Virgin of Vladimir (+ image by the hand of Stephen Allison 2008)

Friday 30 December 2011

Good news

Notes of meeting on 29 November 2011

Isaiah 61



The Good News of Deliverance

1The spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,
to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and release to the prisoners;
2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all who mourn;
3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion—
to give them a garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, to display his glory.
4 They shall build up the ancient ruins,
they shall raise up the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities,
the devastations of many generations.
5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,
foreigners shall till your land and dress your vines;
6 but you shall be called priests of the Lord,
you shall be named ministers of our God;
you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations,
and in their riches you shall glory.
7 Because their shame was double,
and dishonour was proclaimed as their lot,
therefore they shall possess a double portion;
everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 For I the Lord love justice,
I hate robbery and wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants shall be known among the nations,
and their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge
that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed.
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
to spring up before all the nations.
***

I will never leave you my people no matter how rough or difficult it gets.
My love is enough for all your hopes and dreams.
Love Me with all your heart.
***
Let God do it!
Let Him pull you from the quicksand.

St Michael Archangel Pray for Us

Notes of Praise and Intercession Meeting 22 November 2011

Picture of St Michael with a sword he is shining in the Light. He is both beautiful and terrible to behold.
He recognises the light of God's love in each one of us, large in some people small in others perhaps just a glimmer of light but we are all God's loved ones worthy of protection.




Zephenia 3 v14 - 20
A Song of Joy

14 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgements against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord, your God, is in your midst,
a warrior who gives victory;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
he will renew you in his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing
18 as on a day of festival.
I will remove disaster from you,
so that you will not bear reproach for it.
19 I will deal with all your oppressors
at that time.
And I will save the lame
and gather the outcast,
and I will change their shame into praise
and renown in all the earth.
20 At that time I will bring you home,
at the time when I gather you;
for I will make you renowned and praised
among all the peoples of the earth,
when I restore your fortunes
before your eyes, says the Lord.

Romans 9.21-31
21Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? 22What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; 23and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? 25As indeed he says in Hosea,

‘Those who were not my people I will call “my people”,
and her who was not beloved I will call “beloved”. ’
26 ‘And in the very place where it was said to them, “You are not my people”,
there they shall be called children of the living God.’
27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, ‘Though the number of the children of Israel were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved; 28for the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth quickly and decisively.’ 29And as Isaiah predicted,
‘If the Lord of hosts had not left survivors to us,
we would have fared like Sodom
and been made like Gomorrah.’
Israel’s Unbelief
30 What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law.


We give over all our suffering to the Lord for healing.


We praise and thank you Lord for all your angels and saints in Heaven.
Send us peace, joy and holiness.
We thank you that you are patient with us and with the peoples of the world while you wait for us to turn to you. Amen

Saturday 10 December 2011

Happy Christmas

Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and Blessings for the New Year






With love and best wishes






Stephen And Ann


Theotokos Prayer Group


www.theotokosprayergroup@blogger.com

Thursday 1 December 2011

Living Water

Notes of Meeting on 8 November 2011

Picture of Mary praying with us. She points us towards Jesus.
Jesus draws us to his breast and water flows from His Heart to our hearts.
This water then springs from our hearts to the hearts of others.
Springs of Living Water flowing out to all

'If anyone is thirty let him come to Me' see John 7 v37




*
The Lord is wanting to break down strongholds and rebuild us , unite us

*

Mark 9 v 35-41

35 So he sat down, called the Twelve to him and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.'

36 He then took a little child whom he set among them and embraced, and he said to them,
37 'Anyone who welcomes a little child such as this in my name, welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me, welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'
38 John said to him, 'Master, we saw someone who is not one of us driving out devils in your name, and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.'
39 But Jesus said, 'You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me.
40 Anyone who is not against us is for us.
41 'If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not lose his reward.

*
Isaiah 44 v 21-28
21 Remember these things, Jacob, and Israel, since you are my servant. I formed you, you are my servant; Israel, I shall not forget you.

22 I have dispelled your acts of revolt like a cloud and your sins like a mist. Come back to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Heavens, shout for joy, for Yahweh has acted! Underworld, shout aloud! Shout for joy, you mountains, forests and all your trees! For Yahweh has redeemed Jacob and displayed his glory in Israel.
24 Thus says Yahweh, your redeemer, he who formed you in the womb: I, Yahweh, have made all things, I alone spread out the heavens. When I hammered the earth into shape, who was with me?
25 I, who foil the omens of soothsayers and make fools of diviners, who confound sages turning their knowledge into folly,
26 who confirm the word of my servant and make the plans of my envoys succeed; who say to Jerusalem, 'You will be inhabited,' and to the towns of Judah, 'You will be rebuilt and I shall restore the ruins of Jerusalem';
27 who say to the ocean, 'Dry up! I shall make your rivers run dry';
28 who say to Cyrus, 'My shepherd.' He will perform my entire will by saying to Jerusalem, 'You will be rebuilt,' and to the Temple, 'You will be refounded.'

Sunday 13 November 2011

The Crown of Glory

Notes of Prayer Meeting 1 November 2011

Picture of Our Lady presenting her Son, Jesus with a Crown of such beauty and light. This Crown represented this group, the stones were polished and cut by each of us overcoming life's struggles and problems and yet still carrying on in the belief of our faith.
Each stone, some small and some large, had a beauty to Jesus. Jesus thanked His Mother for such a beautiful gift and stowed it in His Heart. The area was full of light as though Heaven itself smiled.
Jesus said:
O My People, how I love you, how I love your loyalty, you give My Mother your struggles and shortcomings, your anxieties, and you overcome them by her prayers for you and My constant gift of the Holy Spirit.
When you fall short you always return to Me in repentance to say sorry, in all humility, for this I thank you and love you.
Your sponsor, My Mother, I can refuse her nothing and truly she bears you into holiness.
Every little thing that you each do is not insignificant. Each time you offer Me your troubles and woes, with endurance, trusting in Me to help brings Me Joy. Each time you offer little sacrifices for others my Heart rejoices; truly you are becoming part of My Body.
Each act of humility and littleness counteracts Satan's plans and these acts are magnified in the True Kingdom.
You work with My Mother, The Mother of Love, who continues to draw souls to the True Kingdom.
I thank you for your co-operation in this most serious and necessary work it is very dear to My Heart.
How I love you My People, My Little Flock of Loyal Hearts when I gaze upon you I see a reflection of My Heart a reflection of My Eye. You are the apple of My Eye.


1 Peter 5 v 1 -11
1 I urge the elders among you, as a fellow-elder myself and a witness to the sufferings of Christ, and as one who is to have a share in the glory that is to be revealed:

2 give a shepherd's care to the flock of God that is entrusted to you: watch over it, not simply as a duty but gladly, as God wants; not for sordid money, but because you are eager to do it.
3 Do not lord it over the group which is in your charge, but be an example for the flock.
4 When the chief shepherd appears, you will be given the unfading crown of glory.
5 In the same way, younger people, be subject to the elders. Humility towards one another must be the garment you all wear constantly, because God opposes the proud but accords his favour to the humble.
6 Bow down, then, before the power of God now, so that he may raise you up in due time;
7 unload all your burden on to him, since he is concerned about you.
8 Keep sober and alert, because your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
9 Stand up to him, strong in faith and in the knowledge that it is the same kind of suffering that the community of your brothers throughout the world is undergoing.
10 You will have to suffer only for a little while: the God of all grace who called you to eternal glory in Christ will restore you, he will confirm, strengthen and support you.
11 His power lasts for ever and ever. Amen.


The Cross and the Glory of Heaven

Notes of Praise and Intercession Meeting on 25 October 2011

Carry home My poor lost children on the crest of a wave.
Home to the Cross of Christ, to Jesus.

Picture of the Cross before us and the world behind us. Feeling that we must embrace the Cross.
Then the sky above was pulled aside like a curtain revealing all the people in Heaven dancing and singing with us during the loud praise. They were looking down on us and taking part in the prayer group. They were joyful in the loud praise and quiet and reverential I the quiet hymns. They all threw a shower of flowers down on us representing Joy, Peace, Love, Forgiveness and many gifts. The Lord said there was plenty for everyone and to fill our arms with them so we could share them with others. He said He will continue to reveal His Glory to us.

Picture of a large building, the House of the Lord, and although its brightness shone magnificently there was blackness trying to dissipate the light making the building appear hidden.
From the building an army of people with many sections appeared they pushed back the darkness and on the sidelines many people were praying and the darkness was pushed further back.
Then it was as though the darkness made one last push to obliterate the light but from within the army of people and heavenly beings one lone person went forth a small humble beautiful women clothed in light. Her foot went to take a step toward the darkness and the darkness immediately lost its power and went. This woman the Mother of Perfect Love who loved the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit made legions of her adversary disappear by raising her small foot.
The House of the Lord continued to shine drawing the lost to her Son Jesus and a mighty clamour of praise was heard from the earth resounding back to Heaven.
Glory, Honour, Blessing on Our Mighty God for He has saved us by giving us His Only Son, Jesus who is the Head of the Body, the Head of the Church which the Mother of Love will protect at all times.

EXPURGATION - of all evils in the World, personal and social etc.

INVITATION - I have heard your cry turn to Me. My burden is light.
CELEBRATION – thanks for the many whose lives are demonstrably dedicated to spreading God’s love in the World

Picture of people being painted with something like marmalade, sticky like glue. The Spirit sticks to people!

Friday 21 October 2011

Joy and sorrow

4 October 2011

Fr Bill Rooke celebrated Mass with us on The Feast of St Francis of Assisi

My hand is upon you. You are mine. Rejoice with me.


11 October 2011

Psalm 95 v 1-7
1 Come, let us cry out with joy to Yahweh, acclaim the rock of our salvation.

2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, acclaim him with music.
3 For Yahweh is a great God, a king greater than all the gods.
4 In his power are the depths of the earth, the peaks of the mountains are his;
5 the sea belongs to him, for he made it, and the dry land, moulded by his hands.
6 Come, let us bow low and do reverence; kneel before Yahweh who made us!
7 For he is our God, and we the people of his sheepfold, the flock of his hand. If only you would listen to him today!

Be faithful in the small, the humble things.

Picture of Jesus in his eyes was so much sorrow.
The Crown of Thorns was on his head and he was resigned to what was to come.
There was no reproach in his eyes, only sorrow and such a deep longing for the return of his love.
He willingly accepted all that came to him, for love of us all. His eyes swam in unshed tears for his beloved people led astray by the adversary.
So willingly and for love of us he gave himself completely on our behalf to free us from the yoke of slavery to sin. As we keep looking into his eyes his very tears become like pools of living water flowing from his face making us clean.
His heart is overflowing with precious blood and water until we are surrounded and encompassed by the flow. We can all feel the love , the support, the strength, the hope to carry on doing the work he has called us to, helping to save souls by prayer fasting and good works and by keeping our eyes on him.

Touch us heal us have mercy on us

Notes from meeting 27 September 2011

Where two or three are gathered there I am in the midst.
Anointed by the Spirit

Healing praise (We seek healing for ourselves and for others)

Jesus touch me,
Jesus heal me,
Jesus touch us,
Jesus heal us.

Repentance praise. (We repent for our own sins and failings and those of others)

Do not weep for me but for yourselves and your children


Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison
Son of David have pity on me

Revelations 6 v 9-17
9 When he broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of all the people who had been killed on account of the Word of God, for witnessing to it.

10 They shouted in a loud voice, 'Holy, true Master, how much longer will you wait before you pass sentence and take vengeance for our death on the inhabitants of the earth?'
11 Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little longer, until the roll was completed of their fellow-servants and brothers who were still to be killed as they had been.
12 In my vision, when he broke the sixth seal, there was a violent earthquake and the sun went as black as coarse sackcloth; the moon turned red as blood all over,
13 and the stars of the sky fell onto the earth like figs dropping from a fig tree when a high wind shakes it;
14 the sky disappeared like a scroll rolling up and all the mountains and islands were shaken from their places.
15 Then all the kings of the earth, the governors and the commanders, the rich people and the men of influence, the whole population, slaves and citizens, hid in caverns and among the rocks of the mountains.
16 They said to the mountains and the rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us away from the One who sits on the throne and from the retribution of the Lamb.
17 For the Great Day of his retribution has come, and who can face it?'



Picture of a person sat on a river bank full of worries and concerns.
Jesus came to them and held them close in his arms so that their hearts touched.
Jesus took the person down to the water and anointed the person with water from a horn.
Then others came dressed in white and took the person up to the top of the bank with a shout of great Joy.

Saturday 8 October 2011

Restore us, O God

Notes of Meeting on 20 September 2011


Grace poured out on us.

There is hope for the Church

Psalm 80


1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,
shine forth 2 before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might;
come and save us.
3 Restore us, O God;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
4 How long, LORD God Almighty,
will your anger smolder
against the prayers of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
6 You have made us an object of derision to our neighbors,
and our enemies mock us.
7 Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.
8 You transplanted a vine from Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it,
and it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 Its branches reached as far as the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.
12 Why have you broken down its walls
so that all who pass by pick its grapes?
13 Boars from the forest ravage it,
and insects from the fields feed on it.
14 Return to us, God Almighty!
Look down from heaven and see!
Watch over this vine,
15 the root your right hand has planted,
the son you have raised up for yourself.
16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;
at your rebuke your people perish.
17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
the son of man you have raised up for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you;
revive us, and we will call on your name.
19 Restore us, LORD God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

Sunday 2 October 2011

He has used the power of his arm

Notes of Meeting on 13 September 2011

Picture of Jesus pulling a person out a the pit of darkness.
Jesus used not only his hand but his whole forearm which he clapsed around the arm of the person. It was as if he was using his whole strength and giving every ounce of himself to save that poor soul who so nearly lost their eternity to perdition.
How much effort and care and love Jesus took in saving this soul who looked to be so nearly lost.
The words from Luke 1 v51-52 came to mind:
51He has used the power of his arm, he has routed the arrogant of heart.
52 He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly.
The person pulled from the pit wasn't poor in riches but poor in spirit, lacking the Holy Spirit. The person had led a life without Jesus centered on money and position and worldly things. We have all at some stage and to some extent done the same, how wonderful that with his grace the Holy Spirit worked and continues to work in us.
Jesus gave himself body and soul to to free us from the pit. His love is so great he expends himself time and again enabling his Holy Spirit to work in our lives transforming us, making us fruitful and to be like him in all things
Jesus then raised this person up. It was as though this person was now a new creation. Their heart now mirrored that of Jesus.  Jesus says "You little child are mine. I hold you in the palm of my hand."
 
Psalm 20
1 May Yahweh answer you in time of trouble, may the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary, give you support from Zion!
3 May he remember all your sacrifices and delight in your burnt offerings! Pause
4 May he grant you your heart's desire and crown all your plans with success!
5 So that with joy we can hail your victory and draw up our ranks in the name of our God. May Yahweh grant all your petitions.
6 Now I know that Yahweh gives victory to his anointed. He will respond from his holy heavens with great deeds of victory from his right hand.
7 Some call on chariots, some on horses, but we on the name of Yahweh our God.
8 They will crumple and fall, while we stand upright and firm.
9 Yahweh, save the king, answer us when we call.

Dear Lord,
Fill our minds with your wisdom, knowledge and discernment.
Unblock our ears and help us to listen with compassion.
Loose our tongue to speak your words of comfort.
Melt our hearts and fill them with your love.
Anoint our hands with the power of your healing and;
May we always be willing to walk the extra mile for those in need.
Amen

Saturday 1 October 2011

The Holy Spirit is our Helper

Notes from Meeting on 6 September 2011

A picture of Jesus upon the Cross with tall grass and a thicket of thorns growing around the base so that people could no longer see Jesus' suffering or sacrifice.
Those of us trying to get through to Jesus seemed unable to do so.
People were praying, fasting and doing good works but as fast as we tried to remove the grass and thorns they returned like a barrier. The grass and the thorn represent the things of the world that Satan has sown to obscure the truth of the Cross and Jesus' suffering on our behalf.
Then everyone called on the Holy Spirit and suddenly a beam of light cut through the grass and thorns so that Jesus could be seen and known again.
The Sword of the Spirit the Word of Truth cuts through everything and lays all things bare. We need to rely and call on our friend The Holy Spirit so that things that seem impossible to us are mad possible by Him who is the Holy Teacher. We need to put on the full armour of God and do everything  in and through the Holy Spirit. With Him we cannot go wrong. We will need no strength or great acumen only the humility to call on Him in all things. He cannot fail us because the Father's love is so great for us and the Son's sacrifice on our behalf so precious and effective.


John 14 v 26
but the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
2 Corinthians 6 v 14 - 18
14 Do not harness yourselves in an uneven team with unbelievers; how can uprightness and law-breaking be partners, or what can light and darkness have in common?

15 How can Christ come to an agreement with Beliar and what sharing can there be between a believer and an unbeliever?
16 The temple of God cannot compromise with false gods, and that is what we are -- the temple of the living God. We have God's word for it: I shall fix my home among them and live among them; I will be their God and they will be my people.
17 Get away from them, purify yourselves, says the Lord. Do not touch anything unclean, and then I shall welcome you.
18 I shall be father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says the almighty Lord.

Sunday 4 September 2011

Breaking new ground

Notes from Intercession and Praise meeting on 30 August 2011

Breaking new ground

A picture of Jesus bleeding profusely on the Cross.
Then there is an altar upon which is a cup and pouring out over the edge was real blood flowing from a throbbing beating heart. The heart fills the cup to overflowing, the cup is elevated above the altar sprinkling Jesus' life blood upon the congregation. There was a feeling of a mixture of gratefulness to us for being in some way part of this with Him, but also such sorrow because some in this world ignore his sacrifice with coldness and indifference. It was as though we could all feel this Heart weeping for mankind.
The cup emptied itself out upon us washing us clean and strengthening us, we felt loved and able to carry on Jesus' work. the cup filled again and this time going higher it emptied itself out over our churches and clergy. The cup filled up again and went even further up to the darkest places, spilling over the lost, the forgotten and the hurting people that Jesus wished to touch with his very life blood. People in great anguish were comforted, people in great pain received healing, people in terrible situations of darkness turned to His light.
We not only partake of this sacrifice but are part of it in some way. We must pray for those who just like us he paid for so dearly with his life. We must love and encourage all who come to us.

John 14 v 6 - 7
6...“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

My people I am so grateful that all is not in vain. When I look at you I feel great gratitude at your loyalty and your love of me. You are like a prized pearl of such lustre.


Let your hearts be broken not your garments torn.   (Joel 2 v 13)

A barrier separating people from the Lord and people helping one another to get under it. Praising the Lord helping to remove the barrier.

God will never refuse us his love.


Repentance - Psalm 51

A pure and contrite heart I will not spurn.


Remove my sin, and I will be clean: wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.


Look up the bible readings at:-
http://www.catholic.org/bible/



Monday 29 August 2011

A new creation

Notes of meeeting on 23 August 2011

Picture of Risen Lord with the empty Cross behind Him and of Jesus taken down from the Cross in Mary's arms
"I have paid the price of darkness to give you light. I have given you the light in your inner being to pass on to others."


It is my love that inspires you and will bring fruit in your life.


Romans 8 v 31 - 39
31 After saying this, what can we add? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32 Since he did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for the sake of all of us, then can we not expect that with him he will freely give us all his gifts?
33 Who can bring any accusation against those that God has chosen? When God grants saving justice
34 who can condemn? Are we not sure that it is Christ Jesus, who died -- yes and more, who was raised from the dead and is at God's right hand -- and who is adding his plea for us?
35 Can anything cut us off from the love of Christ -- can hardships or distress, or persecution, or lack of food and clothing, or threats or violence;
36 as scripture says: For your sake we are being massacred all day long, treated as sheep to be slaughtered?
37 No; we come through all these things triumphantly victorious, by the power of him who loved us.
38 For I am certain of this: neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nothing already in existence and nothing still to come, nor any power,
39 nor the heights nor the depths, nor any created thing whatever, will be able to come between us and the love of God, known to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Revelation 21 v 1 - 7
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared now, and there was no longer any sea.
2 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride dressed for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice call from the throne, 'Look, here God lives among human beings. He will make his home among them; they will be his people, and he will be their God, God-with-them.
4 He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness or pain. The world of the past has gone.'
5 Then the One sitting on the throne spoke. 'Look, I am making the whole of creation new. Write this, "What I am saying is trustworthy and will come true."
6 Then he said to me, 'It has already happened. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give water from the well of life free to anybody who is thirsty;
7 anyone who proves victorious will inherit these things; and I will be his God and he will be my son.




See link below to an article if the Good News magazine by Fr Chris Thomas
http://www.ccr.org.uk/archive/gn1107/g012.htm

Sunday 28 August 2011

Set us free

Notes of meeting on 16 August 2011

Luke  4 v 16-22

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,
17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips....

Lord thank you that you are the anointed one, our saviour, our redeemer.

Lord anoint us and the world with your Spirit , set us free from the sin weakness lack of faith that binds us give us new sight  to see you as the light in the darkness.





Wednesday 17 August 2011

Save us Lord

Notes of meeting 9 August 2011

Micah 6 v 7-8
6 'With what shall I enter Yahweh's presence and bow down before God All-high? Shall I enter with burnt offerings, with calves one year old?
7 Will he be pleased with rams by the thousand, with ten thousand streams of oil? Shall I offer my eldest son for my wrong-doing, the child of my own body for my sin?
8 'You have already been told what is right and what Yahweh wants of you. Only this, to do what is right, to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.'


Matthew 8 v 23 -27
23 Then he got into the boat followed by his disciples.


24 Suddenly a storm broke over the lake, so violent that the boat was being swamped by the waves. But he was asleep.
25 So they went to him and woke him saying, 'Save us, Lord, we are lost!'
26 And he said to them, 'Why are you so frightened, you who have so little faith?' And then he stood up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
27 They were astounded and said, 'Whatever kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?'



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Please see below details from Tom Hickey of a recent message given at Medugorje on 2nd August 2011 .
The message seems to me to strike a chord with this group's recent call to pray for the world and against the evil that besets it.


Our Lady to Mirjana - 2nd August 2011

Using words she never used before the Virgin Mary issued an unusually dire

warning but also gave a mighty promise during her August 2 apparition to

Medugorje visionary Mirjana Dragicevic-Soldo.

The world is threatened by an evil that wants to rule and destroy it, individual

people cannot stop it on their own - but by becoming a new people with Jesus,

gathering into God's family and receiving strength from the Father, mankind is

capable of changing everything and healing the world, the Virgin Mary also said in

a message that could seem imminently prophetic:

"Dear children,

Today I call you to be born anew in prayer and through the Holy Spirit, to became a

new people with my Son; a people who knows that if they have lost God, they have

lost themselves; a people Who knows that, with God, despite all sufferings and trials,

they are secure and saved. I call you to gather into God's family and to be

strengthened with the Father's strength. As individuals, my children, you cannot

stop the evil that wants to begin to rule in this world and to destroy it. But,

according to God's will, all together, with my Son, you can change everything and

heal the world. I call you to pray with all your heart for your shepherds, because my

Son chose them. Thank you."


The apparition took place at The Blue Cross in Medugorje. It lasted little more than

five minutes from 8.38 am.
 

Monday 8 August 2011

Jesus our Rock

Notes of meeting on 26 July 2011

Jesus you are our Rock, our Deliverer, our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Shepherd.
We are saved by you so we need not be afraid as you lift us from the mire out of the dross of life.

Psalm 40
1 I waited, I waited for Yahweh, then he stooped to me and heard my cry for help.

2 He pulled me up from the seething chasm, from the mud of the mire. He set my feet on rock, and made my footsteps firm.
3 He put a fresh song in my mouth, praise of our God. Many will be awestruck at the sight, and will put their trust in Yahweh.
4 How blessed are those who put their trust in Yahweh, who have not sided with rebels and those who have gone astray in falsehood.
5 How much you have done, Yahweh, my God -- your wonders, your plans for us -- you have no equal. I will proclaim and speak of them; they are beyond number.
6 You wanted no sacrifice or cereal offering, but you gave me an open ear, you did not ask for burnt offering or sacrifice for sin;
7 then I said, 'Here I am, I am coming.' In the scroll of the book it is written of me,
8 my delight is to do your will; your law, my God, is deep in my heart.
9 I proclaimed the saving justice of Yahweh in the great assembly. See, I will not hold my tongue, as you well know.
10 I have not kept your saving justice locked in the depths of my heart, but have spoken of your constancy and saving help. I have made no secret of your faithful and steadfast love, in the great assembly.
11 You, Yahweh, have not withheld your tenderness from me; your faithful and steadfast love will always guard me.
12 For troubles surround me, until they are beyond number; my sins have overtaken me; I cannot see my way. They outnumber the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, Yahweh, to rescue me, Yahweh, come quickly and help me!
14 Shame and dismay to all who seek to take my life. Back with them, let them be humiliated who delight in my misfortunes.
15 Let them be aghast with shame, those who say to me, 'Aha, aha!'
16 But joy and happiness in you to all who seek you! Let them ceaselessly cry, 'Great is Yahweh' who love your saving power.
17 Poor and needy as I am, the Lord has me in mind. You, my helper, my Saviour, my God, do not delay.


Matthew 9 v 1 -8
1 He got back in the boat, crossed the water and came to his home town.

2 And suddenly some people brought him a paralytic stretched out on a bed. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'Take comfort, my child, your sins are forgiven.'
3 And now some scribes said to themselves, 'This man is being blasphemous.'
4 Knowing what was in their minds Jesus said, 'Why do you have such wicked thoughts in your hearts?
5 Now, which of these is easier: to say, "Your sins are forgiven," or to say, "Get up and walk"?
6 But to prove to you that the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins,' -- then he said to the paralytic-'get up, pick up your bed and go off home.'
7 And the man got up and went home.
8 A feeling of awe came over the crowd when they saw this, and they praised God for having given such authority to human beings.


Our Lady in front of the Cross bidding us to come and worship Jesus.




Look up the bible readings at:-

http://www.catholic.org/bible/



Wednesday 27 July 2011

The Cross is the key and door to Heaven

Notes of Praise and Intercession Meeting on 19 July 2011

Picture of many nations all kneeling at the foot of the Cross. there were black, asian, chinese, white and arab nations, everyone on the Earth was represented. As we all looked at the Cross it became infused with different colours, it was as though the Cross became a keyhole or doorway into another World. Everyone could see into its very depths it was as though Heaven itself was turning before us.
There were valleys with corn ready for harvest, vineyards thick with glossy grapes, olive groves ready to be gathered, rivers flowing from beautiful waterfalls, great forests thick with foliage, many animals and seas with many fish swimming in their waters.
Then as this New Heaven turned there was revealed a huge white building with water flowing from under it and such a bright light emanating from within. It's columns and domes glistening and such beautiful singing and sounds from within.
Then the turning stopped and looking into a courtyard we could see Jesus talking and teaching. All those with Him seemed to be very happy and very relaxed. To the right was another courtyard Our Lady was there with many children and babies and some youths. The older ones looked after the younger ones. These children are our lost children, miscarried, stillborn, and the aborted babies. All of them were full of Joy completely healthy and looked as though despite our loss of them to be reaching their full potential. They seemed to have a special affinity with Our Lady and prayed happily for our conversion. they seemed to be always thanking God for their existence.
Slowly the picture subsides until we are again at the foot of the Cross. All the nations were amazed and started to sing and praise God. The throng of voices sounded similar to the beauty and musical sounds from within the white building. Then slowly a huge bubble of light rose out of the Cross and emptied itself upon all the nations and a flow of grace fell upon all.
Come to Me all you who labour and I will give you rest.

Revelation 14 v 13-15
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”

“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labour, for their deeds will follow them.”
14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”

*Sense of heaven coming down to us and/or us being taken up to Heaven and of the angels joining in with our praise.

*You are the new wine, the special reserve held back ripened and matured for a time of great need. That time of great need is now here. Go out and do my work.

I will give you rest

Notes from meeting of 12 July 2011

May My Peace be in your body, mind and soul.
Take your rest in Me.

Come to Me all you who are overburdened and I will give you rest ..
Matthew 11 v 28-30


Look up the bible readings at:-
http://www.catholic.org/bible/


Thursday 7 July 2011

I am doing a new thing

Notes of Praise and Intercession meeting 28 June 2011

Picture of a ball of light within a cloud of gloom. Within the ball of light I could see Our Lady holding in her arms the dead body of her Son Jesus. The light became larger dispelling the gloom and in its centre was Jesus risen from death.

It was as if all of us were being pulled into this light and as if with Our Lady we were all one with Jesus. Each person felt renewed, free and full of life. The life was flowing from Him into us until we all felt in tune. One body, He in us and we in Him. More and more we desired His presence.

The picture changes to Our Lady holding the dead figure of a man covered in sores and in a grievous state. This figure represents mankind and his state of being now in the world. Our Lady beckoned us to come and see the pitiful sight of our lost brothers and sisters. Our Lady presented this figure to God and she spoke words of supplication and tears of real sorrow fell from her eyes. As her eyes turned to us they pleaded for prayer and good actions to bring the light of the Holy Spirit to work upon this dead body, to reverse the damage and heal mankind. Her Son has paid the price but the sickness is so bad, more vigilant prayer is needed. As we begin to put into action her requests bit by bit the figure starts to recover, until a new child is in her arms glowing with health and able to understand and grow in God's ways.

All prayer, praise and acts of goodness defeat the enemy and enable healing and growth.

We are being called to bring light into darkness.
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* Don't look back I am doing a new thing.
Isaiah 43:19 (New International Version)
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.


*Outpouring, downpour of the Spirit making us new, clean

*A body being hosed down - made clean

*A boat with men fishing casting out the nets, in the storm.

* A new day dawns , things are new

* The homeless man (the derelict) needing to be restored . Jesus wants to restore them and us

* Jesus is the Shepherd that looks for the lost sheep, to drag them from the swamp, to bring them to restful waters, to bind up their wounds.


Psalm 40 (New International Version)

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. 5 Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. 8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me.
14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!”
17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Fear not for I AM with you

Notes of meeting on 21 June 2011

A picture of Jesus and above Him a gentle bright light and around Him a light breeze.
Jesus seemed to gather the light and the breeze to Himself and then He breathed it out onto the World. The breath of light and the sound of the breeze gathered into a huge wave which gently rolled over every part of the earth reaching out and seeking and finding all dark areas renewing them with life.
I could see this wave eventually coming to our Diocese rolling through all towns and stopping here. Here in this room it added to the light already here making it brighter. It was as though the very air we breathed in healed us and uplifted us carrying us in its buoyancy. We all felt free of our burdens, free to be with Jesus with no effort needed. Such Joy, such Oneness. It was as though The Holy Trinity was equipping us in Gentleness. I felt we had no need to fear at all.
The word I had was "Fear not for I AM with you!"

Psalm 57 v 7 - 11

Ephesians 3


Isaiah 54 v 11


Romans 8 v 35 -39


look up the bible readings at:-

http://www.catholic.org/bible/

The word from the Praise and Intercession Night on 28 June will folow as soon as I get time!! Stephen

Thursday 2 June 2011

Persevere in faith

Notes from meeting on 31 May 2011

* (Feast) Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary • Luke 1:39-56
Daily reflection taken from Bible Alive - Alive Publishing

Mary was a young Jewish girl who lived in Nazareth. Her early life would have seemed nothing out of the ordinary; her life would have melted into the background of the daily life in a small town. But it is here that we find the model of the hope that does not disappoint.

The quality of a person’s faith, its character and its strength, is exposed when it is tested. When Mary was asked to be the mother of the Lord, it would be a mistake to think that she did not fully grasp the implications of what was being asked of her. She must have known that her acceptance of this role would lead to her life being changed forever. There must have been worries and fears. But Mary’s ‘Yes’ was both a brave and a remarkable response from a human being.

Mary reveals to us all a faith that trusts God. But faith does not exclude us from the worries and anxieties of life: it is a gift by which we can retain our hope and confidence regardless of our circumstances. Mary would have faced anxieties along with her joy. She would have welcomed the support and encouragement of those who were close to her. And so she set off on the arduous journey to visit her cousin in the hill country. Mary may have rushed to Elizabeth to share the joy of hearing that she was going to have a child, but she also knew that her cousin loved the Lord and would not only rejoice in Mary’s news but would understand and encourage her.

God’s Spirit is at work in us who believe, because it is as we believe that the word of God is both conceived and brought forth in our lives. Our words and deeds may be hidden from the eyes of the world, but each step of faith, each act of hope, each word of prayer brings us closer to God. We do not make this pilgrimage through life on our own: we journey in faith, with all the angels and saints. We journey together to our Father.

‘God our Father, we thank you for the example of faith, hope and love that we have in Mary. It is hope in you that leads us to see you at work in our lives. May we learn to live each day with an expectation of your plan unfolding before our eyes.’

* Romans 12 v 9 - 13

* Acts 22 v 6 - 21 Paul's conversion


* Lord help us listen to your 'call' for us as individuals as a group and as a Church.
Help us remain faithful and persevere despite our trials, help us to respect all people and be witnesses to your love.

Tuesday 31 May 2011

Lazarus come forth...

Notes of Praise and Intercession Meeting 24 May 2011


*Lazarus come forth.. Jesus calls people out of the darkness into the light. He calls them (and us) out of unbelief, sin and death into the light. He wants to remove the binding cloths to set us free to bring us to new life, to the salvation that he has won for us by his death and Resurrection.

The smell of death may still cling to those he has brought to new life, we are called to pray that they be cleansed healed and cared for. Perhaps we will be called to spend time praying and caring for such a person in love.

*Deep calls to deep - Gods loving heart calls to our hearts - do our hearts respond.

*Picture of Jesus nailed to the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
Jesus in his goodness and divinity, by his sacrifice of crucifixion, eradicated evil.
Emanating from him were great flames of cleansing fire that crossed the whole world, followed by tremendous light. This fire went to all dark places, cleansing and healing then leaving only the beautiful light.
The light joined up to other points of light on the earth, like this little group. Many people were converting and loving Jesus.
Our Lady magnified the Lord. We also in our little way through praise, prayer, thanksgiving, fasting, little sacrifices to magnify the Lord. We may not be able to see the fruits of this, but by faith we know the Holy Spirit works marvels and one day in glory all will be revealed.
I could see after the cleansing fire the earth seemed cleaner,more lush. The colours stood out more. Also our inner beings like the earth were cleaner clearer renewed more loving, more faithful, more gifted, more adoring of Christ who in turn gazed on us with such happiness.
The Holy Spirit is equipping us to participate in the huge action of renewal! He is in our hearts that are fearfully and wonderfully made by the Father

1 Corinthians 2 v 9-10
9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.




*Nothing is impossible for God

Thursday 19 May 2011

Jesus the Good Shepherd

Notes of meeting on 17 May 2011

Picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd standing in front of the Cross.
He holds each of us in His arms and gives to us a cross which is our own individual cross.

The cross is the key to the gate of Jesus.
Jesus is the gate through which we enter the sheepfold.

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving grateful praise.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.


Romans 8 v 31 - 37
More Than Conquerors
31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Let us have faith confidence in God who is our shield and protection and keeps us from harm despite the crosses difficulties and sufferings that we have to bear

Wednesday 18 May 2011

My people receive my love

Notes of meeting 10 May 2011

My people receive my love.
I delight when you open your hearts to the gift of Faith I offer you.
I take delight in the praise you offer. Put your hand in mine and I will lead you to peace within yourself and peace in relating to the world around you.

Mark 7 v 14 – 23

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Monday 9 May 2011

Drop the net here

Notes of meeting on 3 May 2011


Picture of a large black void. A large lake of thick acrid boiling mud was being spewed out of the mouth of this void. Flames and bursts of boiling mud were flowing upwards. People were drowning and choking, their mouths and nostrils full of boilng mud. Other beings were trying to drag them under and into the mouth of the void. The people couldn't even cry out for help.

Jesus is standing on the shore of the lake beckoning. Members of this group and others are stepping into flat boats and with great courage they fan out in the boats making a large arc on the lake. Jesus says "Drop the net here" and then He makes a sign for the boats to return to the shore. He greets us and as we come on shore the net drags many choked burnt and agonised people to the shore as well. Jesus exposes his wounded body and Blood and Water flow over them. Immediately they are cleanses and healed. Jesus says "By My wounds you saved by My Grace be clean and sin no more".

It was felt that Jesus was saying that even when He calls us to do something and we are scared to do so He will be right there with us. We cannot do any work for him unless He is there with us. If He asks us to do something He will give us the courage needed. It was also felt that it was very significant that we all worked together in unison with Him (not on our own). Our prayers and praise were represented by the net pulling poor souls out of the very depths of drakness. We are asked to participate in this work as one body with Him. His is the grace, healing and cleansing our action of prayer, praising, fasting, good works is the participation He requires. It is not men we are fighting but evil principalities. We cannot do this on our won we have to involve Jesus at every level.

Ephesians 6 v 10-18
The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.



Isaiah 54



Lord help us to pray earnestly for those in darkness and in need of salvation and help us to accept or trials and crosses

Friday 29 April 2011

Crucified and Risen Lord

Notes of Praise and Intercession meeting 26 April 2011

Picture of Jesus with His Heart exposed. From the centre of His Heart came a Cross in the shape of an arrow, the tip drenched in His Blood. The arrow went up into the air and then entered the heart of the first one of us and then continued until all our hearts received His Cross. The Cross entered our hearts tip down, Blood first.

Jesus says:
If you love Me receive My Cross, the arrow of true love. This arrow of love may cause you the sweetest of pain which you will come to know as you do my will not your will. If you accept my arrow of love then pain and renunciation will turn to joy and everlasting love. Do not be afraid only be open. You shall be called brother and sister to me and daughter and son to the Father and My Mother. You will be My family, My people and I will be your Brother who loves you. We will be one. I long for this union with you My beloved flock

................................................................................

The Resurrection and the Cross go together there cannot be resurrection without the Cross, joy without suffering, life without death. The seed must die to bring forth new life.

Lord help us to accept our own cross and our own sufferings and from them be led by you into joy.

Crucified and Risen Lord have mercy on us
For the times we have failed to open our eyes to see
Lord have mercy on us
For the times we have failed to open our ears to hear
Lord have mercy on us
For the times we have failed to live your calling
Lord have mercy on us
For the times we have failed to be open to your Spirit
Lord have mercy on us
Crucified and Risen Lord have mercy on us
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1 Corinthians 5 v 6 -7

6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.


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Let us pray for the unity of the Church

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Prophecy from Sr. Briege McKenna

Prophecy from Sr. Briege McKenna on Friday, March 18. 2011 at Magnificat Leader's* Conference in New Orleans.
This was originally given to an elderly mystic who received these words from the Blessed Mother and Jesus on Sept. 29, 2010.

*This was a word for a particular group of people in a community. Sr. Briege got permission from the Lord in adoration and from the woman to read this prophecy to the Magnificat International Conference. She said that we are living in very serious times, but times of joy. Because if the Lord is going to prepare us for heaven, He has to detach us from here. We are being called to be warriors in this time. The Lord is calling us to zeal - a zeal for salvation, We are to pray that people will be ready.

From the Blessed Mother:
I come to you today as the Queen of all the Universe. And I appear to you in this way because I wish for all the sons and daughters of the Father in heaven to appreciate that each and every one of you, individually, has an important role in the future of the entire universe.
You see when you were created in spirit and mind within the magnificence of the Father in heaven, He had a plan for each and every one of you to be a part of the magnificent universe that He has created for
all of His children. As pan of His plan for Its children, He has chosen a life path for each and every one of His children.
From the darkness of the world in which you live this must seem difficult for you to understand because there are so many distractions in this world that separate you from the love of the Father in heaven. We are living in a time now here on earth when great changes eve being brought about to restore the future of mankind to its rightful place as the Father in heaven had chosen for you.
Due to all of the evil that has permeated the earth since the beginning of time, the earth itself has fallen out of alignment with the divine plan of the Father for the entire universe. As a result of the misalignment of the earth itself, created by all the darkness, now has been corrected by the Father in heaven. As a result, great changes are taking place geographically within the core of the earth and such changes will result in great disruption of the earth itself.
Fear not, for during these times the Lord and Saviour intends to protect all His children through the power of the Holy Spirit to bring about the great transformation of this planet for the betterment of all mankind and to bring mankind into the fold of the Father. So that the future of this planet and its inhabitants can be assured in the loving arms of the Father. Your course is clear then, in that you must all, individually and collectively, prepare for the great changes that the near future will bring for each and every one of you. Plan your lives carefully now, and always with the thought in mind that you are the son and daughter of the Father in heaven. He has a special plan designed for each and every one of you to assure that you are part of this plan to save humanity from its own destruction.
It is necessary then that you each must choose your path through prayer and meditation to discover what is it that the Father wants of you in planning for the global transformation of all humanity, This is a time that calls for great prayer warriors to assist the Father in heaven to usher in these end time events for the betterment of mankind. There is so much evil and corruption in your world that must be defeated, during these times that the Lord and Saviour is calling upon each and everyone of you to assist in bringing about an end to the evil and corruption of this world. Think of the beauty, the peace, the serenity that the new world will offer each and everyone of you when we defeat the evil forces, For the time will come, soon, when these events will occur."
Then the Lord speaks to the old woman who received the prophecy:
I ask you to be patient then with Your Lord and Saviour just as He has been showing his great patience with each and every one of you. For the time will come, very soon, when you will be rewarded for your participation in God's plan for you. "


PRAYER IN UNION WITH JESUS
Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to empty myself and be filled with You love, peace, patience, compassion, mercy, forgiveness and understanding. Let every beat of my heart and every breath I breathe be for You. Let every word that I speak be reflective of You. Let every glance that I give be a mirror of You. Let every hand that I touch feel Your gentle care. Let every step I take be on Your path toward Your light. Let every word of praise I may receive be directed to You in humble thanksgiving. Let every angry word said to me or against me be returned with words of love and mercy not anger and revenge. Let every desire I have be for You. Let my will conform to Yours. Touch every cell of my body Lord, and make me the person, the servant You want me to be. AMEN

Wednesday 20 April 2011

At the foot of the Cross

Notes of meeting on 19 April 2011


Picture of Our Mother Mary watching her Son walk with his cross on His lonely last journey. He looks at her and their eyes meet. He knows she is silently walking every step of the way with Him. It’s rather like when a relative is dying and we have to be there to silently give support. This gives them much comfort and solace, so too Jesus with His beloved Mother. This love helps Him to continue His great act of love, carrying our sins.

We are now at the foot of the Cross silently witnessing His death and our salvation. Mary is on her knees asking us the “Pray, pray, pray”


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Of those watching at the Cross were :
1. those who are looking only at the spectacle (the soldiers/crowd)
2. those looking to receive something (like the penitent thief)
3. those looking out of love and compassion – wanting to share the suffering (Our Lady ,the women and St John)

Which are we?


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Trust Me in all things.
Trust that I will open doors when necessary.
Keep on loving Me

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2 Timothy 1 v 6 - 13

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in


Monday 11 April 2011

SALT, YEAST, FLOUR and WATER

This "recipe" was sent by a member of our group to share with you:


SALT. Antiseptic. It has cleansing properties. It also makes food taste better.
It changes the taste.
We are told by Our Lord to be SALT, in the world.
Matthew ch 5 v13 You are the salt of the earth: but if salt has lost his savor, how will it be salted?
Colossians ch 4 v5-6. Walk in wisdom towards them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you should answer every man.

YEAST. Can be dried or fresh, but needs to be "activated" before it is used. It's mixed with warm water, a little sugar and placed "on the side", before it is added, to activate.

FLOUR. Any kind of grain needs to be planted before it will grow. It takes time to grow and ripen. Then it is crushed and milled to become fine flour, only then can it be used. The Word of God needs to be planted in us, it takes time to grow in us and ripen in us.
The Word of God needs to be clear to be used by us, to be useful to others we pass it on to.

WATER. Jesus changed water into wine. Water by itself can cleanse and refresh, but water turned into wine takes on the added properties of healing and can "make the heart glad". Both are symbols of the Holy Spirit.
We need the Holy Spirit to, convict us of foregiveness, and salvation. He can change us from water into wine.
He reminds us of the words Jesus spoke. He discloses to us the things of God, directly or through the "gifts"
He imparts to us that's why we should always pray for His help before we read Gods Word.

Once mixed and kneaded the dough is "put to one side" to prove where it is warm, and it is covered. We mayfeel we are being left on the side, things are getting warm, but the important is we remain where we are to " prove". We are in no danger we are covered by Jesus Himself, even when things get uncomfortably hot and changes take place that we have no control over. Relax God is at work, He's making you into something He can use. After rising the dough is "knocked back" and again allowed to rise, still in a warm place, still covered.

When it is ready to be used it is placed in tins, and put into the oven to cook. God will take us through all these procedures, if we are willing, but He will use us, if we are obedient.

Once the bread is ready to eat, to enjoy, to feed us, to give growth to our hungry bodies. It may smell nice it may look nice, but until we eat it, it is of no good to us. It will never nourish us until we break off a piece for ourselves and eat it, and digest it.

The Word of God is The Bread of Life.
Jesus used the Word of God to defeat the devil, not His own words.
We need to read it for ourselves, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and those who understand it.

Do you know how lucky we are to have a bible of our own? In the early church the word of God given through the Apostles was only given to trusted men. Those who understand it, and pass pass it on correctly.

PRAY, READ, DIGEST, UNDERSTAND, PASS IT ON.

We should have answers for peoples questions, the answers are in Gods Word. They are the answers we should pass on, not our own answers or our wise words. Wise words are just wise words, they don't have the same power as the Word of God. The power of Gods Word is like a two-edged sword, able to cut through to where it can have effect on people, situations, that wise words never will. The Wisdom of God surpasses the wisdom of men.

PRAY, READ, DIGEST, UNDERSTAND, THEN.....SHARE.

1 Peter ch 2 v 2 As newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow.

Hebrews ch 5 v 12 -14. For when the time has come when you should be teachers, you still need one to teach you again which are the first principles of God: and are become as those who still need milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat
belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

PRAY, READ, DIGEST, UNDERSTAND, SHARE

Wednesday 30 March 2011

The Call of Love - Deep calls to deep

Notes of Meeting on 29 March 2011

PICTURE OF JESUS, HE IS WEEPING TEARS, HIS HEART IS EXPOSED AND GREAT DROPS OF BLOOD ARE WEEPING FROM HIS HEART.

My people your love consoles me when I weep. I see the love you have in your hearts and all the good they contain, and this consoles my broken heart. My heart bleeds grievously for the evil and cold indifference in other hearts. I long for these hearts to contain my love, I long and thirst for them to return to me. Every time you are obedient to too my call of love upon you, you console my weeping heart, I see all your good actions, how you try to follow my path, it makes my heart soar with love and gratitude. My little flock listen always to my call of love. Love is not always the easiest path but it is the most fruitful. I you walk my path with the Holy Spirit, you know you are walking in the Father's will, the will of obedience. If you continue to walk this path of love, our adversary Satan, cannot lead you elsewhere. Your continual obedience to my call of love, is truly the consolation of my broken heart

My beloved little flock.

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DEEP CALLS TO DEEP

oh the day draws in, my heart weeps
tears run down my cheek, deep calls to deep

deep calls to deep
the waves and billows wash over me
I’ve been baptised into the waters of life
now I’m diving into the sea
I’m fishing for the souls of men
in the sea of humanity
I’m casting my nets as I’m listening to
the man from Galilee

listen you who have ears to hear
look you who have eyes to see
you are my beloved
in whom I am well pleased
my good my faithful ones
in whom I put my trust
I know my own
my own know me
they hear my voice
and they listen

it is my father’s will that not one will be lost
angels will lift you lest you stumble on a stone
these words you hear me speak these words are not my own
they are the words of the Father who sent me


deep calls to deep
the waves and billows wash over me
I’ve been baptised into the waters of life
now I’m diving into the sea
I’m fishing for the souls of men
in the sea of humanity
I’m casting my nets as I’m listening to
the man from Galilee

oh the day draws in, my heart weeps
tears run down my cheek, deep calls to deep

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A sense of a shining light around my head that seemed to lift the darkness and depression with me. It was if in our Praise either we had been raised to heaven or that heaven had come down to us.

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My Eternal Light will shine on you always.

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Jude v 17 - 24


A Call to Persevere

17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Doxology

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Transfiguration

Notes of meeting on 22 March 2011


Jesus died on the Cross for us, through his death we are saved. He says "Love one another as I have loved you." Are we able to love all men those we dislike as well as those we like - can we love our enemies? Jesus died for all men good and bad,saints and sinners


Isaiah 56 v 1-8 (New International Version, ©2011)


Salvation for Others


1 This is what the LORD says: “Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 2 Blessed is the one who does this— the person who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps their hands from doing any evil.” 3 Let no foreigner who is bound to the LORD say, “The LORD will surely exclude me from his people.” And let no eunuch complain, “I am only a dry tree.” 4 For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— 5 to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. 6 And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant— 7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” 8 The Sovereign LORD declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”


A miner finds gold in the darkness of the mine - may we find Jesus in the darkness of our lives.


Daily reflection on Second Sunday of Lent (A)Sunday 20 March (From Bible Alive - Alive Publishing Limited)


Matthew 17:1-9 Matthew 17:1-9 (New International Version, ©2011)


The Transfiguration 1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”


For Peter, the heart of Jesus’ transfiguration is his receiving glory and honour from his Father: ‘For when he received honour and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by Majestic Glory, “This is my Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain’ (2 Pet. 1:17-18). The Father glorified Jesus in his humanity and the disciples saw the holiness of his inmost reality – the glory he had from the beginning: ‘Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made’ (John 17:5).

Jesus is the perfect human being. He came to create a new humanity by transforming us and filling us with his own holiness and glory. Incorporated in Christ by baptism, we die to our old humanity and rise with him as a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Deep within us the Spirit begins his work of transforming us into the likeness and holiness of Christ. Nonetheless, we must co-operate with the Spirit.

Two things can hinder our co-operation. Firstly we often do not believe we can overcome our failings and weaknesses and be changed in a lasting way. The remedy is to grow in our faith that the Spirit is a power within us: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Cor. 12:9). By proclaiming this truth to ourselves, we shall strengthen our faith in God’s power to change us.

Secondly, we often think we are making no real progress in becoming holy as we seem to be continually struggling with the same issues. The remedy is to hold on to the truth that the Spirit’s work in us is necessarily hidden: ‘So we do not lose heart...our inner nature is being renewed every day’ (2 Cor. 4:16). Only after our death will the hidden work of our transformation be fully revealed. Meanwhile, as we eat the Lord’s body and drink his blood in the Eucharist, we put our faith in the truth that he is transforming us – albeit in a hidden way – and rejoice that we ‘are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another’ (2 Cor. 3:18).

‘Lord Jesus, transform my hidden self into your own likeness, so that I may more perfectly give you glory and honour.’

Thursday 17 March 2011

Out of the depths

Notes of meeting on 15 March 2011


Picture of a woman in the fires of hell. She cries out to Jesus. His precious blood is poured over the flames and He he pulls her out of the fire.

Psalm 130 (New International Version, ©2011)
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD; 2 Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4 But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6 I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. 8 He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.






God the Mighty Creator of the universe love me!







God accepts us as we are even in our weakness and sinfulness, we only need to turn to him and he will save us. He cares for us in all the difficulties, trials and ordinary circumstances (large and small) of our daily life. He gives us his Sprit to strengthen us.






Daily Reflection on First Sunday of Lent (A) Sunday 13 March
Matthew 4:1-11
(From Bible Alive - Alive Publishing Limited)

‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might’ (Deut. 6:5). We are commanded to love God with every aspect of our being – with an undivided heart, with all our life and energies, and to prefer the love of God over the love of power and wealth.

Through Satan’s temptations Jesus’ obedience to the first commandment was tested. Firstly, his heart was tested. Would Jesus find his entire nourishment in the word of God alone, or seek his own satisfaction by assuaging his hunger? Jesus withstood Satan: ‘man does not live by bread alone, but…by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord’ (Deut. 8:3). The Son of God was fed by the word of God, not by bread alone.

Next, Satan invited Jesus to test God’s providential care by risking his life unnecessarily. Jesus’ response was unequivocal: ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test’ (Deut. 6:16). We serve the Lord with all that we have and all that we are, but not by taking reckless risks. The Son of God did not put the Father to foolish tests.

Finally, Satan invited Jesus to choose the way of power and wealth over obeying God. Jesus dismissed Satan: ‘You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve him…You shall not go after other gods’ (Deut. 6:13-14). The Son of God offered worship only to his heavenly Father. For forty days in the desert, Jesus rejected Satan’s temptations.
He loved God above all things.

All Satan’s temptations fall under these three categories of heart, life and wealth. Recognize Satan’s subtle ways of tempting us. He does not want us to love God with an undivided heart or serve him with all our might. He wants us to prefer the love of power and wealth to the love of God. The clearer we are about what God wants for our lives, the more successfully we shall resist Satan’s temptations. Jesus was steeped in the Scriptures and used them to resist Satan. Similarly, we should be familiar with the Scriptures so that we might have ‘the mind of Christ’ (1 Cor. 2:16) and stand against Satan’s wiles.

‘Lord Jesus, you loved your Father perfectly with all your heart, soul and might. By your Spirit give me the wisdom and strength to resist Satan and the grace to imitate your obedience to your Father.’

Come all you who are thirsty

Notes of meeting on 1 March 2011



Isaiah 55:1-13 (New International Version, ©2011)
Invitation to the Thirsty
1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. 4 See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples. 5 Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations you do not know will come running to you, because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has endowed you with splendor.”
6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”


Ezekiel 47:1-9 (New International Version, ©2011)
The River From the Temple
1 The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side.
3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”
Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.


Matthew 13:44-45 (New International Version, ©2011)
The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.