***Need for a Lord

        Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. I saw that God had created us to need a perfect Lord to follow, and Christ is that one! 

***Now or Later*

         We'll all face the Lord at the end of this life. If you are super smart, you'd face him now, get your eternity all settled, and start living a carefree life. Otherwise, you'd keep living a miserable life and face an unknown future later. The choice should be clear unless ...

**Perfect State to Be In*

        Communion experience. The Lord and I are as one. I remain perfectly still, savoring my rest in him. 

***Our Biggest Enemy***

         It's our ego. Leave it unchecked and it'll destroy your soul. Starve it to death and you defeat Satan as well.

***Beautiful Faith Journey***

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus and his disciples were in a boat crossing to the other side. A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” I can see that having faith in the almighty Lord is such a beautiful and exciting thing! And we are perfect candidates for living a life of abandonment to him.

***Sign You're in Union with God

        You are in union with God when you feel completely at ease with Christ, looking forward to doing whatever will he has for you.

**Power of God's Word**

        This morning at Mass, I sensed the power of God's word. If you would listen to it with all your heart and with all your soul, it will wholly transform you anew!

*****A Most Serious Message***

         Revelation 3:16: Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. If we do not take the LORD seriously, we are being lukewarm. For example, thinking that we are good enough to get into heaven as we are, choosing to disobey some of the Church teachings we don't agree with, believing that God won't be too harsh on us, confessing your sins without genuine repentance (this is a most serious sin), lack of humility; trusting in God but slack in doing any work, not wishing to go all out for the LORD; not always meaning what you say, etc. Is all this being rather strict? No, because if you do take God seriously (are hot), your reward will be no less than eternal bliss in heaven!

**Jesus Can Save Us Because . . .

he can make us holy.

*Spiritual Rejuvenation

        Communion experience. I completely opened up to the LORD to let him eradicate all that shouldn't be in me and fill me with what should be in me to the full.

**Reason Christ Is Unwelcome*

        People turn away from Christ not because he is false or wrong, but because, on the contrary, he is the truth and the light that makes all those who dwell in darkness feel uncomfortable.

***Simple Rule to Follow*

        In today's Gospel reading from Mark 4, Jesus said to his disciples, "The measure with which you measure will be measured out to you." This is all we need to know to have God set the standards we want him to apply to us. The "power" is in our hands. So always treat others the way you would want God to treat you.

***Spiritual Joy Par Excellence***

        There is so much beautiful music I can listen to, yet I find sensing Christ's holy presence in silence a lot more satisfying and rewarding.         

**Praying to Restore Relationships*

        Many people have trouble getting along with others, be they friends or family members. To remedy this, you need to get the Lord involved. That is, you need to pray for those you don't get along with on their behalf, not viewing them as enemies. When you pray with love, you'll find yourself changing for the better too.

***Being Aware of God's Presence

         As you follow Christ, how often does your mind dwell on him? Is 60% the usual academic passing grade good enough? I do advocate seeking union with God through the Holy Eucharist for all Catholics. For once you attain union, you'll be aware of God's holy presence at all times.

***Best Tidings for Us*****

        We can never be good enough on our own to enter heaven, but Christ can make that a certainty if we believe in him. This is truly the best possible news for humankind!

***Timely Message

        I came across this video which is a 5-minute excerpt from a much longer speech given by President Donald Trump at the Arab Islamic American Summit held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May, 2017. It's a message still good and worth listening to today.

****Most Pitiful State

        I am thinking about those who do not know or have Christ. When they die, not truly knowing what awaits them, helplessly they enter the unknown. What a pitiful state!