Sweet Love to you all!
Giveaway Reminder!
Good Morning World! Just wanted to remind everyone my follower giveaway for the bubble watch ends tonight at midnight-enter enter enter!!!
Sweet Love to you all!
Sweet Love to you all!
5 Ways to Get Spiritually Fit This Summer
From Lifeteen.com
By Eric Porteous | JUNE 29, 2011
One of my favorite things to do is workout. Whether at a gym, running outside, or doing P90X in my home, I love getting my body into shape. (Now, if only I could work on my eating habits a little bit). For me there’s just something about the discipline it takes, the feeling I get at the end, and the little results I can see that show me I’m getting healthier.
While it’s important to eat right and exercise, it’s even more important to train your soul (1 Timothy 4:7-8). As you continue on with your summer break, here are five ways to help you get spiritually fit:
1. Daily Mass. As high school students, it can be difficult to get to Daily Mass during the school year. Often times, it is scheduled while you are in class, but that’s not the case when you’re on break. Find what time Daily Mass is offered at your parish and go. There is nothing better that you can do for your soul than receiving the Eucharist everyday. For an added bonus, bring some friends. Not only will all of you grow spiritually but you’ll be great witnesses to the rest of your parish.
2. Reconciliation. Summer break can be a great time to get in the habit of attending the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis. Find out what day and time the Sacrament is offered at your parish and neighboring parishes. Make it a priority to go once a week, and take time to really examine your conscience beforehand.
3. Scripture. Too often during the school year, it can be easy to use homework or reading assignments as excuses not to open the bible. But, during summer we may not have that problem. Why not take some time to read the scriptures? If you don’t know where to start, try praying through the Sunday Readings. The great news is that, we’ve got the Sunday, Sunday, Sunday podcast to help you break them open. If you want to go further, try the Daily Readings for Mass posted here on lifeteen.com. Also, many Youth Ministers host Bible Studies during the summer, so be sure to ask them the day and time so you can attend.
4. Rosary. If you want to deepen your relationship with Jesus, try deepening your relationship with Mary. There is no better way to do this than with the Rosary. If you’re not sure how to pray it, ask your Youth Minister to help you, and commit to praying it consistently. Maybe you want to start off with every Sunday. Maybe you want to pray it every morning after you wake up. However you choose to do it, stay committed and know that God can really move in those 20 minutes.
5. Eucharistic Adoration. Silence is something that we are slowly losing in our world today. It seems that no matter where you turn there is some kind of noise to distract us. There are cell phones, music, TVs, computers, and more almost everywhere. But there is still one great place we can go to find some silent prayer: the Adoration Chapel. Spend some time in silent Adoration this summer, and again make it a commitment. Every Thursday our staff takes a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Perhaps you could join us then. While you may not be physically present with us, we will be united in the Eucharist.
These are just five ways to help you grow spiritually fit. Do your best to make them a part of your routine this summer. After all, if you are willing to put in the discipline it takes, not only will you feel great but you’ll start to see results in the way you live your life.
By Eric Porteous | JUNE 29, 2011
One of my favorite things to do is workout. Whether at a gym, running outside, or doing P90X in my home, I love getting my body into shape. (Now, if only I could work on my eating habits a little bit). For me there’s just something about the discipline it takes, the feeling I get at the end, and the little results I can see that show me I’m getting healthier.
While it’s important to eat right and exercise, it’s even more important to train your soul (1 Timothy 4:7-8). As you continue on with your summer break, here are five ways to help you get spiritually fit:
1. Daily Mass. As high school students, it can be difficult to get to Daily Mass during the school year. Often times, it is scheduled while you are in class, but that’s not the case when you’re on break. Find what time Daily Mass is offered at your parish and go. There is nothing better that you can do for your soul than receiving the Eucharist everyday. For an added bonus, bring some friends. Not only will all of you grow spiritually but you’ll be great witnesses to the rest of your parish.
2. Reconciliation. Summer break can be a great time to get in the habit of attending the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a regular basis. Find out what day and time the Sacrament is offered at your parish and neighboring parishes. Make it a priority to go once a week, and take time to really examine your conscience beforehand.
3. Scripture. Too often during the school year, it can be easy to use homework or reading assignments as excuses not to open the bible. But, during summer we may not have that problem. Why not take some time to read the scriptures? If you don’t know where to start, try praying through the Sunday Readings. The great news is that, we’ve got the Sunday, Sunday, Sunday podcast to help you break them open. If you want to go further, try the Daily Readings for Mass posted here on lifeteen.com. Also, many Youth Ministers host Bible Studies during the summer, so be sure to ask them the day and time so you can attend.
4. Rosary. If you want to deepen your relationship with Jesus, try deepening your relationship with Mary. There is no better way to do this than with the Rosary. If you’re not sure how to pray it, ask your Youth Minister to help you, and commit to praying it consistently. Maybe you want to start off with every Sunday. Maybe you want to pray it every morning after you wake up. However you choose to do it, stay committed and know that God can really move in those 20 minutes.
5. Eucharistic Adoration. Silence is something that we are slowly losing in our world today. It seems that no matter where you turn there is some kind of noise to distract us. There are cell phones, music, TVs, computers, and more almost everywhere. But there is still one great place we can go to find some silent prayer: the Adoration Chapel. Spend some time in silent Adoration this summer, and again make it a commitment. Every Thursday our staff takes a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Perhaps you could join us then. While you may not be physically present with us, we will be united in the Eucharist.
These are just five ways to help you grow spiritually fit. Do your best to make them a part of your routine this summer. After all, if you are willing to put in the discipline it takes, not only will you feel great but you’ll start to see results in the way you live your life.
Happy Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul
From American Catholic's Saint of the Day
Sts. Peter and Paul
(d. 64 & 67)
Peter (d. 64?). St. Mark ends the first half of his Gospel with a triumphant climax. He has recorded doubt, misunderstanding and the opposition of many to Jesus. Now Peter makes his great confession of faith: "You are the Messiah" (Mark 8:29b). It was one of the many glorious moments in Peter's life, beginning with the day he was called from his nets along the Sea of Galilee to become a fisher of men for Jesus..
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Sts. Peter and Paul
(d. 64 & 67)
The New Testament clearly shows Peter as the leader of the apostles, chosen by Jesus to have a special relationship with him. With James and John he was privileged to witness the Transfiguration, the raising of a dead child to life and the agony in Gethsemane. His mother-in-law was cured by Jesus. He was sent with John to prepare for the last Passover before Jesus' death. His name is first on every list of apostles.
.And to Peter only did Jesus say, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:17b-19).
.But the Gospels prove their own trustworthiness by the unflattering details they include about Peter. He clearly had no public relations person. It is a great comfort for ordinary mortals to know that Peter also has his human weakness, even in the presence of Jesus.
.He generously gave up all things, yet he can ask in childish self-regard, "What are we going to get for all this?" (see Matthew 19:27). He receives the full force of Christ's anger when he objects to the idea of a suffering Messiah: "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do" (Matthew 16:23b).
.Peter is willing to accept Jesus' doctrine of forgiveness, but suggests a limit of seven times. He walks on the water in faith, but sinks in doubt. He refuses to let Jesus wash his feet, then wants his whole body cleansed. He swears at the Last Supper that he will never deny Jesus, and then swears to a servant maid that he has never known the man. He loyally resists the first attempt to arrest Jesus by cutting off Malchus's ear, but in the end he runs away with the others. In the depth of his sorrow, Jesus looks on him and forgives him, and he goes out and sheds bitter tears. The Risen Jesus told Peter to feed his lambs and his sheep (John 21:15-17).
.Paul (d. 64?). If the most well-known preacher today suddenly began preaching that the United States should adopt Marxism and not rely on the Constitution, the angry reaction would help us understand Paul's life when he started preaching that Christ alone can save us. He had been the most Pharisaic of Pharisees, the most legalistic of Mosaic lawyers. Now he suddenly appears to other Jews as a heretical welcomer of Gentiles, a traitor and apostate.
.Paul's central conviction was simple and absolute: Only God can save humanity. No human effort—even the most scrupulous observance of law—can create a human good which we can bring to God as reparation for sin and payment for grace. To be saved from itself, from sin, from the devil and from death, humanity must open itself completely to the saving power of Jesus.
.Paul never lost his love for his Jewish family, though he carried on a lifelong debate with them about the uselessness of the Law without Christ. He reminded the Gentiles that they were grafted on the parent stock of the Jews, who were still God's chosen people, the children of the promise.
.In light of his preaching and teaching skills, Paul's name has surfaced (among others) as a possible patron of the Internet.
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Comment:
We would probably go to confession to Peter sooner than to any of the other apostles. He is perhaps a more striking example of the simple fact of holiness. Jesus says to us as he said, in effect, to Peter: "It is not you who have chosen me, but I who have chosen you. Peter, it is not human wisdom that makes it possible for you to believe, but my Father's revelation. I, not you, build my Church." Paul's experience of the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus was the driving force that made him one of the most zealous, dynamic and courageous ambassadors of Christ the Church has ever had. But persecution, humiliation and weakness became his day-by-day carrying of the cross, material for further transformation. The dying Christ was in him; the living Christ was his life.
We would probably go to confession to Peter sooner than to any of the other apostles. He is perhaps a more striking example of the simple fact of holiness. Jesus says to us as he said, in effect, to Peter: "It is not you who have chosen me, but I who have chosen you. Peter, it is not human wisdom that makes it possible for you to believe, but my Father's revelation. I, not you, build my Church." Paul's experience of the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus was the driving force that made him one of the most zealous, dynamic and courageous ambassadors of Christ the Church has ever had. But persecution, humiliation and weakness became his day-by-day carrying of the cross, material for further transformation. The dying Christ was in him; the living Christ was his life.
Guest Posting on Momma's Kinda Crafty!
I am super excited to be Guest posting on Momma's Kinda Crafty today! Come on over and see what fun project I'm posting on her blog!
Thanks for all the Sweet Love you share with me, I {heart} this bloggy world and all you fantabulous people! I'll be taking the rest of the week off as I spend time with my fam on vacation, but I'll stop in on Fri. real quick and post the winner of the bubble watch giveaway!
Thanks for all the Sweet Love you share with me, I {heart} this bloggy world and all you fantabulous people! I'll be taking the rest of the week off as I spend time with my fam on vacation, but I'll stop in on Fri. real quick and post the winner of the bubble watch giveaway!
Sweet Tute Tuesday #2-Family Blocks
Two Tute Tuesday-Tute #2! Find Tute #1 here.
This is the tutorial I posted when I guest posted on Wayward Girls' Crafts a couple weeks ago so in case you missed it over there here it is again!
This is a simple, fun tutorial on how to make a set of 'FAMILY' blocks. You could use this tutorial to create a set for any holiday/season to add fun decor to your holiday decorating!
Just to give you an example of other ideas, here are some blocks I've done for different holidays:
Valentines:
St. Patricks: (this is actually just on the backside of the LOVE blocks)
Easter/Spring:
Ready to make some of your own?! Start with 6 wood blocks. Mine are cut from a 2x4 so they are each 2"x 3".
Give them a light coat of spray paint (I chose black) and then a light sanding to give them somewhat of a worn look.
If you don't want to hang the blocks, just skip the next 2 steps and you can make them to be free-standing and they'd still be super cute! If you do want to hang them, decide how long you want them to hang from your rod (mine is a $1.50 silver curtain rod from Walmart that I spray painted black) and cut 6 pieces of ribbon. Each of my ribbon's are 8 inches.
Next, I used a staple gun to staple the ribbon directly to the block-one staple on the back and front of the block.
Then you'll want to pick a few sheets of coordinating scrapbook paper. My living room colors are deep reds, browns, and creams so I chose these:
Cut your papers to be the same size as the front of each block.
I've done this part using mod-podge previously, but this time I decided to just try it with a glue stick and it worked great-even better then the mod-podge because I didn't have to deal with the air bubbles you sometimes get from it. Just cover the back side of your paper with glue and stick it on to the wood!
After all my papers were glued to the block, I very lightly sanded the edge of each block.
I just wanted my blocks to give a slightly worn look, not full blown antique.
Next, I used my cricut to cut vinyl letters to attach to the blocks. You could also use scrapbook stickers if you don't have a cricut. Then I covered each block with a light layer of mod-podge to seal everything together.
Now Embellish, Embellish, Embellish!!!
And that's it, you're done!
I love the look of the hanging blocks, but wouldn't they look so great stacked together on a mantle or in your TV hutch?!
Thanks for stopping in today I Love Love LOVE that you're here! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the bubble watch going on through friday! And I will be guest posting on an AWESOME blog tomorrow so be sure to come back, I promise it'll be a WHEELY good time! ;0)
Linking up to these parties as well as:
This is the tutorial I posted when I guest posted on Wayward Girls' Crafts a couple weeks ago so in case you missed it over there here it is again!
This is a simple, fun tutorial on how to make a set of 'FAMILY' blocks. You could use this tutorial to create a set for any holiday/season to add fun decor to your holiday decorating!
Just to give you an example of other ideas, here are some blocks I've done for different holidays:
Valentines:
St. Patricks: (this is actually just on the backside of the LOVE blocks)
Easter/Spring:
Ready to make some of your own?! Start with 6 wood blocks. Mine are cut from a 2x4 so they are each 2"x 3".
Give them a light coat of spray paint (I chose black) and then a light sanding to give them somewhat of a worn look.
If you don't want to hang the blocks, just skip the next 2 steps and you can make them to be free-standing and they'd still be super cute! If you do want to hang them, decide how long you want them to hang from your rod (mine is a $1.50 silver curtain rod from Walmart that I spray painted black) and cut 6 pieces of ribbon. Each of my ribbon's are 8 inches.
Next, I used a staple gun to staple the ribbon directly to the block-one staple on the back and front of the block.
Then you'll want to pick a few sheets of coordinating scrapbook paper. My living room colors are deep reds, browns, and creams so I chose these:
Cut your papers to be the same size as the front of each block.
I've done this part using mod-podge previously, but this time I decided to just try it with a glue stick and it worked great-even better then the mod-podge because I didn't have to deal with the air bubbles you sometimes get from it. Just cover the back side of your paper with glue and stick it on to the wood!
After all my papers were glued to the block, I very lightly sanded the edge of each block.
I just wanted my blocks to give a slightly worn look, not full blown antique.
Next, I used my cricut to cut vinyl letters to attach to the blocks. You could also use scrapbook stickers if you don't have a cricut. Then I covered each block with a light layer of mod-podge to seal everything together.
Now Embellish, Embellish, Embellish!!!
And that's it, you're done!
I love the look of the hanging blocks, but wouldn't they look so great stacked together on a mantle or in your TV hutch?!
Thanks for stopping in today I Love Love LOVE that you're here! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for the bubble watch going on through friday! And I will be guest posting on an AWESOME blog tomorrow so be sure to come back, I promise it'll be a WHEELY good time! ;0)
Linking up to these parties as well as:
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