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Faith Formation for Kids

Are you an OBSTACLE for others?

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Are you comparing? Are you for or against? Are you an obstacle for others? In this Gospel, the disciple John questions Jesus about an unknown exorcist who was driving out demons in Jesus’ name. John’s question might have been motivated by jealousy. Previously in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus healed a boy whom the disciples had been unable to heal. John’s question is further evidence that the disciples have not yet grasped Jesus’ words to them. They continue to compare themselves to others who seem to have greater healing powers, and they do not want to share the power of Jesus’ name with others…The disciples observed that the unknown exorcist invoked Jesus’ name and was successful in his healing efforts. This unknown healer recognized the power of Jesus’ name, yet he was not a follower of Jesus.  Later in this Gospel, Jesus teaches us not to create obstacles for those who are just beginning to have faith but to encourage even the smallest signs of faith. The Greek word used here for sin also connotes “stumbling” or “causing scandal.” In vivid terms Jesus teaches his disciples the consequences to those who would put obstacles before people who are on the road to faith.  – Excerpt from the Sunday Connection by Loyola Press.  While the miracles that happen in these stories can be unbelievable, they are eyewitness accounts recorded for us in the Gospel. We learn that so much can happen in Jesus’ […]

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Driving Out Demons

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Scripture focus for the JAN 31 Mass DRIVING OUT DEMONS! In their synagogue was a man with an unclean spirit;he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”Jesus rebuked him and said, “Quiet!  Come out of him!”The unclean spirit convulsed him and with a loud cry came out of him. All were amazed and asked one another,“What is this? A new teaching with authority.He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him.”His fame spread everywhere throughout the whole region of Galilee. This Gospel from Mark challenges us today. What do we believe? What signs or miracles do we need? There were others during Jesus time who healed people, too. This time the unclean spirit recognizes Jesus and calls him the Holy One of God. Even the demons recognize Jesus. Jesus heals this poor man. Jesus is waiting to heal us, too. Maybe we don’t have any demons kick out but we could probably clean house. Maybe we have bad habits or attachments to things that aren’t good for us or the people around us. In a few weeks, we begin our journey through Lent hoping for transformation. Don’t wait to go to confession. Clean house and get started now. Jesus is just waiting to heal you, too. Blessings, Donna P.S. The Our Father prayer is a deliverance prayer. Are you in […]

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CreativeSenses172

Hope is a Gift

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I read the post linked below from Franciscan Media. They asked a good question. I took it a step farther. I agree that hope is difficult now. I am having a hard time taking the gift of hope out of the box so I can use it. I accept it, unwrap it, and take the lid off. The division and unrest I feel lately makes it hard to lift my arms to take hope out and use it. Like Moses, I need people to hold up my arms. (read Exodus 17! https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/17) The Battle of Amalek: Moses said he would stand at the top of the mountain overlooking the battle with his staff. This is the staff that parted the Red Sea for the Israelites’ escape, and brought water and quail out of the desert landscape. Some say that this is the same staff that turned into a snake in front of the Pharaoh. This walking stick became the “rod of God.” (I digress – become the stick in the hand of God! interesting, transformation, hmmm) But Moses couldn’t hold his arms up for the whole battle. First they gave him a rock to sit on. Then Joshua and Hur held his arms up for him. Why? Because when he became weak, they started to lose the battle! With the inspiration of Moses, I need some people or something to hold my arms up. All of the division and negative […]

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Take one step

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This is how!!! Love this song! Let’s go! https://youtu.be/tTeuW-1XduU One of my favorite images is St. Peter hearing the Lord say, “Come” and Peter stepping out of the boat. I even tried to paint what I imagined. Then I imagine me. Would I step out of the boat? I always say to myself, “Keep your eyes on Christ and you won’t sink!” I think this is my song! Jesus , I trust in you! I walk by faith, not by sight. And I take a step.

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The Daily Bread

Walking in Spirit and Peace

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Readings for 12-13      Make straight the way of the Lord! All of the Readings for this Mass contain very important messages? 1st Reading from Isaiah IS 61:1-2A, 10-11—The Spirit of the Lord is upon me….bring glad tidings to the poor… 2nd Reading from 1 Thessalonians 1 THES 5:16-24—Are you all in? May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Are you ever discouraged? Gospel JN 1:6-8, 19-28—I am a voice crying out in the desert… We can only point to the Savior and remember it’s not “I.” We are not God. We don’t have all the answers. Paul’s wish for the Thessalonians echoes through the centuries to us today. May God make us perfectly holy in spirit, soul and body. That we may be preserved all the way to the end. Paul leaves out our mind in this Scripture. We don’t have to know all the answers. We need to trust that the God of peace himself will do all the work in us. Prepare:  Read those Scriptures again. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will accomplish it. Let the Lord in so he can work in your life. Surrender. You will be amazed at what God can do in your life if you let him! By the way, it’s Gaudete Sunday, rejoice! and repeat! Experience […]

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CreativeSenses172

#DoodlingFaith4Fun – October CHALLENGE

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Each day has a faith word or phrase to “DOODLE” that is usually from that day’s Scripture from the Mass! This is a simple doodle. It shouldn’t take a lot of time or be perfect! I did mine in pencil and then a black fine point sharpie. I didn’t have my Micron pens with me and could have used smaller lines in some places! LOL Post your doodles and join my challenge whenever you can! Day 1 – Faith Can Move Mountains (Oct 1) Day 2 – God at Center (Oct 2) Day 3 – Good Harvest (Oct 3) Day 4 – Give thanks for creation (It’s St. Francis Feast Day) Day 5 – Love the Lord with all your heart, strength, mind and your neighbor, too! Day 6 – Martha, Martha, you are worried about too many things! Day 7 – Lord teach me to pray Day 8 – Seek and you will find Day 9 – Don’t be a house divided Day 10 – Hear the word and observe it @GetCreative172 YouTube – Creative Senses with Donna

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Got peace? Are you worried?

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Do you want peace? Are you worried? What are you thinking about? Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,make your requests known to God.Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters,whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is just, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious,if there is any excellenceand if there is anything worthy of praise,think about these things.Keep on doing what you have learned and receivedand heard and seen in me.Then the God of peace will be with you. St. Paul assures us that there is a great way to live! Print out this Scripture and put it somewhere you will see it every day. Pray it with confidence and try to live it! Just think about these things and keep doing what you learned. Then you will have the God of peace with you. MT 21:33-43

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CreativeSenses172

Are you wise? Faith Sense & Coloring Page!

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What would you ask for? Creating our coloring page with tips and discussion! Solomon chooses wisdom over gold! David’s son, Solomon, agrees to serve the Lord. He wants the Lord to give him an understanding heart to judge wisely and be able to distinguish right from wrong. If you could ask God for any gifts, what would you ask for? Solomon was wise and rewarded. God would grant him a heart so wise and understanding that there would never be another like him! It’s interesting that Solomon doesn’t wish for knowledge to be all-knowing like God. He doesn’t wish for gold that is tangible but fleeting. He doesn’t wish for God to eliminate all his enemies (translate to problems or challenges) so his life would be easier. He doesn’t ask for immortality. Solomon believed that he needed a heart like God. 1Kgs 3 He was VERY wise.

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Faith Formation for Kids

With the Eyes of Your Heart

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Brothers and sisters:May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelationresulting in knowledge of him.May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call…for us who believe…the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. St. Paul’s letter to the Church of Ephesus begins with the salutation to the saints (the holy ones who may be struggling) who are faithful to Jesus: Grace and peace to you! Isn’t God awesome? He blesses us with every spiritual blessing! We are in this family together! We who believe in the one who loves us. Jesus ascended into heaven and sent us the Spirit. What struck me most in this reading was that Paul’s wish for the holy ones of Ephesus was a gift of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Spirit is capital in the Mass Readings so I went on a Bible search (I have numerous versions) to see if this Spirit means Holy Spirit or the breath of life we all have. It’s probably all meant to be the same idea though. The Holy Spirit breathes life into every moment of every day. And the energy or the buoyancy we feel can depend on how open we are to this transcending peace it brings. Every day I try to keep my eyes open to the message or […]

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