A book of prayers to the Holy Face of Jesus

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ListenHow Wise We Become When We Have Nothing to Say.Mom always used to say, “God gave you two ears and one mouth” because you are supposed to listen twice as much as you talk! I don’t know how others do it, but I have always had a hard time listening when I talk (LOL). When we listen intently and sincerely, it is amazing how much we learn, how much we become trusted and endeared by others.  How good we can make others feel with an open ear and big shoulders, and a non-judgmental attitude! You see “active listening” is actually an art form, but one that anyone can learn with some practice! You see all relationships get stronger and more complete when we become active listeners.And here is the best place to start your exercise of active listening!  It is in meditative prayer that we find how much our ears are open and our minds are filled! And what better teacher to learn and to understand the “wisdom” of the ages than from God Himself! Merry Christmas!​

May Your Good Tree Bear Good FruitDead faith.I believe that most everyone, deep down, has a spiritual desire to achieve spiritual growth and healing.  Why is it that only a small number tend to demonstrate that level of achievement?  I think desire must be followed by commitment, which must be followed by deliberate action steps, which must be followed by the very first step, then repeated for 21-days to become habit.  So it is with faith.  If faith is not followed by deliberate action in line with our faith, then it becomes dead faith.  Faith bonds with love by our deliberate action and good works.  When faith and love combine in action an amazing spiritual growth and healing transpires and an inner peace evolves like nothing we have ever experienced before!  It’s called “grace” and it can only come from God!  Now there’s a call to action!  No more dead faith! “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him?  If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?   Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’  Show me your faith without your [a]works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that there is one God.  You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!  But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?   [c]Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?  And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’  [d]And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.”  James 2:14-26

Be Fearless In A Storm!Fearless.Fear is nothing more than a lingering emotion fueled by your imagination.  Danger is real.  It’s the uncomfortable rush of adrenaline you get when you almost step in front of a bus.   It is ok to be cautious such as to avoid danger.  But do not be fearful and anxious about those things over which you have little or no control! When we are cautious, we plan, we prepare, and we pray!  Then we leave it in God’s hands and we are at peace! Fear is a choice.  Exceptional people know this better than anyone, so they flip fear on its head.  Instead of letting fear take over, successful people are addicted to the euphoric feeling of conquering fears.Worry is payment for a debt you may never owe! “So do not fear,  for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10. “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you.  I do not give it as the world does.  Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”  John 14:27.“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”  2 Timothy 1:7. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18.

 So who am I?  Really! What makes up the DNA framework of what made me who I am today? What influences impacted what makes me who I am and who I have become?  Maybe a fair question should be, based on what I have been given, “who do I want to be?”  I always say let’s take a look back to see where we have been before we look at where we are and where we want to be! What is your fondest memory of your parents and grandparents that had a big influence on you? What was your best and worst achievement in school? What teacher, friend, or significant other had influence on you and what is the thing you value most from those relationships?  How have those values influenced your philosophy on spirituality, marriage, raising your children, and things you want to share with your children and theirs?  How does God fit into these equations? Now, are you starting to recognize what you aren’t? Now lets look forward!  Start by asking this:  How do I want to be remembered? (Don’t forget, no one gets out of here alive). Now keep walking the path or find new direction with this essential knowledge and a childlike openness to reality.