Napoleon! Your Dear God letters ate absolutely PRECIOUS and very moving. You are letting your thoughts and feelings walk through uninterrupted paths when you write these letters and touching hearts, souls and minds. They are a balm my friend. Jesus said we have to be people of ACTION . Sharing your letters is just that, an action. Please do not ever believe you are lukewarm. Keep being beautiful you and communing with God with your letters. I thank you again for gifting them to us! Much Warmth, Michelle
Thank you DrLatus for your words and support. I sometimes wonder if I should even be writing this substack or making my stupid little animations. But then the spirit moves me and onward I go. Like this morning, when I was struck with an idea for a post and reading the Daily Gospel this morning, it all came clear what that post should be. Maybe that is the witness, small that it is.
Thank you also for your substack, with its wisdom and views from the other side of the world. It makes me feel like we are all in this together!
Thank you for sharing your innermost feelings and thoughts. You moved me to tears with your expressions of such raw tenderness and depth. I think writing your substack is an ACTION and that of doing so is fellowship and that you are on fire with love for God/Jesus. Thank you Napoleon for this gift from your heart.
Aww thank you Michelle, you teared me up with your thoughtful comment. Sometimes I get too navel-gazing, and then must lighten up some. I never expect my Dear God letters to mean much to other people. They're just my electronic psalms. I write them and then say "God, do with them what you will." I'm glad they spread some meaning!
I grieve for your pain, and would offer you some words of wisdom from my own grandfather:
"Marriage is difficult enough without differences of religion and politics". I understand that when you married you also were an atheist; but now you are not. So, please, please, if you marry again, heed those words. [I did--it was one of my young-man tests: and June will make 51 years for us.]
Wow! Congratulations on your long marriage! Beautiful and so blessed. When I married (outside the Church), I was more of an agnostic bordering on atheism. I was raised Catholic but left all religion/belief in my 20's as most people do. You are absolutely right Via, marriage requires belief from both parties or it is doomed. I actually told my ex a few months ago that it's too hard living with a non-believer and that if I ever married again it would be in the Church. I don't think I'll marry again and that's ok. We need more wisdom from people like your grandfather guiding the younger generations!
Thank you, Napoleon. My husband is my great earthly joy (well, our children and grandchildren are as well--and married daughters followed my grandfather's dictum also). Didn't someone say "Do not be yoked to an unbeliever?" Since your ears are open, I want also to add my personal piece of advice: a marriage needs to be blessed by both sets of parents (hence, the prospective bridegroom asking girl's father for permission to marry her)---if parents do not stand behind the marriage, I think it is likely to fail.
My soul is cringing also. I am in a place of anger and sadness and despair. But I find solace in that He uses challenge to strengthen us and to bring us closer to Him. That is what the past three years has been for me. Keep writing! You are not alone.
I totally understand what you feel Jennifer. It's been a long three years that is true! In the Gospel today, Jesus says "And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting." That seems like alot of us these past few years. How much we have lost, but how much we have gained! Thank you for your kind words.
The world is turning against orthodox Christian faith. Mainline Protestantism is a complete joke, with banners announcing their support of black Marxists and sexual deviancy fluttering from flag poles outside their buildings.
The Catholic Church, under Francis, is gutting the ancient faith, too.
It does seem like we live in momentous times..
Seeking out the faithful in person, or online, is very important to maintain morale and stiffen our spines for what is coming. Keep it up, Napoleon.
Thank you John. You are right. As the world turns against traditionalism, more and more people turn towards it. The Catholic Church will survive Francis, even if it ends up a small remnant of traditionalists. Jesus promised that. Funny that this past Sunday, the traditional Catholic Church I attend was so crowded the Priest ran out of hosts when distributing communion. That is the first time I have ever seen that happen. Our Church operates out of a gymnasium because Francis has barred us from buying or building a new Church, as he continues his war against the traditional latin mass. Such are the times we live in, as you say.
Thank you for your kind words - I'll keep on going!
Napoleon, your prayer from your soul is obviously a prayer of distress and humility. We will be victorious in this battleground for our souls here on earth with God's grace and peace we will receive the courage that we need today and for tomorrow. One of my favorite chapters in the Holy Bible is Romans chapter 8. It strengthens me and raises my spirit especially when troubled with this world and the future. Another inspiring chapter is in Philippians chapter 4 and especially verse 8. We are survivors and we will overcome. May God bless you with what you stand in need of is my prayer for you and yours.
Hi Charlotte for your wonderful words of support! I will read those chapters again today. Today is the Conversion of St. Paul feast. I've always been leery of Paul and his writings, but maybe it is time to reread his letters, and today is the day! Thank you for your prayers and God Bless you!
Lovely prayer Napoleon, you write a Substack about the one true God, his Son and his Spirit. I think that is not lukewarm at all. You are hotter than you think 😜😜
Thanks, Napoleon. Teaching the 'queen of languages' was a glorious mission spanning 50 years. But I'm glad to be out of it now.
Napoleon! Your Dear God letters ate absolutely PRECIOUS and very moving. You are letting your thoughts and feelings walk through uninterrupted paths when you write these letters and touching hearts, souls and minds. They are a balm my friend. Jesus said we have to be people of ACTION . Sharing your letters is just that, an action. Please do not ever believe you are lukewarm. Keep being beautiful you and communing with God with your letters. I thank you again for gifting them to us! Much Warmth, Michelle
Thank you so much for your kind words Michelle! I'm so glad people like to read them, I hope God does too!
Amen! Can relate💞💞🙏🙏
Blessings Kelliann!
"You once told me my future was to be a witness to You."
Napoleon, you're living it and this commentary IS bearing witness.
My gratitude to you for the light you shine, your reminder of what is real and necessary and your wisdom.
Thank you DrLatus for your words and support. I sometimes wonder if I should even be writing this substack or making my stupid little animations. But then the spirit moves me and onward I go. Like this morning, when I was struck with an idea for a post and reading the Daily Gospel this morning, it all came clear what that post should be. Maybe that is the witness, small that it is.
Thank you also for your substack, with its wisdom and views from the other side of the world. It makes me feel like we are all in this together!
"It makes me feel like we are all in this together!"
Side by side, absolutely.
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:20
Thank you for sharing your innermost feelings and thoughts. You moved me to tears with your expressions of such raw tenderness and depth. I think writing your substack is an ACTION and that of doing so is fellowship and that you are on fire with love for God/Jesus. Thank you Napoleon for this gift from your heart.
Aww thank you Michelle, you teared me up with your thoughtful comment. Sometimes I get too navel-gazing, and then must lighten up some. I never expect my Dear God letters to mean much to other people. They're just my electronic psalms. I write them and then say "God, do with them what you will." I'm glad they spread some meaning!
I grieve for your pain, and would offer you some words of wisdom from my own grandfather:
"Marriage is difficult enough without differences of religion and politics". I understand that when you married you also were an atheist; but now you are not. So, please, please, if you marry again, heed those words. [I did--it was one of my young-man tests: and June will make 51 years for us.]
Wow! Congratulations on your long marriage! Beautiful and so blessed. When I married (outside the Church), I was more of an agnostic bordering on atheism. I was raised Catholic but left all religion/belief in my 20's as most people do. You are absolutely right Via, marriage requires belief from both parties or it is doomed. I actually told my ex a few months ago that it's too hard living with a non-believer and that if I ever married again it would be in the Church. I don't think I'll marry again and that's ok. We need more wisdom from people like your grandfather guiding the younger generations!
Thank you, Napoleon. My husband is my great earthly joy (well, our children and grandchildren are as well--and married daughters followed my grandfather's dictum also). Didn't someone say "Do not be yoked to an unbeliever?" Since your ears are open, I want also to add my personal piece of advice: a marriage needs to be blessed by both sets of parents (hence, the prospective bridegroom asking girl's father for permission to marry her)---if parents do not stand behind the marriage, I think it is likely to fail.
[Do you know what via, veritas, vita means?]
The way, the truth and life. Latin is one of my favorite "dead" languages. Your advice is so true.
My soul is cringing also. I am in a place of anger and sadness and despair. But I find solace in that He uses challenge to strengthen us and to bring us closer to Him. That is what the past three years has been for me. Keep writing! You are not alone.
I totally understand what you feel Jennifer. It's been a long three years that is true! In the Gospel today, Jesus says "And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting." That seems like alot of us these past few years. How much we have lost, but how much we have gained! Thank you for your kind words.
A wonderful prayer.
The world is turning against orthodox Christian faith. Mainline Protestantism is a complete joke, with banners announcing their support of black Marxists and sexual deviancy fluttering from flag poles outside their buildings.
The Catholic Church, under Francis, is gutting the ancient faith, too.
It does seem like we live in momentous times..
Seeking out the faithful in person, or online, is very important to maintain morale and stiffen our spines for what is coming. Keep it up, Napoleon.
Thank you John. You are right. As the world turns against traditionalism, more and more people turn towards it. The Catholic Church will survive Francis, even if it ends up a small remnant of traditionalists. Jesus promised that. Funny that this past Sunday, the traditional Catholic Church I attend was so crowded the Priest ran out of hosts when distributing communion. That is the first time I have ever seen that happen. Our Church operates out of a gymnasium because Francis has barred us from buying or building a new Church, as he continues his war against the traditional latin mass. Such are the times we live in, as you say.
Thank you for your kind words - I'll keep on going!
Napoleon, your prayer from your soul is obviously a prayer of distress and humility. We will be victorious in this battleground for our souls here on earth with God's grace and peace we will receive the courage that we need today and for tomorrow. One of my favorite chapters in the Holy Bible is Romans chapter 8. It strengthens me and raises my spirit especially when troubled with this world and the future. Another inspiring chapter is in Philippians chapter 4 and especially verse 8. We are survivors and we will overcome. May God bless you with what you stand in need of is my prayer for you and yours.
Hi Charlotte for your wonderful words of support! I will read those chapters again today. Today is the Conversion of St. Paul feast. I've always been leery of Paul and his writings, but maybe it is time to reread his letters, and today is the day! Thank you for your prayers and God Bless you!
Lovely prayer Napoleon, you write a Substack about the one true God, his Son and his Spirit. I think that is not lukewarm at all. You are hotter than you think 😜😜
LOL! Thank you Laura for that, it made me smile! Thank you so much for reading. 😃😊