This week we are entering the holy season of Lent. For 40 days we are to prepare our minds, bodies and spirit to draw closer to God. The number 40 appears in the Bible over 140 times. The rain that God brought down to destroy all living creatures in the Book of Genesis lasted 40 days and nights, The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years, and Moses stayed on Mount Sinai in the presence of God, are a few examples of 40 days. Moses is a great lesson of what 40 days represents.

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai, he was there for 40 days and forty nights. The mountain top was billowing with smoke, the earth was shaking, the skies were thundering, all because of the presence of God. The Israelites witnessed this cataclysmic event, and were terrified. Imagine beholding this supernatural event, to see and smell the mountain filled with smoke, to feel the earthquake, to hear the rumbling of the loud thunder and still not understand the presence of God?

Exodus 34:27-28 New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁷ Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” ²⁸ So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Why did the Israelites not discern this? The main reason is that they were spiritually inept and unequally yoked with the Spirit of God. They grew impatient with Moses, and took matters into their own hands. Together, with Aaron (Moses’ brother) they did the unthinkable, and molded a golden calf. Aaron, the same man that God used to come alongside his brother, caved into the demands of the masses.

There is a strong correlation between the Israelites and people of today. We’ve become the ones waiting impatiently at the bottom of the mountain. We no longer want to hear from God, so we take matters into our own hands. The golden calves are springing up everywhere in the hearts of the disillusioned. We fail to see the hand of God because we’ve become complacent. Remember, Moses was on Mount Sinai because God had entrusted him with the Ten Commandments. The 40 days that Moses was in the presence of God was mighty, so much so that when he came down from the mountain, his countenance was radiant because of the glory of God.

Exodus 34:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

Each year the Lord graciously allows us a period of 40 days to reexamine our lives. These 40 days are set aside to reflect on our inward self. This is a time to purge ourselves of the things of the world. This is a time for conversion, a time to pray, fast, and to give of yourself to others.

Praying is time set aside to be with God. If you do not pray on a regular basis, you can start with just 15 minutes of quiet time with the Lord. Talk to Him as if you were speaking to your best friend. Read the Bible, you can start with Proverbs. One Proverb a day is just enough to keep going back for more. Proverbs are rich in instruction for everyday living.

Fasting: years ago I could fast for as long as 10 days. Those days are long gone, but this year I am going to fast by offering up one meal a day. Fasting is a not only ridding your body of toxins, it is also clearing your mind of all that clutters and keeps you from focusing on God. Fasting, along with prayer, will help you attain a newness within your spirit because this is a true sacrifice.

Almsgiving, or giving of yourself, is allowing the Holy Spirit to not only move on you but to bless others by giving your time unselfishly. With our busy schedules, you can plan to do something to help those in need. Sometimes the Lord calls us to give money to a cause close to your heart. 

Philippians 4:8 New King James Version (NKJV)

Meditate on These Things

⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 

This is one of my favorite passages from the Bible. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison in Rome. These are simple instructions on how to grow spiritually with a foundation of love. Paul uses Jesus as the model for humility and selfless love. Paul also uses himself as an example of how to endure through trials and challenges.

Paul’s words are a perfect recipe for living a loving Christian life. He starts with whatever is true. In this world of deception, we must always look for truth. Truth is the first ingredient because we must all operate in truth.

The word truth appears in the Bible approximately 237 times, depending on what Bible you use.

Whatever things are noble. There is no substitute to Christ, this is a lifestyle that Paul is trying to get across. To be noble is to recognize the dignity of being part of God’s creation. To be a child of God is of great nobility. if we do not recognize the nobility of ourselves and others, we are falling short on how to treat others.

“But we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

 Whatever things are just is relying on your conscience to filter out thoughts that are not Christlike. Self-discipline includes choosing words that are seasoned with love.

Whoever things are pure is to see people through the eyes of Christ. We must put into practice moral virtue, to understand how Jesus lived his life, as a perfect example of virtue. Jesus was the first liberator of women, always respecting their positions in life and giving them honor, and restoring their faith without question.

Whatever things are lovely is to find the beauty that God sees in every area of creation, especially human beings, because we are made in his image.

Whatever things are of good report is to share the Good News of the Word of God. To encourage those who are hurting with loving words. Do not attend pity parties, because the celebration is meant to bring you down too. You should instead become the friend that brings good news.

It does not matter how bad things may appear; if we learn to meditate on this passage, the circumstances will change for the better.

Purge yourself of all that is not of God; all negative things must go. Press through, and slowly the Holy Spirit will manifest. We must clear our minds to make room for God. It is there where He will meet you. Go into the Holy of Holies in your prayer closet. What do I mean by this? In the Old Testament only the Jewish high priests were allowed to enter the most holy place. When Jesus died on the Cross the curtains from the Holy of Holies were torn in two, and now we have access to these holy things.

Ask God to lead you there, and don’t stay in the outer courts, where you can only receive a partial blessing. Seek Him until you feel His holy presence.

This is a powerful experience, but it takes discipline and perseverance. This type of growth is developed when the Lord recognizes that you are ready to eat this holy meat.

Whenever the Lord opens a new door, the enemy is right there, to distract us from going further. It could be an argument with a loved one, an illness, or anything to take your eyes off God. Remember what Peter experienced when he took his eyes off God. Peter fell into the water, in a instant, a thought of distrust took him down, and yet he was an apostle. If Peter can be distracted where does that leave us?

²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:29-30 NKJ

This Valentine’s Day I pray for Jesus to fill your heart with the true love that is noble, just, pure and lovely…give your heart to Jesus, He will never break it!

Every Democrat voted against Sen. Rand Paul’s amendment to end federal funding of Planned Parenthood, Sen. Paul explains that Plan Parenthood’s abortion business “ends the lives of 320,000 babies every year. That’s about 900 babies every day.” (Article from the Washington Examiner, April 23, 2018)

LifeSiteNews.com reported that Planned Parenthood received more than $543 million in fiscal year 2016-2017. The site added, “It is forbidden from spending that money directly on most abortions, but pro-lifers warn that subsidies earmarked for non-abortion purposes ultimately enable abortion groups to commit more abortions by freeing up money from their other revenue services. Duke University healthcare analyst Chris Conover estimates that taxpayers end up covering almost 25 percent of all abortion costs.”

With the recent action of the most vile Governor Cuomo from New York to make into law that you can murder a full term baby after delivery, the newborn is like a sacrifice unto the demons from Hell. How did this pass our closed eyes? How In God’s name did this monster get elected into office? And how many Catholics/Christians voted for him?

Clichés are a simple way to back out of uncomfortable conversation, like “To each his own.” But it’s the ignorance of not knowing the truth that will not only hurt you but also those around you. Abortion is a subject of which I have great personal passion. I always vote pro-life, and the rest I leave to God. There are very few Democratic politicians that are pro-life, but yet there are almost half of Catholics that support these politicians, and many Christians follow the same suit.

To God, there is nothing more appalling than a lukewarm Christian. Making the sign of the Cross and receiving Communion does not mean you serve God! What God asks of us is to defend the rights of the unborn, but many lukewarm Catholics are too caught up in defending the welfare of the poor, and being swayed by the liberal media. When will the Catholic Church wake up? We must realize that only if we are in unity can we battle these fiery darts that the enemy has so gently cozied into the spirits of these lethargic Catholics and Christians.

How can we unite if half of us are lost because some of the shepherds have lost their way? It is unfathomable to believe that some priests, bishops, and pastors are behind this effort. How can the lay people be led if the leaders are not sure of the right path? We are to be winning souls, but how can we if there is such division within our Church? How do these politicians get away with their sinful acts, and still attend Mass, and have the shameful audacity to take Communion? I am not God, but I almost guarantee that their sins are not absolved, because they go back and commit the same offenses against God.

This infuriates me to the point of taking issue with even the popular Cardinal Dolan, of New York. He refuses to excommunicate Governor Cuomo because of stipulations in canon law. Dear Cardinal Dolan, the canon law of the Catholic Church is not the Bible, and you did not properly represent your people; your actions make many question their faith, and the refusal to excommunicate Governor Cuomo misrepresents our Church’s core beliefs. Doesn’t the Catholic Church have enough problems already? Dear God help us!

Now I ask the 40% of Catholics that are supporting the dark side: If it is not about life and love, then what is your walk about? How do you pray knowing that you support this evil? How do you dismiss this heinous act and not make it a priority in your decision when it comes to voting?

I am a Catholic and will remain in my faith, and I will fight to the end to clean up our Church.

Yes, you can came back at me about President Trump, and calling out all his past and present sins, but please take into account that he is an outspoken pro-life president. To me that matters, because he has the interest of God in doing what is right.

I wrote and copyrighted this song a few years ago:

The Door

I still quite don’t understand

The mother of all nature cries out because she can

Who will hear the thunder of the voices not allowed to speak?

Who will rise up for all the strong, the young, and old, and weak?

They are all abandoned to the ways of not

What was good was soon to be forgot

They look the wrong direction seeking trust

Where can they turn in a world of lust?

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin 

Then you go back and do it all again

What do people tell you when you look for good advice?

Does it really matter in this place unsupervised?

Oh the lost soul, the lost hope

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin

Then you go back and do it all again

The innocent delight in the attention of the present light 

Who will hold you to it when you cannot even fight?

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin

Then you go back and do it all again

In the world of plenty much is given to the lost

Who will they remember when looking in despair?

What a world we live in in need of great repair!

Pound the doors of Heaven when you sin

Then you go back and do it all again.

© Lynda Ciriza