Received and confirmed into the Catholic Church today. Despite an infant baptism into the Church of England and full immersive adult baptism into the Evangelical Church, I feel home after 6 months of instruction #Catholic
Today is the real deal. Our Risk Level has been upgraded to a 4/5.
We are basically guaranteed to see a MASSIVE derecho with wind gusts of 80mph or higher that sweeps through the Midwest.
On top of that, we could also see numerous Strong Tornadoes that wreck havoc. But that outcome is not guaranteed.
Morning Storms moving through now may slightly lower that threat, but the environment is so perfect for Tornadoes it may not even matter.
Have a plan in place if you live in the lower Midwest today my brotheren. If you do get a Tornado Warning today, know what you are going to do and where you will go.
Stay safe my brothers.
This tourist gives food to a homeless dog, & after leaving her the first day, he doesn't have the heart to walk away from the puppy. So, he goes back & adopts her.
THE CATHOLIC RULE OF LIFE I WISH SOMEONE HAD TAUGHT ME SOONER
A few years ago, I thought becoming a better Catholic meant learning more.
More theology.
More apologetics.
More books.
More Catholic content.
Those things are good.
But I eventually discovered something surprising.
Most saints did not become saints because they knew more.
They became saints because they consistently did a few simple things every day.
That realization changed how I view the spiritual life.
So after studying Sacred Scripture, the Catechism, and the lives of the saints, I began noticing a pattern.
Different saints.
Different centuries.
Different personalities.
Yet they all built their lives around the same foundations.
If someone asked me today:
βHow do I actually live like Jesus Christ every day?β
This is the framework I would share.
And honestly, it is the framework I am still trying to live myself.
1. GIVE GOD THE FIRST MOMENT OF YOUR DAY
Before the notifications.
Before the messages.
Before the news.
Before social media.
Give God the first moment.
Make the Sign of the Cross.
Thank Him for another day.
Offer everything to Him.
The first voice you hear should not be the world.
It should be God.
2. READ THE GOSPEL BEFORE YOU READ OPINIONS
One verse.
One paragraph.
One chapter.
Whatever you can manage.
The point is simple:
Let Christ shape your mind before the world shapes it for you.
Many of us spend hours consuming information and only minutes receiving formation.
That imbalance affects everything.
3. PROTECT THE STATE OF GRACE LIKE YOUR GREATEST TREASURE
Because it is.
The Church teaches that sanctifying grace is God's own life within the soul.
Nothing on earth is worth losing that.
Not success.
Not money.
Not pleasure.
Not popularity.
Go to Confession regularly.
Take sin seriously.
Take God's mercy even more seriously.
4. BUILD YOUR LIFE AROUND THE EUCHARIST
The saints never got tired of speaking about the Eucharist.
Neither should we.
The closer they drew to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the more they began to resemble Him.
Sunday Mass is the minimum.
Not the goal.
If possible, attend daily Mass.
Visit Jesus in Adoration.
Stay after Communion.
Speak to Him.
Listen to Him.
Remain with Him.
5. STOP LOOKING FOR HOLINESS IN EXTRAORDINARY THINGS
Most holiness happens in ordinary moments.
Being patient when you are tired.
Forgiving when you would rather hold a grudge.
Remaining kind when someone is difficult.
Serving when nobody notices.
The saints did not become saints because they did spectacular things every day.
They became saints because they loved God in ordinary circumstances.
6. CARRY YOUR CROSS INSTEAD OF RUNNING FROM IT
Every day brings a cross.
A disappointment.
A struggle.
A wound.
A sacrifice.
A burden nobody else sees.
Modern culture says:
βAvoid suffering.β
Jesus says:
βFollow Me.β
The difference is enormous.
One path seeks comfort.
The other seeks transformation.