My life burns in Your Presence as a candle.
Before you I stand as melting wax,
Awaiting Your seal
And assignment.
My days have come in steady supply,
Grace and provision never wanting.
Loaves and fishes You have given me.
In prayer I place my plenty in Your Hands.
Leaning on Your Arm,
I wait for You
To multiply even the smallest morsel
To feed a hungry world.
Copyright 2013 Joann Nelander
All rights reserved
“An argument in apologetics, when actually used in dialogue, is an extension of the arguer. The arguer’s tone, sincerity, care, concern, listening, and respect matter as much as his or her logic – probably more. The world was won for Christ not by arguments but by sanctity: “What you are speaks so loud, I can hardly hear what you say.”
― Peter Kreeft, Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics
It’s time once again for Sunday Snippets. We are Catholic bloggers sharing weekly our best posts with one another. Join us to read and/or contribute. To participate, go to your blog and create a post titled Sunday Snippets–A Catholic Carnival. Make sure that the post links back to here, and leave a link to your snippets post on our host, RAnn’s, site, This, That and the Other Thing.My posts this week:
God won’t save us without us saying “yes” to His grace! This means our choice makes all the difference in the world, so why aren’t we offering more opportunities to others to make this choice?
It can be as simple as asking, “would you like to make the choice to turn your life over to God today?” or something similar. There are several reasons someone might choose not to do this:
we are uncomfortable with asking because we don’t know what it looks like ourselves.
we find ourselves not wanting to be “pushy”.
we are afraid they might say “no”.
we believe it sounds “too Protestant”, but that simply isn’t the case – look at the biblical evidence – God invites, we are to choose to respond:
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said -Matt 4:19
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.” -Luke 5:27-28
Notice that not everyone chooses to follow Jesus:
“Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be [a]complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.” -Matt 19:21-22
The apostles and the rich young man have to respond to the call and grace of God for it to work within them. Some choose it, some do not. Just as Jesus did, we have to respect their freedom as much as God does – which allows them the freedom to say “no”. This does not mean we give up on them though.
The Eunuch chose to receive God’s grace:
“The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.” -Acts 8:34-38
Notice that Philip asks the Eunuch if he believes. It is his choice that is voiced publicly! The only place we Catholics have kept this explicit statement of faith is in the Sacraments – you have to choose baptism (or have your parents do it for you), choose reconciliation, choose to receive Communion, choose to marry, etc. The choice is paramount.
via Aggie Catholics: Catholics Stop Too Soon In Evangelizing.
via Aggie Catholics: Catholics Stop Too Soon In Evangelizing.
O Man, believe
That the Virgin did conceive
Her God and mine
And happily thine.©2013 Joann Nelander
Be Holy! 