By guest author Colleen Pressprich “Independence from God is an illusion that harms us.” These words from the March Magnificat (p. 188) have been echoing in my heart this week. Partially through Lent, I had gotten complacent in my prayer life, and with this one sentence, God cut through the […]
Are you waiting with Jesus?
What are you waiting for right now? I don’t mean waiting your turn at the doctor’s office or the checkout line, or waiting to move forward in a traffic jam. I mean waiting for the next life-changing reprieve or jolt that you are powerless against. You waffle between fear and […]
The illusion of independence
Introducing guest author Colleen Pressprich “Independence from God is an illusion that harms us.” These words from this month’s Magnificat have been echoing in my heart this week. Partially through Lent, I had gotten complacent in my prayer life, and with this one sentence, God cut through the distracted thoughts […]
Review: Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life
This calm, joyful book, Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life, celebrates the fruits of the Holy Spirit with Deanna Bartalini’s thoughts and experiences, beautiful Scriptures, and meditations. With all its simplicity, the book engages the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit to inspire and empower anyone who seek the gifts […]
Around the Year with the Von Trapp Family
Around the Year with the von Trapp Family by Maria Augusta von Trapp is surprisingly upbeat and joyful, especially when we recall that The Sound of Music ends with the von Trapp troupe fleeing their beloved Austria. The 1965 American musical drama ends by highlighting the danger the family averted by escaping with only what […]
Writers: Journal Your Faith Story, part 2
Part 2: The long and the short of it Last month in Part 1, I stressed preparing to evangelize by keeping a spiritual journal. As writers, we know that brevity gets attention! Focused words sell! To write an effective elevator speech, first, write a long faith bio from bullet points […]
Writers: Journal Your Faith Story – part 1
Part 1 – Always be ready to evangelize Writers keep a journal to capture inspirations, observations, story ideas, helpful quotes and random musings. These all relate to our writing vocation, which urges us to express ourselves in writing. Christians have a higher calling. We are anointed at Baptism to become evangelists. How fortunate […]
10 Promises of Jesus
The subtitle of 10 Promises of Jesus by Marge Fenelon, Scripture Reflections about Suffering and Joy, reflects only a part of what the book has to offer. It doesn’t tell you about the beautiful stories Marge collected from those who have suffered some of the most difficult tragedies you can […]
The Surprising Holy Spirit
I sat in the trade show booth stunned as Ryan Conklin, whom I had just met, told his faith story to me, and out to thousands of North Texans listening to KATH 910. The presence of the Holy Spirit was indescribable. Many of the 8,000 to 10,000 worker bees from […]
In the School of the Holy Spirit
Are you pursuing a plan for holiness? In his book In the School of the Holy Spirit, Fr. Jacques Philippe writes, “Holiness is not a program for life, but something obtained from God. We all have the power to become holy, simply because God lets himself be won over by the […]