Organization

How organized I am? I am as organized as a toddler share their toys. Meaning, not organized at all! I have been like that since I understand what means organization. I can said that be organized is not one of my strengths. This past Sunday I have 2 friends and my boyfriend helping me out to put the floors at my house. I had everything plan on how I was going to do everything. On Sunday morning I was running like crazy around my house trying to set up everything so they can start right away putting the floors. After a really long day working at 9pm I have to sit down to finish 2 homework and 2 tests before midnight. What I was thinking?!?!?!?!?!?!

Why I am telling this? Because, I know one of my biggest weaknesses is be disorganize, and if you add to that that I want to do everything at the same time, things can turn worse and complicate, more than it should. So, I can sit down and cry about how disorganize I am or I can try really hard to fix that. Well, to be honest I have try both options, and have not succeeds with any of them. Maybe, what I need to do instead of “trying” I just need to do it!! I know is hard, but I have something, I recognized it, and even that I do not do anything recognizing it if I don’t work with it, but hey that is a step. Recognizing our weakness help us to be aware of them, and when there is an opportunity to fix it we will do it, we will put more attention of that weakness, and if we keep doing it be aware of it the weakness will not be there so often.

Next Sunday we will work to finish my floors, so in advance I will let everything set up. What I need to do? Organize!!! My time and things, so that way I will not be running like a lunatic around the house again. I need to give some steps in advance like do my homework and tests, I need to clean around, I need to organize my time, “ORGANIZE” I have goose bumps just writing the word!! But I know I can make it. God please help me out! That is good way to start; asking God’s help, with Him everything is possible!

Psalm 32:8-10

⁸"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with Mine eye.  ⁹Be ye not as the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they not come near unto thee."

¹⁰Many shall be the sorrows of the wicked; but he that trusted in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Big Hug,

MRM

Hypocrites

Yesterday, I went to Ash Wednesday, and the father were talking about what he likes about the Ash Wednesday, and the relation between Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s day, but what get my attention was when he start talking about how hypocrites we all are, including him-self. That makes me think that he was right. We all are hypocrites in one-way or the other.

I call myself Christian but it is hard for me follow all the commandments, I am mother but fails to teach responsibilities to my kids (like clean their mess), considered my-self a good friend but fail in call my friends often, belief that prayers are powerful tool to obtain what I need and do not apply to me. Criticized people that judge other, and am the one judging the people that judge, believe in God but do not trust in Him. I said that I am not hypocrite but I am.

It is hard not to be a hypocrite but as yesterday the father said, hypocrite is a human nature, but does not mean that we can keep been hypocrite means that Jesus forgive us if we repent and seek for His help to stop falling in that patron.  He will be there carrying us and helping us to go through but we have to let Him do it. Do you considered your-self a hypocrite? What do you going to do about it?

Matthew 23:15

¹⁵ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

Big Hug,

MRM

 Can you guess what is the picture that you see here? That picture represent a baby in his/her first 7 weeks of live. At this point the baby or you can call it zygote. Most women realize that they are pregnant at week 4 or 5 or like me for my first son at week 7. At this point the baby start pumping blood though the circulatory system. The brain, spinal cord and other internal organs have just begun to form too. You can recognize facial characteristics including eyes, ears and nostrils, and his or her arms and legs start growing.

 

              
This picture is at week 12 meaning 3 months. How you can see looks like a complete baby they even have finger nails! Your baby’s brain now has the same structure it will have at birth. They can feel if someone touches them and if you could touch his or her face they will open their mouth.

 This picture is from a baby that was abort at 11 weeks of gestation. Can looks insignificant, they can even fit in couple of your fingers but use to have life, heart, arms, legs, brain, the only thing that she or her did not have was the strength to fight for his or her life or someone who can protect them.
 

The picture can be cruel, but we need to see reality as it is today. We need to stop supporting be murders, because is “women body and she can do whatever she wants” but what about baby’s life? Who can protect them? Who will fight for them? Since their parents are not available to protect them we need to protect them by not be in favor of the abortion.  Zygote, fetus, baby, however you want to call it, still, is a live. Our society needs to stop judging girls and woman that become pregnant out of marriage, and start to support them in a responsible way of course.  We need to teach especially young girls the consequences of having sex without protections; moreover we have to teach them that what they carry in their wombs is life.

On March 10 there will be an event Precious Feet that is a 5K fun run to raise money for Birthright. They need the help of people that will like to be in the stations giving water to the very brave people that will be running/walking the 5K. Right now they are short by 16 volunteers. If you would like to participate or help in this communicate with Deborah DiPaulo  preciousfeetrace@gmail.com or visit Birthright website http://www.birthright.org/htmpages/philo.htm

Psalm 139:13-16

 ¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,
 I know that full well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Big Hug,

MRM

Visine

I guess this will be good afternoon my friends! Today is my “off day” right! With 3 kids in the house, a bedroom to paint, and lots of homework to do, I don’t see it as an “off day.” Recently I as talking with a friend, and she was complaining about a coworker that she in appearance seems to be the most religious person, she claims to go church every Sunday, and in her desk she have positive messages, but when she open her mouth is just to complains, and most of the time looking the bad side of the situations. Also, she make feels her coworkers like she always is right and everybody else wrong.

Recently I have been struggling with a close person to me, about something similar to this.  He has a lot of anger toward the church, because of people like the one I describe above.  We as Christians should be Christian inside and outside of the church. We never know when somebody is watching us to decide if believe or not, is somebody is watching to see how strong and true is our faith, we never know when somebody is struggling with the feeling of loss of faith and we guide them to the wrong path with our actions.

God is always watching us, from Him we cannot hide. What is the point of going to church if when we get out we do not apply what we just learn? Why go to church when so many people act hypocrites in front of God, the community, and themselves? Why? Well I have my answer, we should go to church, because God look at us as unique individuals, and will not compared us with others. We should go to church without thinking why she or he or them are doing this or that, and are coming to God’s house? We should go to church, and hear what God have to tell US! Do not try to do God’s job in judging others, we as human been have plenty things to do in this live like to be trying to play to be God! 

We should be examples of how to be good Christians, without thinking in others, without measure if other person acts better or worse. If we are going to proclaim God’s word we should live it as we speak. It is not easy I know it! But we should try. Must of the times actions worth more that words. 

Matthew 7:3-5

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 

Happy Weekend,

Big Hug,

MRM

Haircut

This past Monday, I pick up my oldest son after school, and I notice that he had a hair cut, a really bad haircut.  I ask him who cut his hair, and he reply his dad.  I ask him if his dad notice that the haircut was not finishing it.  My son replays that his dad said that was fine. My son told me that everybody laughs at him at school, and that he has to wear his hoodie all day at school so people stop teasing him. Yesterday, he told me that his dad told him that he did that haircut on purpose to make me paid for a haircut for him.

Sometimes, people live with so much anger, hate, and resentments in their hearts that they do not realize to whom they hurt. Why drag bad experiences? Why drag hate and anger inside of our hearts? I believe that as the love and joy grow in our hearts, hate, anger, and resentment grow too. Now think about this, how do you feel when you feel love, joy, happiness, and peace in your life? I bet that you must be the happiest person of the world, and you think nothing can stop you, and life feels so good. Now think about how do you feel when you are angry with somebody? How do you feel when you hate someone, and only have bad thoughts for that person or persons? I bet your life is very miserable and sad.

So, with this analogy what do you prefer? live happy or have a sour life?

Ephesians 4:31-32

³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Big Hug,

MRM

Friendship

But of course how not to talk about this subject in a day like today??? First, I want to which a very happy, happy Valentines Day to all of you!!! Now to the subject, I use to had a person close to me that use to say “amigo es un peso en el bolsillo” translation “a friend is a dollar in your pocket” meaning, that you never have a true friend, and that you should not trust nobody.

Through life, I have learned that you can have a true friend.  I have a best friend of more than 15 years of relationship, and many, many, many others that I have been developing within recent years. People that I know that if I need something they will be there for me, and they know that they can count with me. I use to have a good friend, which is not anymore, and one time at the end of the friendship I was trying to tell that person what is the meaning of friendship what is the “role” of a friend. I found tons, and tons of pretty definitions and expressions, so I put couple of them together, also I add my own definition, and this is what I get:

 Knowing there is another human being you can trust completely. A friend is somebody that knows all about you.  Is someone that will tell you if you have a bad haircut or if the cloth does not fit you without hurting you. Real friendship looks at the heart, not just the "packaging." Genuine friendship loves for love's sake, not just for what it can get in return. A true friend is someone that listens to you. Real friendships don’t just happen, and they aren’t maintenance free. This one I like it very much; “A true friend stabs you in the front.”—Oscar Wilde

What God tells us about friendship?

Proverbs 17:17 -- 18:24 --27:9

 ²⁴ One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 ¹⁷ A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

 ⁹ Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend
   springs from their heartfelt advice.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Going to Mass

Yesterday, as I was driving to church, I have tons of questions in my head, question like, I’m living my life as how God wants me to live it? All things that I write, said and in some way teach, I do it for His glory and only His glory? Do I believe sincerely in Him? Do I believe in His word and work? Suddenly, I was afraid that my faith was vanishing.

I start praying to Him to teach me what I need to do, send me some guidance to see which path follow, a path that make feel security of what I’m doing in His name. Graciously the second lecture from yesterday mass was I think an answer for my conversation with God. Somebody ask me this weekend if what I write here is just for “apparent something” or because I truly believe it and is how I live? I think that comment make me think for a while (like I don’t think enough!).

I think my answer is yes; I live and mean what I write here.  This is the way I think. Not always is correct or no everybody agree with me but is how I perceive things of how God wants me to do things. Also, I find out that is very helpful for me, because I get to read other people vision of faith, which help me to learn another way of faith, and a good way of see God’s and helps with my insecurities. 

My kids and other people that I know ask me why go to church? Why we have to be in church if we can pray anywhere, if we can have contact with God 24/7, if we can open the bible whenever we want? That is true, God is available for us 24/7 the 365 days of the year, but going to church make me feel closer to Him, not only because of the present of His body in the Eucharist, but because I receive answers, homework, encouragement, healing, friendship, wise, and other things that I discover from time to time when I go to church. We are one body in God and make stronger our faith when we are part of a community, and share our faith within that community.

What will break easier one single wood stick or 100 woods sticks together?  

1 Corinthians 10:31-33 – 11:1

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. ³² Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.  ¹ Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Big Hug,

MRM

Good Example

Yesterday, as I was walking near my sister job to get a ride to go home, I saw something that is my inspiration for today’s Good Morning My Friends.  I was crossing one of the big intersections from downtown Atlanta, and the first car (a big SUV) in front of the traffic light pass a little bit the lines that the pedestrian use to cross the streets. There were a bunch of people crossing that intersection and one lady that could be in her 60’s with her purse and bag of maybe lunch, hit the front of the SUV with her bag. I look at her and she had a face of “that was because you pass the lines” like a proud smile, like what she just do was right. The owner of the SUV didn’t do any thing; she just look at the people passing by like asking her-self what was that?

I start wondering what kind of live that lady crossing the street have in the past? Did she have a happy life? What kind of relationship she has with her couple? if she has one. What kind of lessons she gave to her kids? if she has kids. At that age you should be happy and proud of your life, right? Why you have to be meanness with someone? For teach a lesson of not cross the lines?

This past Sunday I was talking with my older son about life. We talk about how he can teach others not to do bad things.  I give him this example, if I don’t want that you use drugs how will be the best way to teach that? He responds to me if you don’t use it I will not use it. Then I ask him what about if I use drugs but tell you do not use them because they are bad. Will you use them? He reply yes, because I use them and I show him that is fine to use drugs even that I said not to use them.

What I want to say with all this? Is that we should be good examples to everybody, kids, friends, couples, family, even to estrangers. When you do good things you feel good, if you do bad things you will feel bad, maybe not right away but at some point that will come back to you. We should stop be so mean with others and start teaching other people lessons but with good examples, with love, with compassion, no with hate or been angry or mean.

Galatians 6:7-8

American Standard Version (ASV)

 ⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  ⁸ For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.

Big Hug,

MRM

Blindness

I have heard several times that there is no worse blind that the one that don’t want to see.  I guess that is true. Sometimes we go through things and even knowing that is not right we keep doing it.  I want to have a better job, I have to move and start looking for it, take certifications, check the web, and things like that to get where I want, a better job. But sometimes we prefer think that the economy is bad, or there is no job, and convince our-self to not work for it and just complain about it, and let it go.

If we have a negative characteristic like being aggressive or being dishonest, or any other characteristic that we recognize that hurt other people and our-self, we see it, why don’t fix it? Why we prefer let go good opportunities in life like, good relationships, good jobs, and good feelings, just for stick with something that hurt our-self? The sad point is that only I can make that change in my life, I can not relay in my family, friends or couple to change that only me have the power to change that, why don’t risk make the change and improve my-self?

I have read that take 21 days to make changes, only 21 days! I think that if I want to improve my-self as a person and feel better with others and me, it worth the try. The harder part I know it already, I see it, why I decide not to see the solution?

Ephesians 5:14-17

¹⁴ This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”  ¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Big Hug,
MRM