THE JOY OF THE LORD

         This is another chapter from the book I discussed two days ago called The Healing Power of Christ by Emily Gardner Neal, 1972. As I said before, what was written many years ago is still true today. In this section she talks about how people can radiate Our Lord's love. I just realized her first name is Emily, which is my mom's name. I didn't notice that two days ago.

         The life of the Spirit, Mrs. Neal says, is the most exciting life on earth: one never knows what is around the corner in the way of revelation. The individual who is open to God is continually being astonished at the marvels He has in store for us and at the thrilling way He works out His plan in our lives.

         True joy is one side of the Christian coin: on the other side is suffering. Unless we share in the common suffering of the world which is also the suffering of Our Lord, we cannot enter into His joy. The early Christians went to their deaths singing joyous hymns of praise. As it was their joy in the face of persecution and martyrdom which resulted in the conversion two thousand years ago, so it is the same joy that effects conversion today.

        St. Paul says in Philippians, Chapter 4, verse 4, "Rejoice in the Lord always." These are words of healing and strength as well as thanksgiving. Paul also tells us in Romans (14:17) the Kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. These three are inseparable and indivisible, Mrs. Neal continues. Our Yes to God is a continuous and ongoing process that will never cease as long as we live.

          We must be reborn as Nicodemus in John (3:4) asked about. Our Lord enunciates a formula of Christian baptism necessary for salvation. The majority of churches teach that in the sacrament of baptism we are born again, cleansed of sin, spiritually regenerated, and be made members of the Body of Christ. This rebirth is from Above of God.

           Rebirth can be equated with conversion. Conversion applies to someone who has never known Christ whereas the rebirth experience is for those who have known and believed in Him, but less than completely. When the experience of rebirth occurs suddenly, there is an unforgettable moment of glorious truth, occasioned by a love from the Holy Spirit. Heart, soul, mind and body unite. The grace of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) which you received in baptism comes to you in a new and fuller way.

          You then will feel the love given to you at His Crucifixion, overwhelmed by your love for Him, sorrow for your sins, and be aglow. We confront the living God in the altars of His church and enter into His joy. This happened to me at St. Francis de Sales Church in Tucson when a nun named Sr. Beatrice visited and anointed many people with oil. I felt the Holy Spirit's peace overwhelm me and have been smiling since. Whenever I can, I try to give it to someone else. 

 

Some other Scriptures that Mrs. Neal gave were (John 16:24), (1 Cor. 4:20), (2 Cor. 13:3), (1 Tim. 6:17), (Neh. 8:10), (John 3:3), (Luke 17:21), (John 3:4), (1 Pet. 1:8), (Ps. 16-!!).

         

THE HEALING POWER OF CHRIST

       I am in the middle of reading a great book called, The Healing Power of Christ, by Emily Gardner Neal, published 1972. Chapter 15 is titled, "Are You Anxious or Afraid?" and deals with eliminating stress in our lives. Her advice from so many years ago holds true today.

        Mrs. Neal says that few of us are totally immune from anxiety. Our anxieties, like our depressions, range from being merely troublesome to complete incapacitation. We would keep out of trouble if we kept our eyes focused on Him. In Matthew 14:30, Peter took his eyes off Jesus and sank. We don't know how far under he went, but we know he must have been a good swimmer if he was a fisherman living on a boat.

          Anxiety, Mrs. Neal says, is the negation of the Spirit of God in us, for love, which is God, casts out fear (I John 4:18). The moment we are disobedient to God, the instant we break a spiritual law, we suffer the consequences, which are self-induced not God-produced. The Christian should live in the present. He should be informed by the past, but not agonize over it.  You do what seems best to you at the time. It is done and over with. So forget it.

          As for our fear of the future, most often what we fear does not come to pass. Our Lord never promised His followers cake - only bread - the Bread of Life. There is no implication here that we should ever pray, "Give us cake and caviar and Cadillacs for the rest of our lives." Also, don't cancel your life insurance, you need it. Mrs. Neal was a born worrier and had to learn to turn all over to Him for His blessing, healing and guidance. This also does not mean that in your life there will never be trouble , anxiety, or tension. It does mean that these things will be caught up in the flood of God's love and mercy, moment by moment.

        Anyone can learn to enter the present moment and surrender. Ask God what He wants of you now. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your spiritual ears so you may hear what He wants to tell you. You will receive a peace that exists in your heart regardless of what happened in your past. It is an ineffable peace of the heart and spirit, which comes from knowing God and striving to live according to His will. It lies at the core of our being, and cannot be disturbed no matter what.

        I have seen so many people healed during our seminars for Prayer Healing Ministry. Come join us next time and be hugged by Him who loves you.

 

I bought a coffee cup with a wonderful saying on it:

       Peace - It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. 

 

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR A HEALTHY HEART

It is so vital to keep your body in top shape. Here are some excellent ways to take care of your heart.
1. Eat for your heart health.
2. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. I have one at home and check it every few days..
3. Do not smoke cigarettes or use other tobacco products.
4. Talk to your doctor about reducing your risk of heart disease.
5. Get regular physical activity every day. I walk to church often. It's between 2 and 3 miles round trip depending on where I walk.
6. Know your cholesterol levels.
7. Have your blood sugar level checked for diabetes.
8. Aim for a healthy weight.
9. Know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack
10. Know your risk factors for heart disease. Anyone in your family have or die from a heart attack?

MEDJUGORJE

Been there, done that. Very true.

VIGANO-MEDJUGORJE (CORRECTED) Nov-6-2013 (300 words) With photos. xxxi
Vatican envoy reminds U.S. bishops: No ruling on Medjugorje apparitions

Pilgrims pray at Medjugorje in 2011. (CNS/Paul Haring)

By Catholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Vatican ambassador to the United States has reminded U.S. Catholics that the Vatican has not recognized alleged Marian apparitions in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina, as authentic.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio, wrote to Msgr. Ronny Jenkins, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and told him the reminder came as one of the visionaries was scheduled to tour U.S. parishes.

He said the reminder was being sent at the request of Archbishop Gerhard Muller, prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which has said it was not yet possible "to state that there were apparitions or supernatural revelations" by visionaries in Medjugorje, Yugoslavia.

The letter said the visionary, Ivan Dragicevic, would make presentations about Medjugorje, where six village children said they first saw Mary in June 1981. Archbishop Vigano's letter said, "It is anticipated, moreover, that Mr. Dragicevic will be receiving 'apparitions'" during his parish visits.

Most of the Medjugorje "seers" have said the apparitions have continued every day for years. Three say they still have visions each day, while the other three see Mary only once a year now. All six are now married and have children.

A blog on the National Catholic Register site said Dragicevic's U.S. tour was canceled after the letter was sent. The blog included a photocopy of the letter sent to Msgr. Jenkins, and Catholic News Service confirmed the authenticity of the letter.

A Vatican commission of cardinals, bishops, theologians and other experts, working under the auspices of the doctrinal congregation, is studying the events at Medjugorje.

While the Vatican has said dioceses should not organize official pilgrimages to Medjugorje, it has said Catholics are free to visit the town and pray there, and that the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno and the town's Franciscans should organize pastoral care for them.

END

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 5

Father’s Soul Returns To His Body

While my body was at the hospital, the doctor completed all examinations and I was pronounced dead. The cause of death was bleeding. My family was notified, and since they were far away, the hospital staff decided to move my dead body to the morgue. Because the hospital did not have air conditioners, they were concerned that the body would decompose quickly. As they were moving my dead body to the morgue, my soul came back to the body. I felt an excruciating pain because of so many wounds and broken bones. I began to scream, and then the people became frightened and ran away screaming. One of them approached the doctor and said: “The dead body is screaming.” The doctor came to examine the body and found that I was alive. So he said: “Father is alive, it is a miracle! Take him back to the hospital.” Now, back at the hospital, they gave me blood transfusions and I was taken to surgery to repair the broken bones. They worked on my lower jaw, ribs, pelvic bone, wrists, and right leg. After two months, I was released from the hospital, but my orthopedic doctor said that I would never walk again. I then said to him: “The Lord who gave me my life back and sent me back to the world will heal me.” Once at home, we were all praying for a miracle. Still after a month, and with the casts removed, I was not able to move. But one day while praying I felt an extraordinary pain in my pelvic area. After a short while the pain disappeared completely and I heard a voice saying: “You are healed. Get up and walk.” I felt the peace and healing power on my body. I immediately got up and walked. I praised and thanked God for the miracle. I reached my doctor with the news of my healing, and he was amazed. He said: “Your God is the true God. I must follow your God.” The doctor was Hindu, and he asked me to teach him about our Church. After studying the Faith, I baptized him and he became Catholic. Following the message from my Guardian Angel, I came to the United States on November 10, 1986 as a missionary priest.  I am currently the parish priest at St. Catherine Of Sienna Parish in Orange Park, FL.

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 4

Finally Heaven

Heaven Next, my angel escorted me to heaven passing through a big dazzling white tunnel. I never experienced this much peace and joy in my life. Then immediately heaven opened up and I heard the most delightful music, which I never heard before. The angels were singing and praising God. I saw all the saints, especially the Blessed Mother and St. Joseph, and many dedicated holy Bishops and priests who were shining like stars. And when I appeared before the Lord, Jesus told me: “I want you to go back to the world. In your second life, you will be an instrument of peace and healing to My people. You will walk in a foreign land and you will speak in a foreign tongue. Everything is possible for you with My grace..” After these words, the Blessed Mother told me: “Do whatever He tells you. I will help you in your ministries.” Words can not express the beauty of heaven.. There we find so much peace and happiness, which exceed a million times our imagination. Our Lord is far more beautiful than any image can convey. His face is radiant and luminous and more beautiful than a thousand rising suns. The pictures we see in the world are only a shadow of His magnificence.. The Blessed Mother was next to Jesus; She was so beautiful and radiant. None of the images we see in this world can compare with Her real beauty. Heaven is our real home; we are all created to reach heaven and enjoy God forever. Then, I came back to the world with my angel.

PRIEST WHO SAW HEAVEN, HELL, AND PURGATORY, PART 3

Next Stop Purgatory

After the visit to hell, my Guardian Angel escorted me to purgatory. Here too, there are seven degrees of suffering and unquenchable fire. But it is far less intense than hell and there was neither quarreling nor fighting. The main suffering of these souls is their separation from God. Some of those who are in purgatory committed numerous mortal sins, but they were reconciled with God before their death. Even though these souls are suffering, they enjoy peace and the knowledge that one day they will see God face to face. I had a chance to communicate with the souls in purgatory. They asked me to pray for them and to tell the people to pray for them as well, so they can go to heaven quickly. When we pray for these souls, we will receive their gratitude through their prayers, and once they enter heaven, their prayers become even more meritorious. It is difficult for me to describe how beautiful my Guardian Angel is. He is radiant and bright. He is my constant companion and helps me in all my ministries, especially my healing ministry. I experience his presence everywhere I go and I am grateful for his protection in my daily life.