Seven Steps

Seven Simple Steps toward Repentance
1. Every evening or morning, take some time out to review the previous day. Begin by quieting your mind so you can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to your conscience.
2. Ask the Spirit to show you any wrongdoing—in your thoughts and desires, in your words and relationships, and in your actions. You may want to use the examination of conscience on pages 74-76 as a guide.
3. Think about how the sins you see have clouded your experience of and trust in the Lord’s love.
4. Check your heart: Are you pliable and willing to change your mind about these sins? Do you feel unwilling to change? Do you have any sense that it’s hopeless even to try?
5. Cling to God. Acknowledge that he is your strength and tell him that you want him to reform your mind so that you think as he would have you think and choose as he would have you choose. Renounce any drive in you that wants to remain independent of the Lord.
6. Place yourself in God’s hands and obey whatever you think he is asking you to do. As you practice, God’s voice will become clearer.
7. Be sure to move from thought to action. Make a decision to take one or two concrete steps to overcome or avoid that sin area the next day. Remember: Jesus is with you every step of the way!

Word Among Us

Monday and I stayed at home. Find myself deprssed some. This week, according to The Word Among Us, "why not experiment with some new form of prayer?"

Benedict's Book

VATICAN CITY, November 21 (CNA) - Pope Benedict XVI has finished work on the first book of what he hopes will become a two volume exploration into the person of Jesus Christ. Press releases from the both Vatican Press Office and Publishing House announced today that "Jesus of Nazareth, From His Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration," is to provide a historic and theological analysis of the figure of Jesus.However, in an advance copy of the preface the Pontiff reportedly admits, that because, “I don't know how much time and how much strength will still be granted to me, I have decided to publish the first 10 chapters as the first volume. The book, which has been sent to the Vatican Publishing House for printing, is expected to be released in the spring of 2007.

It's Worth Thinking About

VATICAN CITY, November 20 (CNA) - Greeting the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to pray the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI spoke of the importance of men and women joining the cloistered monastic life. Those who accept such a vocation are a reminder that God provides an unfailing support in the midst of an uncertain world, the Pope said.

Higher Power Centered

I intend to share my thoughts about a relationship with a Higher Power. Stay tuned and see how it works out.