Archive

Archive for the ‘Holiness’ Category

The Daily Grind

February 10th, 2010 No comments

Lately I’m finding it hard to keep up a daily prayer life. This evening someone asked me what my day was like and I responded with the usual get up, go to work, come home, kiss the kids, do some church thing, eat dinner, kiss the kids, go to bed….repeat. As I answered, it dawned on me that while most days I get some quiet time, it’s not enough.

I’ve been inconsistently doing the Liturgy of the Hours. I am currently on day 1, going into day 2 of a Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Cursillo weekend next week. I do have a daily prayer to God for those on my prayer list. But in all reality these are little things. If God is so important, and so valuable to my being…shouldn’t there be more?

I know some are thinking…well you are always “doing” church things and those can be prayer. Yes…but no. I still need, we all still need, personal time with Him who is King. It is the same as when my wife and I are both busy and we look at each other after a couple weeks of doing (like housework, kids, work, events, etc.) and realize our relationship has suffered because we haven’t had time to just “be” together. You know, like sit in the same room, perhaps on the same couch, without distraction or something we must accomplish. This “us” time is critical. It is what makes us “us”. It’s the marriage part. The intimacy part.

Yes, sorry men, marriage isn’t all about sex. And us Catholics do have that part down. So let’s focus on the other part…actually speaking to our wives.

Okay sorry, I’m back… Soap box is put away for now.

Anyway, the God relationship thing. Without some personal time, just He and me, my relationship with Him suffers. Ask yourself, outside of Mass, when do you spend time with Jesus? Either in Adoration, personal prayer, silence, etc.

From 12am (Friday) to 1am I have Adoration at St. Louis. I’m going to simply “be” with God. I will behold Him, the King of the Universe and instead of taking books and books, and Rosary’s, and other such stuff….I’m going to simply Behold Him for a while. I’ll have my journal and write, but mostly I just want to “be”. I want to sit on the couch with God in silence. Words aren’t necessary, and sometimes they are a distraction. He knows my heart. He knows my words. I need to SEE Him more.

I hope you have the opportunity to spend some you time with God. Put away the books, the phone, the ipod, the distractions….and just “Be.”. You’ll be surprised at how present He is, when we pay attention.

Categories: Holiness, MEN, Society, Theology

Your Kingdom is Glorious by Jackie Francois

February 2nd, 2010 No comments

 This is a great worship song.  I can’t help but pray during the refrain and the bridge.  Jackie’s entire album is filled with songs that inspire worship.  Check her out.

The verses, refrain, and the bridge are wonderfully put together.  I love the conversation that occurs throughout the song.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

Check out her website for more:  http://www.jackiefrancois.com/index.html

Also, you can download the sheet music from Spirt&Song.com here: http://spiritandsong.org/products/90007

Here  are the Lyrics:

1. A mighty King, so mocked and scorned:
To save a people, lost and torn.
No crown of jewels, no golden throne,
but through blood and tears your glory shone.
You conquered death and saved us all.
You reign forever, sov‘reign God.

Refrain
Your kingdom is glorious!
Your kingdom is glorious!
King of our hearts, and king of our lives,
your kingdom is glorious!

2. O Christ the King, now glorified,
our life you bought, our death you died.
All kings will bow, face to the floor.
You lift the lowly, exalt the poor.
You conquered death and saved us all.
You reign forever, sov‘reign God. (to Refrain)

Bridge
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom. (repeat)
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom. (repeat)
King of our lives, and king of our hearts,
your kingdom is glorious!

Categories: Holiness, Music

“Take Up Our Cross” by Curtis Stephan and Sarah Hart.

January 31st, 2010 No comments

 

In planning music for some events and Mass I came across this song.  I love it.  Thought it would be a good reflection.  Read and enjoy.

Here is the link to purchase the sheet music: http://www.spiritandsong.com/compositions/81117

Lyrics:

1. Behold the wood that bears our name;
behold the nails that hold our sin.
The tree from which salvation blooms;
the death by which we’re born again.

Refrain
We take up our cross and follow him;
we lay down our lives that we might live.
We carry the hope of Christ within;
we take up our cross and follow him.

2. We embrace the sacrifice,
and walk the path we cannot see.
The burdens of this world made light;
by blood and thorn we are redeemed. (to Refrain)

Bridge
Lift him high, lift him high;
let his name be glorified.
Lift him high, lift him high;
let his name be glorified.

Categories: Holiness, Music