faithblocks

I do. There are times when I feel this intense intimacy with Him and want to dwell in His presence. And yet there are times when I find myself drifting away. Drifting into my busyness, drifting into keeping up with schedules and routine, drifting into ‘more important things’, drifting into ‘doing’ more. I can sense myself wandering, finding excuses, justifying myself. I feel a little lost, disconnected and restless. In the back of my mind, I also know the answer. To pause, to breathe, to be quiet and soak in His presence. But I avoid it. I put it off. […]

I don’t believe it when I say, “With your help, I will sin no more” Do you? I’ve been saying it every time I go for confession. Have I ever meant it? Do I really believe I will not have to return? Here’s my honest confession: NO In fact, every time I walk out the confessional feeling refreshed, calm and back into intimacy with the Lord, I don’t really believe I won’t sin again. In fact, I try so hard to stay ‘clean’ that I sin even sooner. Then why confess? Sound like you? Please tell me it isn’t just […]

Has it crossed your mind that the Holy Family together experienced every threat and situation mankind ever possibly could. A threat to the babe’s life, to fleeing and living like refugees, to not have a stable roof on your head, struggling to earn a living, relocating, losing a spouse, losing a son, losing a friend, betrayed, ridiculed, mocked, stripped off clothes, go through intense suffering of body and mind, sentenced to death and many ‘whys’ unanswered. Of all the three, the Patron of the Universal Church is hardly mentioned in the gospels. Much greater is his silence. If God took […]

All Saints day! The day we remember the ones who loved God to the fullest on earth and are now with Him in Heaven. Who is your favorite saint? I have too many. St. Padre Pio, St. Joseph the Carpenter, St. Michael, St. Medard, St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II, St. Rose of Lima, St Josemaria Escriva, St. Anthony, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Francis to name a few. Don’t forget to list your favorite saints in the comments… At different points of my life each of them have inspired, challenged, encouraged and consoled me. Through their words […]

Mother Mary, the one kept without sin.  The one chosen to bear the Son of God. The one whom the angel visited to give the Good news. The one who said yes and braced the uncertainty of her yes. The woman who crushed the head of the serpent. The woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. The woman who fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, She who came as the second Eve.  She whose heart was pierced seven times. She who was […]

Hello and welcome! Meet 17 year old, Esther Joann Phillips—The One-der Woman Band—she plays not 2 or 3, but 5 instruments together! Phew. She likes to be called Joann, is the youngest of four, and a quiet, typical high school student. You don’t meet too many her age who have their goals and priorities so clear. Let’s get to know her a bit more. What is the greatest blessing in ur life?Joann: Apart from family, the community (Joann’s family is part of the ICPE mission). It’s great you mention that coz I’ve always wondered what it’s like to be the […]

Who is God, the Father? For a long time the only understanding I had was from Sunday school; the First Person of the Trinity. The man with a long white beard and wise eyes. And any reference to Him in the Old Testament made me feel very cautious of Him. God the Father sounded like a disciplinarian, the one with strict rules, laws, punishment and severe consequences. He definitely wasn’t someone I wanted to mess with and so I stayed far away from Him hoping to not bother Him unnecessarily. Jesus as a brother and friend was a better relationship […]