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The Serenity Prayer

Intro: In this blog I'm going to have several quotes that I found in Matthew Kelly's Book "Rediscover Catholicism" because some of the things that he says about daily prayer helped me along with my faith journey and I have no intention of reinventing the wheel. Prayer is a powerful tool that we all have access to 24/7. It's not something that we should decide to use once in awhile, it's actually essential to living an authentic Christian life. In 1Thessalonians5:17, Saint Paul says to "Pray without ceasing." We most often pray when we are struggling with something (financial problems, illnesses, relationships, addictions etc.) We also pray to give thanks to God for all His blessings (family, friends, opportunities, health etc.). But what I've personally discovered, is that sometimes the hardships that we face are the blessings. Ultimately we pray because we want to find peace and clarity. God created us like that. It's no accident that when things go wrong or when things go really good, that we automatically close our eyes and take a step back in our minds and try to seek answers. Why me? Why now? Why? Prayer directly connects us to God. He hears everything. God knows the desires of our hearts even if we don't tell him. Don't forget that. Read Proverbs3:5-6, Jeremiah29:11-13 and Philippians4:6-7 :) 

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change"

Things you cannot change:

-Who your family is

-What you've done in the past 

 God doesn't want you to wallow in your past. He wants you back on the path that He planned out for life.

Things you can change: 

-EVERYTHING ELSE!

Everything else in your life, whether you like to admit it or not, are products of your free will and the choices you’ve made. God did not make you do anything that you didn’t want to do. You’ve always had a choice. Whether they were beneficial for you short term or long term, you were not forced to do anything. You might have felt like someone (or society) was pressuring you, but ultimately you are responsible. Often when hardships come, we like to blame God. Why did you let this happen? Where are you? What did I do wrong? In times like this we need to take a step back and stop pointing the finger at God.
The people you hang out with, your career, where you live, the state of your relationships with people, your physical appearance, your influence on others, your reputation, your character, and where you are headed in the future is all on you.You either said Yes or No to certain people and opportunities. If you've done something in your past that you're not proud of, the awesome thing is, is that you can fix it with God's assistance.  All that is lacking is courage and humility. What is preventing is sin. Once we are freed from sin we can lead peaceful lives. 

Matthew Kelly ("Rediscover Catholicism") Quotes: 
-"Fear has a tendency to imprison us...paralyzes the human spirit."
-"Courage is the father of every great moment and movement in history. Courage is acquired by practicing courage."
-"The measure of your life will be the measure of your courage."
-Each day is filled with unimaginable potential." 
-"Stop trying to put together a master plan for your happiness. Instead seek out the Master's plan for your life and for your happiness. Allow him to lead you, guide you, to be your companion, your friend, your coach, and your mentor. He will lead you to green pastures. He will restore your soul. And your cup will overflow."  

Personally for me, I find peace when I know I'm doing what God calls me to do. When I'm unselfish and serving others genuinely. I find peace when I pray and dialogue with God. Even telling God "I have know clue what I am doing in this situation" is a prayer in itself I've learned. God knows everything. He just wants you to admit your weaknesses (2Corinthians12:9). When you realize you need God's involvement, your faith strengthens. 

Philosophies to avoid that lead you away from peace (Found in "Rediscover Catholicism") 
-Hedonism (Doing whatever it takes to get the most Pleasure)
-Minimalism (Doing the least to get the greatest reward)
-Individualism (Looking out only for yourself)
These are empty philosophies (Colossians2:8) 
Jesus told us to take up our crosses daily.  Loving others means to do what is best for them. So if we are called to love everyone, that means we are called to serve everyone and be selfless. We can't live for ourselves. Also there is no peace in living for ourselves.

Bottom line, to achieve peace follow God's commandments (become virtuous which takes time and practice), change your habits (discipline), pray (don't give God a to-do list, instead sometimes just quiet yourself and ask God what are His plans for you), trust God and be patient.
   
-"Learn to enjoy uncertainty."

Enjoy Life! As long as you're doing what God wants you to do, you'll be alright :) 
-When you know you are doing the will of God, that alone is enough to sustain your happiness." 

 

If you're claiming to be Catholic, then be Catholic.

Awesome website to help you on your faith journey. Just go through it and learn as much as you can :)
http://www.catholicbible101.com/

Back then I said I believed, but did I really if I was making up my own rules? 
I've been reading some material about the early Church and the Church Fathers and personally I think that they would be kind of upset of how we Catholics today live out our faith so casually. Many individuals laid down their lives for the Catholic Church. All they had to do to save themselves was to simply say "No I don't believe." That's it. Really that's it. But some people today say "No I don't believe" with their actions but still want to be called Catholic. I realized awhile back that I was just like that. Living somewhat of a double-life. Are we on the same playing field as those Saints and Martyrs? If you don't understand or you have any doubts with what the Catholic Church teaches, do the research, ask someone in the faith that you trust, pray about it and you'll eventually figure out that it all makes sense. It has to. Jesus didn't leave us with an unstable Church. I forgot who said it but he said something to the effect that if you claim to be Catholic but don't agree with Her Teachings, then you're a Protestant whether you know it or not. If you're not going to take your salvation seriously, then what's the point of being Catholic? I am Catholic because I believe that Catholic Church teaches the TRUTH and was personally established by Jesus himself. Don't just be Catholic because someone tells you to be. No more Cradle Catholics, No more Cafeteria Catholics, No more Lukewarmness. What do you stand for? Think about it. You might be the only example of what a Catholic is to someone. If your lifestyle is similar to theirs and contradictory to your Faith, why would they want to believe in God. Isn't that the whole purpose of being Catholic? To know the TRUTH about God and spread it? So in essence your are leading them away from God and thus putting your salvation in jeopardy. Philippians 2:12 "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling." 
We are not like those thousands of other Christian denominations. We don't believe that "Once saved, always saved." We have to take up our crosses daily and adhere to what Jesus commanded. He didn't "suggest," He commanded.  We have a Church that's lasted 2000 years. We have the TRUTH. Discover it! It's Awesome! Although the world we live in today makes it very difficult to live an authentic Catholic lifestyle, try do it anyway. If you're claiming to be Catholic, then be Catholic.

Youtube! Another great resource :)

 


Instead of watching random things on Youtube like "Fail" videos, or catching up on highlights that you missed on regular T.V., take a break real quick and watch some of these videos to strengthen your faith. Sometimes it's hard reading dense theology or faith/spiritual books in the beginning. Take it from me, I used to use spark notes all the time lol These are speakers that I admire and I promise they will get you to be on fire about your faith. They've also written some great books that I'm currently reading. Yes I started to like reading lol Youtube another great resource! Have a great Sunday - God Bless! 



(Chris Stefanick) - "How Do We Know He Really Rose?"

http://youtu.be/lTuMvMW4HiM

(Dr. Scott Hahn) - "Paschal Sacrifice: A Heavenly Banquet for Earthly Beggars"

http://youtu.be/4ACgaIJH_0E

(Matthew Kelly) - "The Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality (Full version)"

 http://youtu.be/7cOHLTvRiNQ

 (Father Barron) - Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvissOHjmxM&feature=share&list=PL709134F0ECA43AF7

 (Catholic Answers)

 http://www.youtube.com/user/catholiccom

I promise these videos aren't boring LOL. These guys are very enthusiastic, which we all should be.  

Check these out to: #ThingsJesusNeverSaid