- Glory to God in the Highest (published: Tabor Voice, Nov-Dec 2002; Divine Light, Dec 2003)
- Living in the Will of God (published: Tabor Voice, Jan-Feb 2003)
- What we should do this Lent (published: The Examiner, March 2003)
- Lost your reputation? Rejoice! (published: Divine Light, July 2004)
- The Potter & His Clay - A Spiritual Analogy
- Death on an Easter Sunday
- How Jesus saved us from the fire next door
- God isn't deaf
- Get on a Barnabus trip
- A Year Older and a lot less Wise (Part 1 of the Birthday Trilogy)
- He sang to me (Part 2 of the Birthday Trilogy)
- The Value of Intercession (Part 3 of the Birthday Trilogy)
- Do you want a FREE GIFT that can never be taken from you?! (Dec 2003 / Jan 2004)
- Love is in the air... (February 2004)
- Was it worth it all? (March 2004)
- I Confess... (April 2004)
- The Beautiful Blessing of Christian Fellowship! (May 2004)
- Power Evangelize! (June 2004)
- 'Best Friends' till the end (July 2004)
- Family Matters (August 2004)
- Do you know WHY you believe? (September 2004)
- You're going to be let down (October 2004)
- Praying with the Holy Pope (November 2004)
- Hang in there (December 2004) (published: Divine Light, Jan 2005)
- Just like that. And you're gone (January 2005)
- The Divine Lover of My Soul (February 2005)
- Is it ever "too late" to do right? (March 2005)
- To Emmaus, or back again? The choice is yours! (April 2005) (published:Divine Truth, April 2007)
- Bear Much Fruit (May 2005) (published: Divine Light, July 2005)
- Holiness and the Heart of Love (June 2005)
- Spiritual Boot Camp (July 2005)
- Abundant Life! (August 2005)
- Unanswered Prayers? (September 2005)
- Trust in the Lord! (October 2005)
- Persevere! (December 2005)
- New Resolutions this New Year (January 2006)
- 'Having it All' = Having Jesus (February 2006)
- He Understands (April 2006)
- My Invisible Tattoo (September 2006)
- Cardinal Justin Rigali ~ "Glorify God in Your Body" (October 2006)
- A Fattened Calf for me (December 2006)
- How to come out of a Spiritual Downward Spiral - Part 1 (January 2007)
- Jesus is Alive. Need Proof? ( October 2007)
- Biblical Catholics (November 2007)
- Religion or Spirituality? (September 2008)
- Lessons from the strange race between the Tortoise and the Hare (October 2008)
- How to react when Spiritual Leaders fall / backslide: (November 2008)
April 2006
He Understands
Last week as I sat with my one of my closest friends & confidants, Janice, I felt the need to ask her for prayers for a particular issue I was facing. The two of us sat together in her living room & the Presence of the Lord came upon us mightily.
Tears started flowing in steady stream, actually surprising me because I too did not realize the amount of hurt I had been carrying inside. And the Lord was whispering words clearly to me in my ears, only to have them voiced out by Jan in her vocal prayers. So great & so tangible was His Presence that night in our midst.. "Where two or three are gathered in My Name."
Among the many prayers, nothing touched me more than this one little line she prayed: "Jesus, You understand exactly what Mello is going through; You feel every bit of pain that she feels"
There are many times that certain words leap out of books & touch us, or people say things in passing & they stick in our heads. this was one of those moments. The words she spoke, that Jesus not only understood all my pain, but that He actually felt that pain too, touched me more deeply than I can express in words here.
This realization of the Lord's personal stake in my life helped me greatly to deal with the issue at hand and surrender it all to His Loving Will for me. After all, He promises to work all things out for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28) . Thus it seemed obvious to me all seeming obstacles or hurdles in my walk, would turn out to be for my good.
It would be well for us all to remember in our suffering we are never alone, though it may sometimes seem that way. Every pain we suffer, however large or however small is understood and felt by our Lord Jesus. When we hurt, He hurts.
I understand a bit more clearly now the Divine Intelligence behind God becoming man to redeem us. For He became like us in every way but sin, He was tempted in every way. He suffered every pain (& more) that any and every one of us will ever suffer. If anyone can understand our pain, Jesus can.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
If you are going through any circumstance of trial in your life & you need someone to turn to, turn to the Lord. as the Word says "approach the throne of grace with confidence". The Word which is Truth guarantees you will receive mercy & find grace to help you in your time of need.
And I stand testimony to that myself.
Easter Greetings to you all. May our Risen Lord bless you & your families abundantly. And may He always be the one you turn to in your time of need.
Blessings,
April 2006
