One thing I know for sure, Our Lord has big plans for my husband Jay and me. The people he has surrounded us with, quite frankly, blow my mind. Good people trying to make a positive change in the world . . . some on a smaller scale within their own family or community. And, some on a larger scale, aiming to make the world a more compassionate, humane and positive place. I see friends dealing with tragedy and/or health issues accepting outcomes as His Will so beautifully . . . I draw strength from them easing any issues coming my way. I see our daughters striving to live their lives for Christ to the best of their ability . . . by loving their husbands/children, boyfriend, dogs, and those they work with. Then we have those on the larger scale making an impact. Shane Jeremy James and his World Movement - Actions of Compassion (AOC). This young man is working non-stop to help ease the difficulties we all encounter on a daily basis. It's about serving others, not self-serving. It's about focusing on the needs of others . . . whether it is a smile, a meal, or a cup of coffee, he encourages us to make a difference no matter how big or how small . . . just do something compassionate. Then there is Anthony and Rachel Amos (and their three beautiful children!). This amazing Aussie family is preparing to travel the U.S. for 18 months, visiting 50 states, with 30,000 miles routed in an RV. As dog lovers, they're passionate about the well-being of dogs and want to raise awareness of the numerous benefits of animal adoption. Their goal is to raise $1 million for animal shelters and bathe 25,000 dogs while teaching their children about our beautiful country, the USA, and the value of giving back. The Bathe To Save tour begins mid-July. Jay and I feel so blessed to know these incredible people and we love them dearly. Please keep both AOC and the Bathe to Save tour in your prayers! And, if you see or hear about either of them coming to your home town, step up and be a part of changing this beautiful world our Good Lord created!
Todays Gospel (Luke 1:5-17) is all about grasping your calling in both hands with joy, despite challenges that lay ahead:
In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. John will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn their hearts toward their children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”
In Heaven Speaks About Stress, St. Padre Pio has some good advice when you are feeling called:
"Concentrate not on how others are loving you or not loving you. Jesus loves you enough for everyone on the planet with you at any given time. Concentrate on how Jesus is able to flow His love through you to others. This is the Renewal. This is the process of the Second Coming which has begun. Jesus returns to the earth through each one of His beloved apostles. If you are thinking that perhaps you are not called to be His apostle, let me clear that up immediately and state, with all certainty, that Jesus is calling you. You are called. You must answer. Follow Him and you will find your stress fading away, even in the greatest of trials and temptations."
Lay apostles, what is your calling? A nurse, a physician, a mother, a father, a dog washer, a social media guru, or a franchise owner to name a small few? Think about who you serve. Are you changing lives for the better? Is it for selfish reasons or because you genuinely care about God's creations? Become a part of AOC or the Bathe to Save tour. Click on the links above and support these beautiful people. And, have some fun doing it!
Thank you, Lord, for Shane, Anthony, Rachel, Isabella, Austin, and Aria. Please bless their callings and surround them with graces needed to change the world! And thank You for the great blessing of my husband Jay who is by my side and supportive in everything I do!
God bless,
Bonnie
Todays Gospel (Luke 1:5-17) is all about grasping your calling in both hands with joy, despite challenges that lay ahead:
In the days of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah of the priestly division of Abijah; his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren and both were advanced in years. Once when he was serving as priest in his division’s turn before God, according to the practice of the priestly service, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense. Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside at the hour of the incense offering, the angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall name him John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. John will drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb, and he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn their hearts toward their children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people fit for the Lord.”
In Heaven Speaks About Stress, St. Padre Pio has some good advice when you are feeling called:
"Concentrate not on how others are loving you or not loving you. Jesus loves you enough for everyone on the planet with you at any given time. Concentrate on how Jesus is able to flow His love through you to others. This is the Renewal. This is the process of the Second Coming which has begun. Jesus returns to the earth through each one of His beloved apostles. If you are thinking that perhaps you are not called to be His apostle, let me clear that up immediately and state, with all certainty, that Jesus is calling you. You are called. You must answer. Follow Him and you will find your stress fading away, even in the greatest of trials and temptations."
Lay apostles, what is your calling? A nurse, a physician, a mother, a father, a dog washer, a social media guru, or a franchise owner to name a small few? Think about who you serve. Are you changing lives for the better? Is it for selfish reasons or because you genuinely care about God's creations? Become a part of AOC or the Bathe to Save tour. Click on the links above and support these beautiful people. And, have some fun doing it!
Thank you, Lord, for Shane, Anthony, Rachel, Isabella, Austin, and Aria. Please bless their callings and surround them with graces needed to change the world! And thank You for the great blessing of my husband Jay who is by my side and supportive in everything I do!
God bless,
Bonnie
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