake the door before I open it because the light switch (chain) is on the outside. I shake the door to warn any critters who might be hanging out there….possums, cats, and who knows even an inquisitive coyote or raccoon. So I rattle the door twice and then go out. This morning as I was about to turn on the light on the back porch, I was taken by the absolute beauty of the sky with a full moon; though I know it is really on the 18th. Still full enough. It was the clouds that really got my attention. I wish I had a camera; it was so beautiful and crystal clear. Then I make coffee for the guest. I have always loved clouds and for me each day is an art show if the sky is cloudy. I like all kinds of clouds. Yesterday I drove three of out guest to the airport in the late morning hours. On the way back I could not get over the beauty of the “heap clouds”. I never tire of them, my spirits are lifted and sometimes I see some cool shapes that no artist could replicate. I can’t stay down when I am looking at these clouds. As I was driving down I-75 towards my exit, it seemed as if the road was going up into the clouds…..I was so happy. I also love dark storm clouds. I find them also beautiful but in a different sort of way. They seem to ground me to the here and now and my soul becomes quiet and reflective. I love to walk under such clouds, because I really don’t like the Sun all that much. All I do is burn and peel, and can’t see well in the bright light. Sometimes the beauty in this world is overwhelming and to tell you the truth I often take it in small doses because I seem to get overwhelmed. I think this is true because I am a very primitive sort of person and am often affected more profoundly than I understand or wish to be. When I go for walks out in nature I find myself shutting down a bit. Sort of like when I go to the airport and there so many beautiful people everywhere, I tend to put up some sort of barrier, which I am sure is understood by many people. I will often take a book with me, or pray with a finger rosary or my cord wrist rosary and focus on the bead and pray slowly. It keeps me present and I don’t get all scattered. Sometimes if I don’t do this when I am at the airport I can get very exhausted. I really don’t understand why this happens. It has always been a problem with me. In beauty and terror of the storm O Lord how much I rejoice in the drama of the sky above, in the beauty of the firmament and the joy of clouds floating by and changing shapes yet for the moments seeming to be solid, then they change and become something else, sort of like all the world, yet in your clouds this truth presented in beauty and the terror of the storm.—Br.MD