Just recently visited Caleruega with my family last January 15-16, 2009. I have heard so much of this place from some friends who have been there on previous visits. It’s a Dominican owned facility and Lovell booked a room for us in advance.  I was as excited as a child when I saw it after more than two hours of traveling by car. It’s located in Nasugbu, Batangas. It’s out of the way, alright, but it’s the seclusion of the place that makes it appealing. Staying overnight allowed us not just to see but to explore the place. Awesome! Beautiful! Serene! Peaceful! No words could exactly describe how I felt upon seeing the place finally after dreaming of it for quite sometime. I spent few precious minutes alone at the Chapel of Transfiguration. God is everywhere, I know, but I felt His presence more in that place that very moment. It was truly soul-uplifting. I am an avid gardener so Caleruega is a paradise for me too. I’ve taken shots all those familiar plants and flowers in the various gardens of the place. I even chanced upon a gardener planting Salvia and I felt like digging my hands at the rich earth and touching the texture of the soil. It was a disappointment though that no one is allowed to visit their Nursery. My daughter took a shot of it from above and I was envious that they have several varieties of plants in their early stages of growth. Anyway, looking at the lush gardens and the different flowers in bloom truly gave me an inspiration to overhaul my own garden at home. There is a certain fulfillment in watching things grow. It’s the renewal of life at its best. Have you ever wondered that you just have to look at the flowers all around you and see how wonderful God made everything? Feel the texture of a petal and observe the combination of colors and you’ll simply be amazed. Trekking! Loving the mountain air and feeling the caress of the cold winds on your face. What more could you ask for? The hubby, my two kids and I went trekking, going up the highest hill beyond the hanging bridge. What a sight to behold! You would really feel you are close to nature and closer to God.

RATED  MC  for Mature  Christian

Math. 11v ⁵The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. ⁶And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

I want to say right off I have had the privilege of Pastoring Churches for twenty-six years. Some small and some large by the denominations standards that I served in. Thru those years I probably have seen and heard just about anything you can imagine.  People strange and the weird,  have come my way as well as the best that you can find in this present world. I am sure that pastors, while reading this are thinking of their experiences as well. I have also heard every excuse you can imagine for not being present at the house of God when service time arrives.
Early in my pastoral ministry I would take it personally. I felt as if I were better or I did something different perhaps those not there would be in church when they had the opportunity. After a few years of experience and the council of peers who were wiser and more experienced I found it really wasn’t me, but really a myriad of reason of which, not many were to valid. I can remember finding it necessary (at least in my mind at the time) to have a weekly commentary coming usually on Sunday morning concerning those who were not there for reasons other than death and mortal illness. Complementing those there that had commitment and speaking with disdain, sometimes disguised as humor concerning those that were not.  Often “amen-ed” by those in attendance with the exception of few fearing they would be the target of such commentary in the coming weeks or months.

     After more seasoning and maturing as a Pastor, I came to the conclusion that “this is life.”   People will be gone from time to time they will go on vacation they will go on times of recreation and all that I say will make little difference.  That for the last several years of Pastoral ministry had been my personal philosophy.  It seemed to work and had kept me from being to frustrated.   However since leaving the pastorate I have given a lot of thought and consideration to the situation.   With all that said this is my opinion based on years of experience and also I might add thatI am in the  enviable position of little or nothing to lose.  You see as I am no longer pastoring at this time not one of MY members will get MAD leave.    

     I have seen over the years people who would say they were to sick or ill to attend church that seemed always be healthy enough to attend the ball games of their children and grandchildren.  To ill to make it to the house of God on Sunday and worship the one who died for them for an hour.  However, still able to make to Wal-Mart and go up and down the ilses’s shopping whether pushing a buggy or riding a scooter.  I have seen people who had bad backs and could not make attend church because the padded pews were to painful to sit in, but would sit in a chair in front of a computer for hours on end.   Then there are the nature lovers.  I too love nature, love to hunt and fish and be in the wide world of outdoors.  However I will not utter that lie,  that “I can get closer to God on the lake than I can in church”  If that is truly the case FIND ANOTHER CHURCH!   Now that may be true if you sit quietly on the lake Bible in hand reading the word of God and praying as you turn the pages.  Truthfully when I am on the lake I am casting and intently expecting the next big fish.   Then there is the hunter who speak once again of being in the woods and growing closer to God.  Quite honestly if that really happened you would make sure you were in church the next Sunday and each one after that.   With those mentioned it would be unfair to not mention those who over slept.  Really?  how is it possible that people can wake up daily to go to work at early hours yet on Sunday they just can’t seem to get out of bed to get to  church in time for an eleven o’clock service?  I would dare to say they have the  “Mc Donalds” view of their relationship with God.  You know, McDonald’s theme “You deserve a Break Today”  do you REALLY think that the God of Heaven who Gave his son Jesus to die for you thinks you need to sleep in rather than worship Him? 

    If I were a more prolific writer I could fill the pages with the lame excuses people give to cut church.  I suppose the lamest of all is they had their poor little feelings hurt and they are going to show everyone!   They are gonna stay home!  Yeah right!  I just love your depth of  commitment to the one who saved you.   Or perhaps you don’t like the way things are being run?  Well, get to church pray thru and if you still feel that way get involved and try and make change the Biblical way.   I think you may be getting the drift of how I must feel about the whole subject.  Truthfully, there are times that people are sick, in twenty-six years of Pastoring I missed 3 Sundays due to illness.  I missed 4 because of being at the denominational  General Assembly which all to often doubled as our vacation. 

    Next time you start to miss a church service why don’t you examine the truth of why your not going.  You will find out that it is most likely you lack the commitment.  If that is the case I would truly fear what is lacking in my relationship with Jesus.  I am aware the word of God tells us to “Work out our own Salvation”  but are you aware that is goes on to say do so “with fear and trembling.”    How often I have heard people make the statement “Pastor I really wanted to be there, God knows my heart!”   YOU BETTER BELIEVE HE DOES and that should scare the….. well you know what is should scare out of you  you may want to remember this scripture  Hebrew 10v 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God

Blessings

Bill

Just recently visited Caleruega with my family last January 15-16, 2009. I have heard so much of this place from some friends who have been there on previous visits. I was as excited as a child when I saw it after more than two hours of traveling by car. It’s out of the way, alright, but it’s the seclusion of the place that makes it appealing. Staying overnight allowed us not just to see but to explore the place. Awesome! Beautiful! Serene! Peaceful! No words could exactly describe how I felt upon seeing the place finally after dreaming of it for quite sometime.

I spent few precious minutes alone at the Chapel of Transfiguration. God is everywhere, I know, but I felt His presence more in that place that very moment. It was truly soul-uplifting. I am an avid gardener so Caleruega is a paradise for me too. I’ve taken shots all those familiar plants and flowers in the various gardens of the place. I even chanced upon a gardener planting Salvia and I felt like digging my hands at the rich earth and touching the texture of the soil. It was a disappointment though that no one is allowed to visit their Nursery. My daughter took a shot of it from above and I was envious that they have several varieties of plants in their early stages of growth. Anyway, looking at the lush gardens and the different flowers in bloom truly gave me an inspiration to overhaul my own garden at home. There is a certain fulfillment in watching things grow. It’s the renewal of life at its best. Have you ever wondered that you just have to look at the flowers all around you and see how wonderful God made everything? Feel the texture of a petal and observe the combination of colors and you’ll simply be amazed. Trekking! Loving the mountain air and feeling the caress of the cold winds on your face. What more could you ask for? The hubby, my two kids and I went trekking, going up the highest hill beyond the hanging bridge. What a sight to behold! You would really feel you are close to nature and closer to God.

You can check the pictures I took of the place at this site:  Welcome, Let’s Share and Be Friends

I am sure you are aware of the feelings of guilt that comes when you do something that you didn’t want to do, but do you know that you could be feeling guilty for your whole life for something that you are not even aware of??

Feelings of guilt arise as soon as you do something that violates your values; your mind sends you such feelings in order to notify you that your values are in danger, if you managed to respond to such messages by stopping such violation the guilt feelings will disappear. But, what if you didn’t respond to the feelings of guilt for years even though your mind kept sending them over and over???

When guilt gets buried in your mind

Suppose that you had a bad habit that you wanted to break for years or suppose that you always wanted to come closer to God but you didn’t manage to, then after few years of trying you decided that you won’t be able to do it and that there is no hope.

At this point your mind might not send you the same type of guilt exactly as the one that it sends you when you do something bad but instead, guilt is going to be buried in your mind in such a way that you are going to be living with it for your whole life without realizing that it’s there.

The bad emotions you feel at any moment of time are not simple and aren’t formed of just one component but instead, they are formed of different emotions that are combined together. In between the bad feelings you experience at any moment of time these feelings of accumulated guilt will also be there, thus adding to your bad mood and making it worse. So you might not know that you are feeling guilty but you will experience an increase in the intensity of your bad emotions without understanding why it is happening.

How to get over these feelings of guilt?

As long as you are ignoring those long term problems and as long as you are indifferent towards solving them your feelings of guilt will always be there, you might not be aware of them because they will always be hiding in between other emotions but defiantly you they will be contributing to your bad mood. The main reason your mind decided to bury these feelings is that you responded by saying, there is no hope, and that’s why your mind found no way but to hide them from you. But unfortunately, your mind can only hide the feelings and not the effect that results from them.

Think now of the things that you have always wanted to do in order to preserve your values but failed to do them, and decide that starting from this second you aren’t going to give up and that you will keep trying until you do them.

After doing this, the accumulated guilt will disappear leaving out less intense emotions that are much more easier in dealing with.

Throne room
- noun
chamber, usually containing a throne, used by a sovereign for audiences.

….

Preface~
“Chatting in the Throne Room” started off by me wanting to get more intimate with God in a brand new, creative way.  The traditional ways are great, but I felt like if this is a RELATIONSHIP, then it’s my responsibility to keep it growing strong & alive, as I would with any relationship.  It was time to get more personal in some little & even big ways.  Not taking away from Bible reading, worship & prayer, but doing them in a different manner. God is always doing things to surprise me, so I figured let me try some unique ways to bond with Him!  So I started text messaging my
friends every Monday with different “Refresh Challenges” I called them.  Refresh is defined as to make fresh again, stimulate, reinvigorate & make new energy.  The challenges consisted of some
type of activity to initiate intimacy with God to be done that week. Whether or not they completed the challenge was up to them.  No strings attached.  After getting some awesome responses, I decided to turn this into a book of love in action.  Notice, I did not say “devotional.”  The Word of God should be your daily source, or choice meal a.k.a. soul food, this should be more like a dessert.  I have a problem with devotionals because they do all the dissecting for you.  Now where’s the fun in that?
Beloved, I hope this book of love in action sky rockets your relationship with God.  I pray you take Him out of the box & get intimate in new, deeper ways.  I pray it stretches your character & strengthens your relationship.  I know some of these things you’ve heard before, but have you ever really committed to it? I hope you are challenged, grow closer to God & truly develop your own special relationship with Him.

Be blessed! And remember, if you’re not having your own intimate time with God, what’s the point of church & church activities?  God says He sees passed the outside & looks straight into our hearts.  He also reminds us to remember our 1st love always.  He wants quality relationship, not quantity of religion.  I have given you some, not all, of my personal examples to guide you.  Some things I do with God are just between us!

Dedication~
This book is dedicated to the King of my heart, Jesus Christ.  Lord, I truly love you, just for you.
To the pastors, leaders & members of New Life Ministries, Miami, FL who have preached the Gospel fearlessly & whose instruction, correction & love has developed me into the woman of God I am today.  Thank You! And finally to my amazing, supportive family, better half husband Kevin & my “punky punky” Sofia.

Week 1: PRAISE

Pick out 5 NEW praise words you normally wouldn’t use to worship God.  Define & meditate on them & use them!

Breathtaking~ thrillingly beautiful, remarkable, astonishing, exciting
*I chose this because that’s how He makes me feel during worship.  Sometimes I just have to be silent & I put the microphone down & cry or be still.

Devastating~ tending or threatening to devastate: a devastating fire.
*Seems like an odd choice, but this word reminds me of my fear of the Lord & how sometimes in His presence I
am devastated at how far I can be from Him.

Captivating~ to attract and hold the attention or interest of, as by beauty or excellence
*Self explanatory, He’s amazing, I think of the sky He created!

Luminous~ radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright.
*HE is the only Super Star!

Incomparable~ not being able to compare or equate
*After reading Ephesians 2, I found this word used twice….once after the word RICHES & the other after POWER.  Rock on God! Nothing compares to you!

“I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1~

Week 2: ARISE

Wake up an hour early this week & pray & worship the Lord. I know it’s a big sacrifice, but remember anything we do for Christ, is really much more of a gain isn’t it? Try at least 1 day. C’mon you can do it! He will meet you there & what a sweet time you’ll have!

“In the morning, O LORD, hear my voice. In the morning I lay my needs in front of you, and I wait.” Psalm 5:3~

Week 3: SING

Pick out your most recent favorite song & worship with all you have till it hurts!

My favorite worship song lately is “Desert Song” by Hillsong.  The musicality is sweet but melancholy to me & the lyrics are fantastically AMAZING!!!  I relate to every verse. It really touched my soul & I find myself closer to God because of it.  That song is found on the “This is Our God” album.

“Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Psalm33:3~

Week 4: WRITE

Pick out your favorite Psalm & rewrite it in your own words.

Week 5: WORSHIP

Invest in a new CD.  BUY it, don’t burn it.  Support those worship ministries because if we burn them we are stealing from God’s own people!  Enjoy the new music & be blessed!

I bought the new Group1Crew album “Ordinary Dreamers.” It’s inspired me to make “eye contact” with Jesus! What a clever analogy I love, love, LOVE it!

“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:3~

Week 6: MEMORIZE

Pick out a favorite verse.  Post it up & memorize it =)

I chose…

“Because, whatever you do, eating or drinking or anything else, everything should be done to bring glory to God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31~

Week 7: HONOR

Let us honor the 4^TH Commandment this week by taking the time to remind
our parents that they are appreciated.  First, in word then, in deed.

I sent my mommy a sweet text telling her she is “a pillar in which my life is built upon” & gave her a 30 min shoulder massage, she loves those! I sent my Daddy a heartfelt letter enclosed with new pictures of my daughter.

“Honor your father & mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 ~

Week 8: LOVE

LOVE strong this week!  Do something for a stranger & tell them it is from Jesus who loves them, not from you or your church.

Examples:

When I went to Starbucks (drive thru) I gave the cashier $5. for the person behind me. I gave him a card that says “God does provide.” These cards came from a Love campaign we had at our church.

My husband & I also double tipped a waitress & left her a card as well.

“And one of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other
commandment greater than these.” ~Mark 12:28-31

Week 9: PRAY

Create a prayer list. If you already have one, edit it.  Reflect on what God has done, thank Him & petition for your heart’s desires.

“And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it. ” John 14:13-14~

Week 10: READ

Buy a new book.

I was just blessed & transformed with “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan.  This book has cut
me to the core of my crooked character & it’s definitely changed my perception of God. It has influenced me to analyze why I do the things I do, say the things I say, love the people I love etc. So this week’s challenge is to invest in a godly book.

“A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel” Proverbs 1:5-6~

*This is an excerpt.  For the other 42 weeks you have to buy the book! Release in winter 09!

It’s important I believe to sift through the situation. How to do that? Find a quiet, spot perhaps the edge of the ocean or a pond, (be sure there are no alligators if you live in Florida! ) Or maybe a favorite woodland, one that slows your heartbeat and brings new fragrances to your nose. AND JUST SIT……sit and soak it all in. Notice nature around you, the sounds, smells, the air blowing against your cheek, the feel of grains of sand as you absently pick up the handfuls and sift them through your fingers. Breathe, slowly, in and out….deeper now. Maybe just use your senses and breath to quiet your mind from racing, from the fear of “tomorrow” that has overtaken your life. Breathe….over and over, peacefully, in silence, in trust.…and be aware of that small, tiny wisp of a thought or idea that comes to mind….God whispers He seldom shouts or lights a bush on fire, though at times He really has. Perhaps use a mantra of a favorite scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 is an awesome one, I have clung to it many, many times. And just sit…..

Once you have maintained a calm, even state….you will be able to take out a notebook you brought with you and randomly jot words, thoughts, sentences, DON’T THINK ABOUT THEM OR THE GRAMMAR….just let it flow from your pen, endless thoughts, ideas, hope, encouragement….ahhhhh yes, let the thoughts flow on your paper however they do with no criticism from your mind or distractions of the world.

Remember, the economy is really out of your control. Or is it?

You may preserve your job and not lose it like so many others by focusing on being productive, being on time, finding some challenge in your routine to find it more interesting, learn to be a bit more organized, write more “to do notes” for your self, prioritize your tasks, be grateful.

Spend some time in a library or bookstore and peruse “What Color is My Parachute” a fabulous read for those pondering how to find their God given talents and to return to a “long ago career dream” put on a back burner perhaps to maintain survival. Find out what peeks your fancy, what seems to bring you joy. Then investigate the companies who could use your talents and gifts, perk up your resume and drop one off in person or maybe two, on a daily basis. Sometimes it’s not what you know, but who you know. NETWORK. Let everyone you know you are looking for a career change….this is a perfect time to do it, isn’t it?

I have learned within the past 13 years, “every time God closes a door, He opens a window” of opportunity. I have the choice of setting my fear aside, because fear really is the opposite of love and if I cave to fearful thoughts what I am really saying to Him, my God, is I don’t love you, I don’t trust You, and for me that’s simply not true.

Review your spending habits. Are you accustomed to living beyond your means? Using plastic? Satisfying your cravings for “stuff”? Well, I’ve got news for you….have you ever seen a funeral hearse pulling a U-Haul into a cemetary when your time comes to go home? NO? Then change your thoughts to those who have survived with much less, the victims of storms, fires, losing all their possessions and be grateful.

Reassess all you know about you, start to notice the homeless on the streets, the elderly alone and struggling. Find your niche that pings at your heart and do a random act of kindness with whatever you have to give and share, whether words, a smile, food, a blanket….be creative. Give some time to help another human being, just because. And be grateful.

Over 2 years ago when I still lived in Northern Michigan I experienced the loss of jobs, being out of work for over 18 months, giving away all I had and packing what I could, basically the clothes on my back and drove to Florida. I realized because I assessed and looked about, the economy wasn’t good then. I experienced sharing my daughters couch for 3 months, renting a room for almost what I would pay in apartment rent, moved two more times, worked for temp agencies and for short term assignments. Survived major surgery which led to the loss of yet another job, found a job and was fired, and finally found my position now which is part time permanent with no benefits…..and I still have my faith, my joy and my bliss. Each challenge brought me closer to God, I finally was baptized and gave my heart to Him at a very seasoned age….I had nothing to lose and so much to gain.

He’s walked with me, guided me, protected me and wrapped His arms around me and carried me when I could walk no further. It breaks my heart that in a country founded on Trust in God, we are slinking further away from Him. We all need Him, whether in a great degree or in everyday contented living. Jesus loves us and gave His life for us.…that’s really huge. And now, it’s my turn to give back to Him for the blessings I have endured through each crisis.….by helping another. It might even be you.

So, now, each day I make time to sit a while and think….to chat with my Higher Power whom I call God.…soak in the free gifts I was so often too busy to notice and allow His peace and hope wash over me like a gentle rain of spring. This economic crisis too will pass and it’s your choice whether you will be a better person because of it or whether you choose to be immobile and walk in fear of situations you cannot control. It’s up to you. You can accept the state of the economy and you can do things about it….you just need to sit awhile and think….rest….pray and be grateful.

“The body of the son of the widow of Naim was being carried out for burial, (Lk 7:12) and the body of the dead Lazarus was already stinking in the grave, (Jn 11:39) but Our Lord could still call both to rise from the dead. Have hope and humbly repent of your sins; Our Lord will raise you up also.“

The first minutes of 2009 were a bit different from what we used to do the previous years.

We had our toast of barley grass, the very healthy green drink, instead of the usual champagne. Then we played chess and other board games with my friends. It was really nice – no TV, no boredom… You need to have such crazy people around you to be able to welcome the New Year like this.

Then I was thinking about my resolutions. Are they any necessary at all? To say, that I would like to save a certain amount of money, achieve some results in sports and my overall fitness, that I would like to improve my approach to work and other commitments I have, that I would like to start some things I’ve done never before…

But is this list of things really necessary? As what I believe is important, will probably be not included in it. How would I set goals in getting closer to God? Are there any tresholds on the road towards Him? Is it the lenght of my prayers, the truthfulness of my smile or my generosity to friends? How can I measure them, anyway?

And, how can I improve them at all? Is it in my power to get closer to God? And where would I find Him? How do I know which direction is the right one?

Only He himself can reach out and bring me closer – only if I let Him do so, using my free will.

So Lord, please, help me rise with You, let me get a bit closer to You, not just in a year, but now and every single moment so that I can grow in Your Presence.

Do you feel that your heart is unclean, that you are not filled with the love and the good of God, do you feel that yourh heart doesn’t belong to God , and is just full evil thoughts or sad and hopless feelings or filled with disbeliefes and doubts. , i feel that  of my heart is having many of this. ok let’s face it. so what should i do in this case ,what i am supposed to do , what are you supposed to do in this situation, who can help.

actually i have found the help, please read the following verse

from 2 corinthians 6

Do Not Be Yoked With Unbelievers

 14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 
 17“Therefore come out from them
      and be separate, says the Lord.
   Touch no unclean thing,
      and I will receive you.”
 18“I will be a Father to you,
      and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

—–

Did you notice the following line “For we are the temple of the living God”, Does God loves us that much that we are his temple. yeah we are, we are the temple of God, yes believe it,, but how can be the temple of God which is me can be fulled of all this evils, how can i be the temple of God while i am this way ??, those questions are in my mind, so as they are in yours..

check the following verse from matthew 21

Jesus at the Temple

 12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it a ‘den of robbers.’

 14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

 16“Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.
      ”Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,
   ” ‘From the lips of children and infants
      you have ordained praise’?”

 17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

——————–

Did you notice what happened ? Jesus came back to his temple, his house, found it full of every bad thing but prayer he drove them out, the robbers, and then the blind and the lame came to him and he healed him, God is telling me, and telling you, You are my temple Don’t worry, if your heart of full of bad thoughts, evils, doubts, those are robbers, those are stealing your heart, you are my temple not yours, pray to me, pray that I come and drive all of them away, you are my temple, when i come to drive them away , don’t close your hearts door, and let me out, i need to enter the temple, i need to enter your heart, and don’t worry i will drive them away i will make your heart a house of prayer, all the broken legs, all the blindness you are having , are going to be healed, i will heal every lame part of your heart, i will give you sight, just when i come to enter your heart, my temple, let me in, i know you will feel it, pray that you hear me when i come, pray that you let me in, and don’t worry son i will drive them away

2 corinthians 6:16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 
 17“Therefore come out from them
      and be separate, says the Lord.
   Touch no unclean thing,
      and I will receive you.”
 18“I will be a Father to you,
      and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”.

—-

truely and honestly this is what God is telling me and telling you, he is telling us fight as much as you can ,separate yourselves from the darkness, from the idols in our hearts, and have faith , he will come and drive the robbers away, he will heal every lame and blind part in our hearts, in our souls, God will be in us,  18“I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”, Don’t close your heart when you hear God’s coming, God is giving you hope, his words are rightous, believe him , believe him when he said  in revelations 3:20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. “.

have hope  brothers, have faith, God is near. he loves us that much that he wants and he is willing to bring us back to him , to let us be his temple, to live in us. pray ,pray and pray, that he comes and live in us. and don’t be afraid ,God said in john 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

God bless.

Remembering Sister Emily

February 4, 2007, Sister Emily Hurter, an absolute delight, will celebrate her 100th birthday. Benedictines, students, family and friends will join Sister with wonderful festivities by sharing fascinating memories. I asked sister if I could interview her. Sister with her engaging sense of humor asked, “What will you do with the interview?”

“I’ll share it with all our parents in preparation for the celebration,” I explained.

“What if I die before February 4?” she asked.

“Just don’t,” I responded.

Barbara Hurter was the daughter of John Lewis and Maud Hurter. The family lived in Ochiltree County, Texas where Barbara was born in a home, half of which was a dug-out. She had eight brothers and sisters and loving parents who were dedicated, skilled farmers. Barbara’s father was able to purchase an abandoned one room schoolhouse, attach it to the dug out, and convert it into a kitchen. When Barbara was five years old when a prairie fire burned their home down.

She and her sisters enjoyed attending a two-room school house in Huntoon, Texas. Barbara attended high school in Perryton, Texas while she lived with her sister, Inez, and cared for her sister’s new baby.

Barbara and her sister, Vivian, attended Catholic College in Guthrie OK. While attending school, Barbara felt God calling her to the religious life and she was filled with the desire to be a sister. She wrote her mother that she wanted to enter the convent. Little did Barbara know that her sister Vivian had written her parents the same thing! Barbara’s mom told them to come home for a few weeks and visit about their future.

Eventually, they both entered the convent and not too long after this, two of their sisters, joined them. Sister made perpetual vows in 1931. The four sisters from the Hurter home were: Sister Emily, Sister Bernadette, Sister Mary Ellen and Sister Isabelle.

Sister Emily remembers World War I as frightening. Her brothers were too young to serve; however, they really wanted to fight for their country.

Sister was both teacher and principal in Catholic Schools for 55 years. Her teaching brought her all over Oklahoma: St. Mary’s in Guthrie, St. Francis Xavier in Tulsa, St. Joseph Orphanage in Bethany, Marquette in Tulsa, St. Michael’s in Henryetta, St. John’s in McAlester and Monte Cassino in Tulsa.
A splendid Monte Cassino math teacher, Sister Emily is quoted as saying, “No one can get very far in life without math!” Students recall that no one taught math like Sister Emily. She was kind, gentle and deeply caring about each student. If an eighth grader didn’t learn math one way, she taught it another. Spending time before, after or weekends with youngsters and mathematics was part of her mission. Eventually every student was a star!

Sister Emily remembers one youngster, now Sister Agatha, as volunteering to clean erasers for her. “Clap them together, not on the building,” Sister Emily would admonish. Today both sisters laugh at a “clapping eraser” duty which has vanished from many schools. Former students, nieces, nephews and long-time friends enjoy visiting with this dear sister who comes to prayers and meals daily and entertains her Benedictine Sisters royally!

When asked about her life as a Benedictine, Sister Emily considered, “Being a sister has surely brought me closer to God.” “Now, Sister Agatha, that’s my statement, don’t you go using it!” Sister Emily teased with a glint in her eye!

“What advice would you give to others?” I asked.

“Do all things for God and everything else will fall into place,” she reflected. Sister says this with faith because this is exactly how she lives her life.