"We walk in a "ravine as dark as death" (Psalm 23:4), and still we have nothing to
fear because God is at our side: God's staff and crook are there to soothe us (see
Psalm 23:4). This is not just a consoling idea. It is an experience of the heart
that we can trust.

Our lives are full of suffering, pain, disillusions, losses and grief, but they
are also marked by visions of the coming of the Son of Man "like lightning striking
in the east and flashing far into west" (Matthew 24:27). These moments in which
we see clearly, hear loudly, and feel deeply that God is with us on the journey
make us shine as a light into the darkness. Jesus says, "You are the light of
the world. Your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good
works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16)."

'God made a covenant with us. The word covenant means "coming together." God wants
to come together with us. In many of the stories in the Hebrew Bible, we see that
God appears as a God who defends us against our enemies, protects us against dangers,
and guides us to freedom. God is God-for-us. When Jesus comes a new dimension
of the covenant is revealed. In Jesus, God is born, grows to maturity, lives, suffers,
and dies as we do. God is God-with-us. Finally, when Jesus leaves he promises
the Holy Spirit. In the Holy Spirit, God reveals the full depth of the covenant.
God wants to be as close to us as our breath. God wants to breathe in us, so that
all we say, think and do is completely inspired by God. God is God-within-us.
Thus God's covenant reveals to us to how much God loves

When I was seven years old I knew the voice of God . I knew it was wrong to want to kill myself . LAter I wasn't so sure it was wrong . That was after many years of abuse . The way I see it today at seven years old I had a pure heart . That inner castle within where my conscience resides was intact in my opinion . I could forgive then

Much later in my thirties  I came to grips with my life . Knowing people not that they nudged me no I think it was their acceptance and the love they radiated that melted my heart . I could then say to my Father in heaven I forgive all who have hurt me and I forgive myself if I had any part in it ....

The first thing I do when I get up in the morning is to reach out my hands towards the nearnest Blessed Sacrament  says Jeanne Hill . The following is part of a talk given by The Association of Christian Therapists .{Before I go to bed , no matter where I am , i like to know where the closest Blessed Sacrament is reposed .Since there are no walls in the spiritual world , it is wonderful to contemplate that where ever you are , you are lying at the feet of the tabernacle , surrounded  always by the sacramental presence   .) If that particular devotion has no meaning for you , you might establish your local church as a focus for the presence of Jesus , or use the rising sun , a constant symbol of God's light coming into the world ..Reaching in faith , then to the resurrection  presence of Jesus I say :

Lord of Lord , Light of Lights ,

True God and True Love ,

Come, Lord Jesus .

I wait until I feel the warmth of that light coming into my hands . You may never feel it , so don't stand there until you are late for work ; some of us more easily experience spiritual realities in our bodies than others . At least wait until you have attended to the faith vision of what Jesus has promised :

"Behold , I am with you all days , even until the end of time ."(Matt 28:20) Having reached out  and focused my vision on the resurrection presence, I place my hands on my head .I am now in a sense putting on the helmet of salvation ."in a very conscious way . I say a prayer something like this :

Jesus, I thank you for the light of your life now coming into my head . May the chemistry of my brain , the electrical impulses , the entire  circulatory sytem come today under your perfect Lordship so that my body may function in perfect health .Let your light permeate the entire chemistry , drawing all the fluids and tissues , the functioing of every organ and system into your perfect order . .

Jesus may my mind  be taken up today , into your mind , that I  might walk today in the perfect truth of your word . Let the light of your loving presence spread  into all the unhealed areas of my spirit ; into the places of my deepest fears , anger , and unforgiveness , and dark areas of guilt which still need your saving grace and wisdom .

I thank you Jesus , for making this body your temple and I sign it with your cross : In the name of the Father , and of the Som , and of the Holy Spirit . Amen .

Here I make the sign of the cross on my head .