journey to wholeness

"Prayer is a journey from our brokenness to wholeness, from our sinfulness to holiness, from our separateness to unity, from being just one in isolation to being with God. When we are one with God, we become so much more one with each other. We go from our darkness into light. We go from one kingdom into God’s kingdom. There are only the two kingdoms and at times we try to straddle both. God says, “You are either with Me - totally in My kingdom - or you are not.” Ponder this. It will help us make the crossover to the threshold of God’s presence and of His way."
--Mother Nadine


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The Onion

(here's another re-post)

The Onion


I was an onion before Christ set me free.Layers upon layers of iniquity.
An ugly old onion whose fragrance was strong;That my Jesus bought and loved all along.
Unknown to me what He was going to do.Of what He was planning, I had not a clue.
Pulling each layer off one by one.In order to make me more like Jesus the Son.
The first layer wasn't so bad.I saw all the sins that I knew I had.
They were easy to fix, just change the way I talk.And learn more of how He wanted me to walk.
Reading His Word, and learning again;How to put aside my life of sin.
But the next layer was pulled which hurt more.He was getting closer to the core.
Unknown what He would find there.I simply gave it to Him in prayer.
As another layer was removed, He started to cry;Pulling this layer brought pain to my Father on High.

And I was crying over the sadness I felt;The brokenness and all of the guilt.
Past memories that I thought were gone;They were buried under layers disguised in a fragrance so strong.
As onions peel more and more;And they put tears in our eyes as we get close to the core;So my father wept over my pain;Giving me a balm of comfort and strength to sustain.
"NO MORE LAYERS." I would scream.As he continued to peel them off of me."I'll have nothing left my Lord, what will I do?I'll be nothing but a worthless core to you.
"But He just said "Trust me," and continued to peelI was sure He was blinded to my pain that was so real.
Year after year I shrunk more and more;Until all that was left of this onion was a core.

It was then that I began to understand;As the Lord embraced me in His loving hand.
He said, now and only now can you be;The creation that will minister before me.
Clothed with the righteousness only from above;Gone are your layers of self so you can be filled with my love.
He took my layers of sin, hurt and pain;And clothed me with love, truth and mercy in His name.
Yes, we are all onions, learning with each day;How to overcome as each layer is taken away.
Some layers tear and pull at our heart;While others grieve us to our innermost part.
But we are nothing but an ugly onion without Christ.Layers upon layers of pride, sin and strife.
Only God can take those layers away.And clothe us with His righteousness in that final day.

author unknown

united wills

"The Means

Do you see? One strand of wire entwined with another, many woven tightly together, form that cable strong enough to lift huge weights.

You and your brothers, with wills united to carry out God's will can overcome all obstacles.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Way, #480"

a light to the nations

"These are all little glimpses of what she has in store for us in this deeper call of intercession. In Isaiah 42: 6-7 we read, “I, the Lord have called you for the victory of justice. I have grasped you by the hand. I have formed you and set you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations.” Jesus is the light of the world. He is calling us now individually and collectively as Church to be a light to all the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out of confinement and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness. This means bringing people out of deception, out of all kinds of bondage. This is the power of intercession. We have the power."
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His words bring healing

"Jesus will refuse a word to no one, and his words bring healing, they console, they bring light.

This is what you and I have to remember at all times, especially when we find ourselves tired and weighed down by work or opposition.

– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #254"

freed to experience joy

"I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete." ~John 15:11

Since last week, we have been 'practicing' inner healing with our group. Last week I was an 'observer', this week I had the priviledge and great blessing of being the 'receiver'. I knew going in that this is what the Lord wanted for me. So many issues came up with the Lord's help through my friends guidance and I felt the wonderful relief of being able to receive truth and then to finally let go of the pain. I felt light...like walking on clouds. Then I get home and get the above passage...WOW! I praise You Lord!

As a little aside...at the beginning of the year I was given Saint Joseph Cupertino as my saint for the year...and lo and behold...today is his feast day. So...thank you St. Cupertino for interceding for me. Oh, I just realized something kind of funny...about me 'walking on clouds'...lol...that's sort of what he did too(he would levitate). I also just realized that I had posted about him at my other blog and issued a prayer that I may experience the type of joy he had amongst my daily trials. Thank You, Thank You Jesus!