Christian and Catholic means Love and Family

DECEMBER 19 Thursday of the Third Week: JUDGES 13:2-7, 24-25A • LUKE 1:5-25

Emerge into Growth.

"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit." LUKE 1:25

I explained, was that I didn't have anything of value to share with the world until I had the life experience needed. We want to feast on all the fruits of life immediately, forgetting that most of life is about growth, not harvest. And growth takes time. 

Even Jesus needed thirty years to grow before it was his time to share. Such is the way of God's creation. And our fruits won't ripen until we realize they are not rewards to be indulged, they are gifts to be shared. For the sake of convenience, we give Advent four weeks, but in reality, it often takes years or even a lifetime. Are we willing to accept this? Christmas will come to us in less than a week, but Christ won't come to life within us and through us until we are ready to share his love freely and bountifully with others. 

DAILY PRACTICE: Recall who you were ten years ago, twenty years ago, How have you grown and changed? How has your growth affected the way you treat others? Identify someone who has been instrumental in your personal growth. Reach out and thank them, even if they have since died. 

ADVENT PRAYER: O Infinite Sower, you have planted so many seeds of love, joy, and mercy within me. Thank you for watering them during my droughts and for shining your warm light on them in my darkness. Thank you for your nurturing patience. May they bear fruits that feed your people.

I Thank You Jesus Christ for Creating The Way of Your Word!  This note above is my advent reading from TwentyThird Publications, another booklet that they send to me every year now since I bought dozen Lent booklets.

12:46:11 12/24/24

Today's reading was really focused too as posted here: 

I woke up with another dream. This time, I just hit record on my phone, since these transcriptions are getting more accurate, for a quick cut and paste into the blogs . . . . Instead of struggling to get the text to print out correctly by speaking into the blogs.

 

This time in my dream, Kim took me to a different dance floor in Andro's. So it's part of USF again, but it's back behind the Andros Area; back there in the corner somewhere. And uh it’s another big, beautiful place. It's incredible of course, and they have all this equipment that they haven't put together yet, but they want Marriott to run it, which is what they've been trying to do for years. It's trying to get the hotel to take care of all their food service, so they get some quality food in there. Or more likely, make more money or whatever the hell it is. Yea, they still got Marriott out doing the catering anyway, so to have Marriott out there doing it all, it just makes it easier. 

So it's interesting because what were we there for? It was funny because we were there for some other reason and she realized; oh wow we were driving somewhere passing through. We paid some cash for something and they owed me some change back. So they said oh, you got to have a meal anyway, and we were like, okay, so we went around back to get a “free” meal. All kinds of people around setting up the place. It's a big dance place, and a big deal someone was in it already. That's interesting. Something interesting for me to be back dreaming about at USF and dancing again . . . . . . . 

What about this surprised you.

I guess, it's that I've seen similar dreams like this several times before. I wonder if it is just a context that I feel comfortable with or something. I know I've been getting a lot repeated to me from different classes, and different sources at church and home. Usually this would mean I'm getting closer to a new realization, experience or understanding. Or should I say, it’s clear I am being prepared for something. Like look at these two logo's where the medieval soldier or knight was around me in high school and is again now when i am teaching in college. What's really weird is that between these schools and logo's I was at are back to USF again. Another school, USF with a logo of the Bull, which really always has been something that represented me and my life. My whole life I have been the Bull in the China Shop, knowing my place was to do something that no one else could do. The big Bull that even the two knights would be afraid of.

What else did you feel about this.

I guess, I was able to speak to my son Christopher again, who was happy to admit I “share-too-much” all the time. We talked about a lot of things, so our conversations could have easily put the ideas about USF back into my heart. I was really happy to talk with him, as it was for over an hour.  He was in his office “catching up” as evidently he’s been doing a lot more directing others, checking, and supervising things. I Asked if he had been pulled back into teaching, since the couple he works for are both teachers. He has done a few student project reviews, and was called back to teach the first year or so, but not in a while. Clearly he is enjoying himself.

I was very clear about the Grape is Ripe at age 33. And he was clear his experience and understanding is not in agreement with me. He reminded me that it would be 10 years with Claudia this May. They have always celebrated their anniversary on my birthday.  This year it’s ten years, and he’ll be 33 on his birthday May 3rd. Then they will be getting married 10/10/2025. . . Wow, birth 5/3, twice 5 at 5/15, then double twice 5 at 10/10 married.  I mean, it’s a lot of power and focus on simple numbers and days, years, months. . . Again representing something beyond us.

He hasn’t decided about his wedding invitation list, or at least is not ready to tell me he doesn’t want me there. I expect that, as no one wants to confront Paul, and they know I will confront him, if he forces it.  It was kinda weird as we spoke a bit about Jesus, which he also wants to avoid, not interested in my perspective, which he clearly disagrees with. 

Evidently, it’s a sour spot. As is also our memory about Colleen. We seem to have discussed some “fault” for the ten-years I missed in his life.  I’m sure I told them about the lies to the judges, where I simply decided if “they were old enough to lie”, then “they were old enough to suffer the consequences.” Course I’m sure they were convinced they never lied, not taking any responsibility, as they were both clearly terrified. Claiming they were terrified of “being with me” might have been real, since admitting any other emotions regarding me, really meant a beating, no food, or worse from Paul. So they were certainly terrified of the consequences . . . Which really was not my doing. Though it seems Chris is convinced I need to accept more responsibility his experience. I wonder if we will talk more, or I’m sure we will sooner or later.

What more do you feel here?

I . . Know it's more about Spirit, as all these points to important things I've highlighted above,  all critical points for my kids to grow and learn from the anxiety as they have to own this history they have lost…. I always knew Emily was very close to Jesus and His Mother Mary, because of my own mother Ely Maria. And since Emily Maria and Christopher Allen had virtually the same experiences, I thought it was clear they had the same beliefs and convictions to Christ. Then as I spoke with my son, just before Christmas and he was clear it was not his belief.  I admitted how surprised I was with his challenging me with the e=mc2 concepts and then his I4 Accident. Once again, I got the distinct impression there was a lot more here that he's not shared with his sister, or maybe not shared with anyone else. Course, I wonder now how much he's been real about it to himself. Just like I saw the monster and challenges that came to them when I left, I knew much of what I did and shared would be beaten out of them. . . And all memory of me would be twisted.

Course, every attempt was made to beat Jesus (and deep Spirituality) all out of me as well. And I grew up being overdosed with sugars, junk food, drugs, and alcohol . . . Much more of the foods I had were real, and my mother was more connected to the truth than I could ever be. I guess that's why Emily is still so clear and strong in Spirit, but I never knew my son was not there with her.

What else?

I know Christmas with just You, Your Word, Your lessons and only You has been as powerful as ever. I did get to dinner Christmas Eve and made a big pot of sweet potatoes to share. We then went to midnight mass at St. Raphael Catholic Church. And since then I have been staying in bed to write, share, and grow doing my Blog, SEEL Lessons, Marian Consecration, Exodus and JoyFM Podcasts. Several times this season I have been able to speak and share with my Church Fraternity Brothers. I have even been invited to join another group of men my own age, who meet to pray after Church on Friday mornings.

I have shared several times how blessed I've been with this Catholic Church. I started Lent with visions from my mom. This commitment began with the daily readings, then daily Mass, the Prayerline and the morning podcasts of Family Focus, and Charlie Stanley. . . . Which has brought me so much power and focus in my growth and understanding. . . Yes the Daily readings linked above are current now, while back then when i started Lent, the daily readings were a lent guide, then Exodus, St John, St Mary, Advent and Lent again . . . 

What do you need to add now? The power of this perfect timing and experiences as you have added such simple ideas as discovering a big mangrove added to your planting. Something so simple has such a powerful effect on you, as you see and accept all the other things that show up for you in this experience. 

I see so much stepping into my place and experience . . . Serving the poverty of Love in People as we have a lost culture. Listening to the Fr. Michael 33daystomorningglory.com Q1: Ask for Mary to remind me again now discerning in prayer . . .  What is my greatest priority for me now to share and write as this goal for me to be and share more

What are you doing now? To remember Jesus in every second has become second nature for you. You can hear all the plants and animal around you too. So now your Joy is everywhere around you. This experience you are sharing is about more Love. Reaching out and helping others . . . It’s about loving others, touching them . . . The poverty of loneliness is sharing how much your vibration changed now as you got the keyboard to write now with us.

Q1 Was about Calling to Mary instead, and Q2 What would we ask for? I had the experience of walking up to the fridge to add milk to my heated coffee and asking Mary, instead of my constant “I Love You Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Thank You Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I Love You Dear Lord Jesus Christ,”. . . When I noticed and said “Mary Protect me” instead, it was like a big flood of Love and Ladies, feeling my Mom, Joyce, , , Joni, Dawn, Angels, Jesus, , , like a flood of water, stepping into a big wave, always feeling the message as Mary/Mother being a true love smothering me that moment. Ready to bring me into the Peace and Joy, like I seek to share every moment here with you.. 

Yes, I literally began speaking my ever present: jjj’ ttt’ ==> “I Love You Dear Lord Jesus Christ,Thank You Dear Lord Jesus Christ,” “ “ “ and then stopped to say “Mother Mary.” As I am doing now again, writing these words in Prayer with Jesus. I suddenly see and feel this wave of love over me . . . Yes Mom Mary Maria and I feel another level of Spirit Joy and Peace in my space . . . With each word I type and edit easier than ever with this new keyboard and iPad on my bed, with only Jesus!

Mary’s maternal mediation. This motherly mediation is the key that unlocks the whole theology of Marian consecration. And now that we have this key, we’re ready to learn exactly what John Paul means by Marian consecration, or as he usually refers to it, “Marian entrustment.”

So the next Question on Day 26, Q3: What personal message might Jesus have for Mary, how could this be for all of us? Seems like is why she has shown up around the world to different Saints. Q4: Mother mediation Spirit and Glory in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist means so much more now. And I remember the awesome statue I saw as I closed the fridge downstairs asking Mary for guidance . . . It was left-over from one of Leslie’s estate sales, as it has a chipped corner so no one bought it. And it was the first thing I saw after I realized the sensation of the waterly flood of love, stepping into it before me. . . 

What did you flash to now?

I felt how important it was to share this with Leslie. I need to invite her to the GRIEF meeting at my church . . . I have invited her to the next Chaplet Meeting at Lisette’s already. I think she might come to church with me. Though now I flash to everyone seeing us as a “couple” and Leslie wants to come every day after . . . lol . . . 

What’s wrong with that? Do you see how healing that could be for everyone. You have spoken before about healing. Creating your own Golden Milk, and have everything for anointing oils, and making all types of delightful organic foods that you are desperate to share with others. 

I know . . D27 how does Mary care, DAY27:Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary. Prepare me to entrust myself completely to Mary so she can bring me closer to Christ.  Q1:How can you invite Mary into more; it is all in the heart of love, whatelse could I ask for. Adding her name clearly to my daily prayers will be easy! Q2:What can Joseph and Mary bring about Jesus, seems odd to ask His Parents for insights while He is always Listening. What’s interesting to consider now, is that I started to paint and only got the words out: Jesus, Mary, & Joseph knowing there is so much more to come. . .   Q3:Mary lives here, and I see the statues, as I experienced her wave of love engulfing me.  Q4: Expressed easily in Caring for every mother I meet, loving each tree and each animal as her children . . . as Mothers Mary are with me constantly, excited to hear our requests. Bringing my Mother and Love of nature and creation deeper into my heart and experience now. 

What a wonderful way to spend your Christmas Holy Days exploring this with us and sharing all that has come to you through this. It’s really wonderful that you are working in your gardens and taking a bleak for the sunshine and feeding the birds.

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 I have this already in the PDF   . . DAY28: Come, Holy Spirit, living in Mary. Draw me in, with, and through Mary to the Fountain of Love and Mercy. Q1: Where would I dedicate, everywhere! so much is here already. It’s so funny they ask this after my experience earlier with seeing her statue before me, just as I said her name. Q2: Limits with divine mercy, always know peace! Always asking for peace and joy, as God has no limits to his glory coming to us. It’s always about faith, and knowing we are growing and evolving no mater what happens. Funny, I recognize a real limit that I’m protected. Death is beyond me, I can’t even break a bone, lol. Though I’ve cracked a few!  And death can’t reach me as long as I have so much to do still, though I’m still clueless what that means!

Q3: GRATEFULLY asking Mary to bring me to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It's neat to consider this as I have a statue of mother Mary and Jesus with their sacred hearts just above my head here in my bedroom. Yes, that a jade plant between them and a oil painting of a beach sunset behind them… Q4: what questions do we have about prayer life, missions, mercy, staying focused etc… I’m so blessed to know how much a blessing I have with Spirit all the time. Like I said before the idea of praying to my Mother Mary comes so easily after growing up in the woods.

What is happening here is that you are stepping more powerfully into your own place. When you speak about growing up in the woods, you have always joked about it. But stop and consider your day today. You started off with planting a big plant that had washed-up next to your mangroves. It had been there a while, but you needed your truck, so you drove into church today. You loaded your truck with garden tools and stopped at the mangrove before dawn. 

Then you asked the plant where it wanted to go, and even noticed this space would impact some sea grasses that were there. And you pulled out the grasses and listened to there direction to restore them. You actually listened for every shovel-full. You listened about moving the bricks and followed their direction, where to put bricks, and where to put the sand. Then you greeted the crabs and apologized for disturbing their homes. Saying the new space world be better for all. Stop and consider how much time and focus you shared in such a simple task. Do you see how powerful this experience was for you? 

You made it to church on time and even walked into Father Curtis. It was ideal as you were able to get permission to move more of his plants and get more insight in his needs… it opened the door for you both to share more. Then you trimmed a tree by his doorway and spoke with him more after church about his own desires and priorities. Then you listened to each plant you touched and mode sure they each were taken care of. You even pulled herbs from the grass to plant with the others.

It was brilliant to reach out to the other garden ladies too, so you didn't do too much without them. You watered, you fixed, and you arranged. So now you are ready for your next class. When you got home you started to prepare more plants they want. Then you cleared and replanted more yourself too. And then you saw the birds chirping at you and decided it was time to enjoy the sunshine and time in your hammock. Look at these pictures you have and remember the first blue jay came right up to you when you brought out nuts to share.

The love and experience you share with life all around you is the work of Mother Mary, who you shared and loved as Mother Nature in the woods. Your deep love and respect that you have for Her is to much more than you realize… and sets you apart in all that you do.

I get it. I remember chirping at the birds and how much fun I had trying to get good pictures. It's funny as I remember how I'm always praying and asking for directions about how I do anything. Setting up the pots and watering, listening and learning, which plants to cut and plant together. Just knowing and feeling what is best on ideal in the space.

And again now, as I stop to record a video of my complete experience of bliss. Here you can see my boots swinging back and forth to bring me in and out of the sunshine. I have this experience of bliss all the time and to stop and show it is wonderful, even as you can see more peanuts on the white granite block I have on the blue plant pot over my right shoulder Yes, I still get the feeling that you are always asking me to do more. And if you noticed, I'm just doing more and more, instead of asking questions, or trying to figure things out.

What we need is for you to trust and continue with everything exactly as you have planned. The opportunities and relationships for getting things done is getting easier and easier, trust and move forward in peace and joy.

Thanks you Dear Mother Mary, I Love You Dearest Loving Lord Jesus Christ.