The Body And Blood

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Martha

Today I am posting two past but very special entries from Journey Through The Stillness, my personal spiritual journal.  Have a blessed Good Friday everyone. May You feel His Mercy and Forgivenesses in the depth of your soul.

November 17, 2010 – My Crucified Lord is here.  As one time before He places His wounded hands in a chain lock with mine.  He sees that I am shaken by this and begins to kneel before me.  Seeing that this bothers me intensely He stands and brings me to standing also, hands still locked together.  He says, “This is the bond you must protect.  NEVER let it be taken from you.  I have shed my BLOOD for you; I have given up my BODY.  This is the bond that is LIFE giving.  The world knows Me not as I truly AM.  My Body and Blood is the GATEWAY for ALL.  The world knows Me not.  You are my messenger, child.  Go, and tell ALL, that they must eat of the Fruit of The Vine.  They must BELIEVE I AM the Fruit.”     (Personal thoughts – I can honestly say that when I enter into The Stillness I never know what is coming.  When I type it to post publicly I relive each moment.  It is then that I too see a pattern evolving, or a theme, or a particular message to be delivered.  Today is obviously the crescendo of the previous few messages, and also the crux of the entire Stillness.  The message is strong and clear – Through His Body and Blood we are delivered.  Through the Eucharist we are made whole in the physical union with Christ, Our LORD and SAVIOR.)

This is an excerpt from November 13, 2010… Entering in The Stillness Jesus is here.  He begins to write on me.  Using His finger He writes His name in blood on my forehead, my arms, my legs, my back.  In a moment I am awash in His blood.  It is running down my limbs onto my hands and feet.  I am astounded.  I feel so hollow, so empty, and so ashamed for I KNOW He sees everything.  He KNOWS everything.  He sees and knows the things I want no other human being to know, and yet, He continues to write on me.  Then He begins to use a towel and wipe away the blood.  I say, “No.”  I do not want Him to do this.  He responds, “Daughter, I have paid the price for you.  In coming to Me you are washed in my BLOOD.  In staying with Me and living in my will, you are cleansed, made whole, made perfect in my sight.  It is MINE to do.”  I so want to be cleansed, to be made whole, that I just sit there and allow Him to wipe.  He is ever so gentle.  He knows my anguish, my disgrace and wants to wipe it all away.  He and I both know He will have to repeat the process many times in my life time, but He knows I will try to make it as few times as possible for His sake.  I am learning; I am trying.  I desire to live in His will.

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Affirmations: Help For The Journey

Posted on March 24, 2018 by Martha

The following is a repeat from March 2011, but actually written about a journal entry from 2010. During Lent it is a perfect reminder that I very much need, and hope you find helpful also…

“Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Mark 14:38 

Some of us use positive statements, sometimes called affirmations, to help bolster our attitudes.  When our mind is filled with positive messages it is easier to disregard the negative messages that we are often bombarded with.  When put to good use, positive affirmations can alter lives for the better.

On May 8, 2010, in my time of Stillness before Our Lord, I was compelled to write the following definition of affirmations, and then share publicly on Facebook some of the affirmations from my personal journal.   The entry from Journey Through The Stillness reads: “Affirmations are to make one pause and think; to pull one from the clutches of temptation; to bring one into the grace of the moment; to help one to be conscious of failings and to grow in desire to do good.”

When taken separately, each part of the definition truly puts the use of affirmations into perfect perspective.

To pause and think – During the course of our day there are many times when we should pause and think before we speak or act.  One example of an affirmation to use is this one from Journey Through The Stillness: “When you judge others, I must judge you.” (3/1/11)  Write it on a sticky note and put it on the dash of your car, on your computer or in a drawer you open frequently at work, or mentally paste it in your mind.  Read it, think of it, before you speak or act; pause and think.

To pull one from the clutches of temptation – I know there are multiple occasions every single day when I need to be pulled from the clutches of temptation.  Having an affirmation ready in my mind to repeat over and over to myself can stop me in my tracks and save me from the evil of the sin I am about to commit.  This one can bring me quickly back to reality: “They have pierced my hands and my feet; they have numbered all my bones.”  When I say this stirring line from A Prayer Before A Crucifix, and have the image of Jesus on The Cross in my mind, I find myself humbled and no longer desiring to succumb to the temptation.  I do not want to add even one more of my sins to the weight of His cross, to His pain and suffering.

To bring one into the grace of the moment – Sometimes we feel more like complaining than rejoicing.  In our complaining we may miss out on the truly good parts of the situation, we may miss out on the grace of the moment.  I love this affirmation, again from Journey Through The Stillness: “Hear Me.  I love you exactly as you are.” (1/22/11)  When a situation turns sour, or we find ourselves doubting, it is good to know He loves exactly as we are, and in reality, His is the only opinion that counts!

To help one to be conscious of failing and to grow in desire to do good – This final affirmation is a matter of self evaluation, of becoming aware of the times we fall short and strengthening our resolve to do better.  As we go forward from our failures or shortcomings, we ask Him to come with us, we ask His guidance:  “Heart of Jesus, lead me in what is mine to do.” (3/23/11)  Knowing He is there to guide us to what is our true calling can make all the difference in the world.

The personal affirmations I have shared here are just a few of many.  Often the most effective of all is simplest.  JESUS – The name of Jesus repeated over and over until a situation passes or resolves itself, or until a temptation releases its power over you.

You can find many phrases in the Bible to use as affirmations, or create your own.  Then arm yourself with a few so when the time comes you turn to them automatically and without hesitation.

 

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He Holds The Year For You In Trust

Posted on December 31, 2017 by Martha

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you’.”  Isaiah 41:13

     A most Happy and Blessed New Year to all! 

“I stand between the years.  The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come – the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness.  Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment. … I hold the year in My Hands – in trust for you.  But I shall guide you one day at a time. … And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and the strength.”  (An excerpt from January 1st in “God Calling”, A.J. Russell)

          For many years the above excerpt from “God Calling” has been my favorite reflection to begin the New Year.  It brings such comfort to know He is in control.  Even so, like many, I have the tendency to want to know the outcome before I begin.  Sometimes I spend so much time ‘getting started’ that I never really begin!  I research, organize, question, and plan.  I want every little detail in place to assure success before I actually begin.  In the August 24th entry from “Journey Through The Stillness”, my personal spiritual journal shared on facebook,  He tells me, “It is that first step that is the hardest.  Remember when you stepped out onto facebook?  Wasn’t I there leading the way?  The first step leads to the next, and so on.” 

The reality is success is never secure.  There are just too many variables outside our control.  Ultimately, we are not in control of anything except our actions, our free will.  We give our best effort, and then hope for the best outcome.  However, if we are honest, sometimes the failures we experience are actually successes, because they lead us to the next step, to the right step, the right plan… the real success.

I tend to tussle with Jesus over this very thing quite often.  I want perfection; He wants action.  Or, I want to be part of the flock when He wants me to lead the flock!  I often say He drags me kicking and screaming to what is good for me.  And while hindsight is 20/20, I know if I was allowed to see all before I began I might run backwards and never realize the good that was in store for me!

I have come to learn He will not ask anything of me He doesn’t already know I can do.  He assures me, if I step out in faith, all I need will be waiting for me.  He understands I want to know all the steps before I take the first one, but this is not His way.  His Way is Trust.  Only after many convincing signs of His will for me to do so, did I begin to share my faith outwardly, through my personal journal on facebook.  It is the same with the website and blog.  I have truly stepped out in faith and trust, and He has met me with everything I need.  Has it been easily done, NO; but able to be done?  YES!

Remember, He holds the year for you in Trust.  Think about this; let it sink in.  Then, unafraid, step out into your New Year in trust.  All you need will be there.  What is waiting there for you?

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Do You Hear The Birds?

Posted on December 21, 2017 by Martha

“He was in the world, and through Him the world was made, yet the world knew Him not.”  John 1:10

“White noise” such as ambient background music, a low hum, or a high pitch whine, is often piped into offices as a sound neutralizer.  It acts as a barrier to prevent private conversations from being overheard, and to allow employees to focus better by eliminating unwanted sound distractions.  At first the white noise might easily be heard by the employees, but it soon fades into oblivion and they no longer know it is even there.

In reality, our everyday lives are filled with white noise:  TV, radio, traffic sounds, mall music, conversations.  Go a step further and consider that even the thoughts running through our mind are white noise.  With all that noise and all those thoughts processing through our heads at any given moment, it is a wonder that we can truly focus on anything.  But, somehow we do.  We learn to ‘tune out’ what isn’t necessary.  The problem with tuning out things is that we often miss something important.  We might see the bird, but do we hear it singing?

During Advent we might see the Christmas decorations.  We might hear the Christmas Carols, but do we experience their true meaning, their true joy, or does it become just white noise?  Do we focus on our hectic ‘to do’ lists or on the Christmas Season’s inner stirrings of our soul?  When we see the Christ child laying in the manger with the Star shinning brightly above, do we see it as just a symbol or a profound truth?  Has it become just white noise?

If white noise is drowning out the profound truth of Jesus Christ, The Word made flesh, then we need to slow our pace, focus, and pay attention to the inner stirrings of our soul.  We need to listen to actually hear the birds singing, to hear the Spirit speaking to our heart urging us to prepare a room for Him.

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Together In Peace

Posted on December 20, 2017 by Martha

616px-Fra_Angelico_Adoration“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people.”  Psalm 85:8

     During Christmastime we are often faced with family challenges, family conflicts.  While most families have loving relationships with each other, all is not merry and bright at some family gatherings.  To say the least, this can be quite upsetting for all concerned.  Sometimes the best we can do is to manage the situation from our own perspective.

First, we must realize, and come to terms with, the fact that no one is in our control.  We do not create, nor are we responsible for others’ thoughts, words, or actions.  Again… we are not in control of others.  Once we realize this, the pressure is off.  It is not on us to see that everyone behaves, that everyone has a good time.  We become free to add good vibes to the atmosphere.  We create an aura around our own orbital path that radiates self worth, love, and joy.

Second, in order to create this aura we must go to the One who IS in control.  Spending time in His presence we release the burden of control to Him and seek His help to do so. By centering our orbital path around God, The Father, we feel the weight lifted, we feel loved.  We know that at the very moment our circumstances become embroiled, negative, or unloving, we can turn within to His love.

Advent is a time of preparation, a time of gift giving.  Let us stock up in advance by spending time with Him on gifts of love within ourselves to share with those around us, even those we may find hard to love.  If we feel His Love within, we will radiate His Love outwardly and bring peace to our surroundings.

This Christmas do not let others rob you of His gift of Love for you, and do not be afraid to share His gift through words of Peace, Love, and Joy.  May all your Christmas celebrations be Merry and Bright!

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Less Is More

Posted on December 11, 2017 by Martha
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden by Peter Wenzel, taken by Martha Wiggins, Vatican Museum, 2012

“Let all that you do be done in love.”  1 Corinthians 16: 14

While Advent is the season of Peace, Love, and Joy, it is also the season where, just as a fever rises on a thermometer, stress levels can go up and up, and up.  We become overwhelmed with multiple ‘to do’ lists:  gifts to buy, cards to send, the next place to hide the Elf, food to prepare, people to see, and lots more.  Before we know it we are looking for a place to hide, for an escape route.  We don’t know whether we are coming or going.  When we lose our way the true meaning of Christmas, the reason for the season, also gets lost in the fray.

Two popular sayings come to mind.  “Less is more”, and, “If a little is good, a lot is better!”  If we are speaking of dieting, where the less you eat the more you lose, then less IS more.  If you like whip cream, well then, a little is good, but a lot IS better, and less is NOT more!

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus this Advent, we may find that more decorations will not fill a heart lacking love, and more gifts will not prove our love for someone.  However, a heartfelt gift of our self just might.  Even a little time spent sharing ourselves, by making a simple phone call, assisting someone in need, or maybe even helping someone else with their decorations, will not only fill the heart of the recipient, but ours as well.  If a few less decorations means more time spent sharing our love with others, then Less IS more.

Also, taking time to refuel our spirit is essential to being able to accomplish all those things on our ‘to do’ lists.  Spending a little time in prayer with Jesus will prepare our hearts to give more fully and more genuinely.  In doing so, we become filled with His love and a burning desire to share it with all those we come in contact with.  So, if spending a little time with Jesus makes us share love with others more, then… if a little is good, a lot IS better.

Maybe we can each find special ways where cutting back, or doing more, may be the key to experiencing a very productive and memorable Advent.  One with generous hearts focused on and filled with His love.

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When God Gives A Gift

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Martha

443px-Botticelli_04_Louvre “May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.”  Jude 1:2

Gifts come in all shapes and sizes, in all kinds of packaging.  A beautifully wrapped gift is a joy to open and discover the surprise within.  Just as the gifts come in different styles, so do the recipients, the openers.  Some tantalize the onlookers, and themselves, by slowly untying the bow, carefully undoing the tape at the seams, and gently opening the box.  Others just rip through in a big hurry to get to the contents!

Not all gifts can be opened by pulling off the bow and paper, or by taking out the tissue and looking in the bag.  Not all gifts come packaged!  Something that was lost and is now found, a knowing smile, a good deed rendered, a thoughtful phone call, an answered prayer, or a sacrifice made are all examples of gifts that must be opened in a different way.

Each of these are all directly or indirectly gifts from God, our Creator, who loves to please us, who wants to see us happy.  Such gifts are only seen or noticed when we are paying attention.  When God gives a gift … it must be opened with the heart.  When we open our heart to Him, His gifts to us are endless.  In fact, they are Eternal!

This Advent open your heart and receive your gifts.  You will find many wonderful surprises … if you are paying attention.  God Bless and Merry Christmas!

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This Little Light Of Mine

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Martha
Bernini's Holy Spirit at Saint Peter's Basilica

Bernini’s Holy Spirit at Saint Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy, 2011

“You are the light of the world.”  Matthew 5:14

Christmas lights are brightly shining.  Everywhere we look there are decorative blinking street lights, store lights, and in our own homes there are tree lights and candle lights.  They have a special glow.  They bring a smile to our face and joy to our hearts.  They light up our life!

When we feel the joy of these beautiful lights, we take on a warm glow.  We smile more, we share more, we love more.  We make those around us feel our joy too!  Each of us in our own unique way is a Christmas light.

God sent His only Son, Jesus, to become the Light of the world.  He is the true gift of Christmas.  If we have prepared our hearts to receive His gift we will become lit from within.  Like the Christmas lights we see everywhere, we will be visible to all.  Our faces will shine brightly with smiles that are bigger and warmer than ever before.  Our hearts will radiate the warmth of our love to all we come in contact with.

“You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Men do not light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket.  They set it on a stand where it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, your light must shine before men so that they may see goodness in your acts and give praise to your heavenly Father.”  (Matthew 5:14-17)

Yes, in our own unique way, each of us is a Christmas Light!

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Physical vs Spiritual, Part II

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Martha

This is one of those times I feel compelled/led to share one of my past writings. Written several years ago, it showed up in my fb memories. Often times I click the memory and it says the link is unavailable. Today, I said, Lord, if you want it shared the link will open. Well… So here it is. Read or not, it’s up to you. Comment or not. Just let it fill your spirit. I need to read it again myself. God bless.

 

“And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26:39

Last year during Lent, I wrote the following post.  I have edited and updated it.

There are times in our lives when we are in need of physical healing, and yet must endure suffering for our spiritual health.  The healing we so desire would impede our spiritual progress.  Such situations often present themselves when we want what we want, yet God has a different plan.  I call these situations the battle of wills … the physical will versus the spiritual will.

As an example I will share from my personal experience.  Over the past couple of years I have had some health issues that have put me to the test.  While, not life threatening, they have been physically uncomfortable, at times worrying, and just plain no fun!  I have prayed continually for acceptance and compliance to God’s will, and just when I would think I was almost there, I would undergo more tests to check for some new resulting condition.  It was at these times I found myself drained and fighting that battle between physical and spiritual will.

I have learned through much prayer, reflection, and time spent in stillness before God, that I am not, and never will be, in control of my life.  I have learned that the only thing in my control is my reaction to, and my attitude toward God’s will for me.

To further illustrate this battle of wills I am also sharing part of an entry from “Journey Through The Stillness,” my personal spiritual journal.  This particular entry was written the day before one such doctor appointment.

March 21, 2011 – Today’s Stillness is more in my Spiritual Communion … In my offering I pray: “Lord, you know my heart and mind.  Physically I want to be healed.  I want to have my eyes back from this disease.  I want to lose the weight the medicine has helped me to put on.  I want the pressures in my head to cease.  Physically I ask to be healed.  Spiritually, Lord, my soul knows there is a bigger picture, a larger plan, of which You are in total control.  Spiritually, I pray, Lord, only You know the plans You have made for me.  I trust in your plan.  I trust in your will for my life completely.  Physically my being cries out heal me; Spiritually my soul cries out save me.  Let it be according to your will.”  When I enter into The Stillness, He lets me know this is what He wants from me.  He wants complete surrender to Him.

Surrender is tough, but truly not as tough as that battle between physical and spiritual will.  That battle keeps one’s soul in turmoil, while surrender brings quiet peace.  Surrender brings hope in the knowledge that we are in His loving Hands.  In that peace of knowing is the strength to pray, “Let it be according to your will; not mine.”  In that surrender the battle is won by the spiritual will.  In that surrender we are saved.

The personal experiences I share are never to call attention to myself, but to hopefully help others who may be going through similar or even worse battles and struggles.  Lent is the perfect time to surrender all to Him who loves us.  God bless.

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From Mundane To Majesty

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Martha
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010 taken by Martha Wiggins

Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada, 2010 taken by Martha Wiggins

“Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.  Out of the north he comes in golden splendor; God comes in awesome majesty.”  Job 37:21-22

Are you in a rut?  We all get in a rut at times.  Sometimes life seems to find a status quo where nothing exciting is happening.  We might head to work every day singing ‘Ho hum, Ho hum, off to work in glum!  We wonder where is the, “Hi ho, Hi ho, off to work we go!”  Where is the glam?

We do the things we do, in the order we do them, because they must be done.  We have bills to pay, and people to care for.  If we let it, it can drag us down the path of a lackluster almost non-existence, one where nobody notices us anymore.  We just are.

What if we could get out of our rut, without changing our course?  What if we could change from mundane to majesty?  In order to do so, we must totally change our focus.  Do you focus on what is wrong, or what is right in your life?  Maybe you have a job you don’t particularly like.  Try out this thought process.  Do you have a car that takes to you to that ho hum job?  Does that ho hum job put food on your table, a roof over your head, and let you take care of all those you love?  We just changed our focus from the boring routine to one of provision and love!

It is not always easy to look on the bright side, and some situations are such that we can’t find any bright side.  If such is the case, then we must look around the situation, outside the situation, or above the situation.  When we look around it, do we see others supporting and loving us through it?  When we look outside of it, do we see the beauty of our earth and the magnificence of our Creator, letting it soothe our soul?  When we look above it, do we see God who lovingly cares about us and wants us to be whole again?

I have often said that God smiles at me.  He does!  I believe He knows what will make me smile, and looks for ways to do so.  I believe He lovingly looks for, and excitedly waits for, opportunities to make His presence known to me in a way that brings me joy.  In “Journey Through The Stillness”, my personal spiritual journal, I have related times when He unmistakably interrupted, or interceded into, a situation where I was in stress.  At times it has been with a certain song on the radio at just the right moment.  Once, it was an alligator crossing the road right in front of my car during the wee hours of the morning while on my way home from the emergency room.  Another time, it was an Eagle atop a telephone pole.  I actually stopped my car and for a moment we held each other’s gaze through my open sun roof.  As I drove off, he remained majestically atop that pole.  It had been as if God was staring down at me and I was staring up at Him!  I could go on, and if I did, you might just decide I am crazy instead of spirit filled.  All I can say is that I believe God sends me smiles.  I look for them and I appreciate them.  And, I let Him know this.

Look for what God sends you.  Think of what you like, what brings you joy, and then pay attention.  I am sure you will find Him there waiting to smile upon you.  When He does, you will have gone from mundane to majesty!

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