Video of My March 2015 Cursillo Witness Talk: How God Turned 3 of My Nevers in to Much Betters

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 114)

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On that farm, he had a…I’ve been the lead teacher at school for a Nature Camp held for students who are between the ages of 2-6 this week.  We did a number of fun activities including: singing various songs such as “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” reading some educational books, making a mobile from a branch, twine, wooden beads, and shells, using little bits of scrap paper and Modge Podge to decorate wooden frog shapes to which we added googly eyes on the front and a magnet on the back, taking a walk during which we collected items from nature that are no longer living in our paper lunch bags.  (Don’t worry.  That’s not where our lunches were.)  It was nice to be back at school with lots of kids and some really amazing adults.  Here’s a video clip involving Old MacDonald which Kevin told me about that made me laugh:

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Is It Really Love? The lyrics of a French song I really like “Savoir Aimer” by Florent Pagny have been going through my head lately when I think about what genuine love is.  True love gives without wanting or asking for anything in return, even the hope of being loved.  There are no strings attached or conditions that need to be met in order for the giver to give love freely.  It’s just there.  No matter what.  It’s patient, steadfast, persistent, and doesn’t diminish or run out.  If it is even within my capability to give others such self-effacing, sacrificial love as this, it is only because this is the love the Lord gives to me, to each one of us every day.

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Still a Bit Surreal Kevin and I have now gone out twice on his motorcycle.  Here’s photographic proof that I’ve been on the bike:

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God’s Still Working Miracles Read this miraculous true story by USA TODAY’s Madeline Eversley about how a priest no one has been able to identify interceded on behalf of  a 19 year old girl in a tragic car accident no one thought she’d make it out of alive.  

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Man to Man, Dad to Dad My father’s birthday has just passed and the anniversary of his death is tomorrow, August 10.  Around this past Father’s Day, I received a free copy of this book from Catholic Company, for reasons perhaps only the Holy Spirit can explain (I didn’t request it or order it), and though hesitant to read it and write a review, because I knew it would be a tough topic for me, I did read it, and this is my review...
I just read a book written by and for Catholic men called Man to Man, Dad to Dad: Catholic Faith and Fatherhood edited by Brian Caulfield, so I’ve been thinking about my own father and the role of fathers in general.  The funeral I attended recently for William Barrett Sr. reaffirmed that the best gift a father can give to his children are a dedication to the Lord that comes before all else, and a commitment to family that remains strong, loving, tried, and true... Read the rest here. 

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How to Save a Life A few weeks ago, I was inspired to watch the video to a song I’ve liked for quite a while.  I was surprised to discover the lyrics aren’t what I thought they were.  It’s amazing how one word changes everything.  Because of some of the experiences I’ve had in my life with family and friends, I thought that the chorus to "How to Save a Life" by The Fray was:

“Where did I go wrong?
I lost a friend
Somewhere alone in the bitterness
And I would have stayed up with you all night
cause I know how to save a life.”  

The actual lyrics are: “had I known how to save a life.”  This deeply moving music video contains a message that can save the life of someone you love.  I invite you to watch, listen, and learn, so perhaps you’re less likely to find yourself in the position of regretting that you could have saved a life and didn't.

For more information on suicide prevention, check out this info-packed website for the signs that someone might be suicidal and tips on how to help them.  Don’t ignore them.  Seek help and support for your loved one as well as yourself.  Suicide prevention is everyone’s business!

    

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A Life-giving Birthday Gift Since my mom has learned and done so much over the years to help give people life, I figured a good present for her now that she is a grandma is Infant First Aid and CPR classes.  

     My mom’s been very involved in the respect life movement (from womb to tomb) for a number of years.  Among many other things, she has kept vigil with those who have lost their will to live, visited the sick and home-bound, given shelter to the homeless, fed the hungry, cared patiently and gently for those who are imminently dying, comforted those who are in mourning, prayed for an end to abortion, supported unwed mothers and helped them get the resources they need, fought doctors and anyone else who has refused to recognize the sanctity and dignity of every human life, shared the Gospel with others…

     Pretty much the only life-giving/saving activity I could think of to add to her repertoire is a couple courses on what to do in the event that a physical emergency arises in which she could be the one to keep her grandson or another young person alive.  I was impressed with the class I took through this company.  If you haven’t been trained in Infant or Adult First Aid and CPR or could use a refresher, I encourage you to check out Enjoy CPR.  

                  

Check out Jen Fulwiler’s tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday at her tremendously popular blog Conversion Diary.

Ever feel like giving up?

    I have.  Years ago, in the not-too-distant-past, and even today I’ve questioned God’s greater purpose for my life.  Here’s what I came across at precisely the right time this evening. 

    If you have ever felt lost, alone, lonely, or like giving up…

Then watch this video

 

Read the excerpt from this soon-to-be-released book (click on link below)

Unstoppable: The Incredible Power of Faith in Action

 

Then listen to this song (click on link below)

"Something More"

 

Now, if you can find it in your heart, thank the Lord for loving you right where you are and for having a purpose for your life even when the darkness of the valley and the stream of tears have led you dangerously close to despair.  Hold on!  God’s not finished with you yet.

 

Don’t Despair: God + you= Unstoppable!

7 Quick Takes Friday (Vol. 18)

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How Bad Do You Want It?

     In Becoming the Woman God Made You to Be, author Terry Evevard poses some powerful questions: “How bad do you want to be holy?  How bad do you want to be all that God has created you to be?  How bad do you want to get out of the prisons you live in?”  The Lord seems to keep asking us these same questions throughout our lives.  It seems many people get to the point when God says: You love me and say you want to do My Will above your own.  How bad do you want it? 

     Are you willing to give up anything and anyone in your life if that’s what God asks of you?  It’s hard to say in the moment what we’ll put on the line, but we can rest assured, we’ll always be given the grace necessary to do the Lord’s Will, no matter how difficult.   

   

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It’s Gettin’ Real in the Whole Foods Parking Lot   

     Jennifer Fulwiler, the originator and host of 7 Quick Takes Friday, is celebrating her third anniversary of doing quick takes on her blog today.  Congratulations!! Last week she included this hilarious rap about Whole Foods as one of her 7 QTs.  Kevin and I have listened to it a number of times this week and have shared it with family and friends who also have found it very funny.

     You might also want to watch/listen to another clever rap by some Suburban Dads that also gave us a good laugh. 

     This reminded me a bit of the parodies I’d write of different songs that my youngest sister Theresa danced to for performances and recitals over the years.  I’d give her a card and some parody of the song she was doing or a story called a short short with quotes from the name of the production and/or some of the song lyrics as part of encouraging her in her pursuit.   Have I mentioned recently that it still blows my mind that my youngest sister is now in her sophomore year of college? 

    

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Home Parish Heroes

     After reading Donna Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s post about teaching religious education for a quarter of a century, I made the following comment: “Twenty-five years of teaching religious education is truly an inspiration!  I still remember my husband's response not long after we were married when I told him I felt the Lord was calling me to become a catechist for eighth grade religious ed.  Kevin's immediate response was delivered with a furrowed brow: "Could you ask Him again?" I laughed, but in the end I did end up teaching as an eighth grade catechist and Kevin assisted me. 

     Working with kids is always an adventure.  What a blessing that you have inspired so many children over the years to love the Lord!  How fortunate they are to have a Christ-centered, clearly Catholic woman to teach them about the faith!”

    

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The Sun Also Rises

     The following reflection by Ann Niermeyer, leader of 40 Days for Life campaign in Richmond,  Virginia, (and who’s also my mom) is a great one to illustrate how God smiles upon those who carry out His Will that we protect the sanctity and dignity of human life. 

     “I know that the dark must end....and that the Son will rise.As I left my home this morning, it was pitch dark...and raining. As I drove by the little church in my neighborhood, the lights illuminating the cross on the side of their building...went out.

     I parked at the curb beside Planned Parenthood, waiting a few minutes before stepping out in the rain, and I finished listening to the song "Endless Night" and just changed the word "sun" to "Son" as I sang along.

     As we prayed the day's reflection, two of our most faithful participants joined in.  And as the first minutes of our Richmond vigil began...the rain stopped.  Within ten minutes, we were watching the clouds clear and then...the sunrise. "I know that the night must end, and that the Son will rise." Amen.

Bless all of you who have taken hours this first day...and all the days to follow.”

    

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Houston, we have a problem.

     Day 3 message from my mother

Dear Friends:

     This morning someone (not with 40 Days for Life) came to Planned Parenthood with several large, graphic abortion signs. 40 Days for Life is committed to be only and always peaceful, and prayerful in our presence there.

     Since it is a very small area and there was no way to "distance" myself from these signs, I decided to leave and  pray my hour beside the tabernacle at the chapel at work. As I drove to work, something happened that was another amazing blessing the

     Lord gifted me (had to do with a song I was listening to as I drove and a very sudden sighting of the sunrise through a break in the trees).

     Please remember our 40 Days for Life commitment to avoid any association with protesters who are showing graphic signs, or yelling at the fathers, mothers, or clinic workers. This is not who we are or what we do. Thank you for your kindness and your peaceful presence to all

who come to Planned Parenthood.

Ann

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Kids, Crowbars, and Shot Glasses

     Some of you who know me and are familiar with my nanny diary and the entertaining adventures I’ve had taking care of children may recall that I once asked one of the parents whose child was in my care for a crowbar.  Well, this past week I found myself laughing as I asked the mother of the adorable little one I would be taking care of that day if she had a shot glass.  I’ll fill you in on the details of both above stories in a post later this week which will likely also have the above title.  Check back later for a few laughs… 

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Prayers Please!

     A very dear older couple we know have had some very significant challenges lately and could definitely use some extra prayer coverage.  Kay Marie and Joe are the amazing, compassionate people who have headed up the post-abortion healing retreats offered by Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries in our area.  They have such a deep, gentle love for each other and for anyone who God sends into their lives. 

     Kay Marie is one of the few people who has such a loving, gentle, compassionate presence that when you’re talking with her, she makes you feel as if you’re the only one in the room and clearly expresses God’s love in her words and deeds.  I hope to be as loving, gentle, and like the Blessed Mother as she is some day.   

     Joe has been very sick in the hospital and his adoring wife has become worn down in the months as one complication after another has come up, prolonging many facets of his recovery (including his ability to eat).

    Please pray that the Lord who is Wonderful Counselor and Perfect Physician will guide them through this difficult time with peace which passes all understanding, a myriad of blessings, and a slew of circumstances that will thereby drawing them even closer to Him.  Amen.      

Head over to Conversion Diary, to read Jen Fulwiler's wonderful tradition of 7 Quick Takes Friday.

Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Joy of Loving and Being Loved

My husband and I have enjoyed the mixture of wisdom, faith, enthusiasm, and humor Matthew Kelly uses in his CDs, books, and speeches, so I figured we’d probably like The Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Joy of Loving and Being Loved DVD version of the book I recently read and reviewed by the same title. We both give it a thumbs up!
    
Many of the general statements Matthew Kelly makes about human nature and relationships, vulnerability and humility are extremely accurate. Since he started his ministry at the age of nineteen, he’s observed quite a bit, read and experienced a good deal, and has gleaned from all three of these elements in order to fine-tune his talk.
   
In this particular DVD, he’s talking to a group of people at a Catholic Singles Conference. He adeptly weaves in the theme of cultural bias against people who are single, and why not to buy into it.      He also underlines some major misconceptions our culture promotes that cause trouble in our relationships. Three of the big ones Kelly spends time on are: 1.) Good relationships are based mainly on common interests. 2.) Understanding is what makes a relationship really work. 3.) In a good relationship, there is no conflict.
    
Kelly explains why good relationships are instead based on a common purpose which he defines as becoming the best version of ourselves and helping others become the best versions of themselves. He shows how it is acceptance and healthy conflict that make for strong relationships rather than understanding and the absence of any disagreement.
    
This gentleman from Australia is certainly a very experienced, well-polished public speaker. I might have to say in some cases that his CDs and DVDs are in some ways better than his books, which cover much of the same material. The technique of repeating, summarizing, and repeating again while giving a talk seems wise and effective, whereas laboring over the same points in a book as many times as you would in a speech seems sloppy.
    
Truthfully, the only problem my husband and I had with the DVD is that the sound quality was really bad. If Matthew Kelly weren’t such a good speaker, my husband, a former sound man for bands and studio owner, wouldn’t have been able to sit and listen to the background noise and interference on the DVD.
    
I recommend this DVD for singles, couples, consecrated religious, priests, and anyone who is interested in improving any and all of their relationships.
    
You can purchase this DVD here. I wrote this review of Seven Levels of Intimacy: The Joy of Loving and Being Loved (DVD) for the Tiber River Blogger Review program.  Tiber River is the first Catholic book review site, started in 2000 to help you make informed decisions about Catholic book purchases. I receive free product samples as compensation for writing reviews for Tiber River.

40 Days for Life: Visible Signs of Christ

DAY 14: Visible Signs of Christ
by National Director 40 Days for Life David Bereit

I’m home in Virginia for a short time before heading back out on the road. My wife, Margaret, asked if our family could go pray at a nearby 40 Days for Life vigil — so we piled in the minivan and headed an hour south to Richmond to join other prayer warriors outside a local abortion center.

I remembered to bring my pocket video camera, and just posted a 5-minute video: Video of Richmond, Virginia vigil participants including: Trisha Potter (me), Ann Niermeyer (my mom, who's ahead of the spring campaign in Richmond), Nita Grignol, and the Bereit family
    
Trusting God can be challenging. You don’t always see instant results when you pray at an abortion center. But that’s all right. We often have to take it on faith that God is at work behind the scenes.
     
Three prayer volunteers at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Roanoke, Virginia talked to a young mom who was obviously well along in her pregnancy. She was unmarried and poor and had four small children.
    
“We prayed with her and asked her to give her baby life,” said one of the vigil participants. “Let us have the baby, we said, and we would find a home.”
    
The young mother cried and allowed the three to hug her. And then she walked into the abortion center.
   
“I can’t get her off my mind,” the volunteer said. “She held on so tightly to me. I don’t know what she will ultimately decide. Please, please keep up your prayers and sacrifices.”

Click here to see a photo of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Roanoke:  http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=676
   
 Please remember that this is spiritual warfare. And sometimes when you watch carefully, you start to observe subtle changes.
   
“When there are large groups of people in prayer being led by members of the clergy, it really seems to affect the Planned Parenthood escorts and workers,” said one of the 40 Days for Life leadership team members in Houston, Texas.
    
She said the Planned Parenthood staff can become very agitated and appear nervous. A few even back off from escorting their clients and allow sidewalk counselors to hand out literature without interference.
    
“Oh, if we could see the spiritual warfare that must be going on!” she said.
    
Nikki in Pittsburgh sees a similar impact. “What a difference prayer makes,” she said.
    
She said that during the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil, what is normally a very busy, noisy sidewalk was covered in the peaceful presence of God.
    
“It even seemed that the noise of the buses were muffled, drowned out by the prayers of the people. It was so powerful,” she said.
    
For some reason, more young women were willing to take her informational brochures. More people were willing to talk to her. More girls were willing to take brochures into the clinic than usual. More people were receptive to talking to her, including one teenage couple.
    
This couple, however, continued on their way into the clinic. “But I believe came back out after only a few minutes. I didn’t get to talk to them,” Nikki said, “but I hope and pray that they changed their minds.”
    
“Please know that we are planting seeds,” said Linda, one of the local 40 Days for Life coordinators in Canton, Ohio. “We are visible signs of Christ; and with God guiding us we are making a difference.”

Today’s devotional is from Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
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DAY 14 INTENTION
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Pray that we will have faith to realize that even now our Lord can bring an end to abortion.
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SCRIPTURE
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     On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother.
     When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”  – John 11:17-22
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REFLECTION by Fr. Frank Pavone, Priests for Life
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Martha was right. Jesus is Lord of life and death.

She knew that, which is why she was able to make this statement, yet at the same time she had to wrestle with the fact that Lazarus died anyway.

Jesus indeed is Lord over life and death, but here the power of death was still displayed right in front of her.

Yet in this clash between the conviction of faith and the evidence of human experience, Martha allowed hope to shine through. “Even now, God will give you whatever you ask.”

Even now. Those words show the power of hope, born of faith. Even now, when death has already done its work, life can be victorious.

Even now, when the last word seems to have been spoken, we can hope that a word will be spoken again to restore life.

Even now, when Lazarus has already been laid in the tomb and it seems impossible to do anything about it, things can change. And things did change. The Lord raised Lazarus from the dead.

We live in a society where many believe the abortion issue has been settled, and its practice so deeply ingrained in our policies and attitudes that it is unrealistic to think we can stop it.

Yet we are the people who say to Jesus, “Even now…”
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PRAYER
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Lord Jesus, even now, you are master of life and death. I come before you as Martha did after Lazarus has died. I come before you after countless brothers and sisters of mine have died from abortion.

And I pray to you: even now, you can stop the forces of death. Even now, you can bring us into a culture of life. Come, Lord Jesus. Speak your word yet again, and free our nation from the shackles of death. Amen.
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PRINTABLE DEVOTIONAL

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To download today’s devotional as a formatted, printable PDF to share with friends:

http://40daysforlife.com/docs/spring2010day14print.pdf
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Yours for Life,

David Bereit
National Director
40 Days for Life
PS: How is God providing blessings for the 40 Days for Life campaign in your community?

The Call

Yesterday a friend sent me a link to a music video that brought Kevin and me close to tears. It’s good to be reminded that something as simple as sending an e-mail, a text, or picking up the phone can make such a difference in someone’s life. I can think of many instances when it has changed my whole outlook to hear from a loved one.
     “The Call” by Matt Kennon made me think of a time when I was really grateful to receive a call. A few years ago, I was between jobs, without a car, and was home feeling rather depressed one day when my dad called. He called me because he didn’t want to bother someone who was at work. I could tell he was out of breath. He asked me to take him to the doctor the next day, that he wasn’t feeling well, and he was going to try and get some sleep.
     I said I would take him, but I could hear that he really wasn’t doing well. He kept trying to tell me waiting until the next day would be fine. I knew he wouldn’t call 911, and I had no vehicle, so I made a couple phone calls while keeping him on the line talking to me.
     I asked Kevin to leave work immediately and go to my dad’s apartment, since he was the closest, then I called my mom and asked her to swing by and get me on the way to Dad’s. We got my dad to the nearest hospital, and they soon discovered he had a collapsed lung and needed emergency surgery. I was amazed later on when my dad said the doctor told him I’d saved his life; if he’d gone to sleep like he’d wanted to, he wouldn’t have woken up.
     Last July, my dad called just minutes after Kevin and I had arrived home from spending the evening with him. I let it go to the answering machine, but I sat next to it and listened, just to make sure everything was okay. He thanked us for the time we’d spent with him and how we’d made his birthday really special. He told us both he loved us. That’s one call I’m grateful I didn’t answer. I still have the message saved on our answering machine so I can hear my dad’s voice sometimes, reminding me that he loves us and has felt loved by us.
     Is there anyone who you know who would love to hear your voice? Go ahead and give the person a call.