Theresa's thoughts too!

College teaches us a lot - academics and a lot more. I didn't expect to learn much about my faith - but God had other plans. College made me realize just how privileged we are as Christians – we have literally been given God’s word, we have been given a way to turn back to good after sin, we have a God who cares so much about us that he sent us prophets, visions, saints, apparitions, Mama Mary, angels, blessings, his grace and LITERALLY HIS OWN SON.  I think as Christians we forget just how much we have – because our faith is cut out for us. We don’t have to think up of ways to love God – because he already loves us, we don’t have to make “compulsory” sacrifices – because his Son sacrificed himself for us, we don’t have to search for the truth – because God has told us himself, through the prophets, through the church and sometimes he speaks to us directly.  I attend a college that is run by our protestant brothers and sisters and a few months back, there was a bible book fare...

To Mother divine I stand before all - scarred with sin; My soul is bruised and stained within. I stand before all - clothed in shame And raise my eyes to you sweet dame. I turn to you - O Mother divine; Your smile is loving, sweet and fine. I show you the wrongs that I have done; You show me Jesus - your loving Son. I stand before all - scarred and frayed; No spear or sword or shield or blade. I kneel before you hopeful still; To give you my heart and my will. You I choose to be my Queen; To you I give what is and has been. My body, my soul, my every deed, To offer to God for those in need. Theresa.V Inspired by the words of St. deMontford in the 33 Days to morning glory consecration ("In the presence of all the heavenly court, I choose you this day for my Mother and Queen.") It felt like I was soldier (a prayer soldier) and I was accepting my duties of prayer & obedience of God's word whilst telling Mary that she was going to be mentor and guide. "The queen who ...

A while back - A youtuber who I watch quite often did a Q&A session with his friend and one of the questions he was asked was : "Are you religious?". His answer was "No" and after a moment he said with a laugh : "I do think that religious people are much more happier than I am..." a statement that struck me as odd at the time. (his friend agreed with him and they moved on to the next Q. without discussion)  Today, in Jn.1 1:3-4: St.John explains why he is writing his letter - so people would know about Jesus and form a community/ fellowship that is formed in God. And he specifically says "We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete". This statement struck a bell in my brain. I think I understand why the youtuber said that the religious were happier than most people: its because our joys are different from (or at least originate differently from) the joys of other people who don't believe in God. I think, "happiness...

THE DANCE OF SPRING The rivers are aflow and the flower beds dance, The birds soar to the heavens - their songs are glad! Men sing songs throughout the land As the earth rejoices at the work of God's hand. Death has departed - life washed and restored Spring has arrived and the earth is aglow! All beings exclaim - they praise and adore The God of heaven - who smiles from his abode. Theresa.V I read Ps.65 today...and envisioned how God is the reason we have all the stuff we need (and more!). And since spring is a season of "Life" it felt right to associate that with God.  Spring is sort of the time we are in right now - after Jesus died for us on the cross. "Death" is not human death...but death in the sense that we wouldn't have got to see God if Jesus hadn't died for us.  So, I'm trying to metaphorically depict how much we humans are grateful that Jesus died for us and how grand the grace of his death is for us.

I have always wondered how God got angry and why his wrath was something we feared. As a child, I was always told that God was someone I could trust and take consolation in. But as I grew up - I heard and read stories of God's wrath and anger. I read about the battles, the great flood, the 10 plagues and also Jesus himself getting angry at the salesmen at the temple, at the disciples for not having enough faith etc. And I asked myself: "How can God - who is so perfect - participate in the act of anger? (an act so horrendous - it is classified by the church as one of the 7 capital sins)? Why should God get angry? Why not just create an angry angel who takes care of all the trouble?" Recently, I feel like I've got a little insight to these questions... 1. Why does God get angry? One can argue that God only gets angry when there is sin involved - He wants us to know that we are wrong, that he despises all evil things. But - we know that's not true or Jesus wouldn...

Recently - every time I seem to slack a little with my prayers or reading, God seems to be sending me gentle mini-reminders (either through a YouTube video, a friend - who never talks about religion asking if I read the bible and family members reminding me of His grace). These small gestures seem coincidental and made me wonder - How many reminders/ signs have I missed or dismissed as coincidence even though it's glaringly obvious that It's from God? I guess this has been a sort of eye opener: its up to us how much to associate as God's work/ doing. The bible does show us that EVERYTHING is from God and yet - I tend to believe that God stops hearing/looking at me.  I know that that isn't true... His graces are still as great and as present as they were before - they are just overshadowed by the "flashiness" of today's world. He's still working wonders and helping us out and guiding us like He did with the Israelites (in Exodus) - we just don't rea...

PRAYER FOR PEACE She searched the earth for Silver and Gold; She searched the sea for tales untold.. She searched the distant hills and vales, But her quest to find happiness had sadly failed. She roamed the cities near and far. She saw weakness and also power... She heard of battles and great wins, But she observed the pain and scarred skin. She found death, desperation and fear; She found starvation, cold and tears, She found resentment, found no relief - But she also found warmth, love and peace. For within the homes of the dry cold lands, Families sat - hand in hand... Offering prayers of hope and love And asking for well-being to the Lord above. She did not understand the pain and sin. She didn't celebrate the glorious win. She did however fold her hands in prayer And thanked the Lord for love, hope and care. Theresa.V