Conquering the World

http://carmelites.info/citoc/citoc/janmarch2006/citoc.jan_march_2006.news_3.htm

They who want to win the world for Christ must have the courage to come into conflict with it.
- Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881-1942) martyr

Today's Blessing was the above quote. It got me thinking about a conversation I had earlier in a youth ministry meeting regarding a Diocesan-Wide survey we did. We were discussing Apologetics, whether teens have been in conversations with Protestants (that ended well or not), and what they can do in the future to have more fruitful discussions.

We also want to ask if they begin these conversations or if their interaction has been to only respond with the other person is clearly on the offensive. And it got me thinking about my own life. Do I purposefully spread the message of the Gospel and invite others into the Catholic faith or am I more of the "keep quiet and maybe no one will notice and leave you alone"?

Honestly - I'm more the later, not sure I proud of that - but it's definitely the truth. I believe 100% in the teachings of the Church, that the Catholic Church is the one, true Church, and I would never consider leaving - ever. Involvement in the Church is one of the 'deal-breakers' for a future spouse. If we cannot serve together, if our children will be choosing between dad's church and mom's church, or if he just 'doesn't feel like church on sundays' - those are definitely deal-breakers.

I could never survive the rest of my life if that were the case. Maybe that's why I'm still single - with so few prospects. Although - as much as I lament my singleness - I would lament an unhappy marriage even more. So, I digress...

Back to the topic at hand: How can I share my faith? How can I have the courage to come in conflict with the world as I transform the world?

This week I pray that when an opportunity presents itself I will be prepared to share the faith - to encourage someone into a relationship with the Lord through the Catholic Church.

Comments

NAS: A Day in the Life

It's 2015 and Tuesday so that means that we are back at the Not Alone Series ! A huge thanks to Jen and Morgan for hosting and for helping all of us ladies gather together to remember that we aren't broken, we aren't alone, and we are loved by God. Let's get back in the swing by sharing what our typical day is like! Tell us however you like, minute by minute or a blurb about your day! Be sure to answer these questions: - What is your favorite part of your day? - What is your least favorite part of your day? - Are you making any changes to your daily routine now that the new year has begun? Well my typical day use to be not so typical, but then I took a huge leap and got a new job that is a lot eaiser to have a routine that is pretty set. I am someone who loves routine, I crave stability, and although I can make changes into my routine, they have to be determined by me to stick. So a typical day? I set my alarm to go off at 6:46am, I get ou...

NAS: Travel

How do you travel as a single lady?! Any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Do you have anything fun planned for this year? Multiple times per week when I'm brushing my teeth in the morning I think about how boring my life is, how I never go anywhere. To be honest that is a complete and utter lie. I mean between July 2013 and March 2014, I hung out on four different continents - let along the time I spent traveling around the U.S. to Denver, New York City, Savannah, Orlando, and my parent's place. I'm the girl who bought a plane ticket to Africa and went into the bush all alone. (it's a great story ) Let me type that again - I went to the Congo, alone! I still can't even believe that I did that - it's the craziest thing ever ... but the most amazing experience of my life. So my off the cuff tips for traveling alone, they aren't super original, so be prepared to be underwhelmed! If you want to go somewhere, just do it - buy the ti...

NAS: The Rosary & The Single Life

October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary, so we wanted to honor Mary and reflect on her help during this time of singleness. How have you called on her intercession before? What is your relationship with our Blessed Mother like? If you don't know much about Mary or the Rosary, is there something keeping you from getting to know her? There are two things that keep me sane as a single lady. One of them is the rosary and the other is this: So I try to stick with the Rosary on most days! And today is a special feast for Our Lady of the Rosary so it's great that Morgan and Jen chose October 7th to talk about it! A few years ago I was in a Women's Bible study and Immaculee came to speak in Charlotte at our Eucharistic Congress. A woman who I was very good friends with was with me and a few other ladies at lunch at the best Chinese Restaurant in Huntersville! She asked me if I was praying the Rosary for my husband. I said, ...

Waiting for Patience

Search This Blog