Strength for the Journey

Posted on by charliej373
Replica of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Belleville, Illinois – one of my favorite places to pray

By Charlie Johnston

Ten years ago today, on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes, I took the first step on the 3,200 mile walk that was my great pilgrimage across this land. When I left, I didn’t know much about what I was doing, only that I would do it, figuring I would learn what I needed to along my way.

“Waiting” – an original pencil on cypress drawing an artist in Louisiana did for me

Glory! What an adventure! My night camps were visited by a constant stream of animals, almost all of which oddly treated me as if I belonged there. There were foxes, wolves, bears, cougars, deer, elk, a parade of wild turkeys, a bobcat and an endless procession of chattering squirrels. Many mornings I was awakened by songbirds chirping in the tangle of branches just above my head. About 30 miles north of Birmingham, early on, a little grey bird caught my eye. It hopped into an alcove under some bushes, looked at me, suddenly turned a brilliant, flashing gold, and then vanished. I wondered if I was hallucinating, then chose to

The artist, Curly, a swamp man who did the painting for me. He passed on last year.

believe an angel was subtly offering me a little encouragement. In Ojai, California a three-inch hummingbird hovered about a foot and a half in front of my face, gazing at me for what seemed forever, but was probably two or three minutes. It was amazing, like looking into the face of some alien intelligence. Somewhere near Ft. Morgan, Colorado, near the end of my way, a little faun came bounding up to me in the woods where I had made camp, folded its front legs beneath itself, and just sat with me for a good chunk of my morning.

I got in a fair share of hairy situations. Two men threatened me with knives and one threatened me with a pistol. Yet the most dangerous moment came not from without, but from a bad decision I made. I decided to cross an 80-foot field of boulders rather than take a couple of miles to go around it. I was about 20 feet in when I realized how dangerously unstable it was. Going forward was dangerous, but going backwards would probably be more so. It took me several hours of very deliberate motion, making sure, with each movement, that I wasn’t causing a deadly shift in the rocks, before taking the next movement.

A persistent butterfly in Waco, Texas, landed on my hand and made camp. He refused to leave for the longest time.

I spent little time along my way focusing on my ultimate end of the journey. Rather, I focused on the 12-15 miles I would usually make today. I was always glad to meet somebody and chat along my way – and I met a lot of people, some who remain friends. I discovered there is a great hunger for meaning and simplicity in this country, that most people are of profound good will. People hate to be played, but absolutely hunger to help and chat with their fellows. One morning, I got coffee very early at a little convenience store/café that was otherwise empty. The gal behind the counter was curious as I did not drive up in a car and had a heavy pack on my back, so I told her my story. She was completely charmed. A few minutes later, a fellow a few years older than me came in. He looked at me and my pack at a table, started talking animatedly with the woman behind the counter and then, with a cheery grin, came up and asked if he could sit with me. I was glad of the company. As he sat down he said, “Now before we begin, I have to tell you I’m an atheist.” I chuckled and said, “That’s all right. The way I see it, God reads hearts. If there is good will in your heart, God will correct the errors in your head in His good time. If there is malice in your heart, you can say ‘Jesus’ all you want and maybe fool yourself, but you won’t fool God.” He liked that and chuckled back. We talked for about an hour and a half about everything except God. It was wonderful. Finally, I needed to get up and make a little progress on the day. As we shook hands, he surprised me by telling me wistfully, “You know, if things are like you say, I hope there is a God.” I smiled and said, enthusiastically, “There is – and he’s going to take your kind wishes for me as a prayer.” He smiled and responded, “I’d like that.” And I was on my way. I thought to myself that that was a fine morning of conversation and evangelization as I continued on my way.

Unbeknownst to me, a dear friend had set aside some money to get me back and on my feet when the inevitable crash came and I realized that this was just too hard on an older fellow like me. We were chatting on the phone one morning when I was in Pearl, Mississippi (I had a phone which I would charge at a gas station or restaurant once every day or two while I sat and read). He noted that every time we chatted, I was just as cheery as ever, eager to tell him about the latest little adventure from the trail. He confessed then that he had set aside the money and said, with some surprise, “I think you might make it, Charlie.” I laughed, was profoundly grateful for his practical concern, and assured him that I was going to make it, God willing.

At one point, a fellow who had been a regional coordinator for me in a statewide campaign decided he wanted to do an outsider run for the city council in his medium-sized city…and asked if I could put together a radio campaign for him. I did – and advised him that he probably did not want to tell anyone that his ‘media consultant’ was currently a vagrant who slept in the woods each night. He won.

In Louisiana, I asked a constable for directions. About a mile and a half later, there was a bustling country café and I figured it was a good time for lunch. Inside, there was that constable by himself at a table. He asked me to join him. We chatted and he got very enthused about what I was doing. Caught up in the moment, he asked me at one point, “Where do you sleep at night?” Then he caught himself and said, “Ooo, maybe you better not tell me that.” I laughed and said, “Constable, I’ll tell you this: I don’t violate any ‘No Trespassing’ signs and I don’t climb any fences.” With a look of cheery satisfaction he said, “That’s good enough for me.”

I remember all the hardships, the fears, the times I was at the beginning of real hunger – and how the real thing takes over and dominates you (Go about 36 hours without eating and it becomes a gnawing, hammering, desperate need – not the sedate feeling of not being full we usually mean when we say we are hungry.) What stays with me most is the pure joy of freedom and discovery, the goodness of almost all the people I met, and the hunger for simplicity and meaning, the craving for simple fellowship and joy in the midst of this predatory, artificial culture of false gods we have mounted. I came away with the conviction that when real hard times come, not only will millions rise to the occasion, they will rejoice in the opportunity to work together in forming anew a culture of life, laughter and love.

I stumbled upon a great festival at a Hispanic Church in north Dallas, dedicated to St. Therese. Had to get a picture of us together.

Ten years later, the whole world is nervously preparing for a great journey into the unknown. Some of your fears will come to fruition. But you will be surprised by great joy in the midst of all the trials you undergo – and the depth of real fellowship with the people you help and that you accept help from. My journey was full of unexpected zigs, zags and a few interruptions. I knew from the start my ultimate destination was Mt. Meeker in Colorado, but only had a vague idea of exactly how I was going to get there. I focused on the day before me and put a priority on chatting and visiting with the people I met along my way. I didn’t know for sure how long it was going to take – just that I would keep going until I got there.

People are deeply worried about the trials and vicissitudes ahead. You have good reason to be so. But I tell you, you have the unfathomable joy of renewal and fellowship ahead you. I know. I began my dress rehearsal for these times ten years ago today. It was hard, but it was the most gloriously joyful time of my life, the time that renewed my faith in the simple goodness of most people. Prepare for trial and joy, firmly yoked together as we enter this time of great and complete renewal. Our destination is the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. I don’t know exactly how we are going to get there, just that we are. Relish each step of the journey with the joy and anticipation of a child on Christmas Eve.

*********

The video of my talk in Philadelphia (actually Cherry Hill, NJ – part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area) is now up on the CORAC website. I had just gotten over a cold, so I am a bit annoyed at how often I was sniffling. I was not as focused as I would have liked to have been, but I was deeply heartened by the seriousness and the generosity of spirit of this group of volunteers during the Q and A portion. We have a good group of people gearing up.

Donate to CORAC!

338 thoughts on “Strength for the Journey”

  1. Happy Anniversary, Charlie! Your joy is our joy because the lessons you lived via your humble fiat to walk continue to bless all who read your writing and hear you speak. This piece is heartening, through and through. Thank you, Oh Former Vagrant who slept in the woods at night. You would have made a great Peace Corps volunteer!

    May Our Lady of Lourdes bless you anew on this, her special feast day!

    Liked by 11 people

  3. Yes!!! Happy anniversary and so glad and happy to hear we are about to enter our own pilgrimage to the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!!!

    I love this paragraph:

    “Prepare for trial and joy, firmly yoked together as we enter this time of great and complete renewal. Our destination is the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart. I don’t know exactly how we are going to get there, just that we are. Relish each step of the journey with the joy and anticipation of a child on Christmas Eve.”

    Thanks again for saying yes to God, Charlie, for our sake and I pray we all remember everything you’ve been teaching us for all these years that we may all have the grace to help our fellows as well when collapse, chaos & joy ensue!!!

    St Therese please guide us all in your little way!🤗 🌹

    Liked by 12 people

  4. A while back (early summer, I think), I asked for prayers for my daughter and son-in-law and their to-be-born little girl regarding a genetic test that was positive for a disorder. Monday evening, she was born perfectly healthy. I am so grateful for all of you who prayed for her and her parents. Thank you. She and her “big” sister are the signs of hope that God keeps sending to the world: “But I tell you, you have the unfathomable joy of renewal and fellowship ahead you.”
    Charlie is right.
    Virgo Potens, ora pro nobis.

    Liked by 13 people

  5. It’s an interesting dichotomy the picture of you by St Theresa so many years ago- tan, dusty, thin and undersized in your jeans and plaid shirt, dirty boots and all compared to you now, plump and clean-cut. The older pic reminds me of a farmer who works long hours outside and does not eat enough to replace the calories a life of hard labor requires.
    I must admit, I’ve never worked that hard as tile setting is rather aerobic and not labor intensive. I think that is why, at 60, I’m still capable of doing it. That, and eating and living right.
    This past week I spent 3 days in the North Florida woods hunting. After three mornings sitting in a tree in 20 degree weather, I found out I’m not real fond of that kind of cold especially after being in weather near 80 degrees just a day before! I came down with the chills wed night as the heater in my camper also stopped working and I got pretty sick until Sat when I got over the major part of the illness but I am still a bit fatigued but I have been working outside the house. I used zinc and colloidal silver and elderberry juice along with vitamin C and D.
    My wife became sick a few days after my return and she is still dealing with symptoms. Her doctor prescribed a steroid and antibiotic for her congestion. Not sure if she (the Doctor) will prescribe anything else if she tests positive for Covid. She did a flu test that came back negative and we are waiting on a test for Covid -19 so I’ll know more later today.

    Liked by 13 people

    4. Phillip g frank what an interesting story!!! Ha!!! But sorry to hear you got sick and now your dear wife!!! I’ll say a prayer for her… pmt I always invoke st Raphael 🙏😇

      Liked by 2 people

    6. The doctor called. The clinic did not give them a report yet so they said they will call them tomorrow.
      One more night of wonder!
      Along with my physical sickness, my septic tank has backed up, two sinks are dripping underneath and the cold water pipes have clogged from what I can only guess is a collapse in my well which has caused a bunch of sand to get caught up by the pump and is blocking the lines. This has effected our ability to use the toilet, sinks, shower, washmachine and doing the dishes! I spent a little while under the house trying to unblock the main septic pipe. Not sure if I did but it was enough with the heat (84 today) to wipe me out! Not sure if the workout was a plus or a minus as my back has gotten stiff from laying around and the work helped that but the fatigue I have makes the going all the more difficult along with doing the cooking and cleaning while my wife is down.
      Offering it all up!
      Ahh, expiation
      Gotta love it!

      Liked by 11 people

      2. “Prayer is the most powerful action against trial, the most effective medicine against sickness, and the most valuable gift to someone we care for. Amen.”

        Liked by 4 people

      4. Well, she tested positive.
        10 days of quarantine. She is better so no extra medications but they will be reporting her case to the local Health Debt as is required.
        I guess I will have to quarantine as a matter of protocol since I’ve been in “contact” with her.?

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Phil, not knowing what you and your wife have on board for supplements, I’ll simply offer that I found the symptoms eased – for both the 92 year old and me – by supplementing with Vitamins D3 and C, Zinc, and Colloidal Silver. I especially found relief with the homeopathic, Boiron, Oscillococcinum. We also prayed over each other daily… it’s a Gospel commission! 🙂 And all the while, just as you wrote yesterday, we made of our misery an offering. Prayers for both of you continue.

          Liked by 7 people

        3. Good news! Maybe a few of your turtles can get into the plumbing system to help out? I just cleaned a big ugly stinky hair ball out of my shower drain. I think I picked a bad day to do that as the smell is lingering and about 25 people are coming tonight to hear Charlie.

          Liked by 5 people

          3. Everything was Beautiful Doug! I was admiring how lovely, warm and welcoming your home is. The Christmas decorations and beautiful candles are stunning. I particularly loved the picture of Mary holding newborn Jesus—breathtaking.

            No one could have ever of guessed this was an issue, but it does seem things to discourage us happen when we are doing something good. 😀

            Liked by 5 people

            1. Lovely, warm and welcoming describe Doug and Lambzie to a T, Littlelight. When they were traveling cross country once, they made a stop in Missoula and both Fr. Wang and I were blessed to share a meal, pray and visit with them. 🙂

              Liked by 5 people

              1. Well Becks, I rather think we were blessed to share a meal with you and father Wang and the biggest treat was dessert which was praying with you and Fr. Wang in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  We were truly in the company of two saints!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                Liked by 4 people

            2. Why thank you Littlelight.  You are very kind and it means a lot to hear that.  It was such a privilege to meet you, your husband and your son.  I like to think it is the people all there that make our home inviting.  You and they are all like family.I think what we would like to do when the weather is warmer is have a storm dinner at the camp where folks can stay the night and enjoy good fellowship and the outdoors.  You and your family are quite welcome to come and stay!Also, I learned later that a good friend couple have a 20 something son named Paul who tried to take his life.  Fortunately, he was unsuccessful.  He is in Cenacolo in Alabama.  The couple has been to our storm dinners in the past.  Thus, the offering of prayer for suicide last night.  As I know that is dear to your heart, if you would offer a prayer of two for him, we would be grateful.  His name is Paul.  This couple also lost their oldest son to brain cancer 3 years ago.  The father was was in a major car accident in December and was in the hospital for a while.  They are living Job right now and he reached out to me for prayers this morning.  The parents names are Chris and Joanne.God bless you!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

              Liked by 5 people

              1. Aw, TY for all you do! The dinner/camping sounds lovely. We have an 11 person tent!

                Yes, you bet, I will pray for Paul and his parents, Chris and Joanne. Through all I’ve read and researched, I’m 100% convicted the tragedy of suicide is caused by a brain pathophysiology as no healthy person wants to die. I found these 2 articles to be a must-read and possibly life saving for those who get another chance to help their loved one. Please pass them on to Paul’s parents. Praying for The Lord’s healing for all and the right professionals to help Paul.

                https://allianceofhope.org/why-are-therapists-so-rarely-trained-in-suicide-prevention-and-postvention/

                and

                https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2020/02/27/suicide-prevention-therapists-rarely-trained-treat-suicidal-people/4616734002/

                Liked by 2 people

                1. The second link is the most explanatory and helpful. Under the link are a summary of the most important quotes.

                  https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/nation/2020/02/27/suicide-prevention-therapists-rarely-trained-treat-suicidal-people/4616734002/

                  “Facing suicide, patients are afraid, and therapists are lost”
                  and
                  “Research shows emergency room visits and involuntary hospitalizations ….. can increase a person’s risk of suicide.”
                  and
                  “Susan Stefan, a scholar and litigator on behalf of people with psychiatric disabilities, says that in many cases, an emergency room can be the worst place for a suicidal person.”
                  and
                  “Some chronically suicidal people say they’ve been dropped by therapists who were unable to tolerate the intensity of their pain. Others say their clinicians were so fixated on predicting how likely they were to kill themselves, they didn’t spend enough time listening to why they were hurt or what they might need.”
                  and
                  “Afterward, Quinnett said he helped put together a comprehensive, mandatory training program on suicide. Once it was fully up and running, he said clinic deaths plummeted, to one or none a year. Eventually a new CEO took over and Quinnett said he decided to shutter the program over cost concerns. Quinnett said suicides started up again, so he quit.”

                  Liked by 2 people

                  2. Praying, Littlelight, for you and all who have suffered the loss of a dear one by suicide. Praying for those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts at this time. Grateful that the relationship with our loved ones never ends and that we are in transition to a New Beginning, a time of renewal when love and support abounds for all peoples in their times of trials.

                    Liked by 4 people

                    1. {{{Beckita}}}, TY! Pls pray for my son. He lost his only brother and has 6 sisters–very difficult.

                      I loooved “Climbing the Mountain” Some more insights from my experience with my grief are that I don’t think I ever truly understood how much God loves me and my family and us all. I’m guessing this is universal.

                      Our job during the storm is to allow The Lord to make us into a more accurate reflection of His unconditional love to touch others and therefore ignite in them an unquenchable thirst for Our Living God.

                      Healing for me personally is a nascent understanding of God’s tender, personal love. This includes trusting Him that we weren’t singled-out for evil because we’re lesser children of God. Trusting Him that because He is God, so much unimaginable good and beauty is going to be drawn out of our suffering (which defies human understanding) and loss.

                      Liked by 4 people

                    2. {{{Littlelight}}} SO happy you enjoyed and benefited from the book. You share beautiful insights about God’s Love.

                      About how we missed these insights due to the way the faith was taught in our era I think most everyone was doing the best s/he could given the times. Our teachers in the faith were shaped by their own – often – impoverished instruction in the full dimensions of the faith.

                      We’ll never be able to go back and change the past, but Christ’s Redemption is infinite and He is ever making all things new. From our own healing, we’re commissioned to bring His Love to those around us as we rebirth the renewal in our wee corner of the world in beau coup little ways.

                      It’s so valuable to daily contemplate God’s Love for us. Its heights and depth and all its breadth can never be fully plumbed… another infinite it is! ♥️🔥

                      Liked by 3 people

                    3. It is often through suffering that God’s plan is realized for me.  I find it a mystery still, but I can only ponder it through the depth of our Catholic faith and alignment of Christ’s suffering on the cross.  It is through his humanity that I can relate and his divinity that gives me hope.  I have found great dignity in suffering.  I do not wish it on anyone, but in a way,  I know there is something deeper taking place when it occurs.  I do not think I will fully understand until I get heaven, but I reflect on it as a gift.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                      Liked by 5 people

                    4. Beautiful, Doug. Oh so beautiful.

                      We each have a share in the fullness of the paschal mystery, for we’re all called to stand at the Cross with the Lord as we, mysteriously, live out Colossians 1:24: Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. To many a mystic, Jesus has conveyed that suffering is a jewel.

                      Liked by 5 people

                    7. Amen! Amen!

                      I see, a temptation to Bitterness is one I struggled/struggle with, mightily. I share this openly to give All Glory to God. This I see clearly from my reading of “Climbing The Mountain”

                      If I could get a do-over-better in my response to Doug’s request for prayer for our Beautiful Family, Chris, Joanne and Paul?

                      Charlie said deliberation in words is very, very, important. I have a tough with that and with courage. But this is a worldwide forum and what I have to say is too important to be left unsaid.

                      Here’s my do-over:
                      ============
                      Dear Doug, of course I/we will pray specifically for this beloved family (and ALL in similar circumstances! My Mom taught me well never to exclude or play favorites)

                      Trembling, trembling here. +Jesus, Mercy, Holy Spirit, Your Wisdom+

                      The world looks at the suicide crisis from a COMPLETELY WRONG perspective. Suicide needs to be understood as the ultimate (Horrific) conclusion of a Pathophysiological Disease Process. Therefore, when we, as a society, offer care to individuals and families dealing with this Disease, we need to understand:

                      The Pathophyisiology is POORLY understood. We know that some individuals CAN BE HEALED and live NORMAL lives. For many, too many others THERE IS NO CURE.

                      It is a Disease, just like cancer. Some will live, sadly, too many will die.

                      Alliance of Hope forum has launched a campaign to dismember the tired old damaging campaign that wrongly stated: “Suicide is Preventable” They are doing ground-breaking work to re-educate people to understand “Suicide is Complex and MAY be treatable”

                      Currently our best and brightest scientific and medical experts have not much to offer except combinations of counseling therapy and psycho-active drugs whose biochemical, pharmaceutical, physiological actions are poorly understood.

                      Those of us Survivors have life-long scars and are vulnerable. Survivors must carefully guard our hearts and strive/do/pray for balance and moderation in our minds/bodies/spirits.

                      With the preceding framework in mind, I believe the Lord will allow more scientific advances to offer healing. I also believe that He will use the incredible pain and brokenness of Survivors for His greater glory. I’m saying all this badly and only briefly alluding to what I see as a Miracle of God’s unfathomable Mercy. But this is where our Hope and focus must be

                      God Bless us, everyone!

                      Liked by 3 people

                    8. You are not saying badly from my perspective.  I will pass this along.  It is apparent this is very complex and we need the Holy Spirits wisdom to help us sift through this process.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                      Liked by 3 people

                    9. Doug, I love what you wrote about the dignity of suffering. I am not fully there yet but long to be, and know it will happen in God’s time.

                      It is a tough thing to have resigned acceptance (not understanding) of suicide loss. I wish I could tell everyone that progress towards this resigned acceptance is a linear process, Hah.

                      You are encouraging me and all here with your witness to the dignity of suffering through +Jesus+ TY

                      Liked by 3 people

                    10. Thank you Little light.  I do not espouse to be there either.  It is a process that is ususlly slow and unnoticeable for me.  It is when time goes by and I look back that I see the difference or growth.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                      Liked by 3 people

                2. Thanks Littlelight.  I read them and passed them along.  I imagine the hardest part would be to recognize there is even an issue.  I imagine it is easy to miss the signs.We also have close friends who lost their son to suicide.  This occurred quite a while ago and it has (and still is) a long journey for the family.Even our son expressed suicidality when he came out and told us he was transgender.  He was the model child growing up and never said anything about the turmoil he had inside.  He has scheduled sex change surgery for this Wednesday.  We and many are praying up a storm.  What he is not being told is suicidality goes up after this type of surgery.  I have learned first hand from from others who have had the surgery that the surgery does not solve the interior issues and when you finally figure that out and realize you did something that cannot be surgically undone  the despair deepens.  The psychological industry has for the most part been hijacked by the LGBTQ left and took what should be psychological disorder and turned it into a physical disorder meaning the body has to change what the mind perceives.  They are brain washing our children.  This gets me more upset.  I learned we have to be very selective and careful when choosing a psychologist.  We are praying God penitrates our sons soul and he changes his mind.  God can do this.Aside from this, I am excited about a psychologist who is looking to break the trend of traditional psychotherapy which is based on atheism.  It is through Dr. Greg Batorrow from Catholic Psych Institute, who has a new method that incorporates true faith with amazing results.  Lambzie has signed up and will be starting this week to help her deal with what our son is about to do.  Here is a link for anyone who wants to check it out:  https://www.catholicpsych.com/townhallreplayGod bless!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                  Liked by 1 person

                  4. Doug– I’ll be praying for your son! We lost my husband’s daughter to suicide. She was transgender and had had her breasts removed. She actually said she was no gender. She didn’t refer to herself as he or she. It’s like there is an epidemic. A good friend’s granddaughter is “transitioning”. The magnitude of the brokenness is devastating.

                    Liked by 2 people

                    1. Thank you Kim!  It is heart breaking.  That is so tragic!  It is a demonic assault on the basic of humanity made in the image of God.  Male and Female he created them in his image.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                      Liked by 3 people

                    7. Im so sorry to hear this kimsevier😫 what great suffering and I’m so sorry. My grandmother committed suicide too…corrine champagne was her name. I know God hears our prayers from the future and I’m going to pray for your hubby’s daughter right now 🥰

                      Liked by 1 person

                    9. Thank you so much Kimsevier. My mom was only 3 months old at the time and grandma had 4 other children. Even though all the kids were given away, they remained close. (Grandpa took off for Quebec lol) but my mom said all her life she felt her mom very close by🥰

                      Liked by 2 people

                    12. Thank you, Beckita–this daughter had been estranged from family for years, living in Portland and Seattle, absorbed into the horrifying culture of the super extreme left. So lost, so unbelievably far out. It has been so devastating. She just died less than 2 months ago, but haven’t been able write about it, it has been so painful.

                      Like

                    16. Kim,  Divine Mercy prayers coming her way for the repose of her soul and your comfort.  We work so hard for our kids and have so much hope and dreams for them.  Lord have mercy! —- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

                      Liked by 1 person

                    20. Kim, Alliance of Hope helped me a lot. They have a forum and a blog. They are truly A Sign of Hope. I have never been able to sign up there and post stuff, ah. Too painful—-3 years out—too painful.

                      But there is nothing you can feel that someone else hasn’t posted. What this raw/horror reading has done for me was, over time, shown me that the incredible pain I was feeling all humans feel in the situation of a loved one’s suicide. That I am not alone. That my experience is universally understood by those of us who must carry this cross. It has even help me understand deep feelings I had difficulty articulating to myself.

                      No two stories are alike, but they have a saying on the Alliance of Hope forum that I dearly love. It is:

                      “If Love was enough to save our loved one, they would all still be alive (on this planet).”

                      Here is a reading list of authors I have found very helpful. What speaks to me, won’t necessarily speak to you. If you would like, take what is good, leave the rest. If it makes it worse for you, please accept my humble apologies and delete! God bless you! God bless us Everyone!

                      Tom Zuba Permission to Mourn
                      Tom Zuba Becoming Radiant
                      Gary Roe Shattered Surviving the Loss of a Child
                      Gary Roe Aftermath Picking Up the Pieces After Suicide
                      Direction for Our Times Heaven Speaks About Tragedy
                      Direction for Our Times Heaven Speaks to Parents Worried About their Childrens’ Salvation
                      Fr. Chris Alar After Suicide There’s Hope for Them and You
                      Fr. Chris Alar youtube grief/Mercy series (4 hour long shows, all excellent)

                      Richard Heckler The Suicidal Trance
                      The Interpersonal Theory of (NIH.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3130348/
                      Fr. Ron Rolheiser —–excellent all, AHEAD of his time https://marysshortcut.com/category/a-catholic-priest-on-suicide/
                      The Healing of Sorrow – When Someone Takes Their Own Life Author: Norman Vincent Peale
                      https://allianceofhope.org/the-healing-of-sorrow-when-someone-takes-their-own-life/

                      Liked by 2 people

                    21. LL– thank you so much for being so kind to share all this and I agree–the statement “if Love was enough to save our loved one, they would all still be alive (on this planet)” is very comforting! God bless you!

                      Liked by 2 people

                    22. Kim, that thought also gives me courage and hope and healing.

                      I find great consolation and graces to carry this cross by offering to Our Lady Untier of Knots, daily my petition: “To surrender every detail of every moment of all of our lives, past, present and future, to +Jesus+ and ask Him “to take care of it, turning ALL to His Greater Glory”

                      So in spiritually, a mother and father have legal spiritual rights over their children, greater than any other person, because of God’s ordained creation of family and parents.

                      Anne a Lay Apostle heard a locution from Our Lady in which Our Lady says in regards to our children:

                      Click to access Parents-childrens-salvation-d.pdf

                      There is no circumstance that should cause you to give up hope. I will not allow you to give up hope. Even as you read these words I am obtaining fresh hope for you, and with this hope I am also obtaining a spirit of calm which will enable you to serve in peace. We will surround this child for you. We will protect this child. If your child has died and you worry for their salvation, I ask you today to stop. God is all-merciful. Trust in his goodness. The good God could not face a parent who trusted him and disappoint that parent. Your greatest weapon in the battle to save your children is trust in God. Use this weapon and be at peace because I am your mother and I read your heart effortlessly.

                      God bless you, yours and us, everyone!

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                    24. Yes, LL– thanks– the first thing our wonderful pastor said to my husband is that God wants his daughter’s salvation even more than we do.

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                    25. My son went through with the surgery and he is out now.  He is ok, but ugh!  Your words ring so true Kim!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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                    27. Thanks Becks.  The emotions are mixed between sad and angry.  Mostly angry at the people that convinced him this is the right thing.  Woe to those who cause these little ones to sin!  Better if a mill stone was tied to them and they were thrown into the sea!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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                    28. Must be so intense, Doug. My prayer is that you and Lambzie can rest, just rest in Our Lady as she wraps you in her Mantle and intercedes for you. When I think of you resting in her, I sense she is softening the heaviness and imparting new hope as she tends to you.

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                    29. Becks,

                      Our Lady is working in our lives along with her son. God is gracious and good to us. Our planned route is not God’s route at the moment. So it appears there is a detour and it will take our son longer to get to the destination.

                      God bless you!

                      Doug

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                    31. Doug– I’ve been thinking about and praying for y’all. God brings good from bad and I pray that will happen!❤ sending continued love and prayers.

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                    32. Thanks Kim.  I had a sense he would go through with it.  I think God will reach him, but it will be his time and not ours.  Sigh….—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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                    33. I agree, Doug! We are all on our own journey and we have to be patient with ourselves and others. I hope and trust that parents’ fervent prayers for their children will be answered. Have mercy on us, Dear Lord.

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                    37. Thanks Jen!  I’m still holding on that ultimately his salvation will be won.  I have heard if and talked with many that have had this surgery and later regretted it.  He did not want to hear that.  It will take time and it will be God’s time.  Lambzie and I continue to pray.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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                    38. {{{Doug & Lambzie}} Ugh, on the cross with +Jesus+ …no tear or suffering to be wasted I am so sorry.

                      “Woe to those who cause these little ones to sin! Better if a mill stone was tied to them and they were thrown into the sea!—-”

                      Fwiw…..

                      Yes, yes, indeed. Sorrow and anger at the blinding malice. Early on after LiamXOXO died, we found out he had a “handle” on some message boards: “123Suicideme” Can you imagine how many people saw that and did nothing or egged him on? I used to wonder if one person tried to contact authorities and get a hold of us….?????

                      Also the people who post up to youtube suicide methods, like it’s funny, or a sick game. I read Unbound at that time. Came to the realization that I didn’t need to heroically seek out an unbound team to help me forgive these Monsters—we got the sacrament of Confession. I spent a lot of time using the formula in confession. I can’t even remember exactly, but forgiving them in Jesus name and then asking Jesus to bless them.

                      I can’t tell you it took away the searing pain, but somehow, I think it broke some stronghold over my heart, and this is a very Blessed thing, indeed.

                      I am praying for you all. I am so sorry. Let us focus on “Behold I will make all things new again!” And “Every tear will be wiped away!” +Hasten the day, Dear Lord!+ God bless you all and us everyone!

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                    39. Thanks Littlelight.  I find it ironic that YouTube will ban conservatives, but would leave up YouTube about suicide methods.  That is evil at work.  The folks running these shows will have to repent.  I hope they do otherwise,  they will be held to account to a much higher authority.Confession is such a beautiful gift of God to the church!  I am so thankful for this sacrament!God bless you!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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                    40. Kim, I am so sorry for your loss. I will pray for the repose of your stepdaughter’s soul, and for your family. I will also pray for your friend’s granddaughter.

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                  8. I’ve been praying for your son Doug & Lambzie!!! But one thing I am learning through my own blunders in life (too many to count 🤦🏽‍♀️) and other peoples blunders -especially loved ones, – that life is such a crazy journey and that from my limited experiences, I feel sometimes and actually most times, although I know God doesn’t LIKE our bad choices, He can draw great good from evils we commit!!! Charlie actually told me that when we all met up in Jackson and I never forgot it and draw great hope and courage from that truth. If perhaps your son does go through with this, keep praying, keep making sacrifices! I will too, I promise and I’ll bet everyone else here will join along with you two and your son for God to be glorified in His greatest attribute; Mercy!🥰

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                    1. Yes Linda.  Jacki and I prayed with a priest who prayed the whole St. Michael prayer (not the abbreviated one).  He said he is made up more than body parts.  It was powerful.  Prayers will focus on his salvation now.  At the end of the day, that is what counts.  He has to go through this now and ultimately get to the point that he realizes this does not fill the inner void.  Thank you!—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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                3. Plenty of room for an 11 person tent.  We want to have an over night storm dinner this summer.  If all goes well, the cabin will be built by then too.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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          4. Oh my gosh Doug!!! That is hilarious 😂 That’s great you’re getting 25!!! Most people in my neck of the woods are still terrified of Covid!!! Ghads!!! I keep telling everyone what we need is a vaccine 💉 from “fear,” and “fear of death!” They look at me like I’m 😜 crazy!!!

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            1. Well, kept the ceiling fan on all day and that helped dissipate the smell.  Speaking of Covid Vaccines, Charlie is traveling to Massachusetts for a talk there next Sunday.  The sister of the host passed away  of a pulmonary embolism that traveled to the brain 2 weeks after receiving the Covid vaccine.  I was sent this article that indicates that the spike protein can cause this.  Hence, the vaccine is a risk in this area.  So most likely, the vaccine was the route cause in her death.  Since it was 2 weeks after the vaccine,  it probably will not get counted as a vaccine death.https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/moderna-pfizer-vaccines-blood-clots-brain-inflammation-heart-attacks—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

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              2. Yikes Doug it is soooo scary!!! I heard in Charlie’s talk, (which we didn’t listen to whole thing yet since he’s doing talk here relatively soon) that worse than the virus will be the aftermath of this stupid vaccine 💉!!! I just think we all need a vaccine from fear and from fear of death!!! Very scary!!! All our friends and most loved ones are getting it!!! Very scary stuff!

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  7. Hi Charlie. I visited the National Shrine of Our Lady of Snows in September last year. It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect weather. I was praying the Stations of the Cross when a similar sized butterfly landed on my left shoulder. She stayed with me from the Fourth Station to the Sixth, but as I was walking to the Seventh and attempted to take a picture with my phone, she flew off.

    Have you gone to the Hofbräuhaus across the street?

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  9. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Clearly, we are not the first to travel down an uncertain road, and travel we will. What God ordains, will be.

    So many opportunities for learning and building up our spiritual muscles! I am on this journey with two very dear friends, one my biological sister and the other my sister in Christ. We are alike in our love for God, passion for the Bible, and unfailing conviction that God’s way is the only way.

    We stumble when we hear something that goes against OUR plans for how we want to near future to play out. Each time we stumble, we wrestle with our demons for a day or two, then we regroup, profess our belief that God is in charge, that He has our best interest at heart, and we move on.

    Each time we stumble, the recovery is shorter and shorter. We are being strengthened through this time by the mighty hand of God. We feel it, we know it, and we are grateful for the opportunity to grow in faith and trust. We are aware this chance to better ourselves would not exist if times were not so precarious.

    Personally, despite living in this most distasteful time, I often find myself filled with inexplicable joy, which can only come from Above. I feel certain God is in His Heaven, and even though little is right with the world at this particular moment, we can look forward to the day our God says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” We need only keep our eye on the Prize and we will get through this.

    I am grateful to have this little community for camaraderie and encouragement

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  10. I just called CBS network to ask them to quit pre-empting regularly scheduled shows to air that circus going on in DC. I’ve missed “Jeopardy” 2 days so far!😪

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    1. Virtually no one is watching the farce voluntarily, and so, being agenda-driven rather than monetarily-driven, and the puppet of some behemoth parent organization, CBS is forcing it upon their handful of viewers. The goal is that maybe some Jeopardy lovers will stay and suck in the garbage, but they are largely Dems anyway. That’s about as effective as Tucker continuing to suck up to what few conservatives are still watching Fox with his strong-sounding but watered-down, sarcastic, and feckless rhetoric.

      Time to toss the TV anyway. Kill the Cable. I hope we don’t regret having wasted too much of our precious mortal lives sitting passively before the Boob Tube, the Opiate for the Masses. EWTN is widely available elsewhere.

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      1. Steve– I called our local CBS affiliate initially. They said they have no control — the network pulls the programming. When Mick said they have no TV I was green with envy. I hope we have the strength to throw them out some day. Maybe it will be done for us! 🙏 But– I do love Jeopardy, and tell myself that watching it exercises my brain, which it badly needs!

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        1. I love Jeopardy too, Kim, and Wheel of Fortune. When I watch Wheel, I feel like a genius. When Jeopardy comes on, I feel like an idiot. 🤪 Quite a contrast.

          I’ve essentially been TV free since 1992 with a handful of brief exceptions. I have had roommates with TV. I watch it in hotels, I watch it at my friend’s houses. So I’m basically nearly completely up to date on what’s on, but I also know my weakness: If there is a tv around, I’ll watch it. Best keep it away from me.

          Not having a tv is also a good excuse to go to the local watering hole and drink to watch big games like the World Series, Olympics, or Stuper Bowl. 🍺 And I am guilty of watching one NFL game this year despite my protests. Still, it was a pleasure watching Tampa do what they did under the skill and leadership of Mr Brady, and the NFL didn’t make a dime off of me.

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            2. My husband and I watch shows on Brit box and Acorn. Often times during the shows they will mention quiz night down at the pub.(Trivia) Boy, am I lousy at that kind of stuff. I usually remember 2 hours later. It is a unique way of getting people together.

              There is one on Britbox we are currently watching where 3 people, (2 men are archeologist and the woman-can’t remember her exact title) go back in time to figure out how the people lived during those periods. Because they have protected so much of their history they are able to recreate various periods. One was on the mid 1800’s and the one we are presently watching is life on a farm during WW2. My goodness! How the people came together. The farmers were exempt from serving in the army because they were considered part of the army already feeding the military and the people. Their mission was to increase food production for the nation. So much of their food was imported during that time and the Germans were sinking those ships.

              I envision we will be doing the same thing with the coming collapse. The people in small communities and farms fared much better than townies. People grew/raised their food or bartered with people if they didn’t have something. They even had a pig club. Several families would agree to save their produce scraps to feed one pig between all of them to butcher and eat.

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  11. Heartwarming thoughts, Charlie. I’m a sucker for animal stories also. Your fawn story is so precious. Reminds me of one of my father’s stories of being on his property out in the “boonies”, seeing a fawn, clapping his hands so the fawn would go back to hiding. Instead the precious little thing ran up to him!
    I love hearing about all the good people you met. How wonderful when we can all find each other and maybe everyone will be converted.

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    1. Yes, Timothy, me too. In my opinion, when God created the animals, before the Fall of Adam and Eve, there was a type of pure unspoken communication existing between us. Telepathy would be a word for it. Animals fear of man only came after the Flood, there was no fear between them before that time. https://biblehub.com/nkjv/genesis/9.htm

      Folks who report having NDE’s often report that there was no need for anyone to actually speak, since their thoughts were read instantaneously. Vice versa too. This NDE has some unspoken communication, but I’ve included it here since it’s one of my favourites. Runs for 11 beautiful minutes;

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    1. My childhood home is about 10 miles from the Litchfield shrine and it is my 96 year old Mom’s favorite place to attend Sunday Mass when the weather is good!

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      2. Hah, what is it, nine degrees of separation?! My Mom is 95! She used to be “Rosie the Riveter” and worked for PTC Aerospace making airplane seats, among other things. She loved to go to that shrine on her way to work sometimes.

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  14. Charlie said: “you will be surprised by great joy in the midst of all the trials you undergo – and the depth of real fellowship with the people you help and that you accept help from.”

    It’s not a future thing. I’m already surprised at how this community is practicing this day by day. It’s a wonderful benefit of being involved here.

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      1. Aw-shucks, Littlelight. You’ve made me blush. It is my little way to share God’s love and has become a trademark, so to speak here with my ASOH family! Thank you for noticing and taking the time to mention it! ❤

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  16. Happy anniversary, Charlie. Time’s fun when you are having flies.

    Today is my miracle baby’s(30 years old)birthday. A high risk pregnancy but in a Medjugorie message the BVM said for all expectant mother’s to relax and trust. That is what I did and taadaa born on Our Lady of Lourdes feast day.

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    3. Happy birthday to your “baby,” HttP!

      P.S. Thanks for the gingersnaps; they are out of this world! That recipe is definitely a keeper. 🙂

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  18. Aaaah, the journey. Charlie, when Jean and I got married in June of 1969, on the honeymoon we opined as to whether our oldest children would reach college age before a socialist takeover. That was just over half a century ago. And here we are. She and I know it is here.

    LESSON: We’ve finally (I think) learned to take it one day at a time. That is what the Scriptures tell us do to. It is so simple, yet so hard, to take it one day at a time.

    I’m now eighty years old and I’m still working on letting the worries of the day suffice, that the worries of tomorrow will take care of themselves, if I’ll just live every day as if it were my last.

    [For anyone who may have misread my meaning above – I was not arguing for what theologians call ‘Quietism’ [i.e., God does everything and man does nothing. I must combine the Scriptural aphorisms about what to spend my time on. WORRYING IS NOT ONE OF THEM. It means to live right with God and man, and also with myself and my well-formed conscience.]

    At eighty, I’m still workin’ on it.

    All my love in Christ

    Desmond

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  19. How much of the old system do we really want back? Every time something was taken away in 2020 I usually felt “good riddance” and let’s do it better next time. Over emphasized sports, frivolous vacations, long commutes, endless after school activities, “check the box” church attendance, the late night bar scene, pressure to go to work when we really should stay home sick, etc. I don’t mean to be on my soap box but want to point out how optimistic I am to be able correct my own priorities!

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          1. I figured that out after I posted that and saw old Timothiy’s avatar was still the same with the face. thank you for your clarification.

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    3. Good greetings, Timothy,

      Agree with most of what you say.

      One thing that I kind of miss are the vacations, and I won’t call them frivolous. Because as a fine art photographer, I always prayed and discerned about where God wanted me to go and take pictures. And it wasn’t to Las Vegas or Disneyworld or Hawaii … it was mostly to places like mountains or an island or just way out in nature in the middle of nowhere at a small Bed & Breakfast Inn, so remote that there was no cell phone reception. Sometimes I would come back with awesome photos, or maybe just one good one that made the whole trip worthwhile. Other times, I would get no usable photos at all, yet it seemed that God wanted me to take that trip for other reasons besides photography … for example, to meet someone and talk with them about religion even if only for a few minutes … oh, and we sure didn’t always agree!!!

      In one case, I had a distinct feeling that I should travel while in between jobs, while I had the opportunity to do so and before Obama wrecked the country … this feeling was back in 2009. Good thing I acted on it, and one of the photos I took on that particular journey went on to be accepted in a very special Wizard of Oz festival in Chittenango, NY where author L. Frank Baum was born.

      And yeah, that said, the Lord provides good scenery to take photos of close to home as well. 🙂
      So yeah, there’s plenty of wisdom in saying “There’s no place like home.” ….. 🙂

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    6. I heartily agree. It is kind of funny in a way. We didn’t “do” a lot of those kinds of things to begin with usually from lack of funds. Now, the “in” things are what we had/have been doing along. Camping, gardening etc. Our lifestyle didn’t change much with the lockdowns/social distancing etc.of the past year.

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  20. “It is so simple, yet so hard, to take it one day at a time.”

    So true, especially with little kids around…

    Hi Desmond, there doesn’t seem to be any effective way to move forward, I guess humanity didn’t hit bottom yet or didn’t hit bottom hard enough yet hoping on the next attempt of hitting bottom will yield a different more pleasant result…

    Some of us are stuck on the question “Are we and our families going to get murdered?” Living everyday like it’s the last, doesn’t show much hope to the spouse & children…

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    2. I’m sorry for this particular question Desmond, this was one of those questions, I hoped I could dismiss as paranoia and never spend time seriouly even considerring nor asking it. I suppose this is why many people so passionately embraced & supported Trump as their hero, as to avoid & escape the grim reality ahead, and facing similar questions they would prefer to dismiss.

      My eldest son 8 years old has a hard enough time as is with just current events saying “What’s the point of doing school? We’re all doomed due to covid anyways.” I don’t have it in my heart to tell him the communists may come one day, and they might kill dad, mom, brother, sister, and him too, and he can’t deny Christ to spare his life if he wants to go to heaven…

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      1. I know the question was for Desmond but I felt called to respond. My youngest is a little older than your son. Regarding Covid, I would suggest you speak about the high survivability of the virus. Children usually have only mild symptoms and most people do get better. All people need to have hope for the future, especially children! And turn off the TV…the MSM only wants to keep instilling fear in all of us so we will be easier to be manipulated and controlled. Take him outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!
        I would never put it in his head that his family might be martyred for their political beliefs and/or religious views. Instead I would have him read books about the saints who died as martyrs. You can talk about their heroism and willingness to die for their faith. That is a safe way to help instill the right values without scaring him. Saint Maximillian Kolbe would be a great example of someone who offered his life up for a stranger! There are so many examples.
        Hope this helps! We are living in difficult times, but God is with us always. For me personally, I have always been a news junkie, but I can no longer watch it for very long. It takes away my peace so I am learning to just click the power OFF button and pick up a religious book or pray. It definitely helps!

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          1. I do too! ❤

            Dr. Kiczek, aka The Rosary Doctor, and his lovely family created Dolls from Heaven to teach our children about our great saints/Church Triumphant. I believe all of our CORAC patron saints are in featured in their collection. 🙂

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      2. Al, you and your family are continually in my prayers. Like Lynne, I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to encourage you. How each of us speaks about where we are in this Storm and what the enemy and what God is doing affects not only us, interiorly, but also our families and friends around us. Our thinking leads us in how we manage our feelings. I pray you might find someone nearby with whom you can share and listen, drawing strength as well as giving strength as we all navigate the difficulties around us.

        There is a saying that whatever we focus on, we get more of. There are so many scriptural verses of exhortation which build us up. They do NOT advocate for embracing an attitude of Pollyanna thinking or quietism. They simply offer wise counsel, for every thought affects our interior state of being and, also, health of BOTH body and mind. We all ruminate on certain thoughts. If we choose to hyper-dwell on the difficulties and awfulize with the terrible “what ifs” we place undue stress on ourselves… which spills over into our interaction with others.

        While we can’t stick our heads in the sand, we can choose that upon which we will dwell, as Philippians 4:8 advises: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

        Philippians 4:6-7 too: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

        God bless you, Al.

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      3. Hi AL, welcome.

        As a mom of 8, the oldest 30, one thing I can encourage is to remain peaceful and steadfast. We don’t have to worry about next year, next month, or next year. We just need to do the next 5 minutes. Or even the next minute. If your son is that nihilistic, perhaps he’s taking on more responsibility for his age than he should? Can you take heart from Charlie’s post and lead him to seeing and being grateful for the blessings through the day? Can you make it a part of your nightly routine?

        Prayers for you as you navigate through your days.

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      4. AL2 in the hopes of adding my voice to those above.

        I am personally prone to being swept-away by feelings, but good and bad. Another tendency is to feel bad about myself because of this tendency. I’ve come to realize, through (more than one!)Tragedies (I don’t use this term lightly) in my life, that The Lord loves me exactly where I am, and He will continue to refine me to be the me He wants me to be if I but Trust Him and always go to Him—with my good, bad and ugly. Especially The Ugly—-that is His ‘especialty. He is sculpting me to be detached from good and evil, blessing and curse, and to remain laser-focused on Him.

        I don’t think I am making any progress at all, but I am aware of my need to Try.

        To help manage my anxiety and grief, God has given me consolation in Our Lady Untier of Knots novena, the Auxllium Christanorum and Rosary. I turn over to Our Lady “every detail of every moment of all of our lives—past present and future, especially our shattered hopes and dreams and the sins that bind us” and ask Her to surrender them to Her Son, Jesus who will turn everything, nothing wasted, every bit, to His glory and Life and Love.

        I also run. Running is a great gift from the Lord. So any physical outdoor activity is so important for balance and well-being. Opportunities are not always available, but recently a kid got a puppy and two other got to start ballet lessons. Honestly none of this I could have planned, even if I wanted to.

        I am so very grateful to Our Lord and Our Lady, who has seemed to have turned EVERYTHING in our lives for my family to THRIVE even in the midst of mind-blowing tragedy and suffering.

        I Tremble, Tremble, Tremble at what the future holds if I start thinking about it at all, so I reign in my mind, and focus on DoctorDave77’s Eph 2:10 and also I love God’s promise of the plans He has for us for Life and not destruction. The Lord Knows. With His grace I will never give up. With HIs grace me/mine will live forever to sing to His Goodness and Unfathomable Mercy This is what I hang my hat on—The Lord and His Promises. It’s the only thing anywhere, ever that won’t slip.

        God bless you and yours and us, everyone!

        Liked by 10 people

      5. Hi Al,

        Hope you don’t mind my 2 cents. I have trouble staying in the present and not worrying. So, sometimes I dream about the future and what it may look like when the evil, like cancer, is cut out from our lives.

        I look forward to a simpler life. A closer community life. A better future for our children.

        This whole process we are living, as ugly as it is, is divine surgery.

        You may want to collect God Stories. Stories of how God answered your prayers. Small and large. You may want to keep a family journal to write your God stories. It can be quite fun and is so encouraging. Look back on your life and see where God answered a prayer and write it down. It will personally show God’s love in your life. And Thankfulness and joy will fill your heart.

        I intend to write down my stories and perhaps share them. And even though God has intervened greatly in my life I still get scared and that’s where “Jesus I Trust in You” comes in, along with lots of prayer. Would we be praying as much or seeking to do God’s will if everything was going well right now?

        Seek out hope filled stories. People who have overcame great obstacles. The Saints as Brianna recommended.

        I always tell my son that God put us here for a specific mission. That God wins. Remember we have more on our side: 2/3 of the angels, the Church Triumphant and Church Suffering….Blessed Mother.. and most importantly God!

        Praying for you and your family 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

        Liked by 5 people

        2. I don’t mind, I’m not able to answer everyone’s response on this topic due to time restrictions & difficulty navigating without the WordPress app, but it’s food for thought that helps more than me, and that others are too scared or ashamed to ask…

          A reply that doesn’t “fit me” may be a God-send for someone else.

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    3. Dear Al.2, Living every day as if it were my last is straight out of the Gospel. The wisdom of it is repeated over and over throughout the New Testament. It is key to being truly joyful and happy in this life with all of its trials and tribulations, and joys, of the day and moment.

      Jesus warns again and again not to worry. Can I add a hair to my head by lamenting its loss? 🙂 No!. Can I change the evil around us by wringing my hands? No! Jesus tells us again and again to live our duties of our station in life and to be joyful, thankful, and grateful in the day in which we are living.

      That is the message we should live out as a witness for our spouse and children. Be joyful in the Lord – no matter what is going on around us. That’s the positive side and motivation. Here is the negative side or explanation in Jesus’ message to live every day as if it were our last:

      1* “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. * 2* Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10* And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. 11* Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13* WATCH THEREFORE, FOR YOU KNOW NEITHER THE DAY NOR THE HOUR. [Mt. 25]

      This message is not only about the 2nd Coming of Christ. It is about how we are to approach the living out of our daily lives – for not one of us knows the hour of the coming death of our bodies – to be rejoined at the resurection.

      The worlds way of expressing this idea comes in different forms. “Don’t get caught watching the paint day”, [Do your job, your duty.] “Wake up and smell the coffee’ [the reality around you] and act appropriately.

      It all boils down to do our duty and live our life with Christian joy.

      All my love in Christ

      Desmond

      Liked by 10 people

      2. I’ll meditate on how to apply that…

        For some people, thinking they could die anytime would paralyze & demoralize them to the point that all they could do is watch the paint dry on the wall, I can see this in their response to covid & lockdowns…

        Liked by 4 people

        1. AL2, Uhuh. Jesus, even in his human intellect had full knowledge of all the mysteries the Father had sent him to reveal. [CCC 474]. I.e., Jesus knew and knows that some people when facing a death for which they sensed or knew they were not properly prepared – they might despair. WHY? CONVERSION IS REALLY HARD WORK – AND TAKES GREAT MORAL COURAGE.

          One of the toughest tasks for priests in Confession, and particularly for spiritual directors, is to lead the sinner to admit the horror of his sin to himself. Till he does that, it is virtually impossible for him to confess it to someone else.

          When faced with the reality of the possibility of death being near, the sinner who has never even begun to come to grips with their own sinfulness has a free will choice to make: He can try to play ostrich, or man-up to cooperate with God’s grace which he is receiving at that moment.

          That is where teachimg about the ‘Divine Mercy’ comes into play. Tell the person afraid of approaching death about Jesus’ teaching to St. Faustina – that the greater the sinner, the greater his or her right to ask for that Mercy of Jesus — which He grants to those willing to admit their need for it.

          That teaching has moved the soul of many a dying person to action/confessimg to themselves and then the priest the depth and breadth of their sin.

          THAT IS WHY DEVELOPING THE HABIT OF PRAYING FOR THE DYING IS TAUGHT BY THE CHURCH TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST OF THE ACTS OF SPIRITUAL CHARITY. When we do that, we directly place ourselves as co-workers with Christ in the salvation of souls. Jesus’ love for those who do this is particularly beyond measure – and befits the ‘good and faithful servant’ profile.

          All my love in Christ

          Desmond

          Liked by 6 people

    4. Hi Al

      A fantastic habit of mind is , when we feel as you do, and we all do from time to time, including many examples from Scripture…a fantastic habit to cultivate is to…

      Find sonething small and immediate right in frobt of you.
      Take the next right step and do that thing.
      You will be a very important sign of hope for your children.

      We often do not feel like it, and it us just then, when despair that we have a choice:

      Choose to exercise the virtue .

      Suggestions from my point of view if things that mattered to me as a child…
      Teach your child to cook beanS then eat them together. Roulman’s Ratios is a must have mini cookbook covering the fundanentals of cuisine. A scale, flour, water, milk eggs, butter and you have a lifetime of enjoynent feeding those you love.
      Read together…maybe a play. you can play act as a family.
      Memorize poetry together.
      Do math together.
      Find somebody in worse shape than you and do something nice for them. Gummy bears for a mom at the convenience store who cannot afford ti byy them for her son.

      All those are details, you and others have different expectations of what is the good, the beautiful and the true.

      The importabt thing is to nurtue the virtues in good times and hard times.

      God bless

      Liked by 9 people

  21. Happy Anniversary Charlie! Thank you for your ‘Yes.’ If you ever write a book about your life, I’ll be first in line!

    Love all the little miracles shared today. Joys for the journey. You are all in my prayers, and adding extras for Phillip and his wife. ~juls

    Liked by 6 people

    1. Ha Juls! While I will write many things, an autobiography will not be among them. My way has been a mystery to me, too in many ways. In an autobiography, it would be far too easy to get caught up in either justifying my errors and/or downplaying my genuine virtues. If I have an impact for the good, I will let others sort out how it came about. Otherwise, I am content to just keep plodding away, encouraging and working with the little group we have assembled together.

      Liked by 8 people

      1. But still, what an enormously fascinating undertaking.
        Wouldn’t mind hearing more details about the animal encounters.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I’d be curious to hear about the origin of the knives’/gun altercations and how you charmed your way to a peaceful resolution…
        Anyway, heartfelt congrats on the anniversary, didn’t realize it was that long ago and that long.. in miles. just wow. Continued prayers for you, Charlie.

        Liked by 5 people

        1. With the knives, I didn’t charm at all. When you walk with 70 lbs. on your back every day, you get quite strong. In both cases, I pretended it was a joke while reaching down to shift my pack (which was on the ground). I lifted it with two fingers and after shifting it, let it drop from an inch above the ground. It was obvious how much heft it had and how effortlessly I did it. In both cases, the men quickly realized I must be a lot stronger than I looked and started talking and extricating themselves from the situation.

          With the pistol, a young fellow had been watching me and followed me into the woods. I just started talking cheerily and pretended it was all academic – while praying intensely internally. After a few moments, his smug grin left when he looked over my left shoulder. His eyes widened and, in a panic, he fled the scene. I looked back over my shoulder and didn’t see anything – but said a grateful thanks.

          Liked by 13 people

          1. I still find your account of someone from the crowd launching the doll much more harrowing. Knives and guns are one thing, but the shock of a James Brown action figure flying at you is downright creepy.

            Liked by 5 people

  22. Okay, did someone mention “squirrels” ???

    On a lighter note, I just came across a video on “Squirrel Stew” … in which the Swedish Chef of Muppet Show fame shows how he does NOT possess Charlie’s good relations with wild critters in The Great Outdoors … 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

  25. That brings to mind the movie “The Straight Story” by David Lynch, only here somebody was walking in an attempt of reparation and reconciliation with God on behalf of the falling humankind.

    Liked by 3 people

  27. A great example of how we should let go and let God. During your journey you showed the results when you loose all, but still find joy in the unknown because God is the one leading you. It is really awe inspiring when Our Lord sends you a little gift to let you know he is with you and will not ever leave you. Meeting unknown people, not by chance of course, in which you received the greatest grace in which you were affected by them and they affected by you. Maybe not instantly, but they were given the seed.

    The blueprint is there for all aspects of this storm for us to make it through the battles and hardships ahead. I think your post should give all of us encouragement and fortitude to get up when we fall and keep striving, even in the most difficult and confusing environment. As long as we are heading toward the light we ought to leave it up to Our Lord.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. I remember some 74 years ago as a second year high school student at the seminary, looking at life and seeing that if we only look for the big things in life, they are too few and far between. If you learn to enjoy the little things in life, there would be much to enjoy. jas

      Liked by 10 people

  30. Thank you, Charlie! Happy, Happy Anniversary!! I just love your way of re-telling of your travels and they show us good ways how to evangelize. Looking forward to seeing your Philadelphia Talk (Cherry Hill, NJ). Beckita, your Immaculate Mary video was beautiful! I have to get caught up on the other posts, still yet. Look forward to them too! 😊

    Liked by 7 people

  31. JESUS = GOOD NEWS .. . 😉

    https://aleteia.org/2021/02/12/st-valentine-and-the-catholic-origins-of-february-14/

    https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2021/02/12/when-the-bubble-bursts/

    https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/pfizer-moderna-vaccines-long-term-chronic-illness/

    https://www.lifenews.com/2021/02/09/new-york-attorney-general-letitia-james-files-lawsuit-to-deny-pro-life-peoples-free-speech/

    https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-youtube-shuts-down-lifesites-channel-every-video-completely-gone

    https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pro-life-groups-warn-against-abortion-funding-in-covid-relief-24360

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/11/employee-trans-identifying-kids-are-cash-cows-for-planned-parenthood/

    Pastor Coverstone …. Worth a Watch!

    Go Elsie!
    https://citizenfreepress.com/breaking/elise-stefanik-calls-for-immediate-criminal-prosecution-of-governor-cuomo/

    http://www.floppingaces.net/2021/02/12/the-week-in-radical-leftism-2-12-2021/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 8 people

    1. Thank you for your tireless work as our man on the watchtower, CORAC CrewDog. I have come to enjoy reflecting and praying with Pastor Coverstone on occasion.

      An online friend recently shared video of another good and faithful Christian Minister’s short videos for prayer and pondering. This one in particular was inspiring for many, in a Romans 5:20 sense.

      Operation Redeem All | Let’s Dream a Little | Give Him 15: Daily Prayer with Dutch Jan. 31, 2021 https://youtu.be/X_m6JA8jOvY

      ❤

      Liked by 5 people

    2. CD, I agree with Jen; great contribution from you! The third link in your list is about long term chronic illness from the vaccines; another warning to all of us. God help all these gullible people rushing to get a vaccine.

      Liked by 6 people

  32. Sharing this invitation to explore the words from Heaven given to “Anne, a lay apostle.” Anne is an American woman who married an Irishman and they live and have raised their family in Ireland. All of the volumes of messages as well as the books Anne, herself, have written are stamped with her local Bishop’s Imprimatur and Nihil Obstat. Of course, given these times, some content in the volumes speaks of the changes to come… but, even more, they speak to the need for all to act as well as pray because there is work to be done NOW that will build up the Church and all peoples. What I found to be most heartening are the words of encouragement from various saints.

    So, here’s a resend of an invitation which was emailed to me from the Apostolate known as Direction for Our Times:

    Earlier this week, we announced an exciting new initiative: A Journey Through The Volumes in a Year. Over 550 people have signed up already to read or re-read The Volumes over the next ten months and we are excited to embark on this journey, beginning this Sunday, February 14th. There is still time to sign up and people are welcome to join at any point along the journey.

    If you didn’t get a chance to read the first email announcement, it’s included below. Also, please consider forwarding this email to anyone who you think might be interested in taking the journey with us!

    The Apostolate of the Returning King began with The Volumes in 2003, when Anne received the first locutions. Most of us can remember the first Volume we read, whether it was 18 years ago or much more recently, and many people mark it as a turning point in their lives.

    Regardless of when or how our individual journey with the Apostolate began, the common theme that runs through all of our stories is the life-changing, deep connection with God and the peace we received through The Volumes.

    Some of us may have a daily habit of reading little excerpts from The Volumes. For others, The Volumes may sit on our bookshelves, like an old, reliable friend when we need them. We may return to the messages frequently or simply as needed but they remain the thread that knits us together in this Apostolate.

    As we look forward into 2021, we invite you to go on a journey together, as Apostles of the Returning King, to revisit the ten Volumes over the next ten months. We have crafted a reading plan through The Volumes and we plan to read one Volume each month from February to November.

    Then, we will gather together monthly for an online Zoom event with Anne, Fr Darragh, and the DFOT team to share our experiences with the messages contained in each Volume. We have outlined the reading plan and the options for participating and you are welcome to join us for as much or as little as you like.

    Ways To Participate in “A Journey Through The Volumes In A Year”:

    Let us do the work and send you the readings each day. Sign up for the daily readings and we will email you the message each day. The daily email will include the daily reading in both text and audio options, so you can read or listen right from the email. The daily readings will begin on Sunday, February 14th, so sign up today to get started. After you sign up, the reading plan will be emailed to you.

    Sign up for the daily readings to be emailed to you here.

    Read along with your own set of Volumes. You can purchase the full set of Volumes for the discounted rate of $50 / €50 in our bookstore. The Volumes are also available for free in our online library here.

    Purchase the full set of Volumes here

    Even if you don’t want to receive the daily emails but plan on reading along, please complete this quick form here to let us know you are reading along with us and we will email you the reading plan.

    Below is a sample of the reading plan you will receive when you sign up. The reading plan begins on Sunday, February 14, 2021 and outlines the readings to do each day. With the exception of Volume One, each daily reading is anywhere from 1-6 pages. We encourage you to set aside 10 minutes a day to read the message and reflect on it briefly but we know that might not be possible, so the outline is merely a suggestion for what pages to read in a given week. You are welcome to read at your own pace but remember that the gathering will cover the Volume that we have read over the previous four weeks.
    Click here to download and print the Reading Plan PDF

    Online Monthly Gatherings

    Then, join us for our monthly gatherings, to be held on the second Saturday of every month from March to November (dates below). There is no cost or fee to participate in these monthly gatherings in the hope that as many of you can participate as possible!

    This project has been made possible through the generosity and support of our team of monthly donors. If you would like to donate to help cover the costs of running events like this, there will be an option to make a donation when you sign up for each gathering, which will be done at a later date, or alternatively you can click the donate button at the bottom of this email!

    Please note that anyone is welcome to come to these monthly gatherings, even if you are not reading The Volumes along with us!

    The first monthly gathering for Volume One will take place on Saturday, March 13, 2021.

    If there is anything that 2020 has taught us, it is our need for community during these times. The Volumes are as current as ever, with fresh graces available and truly offering direction for these times. It is our hope that this program will provide a chance for a renewed discovery of The Volumes in your life right now. We also see this as a great opportunity to invite your family, friends, or parish groups to read The Volumes perhaps for the first time.

    There is strength and grace in numbers, and we believe that the Lord will continue to bless us individually and as an Apostolate through this shared experience. If you feel isolated right now, we will be together through the reading of The Volumes and our monthly online gatherings. Whether you have been with the Apostolate from the very beginning or are brand new, we hope you will prayerfully consider joining us on this journey.

    God bless you,

    Team DFOT

    Click here to donate to this exciting new initiative!

    Direction for Our Times (DFOT) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to spreading God’s messages as revealed in the volumes.

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Wow, this gives me chills—-God is on the move! TY Beckita, so much, for this.

      I will sign up and do as much as I can—life seems to be getting increasingly joyously, scatter-brained busy for me. I am relishing every moment.

      Liked by 6 people

    4. Oh my gosh Beckita!!! I think I’d like to sign up for this and join that 🏎 zoom!!! How often Anne’s little volumes have inspired me when I’m confused or harassed by event of events!!! Her messages from heaven are always so calming! Thanks for sharing this!

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I spent most of a wonderful Saturday with Fr. Seraphim in lively conversation. I was deeply touched later (almost to tears) when some folks were dropping me off at Stockbridge to be transferred to the next coordinator. Fr. Seraphim knew I would be passing through and asked for them to let him know when I got there. He grabbed me briefly, told me he was praying for me, and gave me an envelope with some Divine Mercy materials in it. When I opened it later, it had that AND a $100 contribution. Amazing. I pray that now both St. Faustina and Fr. Seraphim are interceding for us here at CORAC.

      Liked by 13 people

      3. Charlie, Stockbridge MA is holy ground, such special, holy ground. No wonder, at least one Saint has walked there. That shrine is surely blessing our whole aching nation. Wow, just an amazing testimony. Fr. Seraphim, rest in peace, and please intercede for us.

        Liked by 8 people

      4. That is beautiful Charlie!!! Fr Seraphim has good taste in mystics! God bless him and St Faustiana and May they be whispering into the ears and hearts of Our Lord and Our Lady!🥰🥰

        Liked by 1 person

    3. Spiritdaily had the news this morning. In my a.m. prayers I asked Father Seraphim to pray for my husband’s healing from cancer. I believe Father is a Saint and will intercede for us!

      Liked by 7 people

  34. I remember, as a young boy, resting my head on my mothers knee in the pew, listening to the words of
    Pastor Sherman Eckle of the Southern Baptist church of Syracuse NY, parts this sermon have remained with me all these years. It’s the first time I ever paid attention at church, and I’ve always taken such comfort in this verse;

    Matthew 6:
    25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one [j]cubit to his [k]stature?

    28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not [l]arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

    31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

    Liked by 8 people

    2. Littlelight, some Holy Face prayers for spiritual warfare against enemies of God:
      “Eternal Father, I offer you the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ and all the other instruments of His Holy Passion, that You may put division in the camp of Your enemies, for as Your Beloved Son has said, ‘a kingdom divided against itself shall fall.’”

      “May God arise and let His enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Him flee before His Holy Face!

      May the thrice-holy Name of God overcome all their plans!

      May the Holy Name of the Living God split them up by disagreements!

      May the terrible Name of the God of Eternity stamp out all their Godlessness!”

      And my favorite of late: Virgo Potens, ora pro nobis.
      I am also praying along with you.

      Liked by 7 people

  37. JESUS = GOOD NEWS .. . 😉

    https://respectliferadio.podbean.com/e/archbishop-cordileone/

    https://www.crisismagazine.com/2021/pillar-ying-bishop-strickland

    https://www.rebelnews.com/bc_top_doc_files_to_give_police_power_to_arrest_churchgoers

    https://thefederalist.com/2021/02/12/decades-before-the-civil-war-lincoln-saw-an-approaching-storm-every-american-should-read-his-warning/

    https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-lawyers-call-out-democrat-hypocrisy-in-video-montage

    https://spectator.us/topic/biden-xi-jinping-china-america-lunch/

    https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/who-reveals-china-refused-access-raw-data-earliest-covid-cases

    It’s gonna be great watching The Usual Suspects handle this “Hot Potato”.
    Ill Duce Cumo has a powerful NY machine and he has lots of dirt on his fellow Slime but …… Under de Bus? …… get out the Popcorn!
    https://nypost.com/2021/02/12/cuomos-nursing-home-death-coverup-one-of-nys-worst-scandals-pataki/

    Speaking of NY, I just did a quick search to see if this “Mostly Peaceful” NYC Democrat Protest was covered by ABCNNBCBS ……??????
    https://nypost.com/2021/02/13/blm-protest-in-nyc-leaves-nypd-cops-injured-and-11-arrested/

    https://stream.org/category/us/
    https://newsbusters.org/
    https://townhall.com/tipsheet

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 7 people

      1. I like it too- an excerpt:
        …”For the 50 years prior, the living rooms, parlors, and public offices of our country had been teeming with the brave Americans who’d fought, struggled, and suffered to create these United States. “Nearly every American,” Lincoln recalled, “had been a participator in some of its scenes.”
        But now the generation was dying off”…
        and then he proceeds to talk about the violence.

        Liked by 4 people

        1. Funny.  It’s like that now with us and the WWII generation.  It is interesting to fathom that Lincoln actually met men that fought in the Revolutionary War.  It hits home that his era was not that far removed from that time.—- Sent from Doug’s Back Pack

          Liked by 4 people

  38. I have been getting pieces of spiritual guidance lately, a lot of it from the generosity of those who post on ASOH. So here is a small contribution of my own–my project for Lent: https://www.catholicexorcism.org/post/exorcist-diary-112-upping-your-game

    Here is a thought to get you started on this very short piece: ” Satan will use the slightest crack in our spiritual lives to get into our heads and wreak havoc.
    But there is one trait more than all that is essential…. ” (and it is not just for the exorcists; it is for us!)

    Liked by 7 people

  39. DAILY REFLECTIONS WITH
    ARCHBISHOP FULTON SHEEN
    We can hate truth and fear goodness

    Evil works in us. Love declines. And then we hesitate about changing. St. Thomas says we can hate truth and fear goodness. We can hate truth because it means a change. For that reason we often resent the truth that is told about ourselves. We rationalize what we have done. We will stay away from a doctor, lest he find cancer. We do not want to know the truth. We like to hear about social action and political-moral problems, but we’re not too keen on hearing the truth about ourselves. Truth hurts. We fear goodness because we like to keep our own standard. We have moved away from the standard of Christ to the standard of the world. We do not ask ourselves, Does this please Christ? , but, Does this please the world? So I will dress and act in such a way that I will not be separate from the world; I want to be with it. We marry this age, and we become a widow in the next one. We take on its verbiage, its fashions. This is one reason for so much instability in the church today: the sand on which we are walking is shifting. We’ve given up the rock which is Christ.

    Liked by 7 people

  40. A question for he board if I may .

    Under The Natural Law, as promulgated byThe Divine Law, I have inferred that I have authority over my self. I have never read that.

    I ask because in the past, I, thinking I was doing the right thing, chose sin thinking it was virtue I was pursuing. I do not want to make that past mistake in this instance.

    The impetus, and I type this joyfully as a great oppression has been lifted, is Fr. Ripperger’s Prayer Against Oppression on page 43 of his Deliverance Prayers.

    In that prayer he suggests parenthetically, income, finances and possessions…

    I have been praying this prayer daily for some weeks now and this morning, it occurred to me that I have authority over myself.

    It shook me a bit, for in retrospect, I have never exercised it knowingly and explicitly; passively, like a stopped clock twice a day, but never explicitly. I was never taught it.

    I asked my Gaurdian Angel, God, Jesus and Mary to search me for error in this idea and found no warning; yet the import of the moment was thick; I must choose, I must think, I must bear the consequences of the decision.

    Seeing no error in my reasoning, I prayed the prayer invoking my Authority over myself as given to me by God.

    I could feel the weights lifting and my defect if character, unknown to me is now crystal clear in hindsight.

    If I am in error, pointers to the why of it are much appreciated.

    Grace and Peace.

    P.s. a strong inference for this authority is the fact of our free will and the commesurate responsibilities
    of exercising it

    Another is our friendship with God.
    Anither is God’s Fatherhood and good, godly Fathers raise their sons for adulthood.

    Liked by 5 people

    1. I love your sharing, Timothy, as it causes us to pause and think of these things. IN addition to the prayers and teachings from Fr. Ripperger, I would have a Catechism of the Catholic Church on hand. It’s such a foundational reference for whatever aspect of spirituality you may be contemplating. There are several online sources with the full Catechism. Here’s a link to freedom of the human person as you mention free will. There’s a section on sin which begins here. And there’s so much more. 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

  41. JESUS = GOOD NEWS .. . 😉

    Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!!
    https://blog.adw.org/2021/02/two-kinds-of-love-to-celebrate-on-st-valentines-day-2/

    https://justthenews.com/nation/free-speech/states-taking-lead-counter-big-tech-assault-conservative-speech

    https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2021/02/our_united_states_navy_is_now_a_woke_institution.html

    Yup!! ….. but “Social” Violence like the below is A-OK ’cause Meanie Orange Man and his supporters are not entitled to Bill of Rights protections ….. Got It!?
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/02/entire-family-law-firm-home-siege-right-now-trump-attorney-van-der-veen-chokes-talking-vicious-assaults-democrats-video/

    Meanwhile in DC whilst US-ins have been distracted by ImpeachFarce, PuppetPrez JoeBama be “In-Action”:

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/02/china-joes-actions-date-china-help-china-hurt-america/

    https://thedailycoin.org/2021/01/25/gohmert-goes-off-biden-will-help-china-anywhere-he-can-video/

    https://aclj.org/national-security/grenell-biden-cia-nominee-bill-burns-had-my-support-until-troubling-revelations-of-his-connections-with-china-surfaced

    https://thenationalpulse.com/exclusive/harvard-shorenstein-center-ccp-ties/

    Oh! … Happy New Year China:

    https://www.wnd.com/2021/02/james-dobson-calls-biden-radical-agenda/

    GOD SAVE THE REPUBLIC & ALL HERE!

    Liked by 3 people

  42. Beckita,

    The truth will come out, right? The whole truth? About the Trump presidency, impeachment hoaxes etc.

    Obama will apologise or acknowledge and repent for his part, correct?

    And the truth about COVID 19 and the harmful vaccines will come out too?

    There are still so many asleep! How can they make a choice without all the facts/truth?

    Liked by 7 people

    1. The Scriptures tell us, Little One, that what is hidden will be revealed. Here’s Luke’s version in 12:1-3 : “In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.'” Now, how this will come about in our times is totally in God’s Hands. In these recent years Cardinal Sarah is reminding us that God, indeed, is merciful AND to receive His Mercy, we must repent. ONLY God can read each human heart. How many have been fooled to a great degree by the prolific lies? How many are arrogant and unwilling to bend the knee as we have lived in material abundance to the detriment of our souls as the evil one tempts us to selfishness and greed, to soft and lazy living?

      Nobody but nobody knows exactly what will happen. That said, God is ever ancient, ever new. And while He is always doing something new, He also allows certain patterns that repeat. Look at our first parents in the Garden. They t.r.i.e.d. to hide from the Father. Did it work? In Genesis we are told: “the eyes of both of them were opened.” What they tried to hide was clearly revealed TO THEM and then reflected back to them by Abba – so they could stop fooling themselves. This mess of a Storm is born of consequences for the sins of our era. It makes sense to me that God will clearly show us our errant ways. He’s surely been trying to do so as SO much corruption has been exposed in the culture and in the Church. Many believe in the discrete event known as the Warning or Illumination of Conscience. How will this actually look for each one of us? God knows.

      Yes, so many are yet asleep. How many are arrogantly doubling down as God has allowed the revealing process? How many are really fooled by the lies? And how many have some sort of mixture of these two possibilities? God knows. Your questions above must surely cross the minds of most of us. They remind me that we must be patient. (And it’s verrry challenging at times.) We must look for the gold in others and continue praying, as we are, for all peoples and our own patience as we wait on the Lord for the nudging of when and what to speak. He IS coming. Even now, He’s at work under the radar of what we see. And God’s Grace is ever sufficient for each of us to make a return to Him. I don’t know about you, Little One, but I certainly have had areas of my own heart which have needed converting over time. How long did He wait for me? Whose prayers were instrumental in getting me to the moments of clarity I needed to have in order to make the needed changes? James in 5:8 reminds us all: You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

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      1. This is an excellent analysis Beckita! 🙂 I feel that God (who knows all, sees all, etc.) will fully reveal all the evil/sin, and will hold unrepentant people accountable. BUT, it applies to each one of us as well. I don’t know to what extent my own personal sins have contributed to the mess that we’re in now, but I know that they have contributed, more or less. So, I need to honestly repent every day, and keep striving to stay close to God, Mama Mary, and all the Saints. 🙂 I too have told people that I have no idea exactly what will happen, or how things will (exactly) play out (and would I want to know, anyway???) I went to Confession before the afternoon Mass yesterday, and one of the things I talked about with the Priest was how I know that God is calling me to focus more fully on the present moments of each day, like with my various work projects and other duties, and helping out at home however I can. I want to continue to strive and struggle to be faithful to this, especially with Lent starting this week! 🙂 Speaking of Lent, is it just me, or does Lent take on added significance this year??? :/ Jesus himself said “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” So, I’ll keep striving to focus on TODAY. 🙂

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    2. Little one it is not taking very long for the truth about Coumo to come out. Praying for him to be able to humble himself before the Lord and confess instead of hardening his heart. Lord have mercy.

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  44. P.S. I also mentioned in Confession yesterday that it seems to me that God is wanting me to pray much for all those people out there who are suffering in so many ways, and for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. A few days ago, I happened to remotely attend a Funeral Mass from a Church in Missouri for a 42 year old man who died very suddenly in his sleep. 😦 He leaves behind his wife and four children, the oldest being 13 years! 😦 Please pray for the soul of Brian Walker, and for his family. 😦 So many people all over need so much prayer in these days, living and deceased! I feel that this is one of my own “next right steps” that God is calling me to do for others. Also, I find that when I pray for others, I focus much less on my own problems, fears, etc. as well.

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  45. SO grateful for all the hearts that gather round this space. Prayers for all of us and our families this day… especially, that God heals every wound and broken heart.

    Human love, with all its frailty and limitedness, has a great and sacred purpose. It is a mirror for the glory of God. That glory would remain hidden and unseen but for the love of Adam and Eve, even in their fall and its aftermath. It is precisely in the failures of human love that Divine Love reflects all the more – implicating Himself in the misery behind our blame games and mutual shame. He has never taken our loves lightly because from before the foundation of the world, He pondered our hearts, knew our tragedies, and delighted at the possibility of our faith and hope. Thus, He has chosen to accompany us, even as Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden, and always He is ready to make our broken efforts of love filled with life and truth. Always, He is ready to heal and restore what we have destroyed. It is in the healing and reconciliation, the humility and courage, the forgiveness and being forgiven, the mutual prayers and decision for faithfulness that our love makes space for Him to be magnified in the world anew.

    The reason that this is true pertains to the deepest truth of creation. All of creation is the handiwork of God. Summoned into existence out of nothing for no other reason than the Lord willed its goodness into being, each creature is an un-repeatable instance of the sheer wonder of His love. This divine love is always making space for the other to exist, always respecting each creature’s sphere of integrity. He does not force or coerce, but evokes and invites to a greater fullness that He yearns to share.

    Here is a great paradox: our likeness to God is in our otherness, our distinctness as creatures. It is true that the greater the likeness, the greater the union. It is also true that the closer we allow ourselves to be drawn to Him, the more fully our otherness is manifest — and this otherness that He knew before there was either time or space delights His heart. He who is totally Other delights when we become the otherness that He predestined us to become – this beautiful, wondrous otherness reflects and magnifies His Otherness, the incomprehensible splendor in ways that no other creature in the heavens or the earth can do.

    So it is with our love for one another. Our differences, although the source of agitation and requiring so much patient perseverance with one another, are precisely the most amazing part of our vocation as human beings. We are meant to become a tender solidarity of hearts, islands of humanity, living shelters in the difficult storms of life – who are crushed with sorrow at the thought of not being of one heart and mind with one another no matter the differences or trials that must be faced. We are given to one another in all our distinctness so that we might learn to love – and in this love we discover the truth of about ourselves, that secret that only God knows and that others at times glimpse for a moment. When we learn to love, to make space for one another, to receive the gift of the other for who he is and to bless him, when especially we suffer to love, bearing the misery of another to relieve his suffering and to affirm his dignity – the mystery of God Himself is reflected and magnified anew.

    ~ Anthony Lilles

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    2. I’ve been saying “Wow” a lot, aaargh. There are many “Wow’s” in this comment section.

      TY for this! Happy Valentine’s Day Beckita and Fr. Wang! Happy Valentine’s Day ASOH Squirrels and All!

      Liked by 6 people

  46. It’s been ages since I’ve commented but I’ve kept up. I’ve been more of a receiver and not so much a transmitter. In an attempt to upset that imbalance, I want to share what my wise & faithful writer/photographer/poet husband wrote on my Valentines card this year. For a little context, Our “storm” includes losing our beloved parish & ministries (where we met) due to scandal and heresy and we might lose our family home (please pray for God’s Perfect Will)

    WINTERSONG
    Overcast, midwinter,
    Days within the storm.
    Hope will be our sunlight
    Love will keep us warm.
    Rain against the window,
    Faith, our window pane.
    God, our house, our shelter.
    We in Him remain.

    Happy Valentines Day! We pray for Charlie and this community and if you could add our intentions we could use it! Today is our 22nd Wedding Anniversary! God is so good!

    Liked by 10 people

  47. Beckita, I can not even read your whole post. It hurts me. I am in undesireable circumstances. Please pray for my son Kenny, daughter Laura, grandson Thor, and me, Mary… Not a good scenerio here at all for me… I pray the rosary, do the bible thing with Fr, Mike Schmidt, pray in thoughts and what not throughout he day…am at my wits end… God help me and Mother Mary please intercede for me!

    Liked by 4 people

    1. Surely praying for you, Mary, and all your intentions. Because this is a public forum, I deleted some of the sensitive details of your situation, leaving just enough so our community will join in prayer for you and your family. May St. Joseph Terror of demons move in strong ways for you and your prayer requests. God bless you, Mary.

      Liked by 7 people

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.