A few days ago I was in search of notes I wrote in a bible and thought I was going to find one thing but I found this hidden treasure in its place. God's timing is in all of this for this particular adventure. This was read a few days prior to a webinar class I was to partake in. I did not know what Dr. Mark Chironna was going to share with us until he began to share that day. As I compose this it still amazes me in the timing of God. I wrote this 6/22/1996 @ 8:45AM in an open section of the bible just before the New Testament. I am recalling about my scriptural journey with the Lord. The easy way to share would be for me to just take a picture and place it in this blog but I am going to type it out for you because not everyone knows how to read cursive right? I find it very interesting that the color of ink I chose to write with that very day was using a red ink pen to write with.
"I started my scriptural journey with the Lord 141 days ago-February 3, 1996. How beautiful-on the 3rd of the month-in my life 3 is pronounced-for me it represents the Trinity- The Father-The Son-The Holy Spirit amen praise be the Lord now and forever. Amen-I say amen. On this journey I am to read 1 chapter per day-when it was commenced I was guided by a Spiritual Director to start with The New Testament. Amen-I say amen-praise be the Lord now and forever-the ever loving & precious Lord that died on that very cross & shed His precious blood so that we all may live and be set free from the evil and destruction in this world of ours. Come Holy Spirit fill the open hearts that await your guidance. Amen."
I was writing things of this nature and getting Holy Spirit insight as still being a Catholic in this period of time in my life, you do know that right? Imagine that, a Catholic woman receiving Holy Spirit revelation. A foundation that brings me somehow to where I am today. Built upon the scriptures, that alone deserves a great big AMEN, HALLELUJAH, GLORY TO GOD, PRAISE THE LORD. Back to my journey now ok. Beleive it or not but Mark spoke on the very subject of spiritual directors. Let me share bits and pieces of notes I wrote down during this webinar. They are my personal notes I penned during this experience so that is why I feel comfortable sharing. I take notes like the fashion I receive insights from Holy Spirit. Certain things jog my memory to then be in search of other expereinces to incorporate into my writing. This particular day James shares how he went to a Franciscan Prayer Center in which there was no speaking during this visit of his. Meaning the Franciscans probably took a vow of no speaking. I get that concept because I was sent to a nun who also took this same vow in regard to not speaking. I was brought there because the Catholic church thought I should meet with this nun and share my expereinces I was having with Holy Spirit with her. I looked up the church and I will share a link with you because that is where I would go at times and get great inspiration/words I would write in my journal sitting in this Catholic church. It used to be called St. Paul's Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Cleveland, Ohio when I would go there. It has since been named The Conversion of St. Paul Shrine. This is where the Poor Clare nuns reside. When I met with the older in age nun that particular day I recall a lattice type of divider was between the two of us and I just shared my testimony that was in my heart to share that day. I recall this nun had a tear roll down her cheek and at the end of our appointment she motioned me to come closer to the partition/divider and she gave me a kiss on my cheek through the lattice opening. I recall leaving there thinking to myself she did not say one word to me but I do beleive she knew of these type of expereinces I was having. In her silent way she confirmed what was happening to me was a validation when I saw the tear roll down her cheek and she gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek. God sure does work in mysterious ways doesn't He. When I share the link with you, you will then see the beauty I saw when I would enter this church. Again, God used a Catholic woman in a Catholic church setting to bring forth Holy Spirit inspiration. Do you get it yet? He will use your growing up years in Jesus as a strong part of your very testimony if you will just let Him do that. Back to the notes I took that day during the webinar.
"I sat on my patio enjoying the fresh air & sunshine during the webinar. I attached my speakers-just maybe someone walking by will glean a little too. This was a great insight that brought comfort to me because I tend to have an artistic flare, "Many true prophets are 1st artists/musicians." Mark shares from 1 Samuel 3:1-21 about the Lord calling Samuel. Speak Lord for your servant is listening is spiritual direction interpersonal relationship in which we learn how to grow... I also notated in my notes how 2 days ago I pulled out my Catholic bible & look what I wrote at the beginning of the New Testament. Mark goes on to share how God ordained there will be spiritual directors-they are to be established in God. Spiritual Directors help perfect our vision & awareness how to abide in God. There is a 3 part encounter and all 3 are essential for this process:1. spiritual director 2. directee 3. Jehovah. We must practice forgiveness when being mentored by someone. Whatever we don't deal with in adolescence comes back up in our 30-60's (age wise that is) Holy Spirit brings back to deal with to grow us up. I also notated again how I pulled out this catholic bible 2 days ago & it sits on my coffee table. One final note I wrote down was Forgive, bless but it does not mean you give your approval to things your children do or decisions they made."
I am filled to the brim from this particular webinar and I go to the store. As I am sitting in the parking lot and I am speaking with my son on the phone. Listen to this Holy Spirit "in sync" moment I am going to share with you ... I started to share about this webinar and the guest speaker and I mention no name of the person all I say is remember the vacation we took to Disney on Mother's Day? He blurts out Mark Chironna to me without me ever mentioning his name. He remembered going to his church with me that Mother's Day and he remembered the red rose they gave to mothers, he also remembered the elevator ride we shared with Mark at the Orlando airport. Do you see how God uses certain mile markers in your life for such a time as this. The question being ... do you allow yourself the opportunities to first of all have these journeys with Jesus and then recall them to share with others, even though they may have been yesterday experiences to bring forth to share in today experiences?
The Poor Clare Sisters: A peek inside the cloister
http:www.thepoorclares.com/st-paul-shrine.html
https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/758
I must admit to you that since this church location is in the outer skirts of downtown Cleveland I would always silently pray my car would not be stolen in the parking lot or I did not meet up with any type of trouble walking down the sidewalk to and from the church. God was faithful and nothing of that nature ever happened to me.
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