Fellow bloggers,

   It has been quite a while since I last wrote anything. The vast army of prayers I received from each of you along my spiritual journey to the Catholic Church kept me strong and on the right path. You are the silent warriors. Faces I’ll never see in this earthly existence, but faces I’ll come to know one day when we enter into new life where the river does not run dry and the sun shines without end. 

   I’m sitting here in McKinney, TX with those close to my heart preparing to go to the Pines Catholic camp tomorrow. I’ll be a camp counselor and prayers would be greatly appreciated. I would blog and blog about what it’s like to be Catholic but I’m still soaking it all in. Just know that finally being able to frequent the Sacraments has been a total blessing. I’m amazed at the ways that God is able to work through a sinner and turn him completely around. 

   I remember quite vividly the last time I received “consecrated” bread and wine at St. Martin’s Episcopalian Church and the host had a crack in it. In that moment, I knew that it was last time I would join others in communion before I became Catholic and received the true Body and Blood of Christ. That was two years ago, and here I am available to receive the Holy Eucharist.

   No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, never forget that “God is not limited by our limitations.” 

May God bless and keep you in all you do. We often hear, “Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord.” So I challenge you to live that out and preach to those who do not know Christ. We have a God who loves us and desires us to let his shine through us. 

Peace and Blessin’s,

- Confirmed Catholic

St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for us! 

A while ago, I was walked with a friend and said, “Man, life really sucks sometimes.” Their response really caught me by surprise. “No. Life is beautiful.”

How many times do we go through life and not rejoice for the many gifts that God has bestowed upon us? How often do we waste so much time chasing pointless things that do nothing for our wellbeing, even as a human person. Imagine that you are driving down the road and bam. Got in an accident, now you’re in the next life. Did you live this one in awe of God or in awe of the latest craze? The one who gave you life, forgiveness, redemption, love. He deserves more than a fraction of our being. For this new year, strive to dig up those things that draw you farther from God and cut the root. Live for Christ. We’re all in a constant state of metanoia. 

God Bless

Closet Catholic soon to be a Confirmed Catholic :)

The Convenient Inconvenience

How funny it is that an inconvenience can lead to such a simple pleasure. Upon hearing the ghastly fire alarm, I headed outside and did not stop at the door. No. A man has better things to do than wait impatiently and complain of the inconvenience that a fire alarm may bring. To sit under an awning while rain pours from the Heavens above is one of the beautiful simplicities of life. Puddles of water constantly change and rearrange themselves, creating simple lakes that leave one to imagine just how deep they might be. In a culture consumed by the importance to be entertained constantly, how refreshing it is to sit and enjoy the pitter patter of blessed rainfall. Though I currently sit alone to enjoy this moment, I look forward to many more. If I were to explain the emotions in my heart, it would be nothing but pure joy. Despite the cold shivers the wind brings, I aim to embrace them with a smile. What’s a man if he cannot endure a little discomfort? Scratch that, the wind is colder now that I think about it, but endure it I shall! Reflecting upon my life, I realize how much time I had wasted following silly, childish things. Though the past cannot be changed, I aim to live for greater, to endure the cold parts of life with shoulders back, chest held high, and a smile that could make one faint and laugh, but not in that order. 

To study the great minds of our forefathers; theologians, philosophers, politicians, writers and thinkers. To reach my full potential in life and share the love of God with others. Figuratively speaking, the rain is like a Baptism. Washing away the old and bringing in the new. Same person, higher purpose. Despite the minor turmoils of life, knowing that they are simply temporary is a relief. Above these rain clouds are stars that shine ever brightly, telling us to continue to shine on. The light Eternal consumes all darkness despite how thick the rain may be. You just have to look for it. Oh what good can come out of a conveniently inconvenience.

- Closet Catholic

P.S. Tomorrow I will be accepting the Rite at Mass. Please pray that I may have a listening heart and the others in RCIA all over may have one as well. Well actually, we all could use a listening heart. Thanks and God Bless fellow bloggers.

Hello lovers,

I say lovers because that is what we all are or should strive to be. Lovers of God. Praying a Rosary can definitely be a challenge in college as well as high school. I need not list all of the things that can lead us to be distracted and what not. The necessity of calling upon Our Blessed Mother however, is a need that this world desperately needs. She is closest of all to Our Lord. She was the first Tabernacle to hold Christ’s flesh and blood. If you can challenge yourself to pray a Rosary everyday then by all means, go for it. But I sincerely ask that you at least begin praying a solid decade everyday. One decade said with constant focus can bring more graces than you would imagine. All of experience frustration at some time or another when praying a Rosary. You know, the kind where between the 3rd to 7th Hail Mary, your mind wanders. So truly strive to calm yourself and say that one solid decade. Focus on the mystery. Place yourself in His presence and take part in the meditation. I assure you, your day will slowly begin to change as a result. Mine certainly has from this simple yet focused prayer. Doesn’t Christ and His Mother deserve ALL of our attention, not just some of it? 

Again, to be clear, I do not say these things as though a whole Rosary isn’t good enough or anything along those lines. Simply that a solid decade can be quite fruitful to your spiritual life.  

- Closet Catholic

Fellow Catholics and non-Catholics alike, 

How easy it is to follow the routine of everyday life. Living the Christian life is no simple task. When choosing the narrow the path, you cast away the choices of many for sake of the Eternal Kingdom. You grunt and are upset over this. Why? Do you not see that in pitching sin and the emptiness that follows, you gain everything God has to offer us. However, go a step farther. Don’t seek God for what you can gain from him. Seek God for what you can give back to him. It is only by him and through him that you have eyes to read these words. Go out and serve with a humble heart and love others. Especially those you despise or can’t imagine loving. They probably need love the most. None of us had to be and yet we are. So stop living the Christian life on the sidelines and jump in. The Saints weren’t perfect and neither are you, but Christ never called the equipped. He equipped the called. 

- Closet Catholic

Fellow Catholics,

So the other night after RCIA, a lovely lightning storm came passing through. I of course, held my head out the window, letting the wind and rain kiss my face. With each bolt I burst out with joy and laughter. What an amazing way to encounter God in his raw power that is quite visible. The light, the crashing noise, it is so surreal when it is right in front of you. Literally lighting up the world you see for a split second. Strive to find God in the nature around you and enjoy how lovely it is. I don’t know why some think that rain is depressing. Without rain, our world would have no color, no flowers, no trees, pretty much nothing. A world without rain, now that would be a downer. So next time it rains, try to think of God washing away the old to prepare for the new. Think along the lines of Baptism and how water gives new life. Allow these thoughts to bring your attention to the real Tree of Life, one which our breathing revolves around. Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Draw near to Him and feed often from his table. Do you not hear him calling you there to participate in the Holy Mass? You certainly have a means to attend. If you have no time, make time. Even if you can only go on one other day besides Sunday, strive for it. God thirsts to be in communion with you. Strive for this and witness how the raw power of God in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass forms you into a true soldier of Christ.

Put on the Armor of Light (Rom. 13:12). Praying for ya’ll.

- Closet Catholic

Dear reader,

I hope your Catholic life is going well. College is amazing and I’m really involved in the Catholic Life here. By the Grace of God’s help, my problems have faded away into the wind. No doubt is this a result of prayer and help from above. Thank you for all of your prayers, they’re such a powerful thing. 

Below is a copy of an email I sent to a friend who is struggling with the same struggles I faced. Obviously edited to keep his identity safe. When praying, the name doesn’t matter, because God knows what needs to be done. Never forget what we as Catholics are living for. I hope that what I post may be of use to any of you or friends struggling in the same sins. Christ came and conquered the world and we are to be witnesses to love and share it with others. God Bless.

Read this carefully and slowly. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.

So I have some good news. The greener grass is near, and soon you’ll be walking on it. But first, you’re going to have suffer. When it comes to porn. It’s easy to deny it the first time. But that second time the temptations come, that’s when it becomes difficult to resist. However, embrace the cross you must bear in resisting these types of mortal sins. 

For through the Law I have died to the Law. With Christ I am nailed to the Cross. 

     - Gal 2:19

We fill ourselves up with porn because we ourselves are empty. As Fr. Larry Richards says, “The deepest desire of each and every one of us (it doesn’t matter how tough you think you are) is to be Loved.” So what is Love? Before you try to answer this question, I want to you study a Crucifix. Don’t just look at one. Study it. Look at each and every mark. The curves of his body. The nails through his hands and feet. The crown of thorns that was crushed into his head. And that’s just the front of his body. Just imagine how he was whipped. Those whips probably had shards of metal in them. His flesh was torn. Not scratched, scraped or bruised. But torn. God, our God. Died on a Cross. For our sins. He didn’t have to suffer for us but he did anyway. And why? Because 

HE LOVES US

Love is true gift of self. It involves sacrifice. You don’t see Jesus dancing through the Tulips. But you do see him hanging on a cross. An action made to put a man to shame, yet he embraced it, even praying for those who hurt him. Crying out, Father, they know not what they do. 

Before you begin your journey of becoming a pure man of Christ. I want you to pull out a rosary and pray the divine mercy chaplet with sincerity. Slowly. Spend each decade focusing on something while looking/ studying a Crucifix.

First decade, focus on the hands that were nailed to the Cross.

Second decade, focus on his feet.

Third, focus on his crown of thorns

Fourth, focus on the gaping wound on his side.

And for the Fifth decade, focus on his Sacred Heart. What is beneath the surface. Focus on it and know that even though he died a man, he is still a living and risen God. His heart still beats. Listen to his heart beat. With each pulse, whispering.

I Love You.

I Love You.

I Love You.

After this, I want you to get out some paper and write down your experience. 

When you have completed this, write down some of your goals in becoming a man of God. Don’t hold back, write down anything you can think of. Most of these goals will take weeks or months to achieve, but you’ll achieve them. 

The secret to overcoming this problematic sin is not really a secret. It’s simple. Persistence. The problem isn’t the sin. It’s how you’re addressing it. If you’re like me, you probably always said, “Why do I keep falling into this!?” Well there’s your problem. Look again.

“Why do Ikeep falling into this!?” 

At this point, you should realize that the way to conquer this sin is to look at who first conquered sin and death. Jesus! Stop saying, I and start asking God to help you overcome this. Ask for the intercessions of St. Joseph and Mary. This you probably already know but to keep it up, you need to keep praying that you do. Spend the first 10 min. Of your drive to school in prayer. Praying for the intentions of becoming chaste, and also for those who need to become chaste and who are trapped in sin and don’t even realize it. Stop hating yourself and start smiling because you realize that what is happening is wrong and you can overcome it because you know the problem. Become a Saint. Pray for strength to become a man of God and a saint. Never doubt that this is impossible. Holiness takes time. Start by avoiding things that lead away from Holiness. The root of all sin is pride. (Placing ourselves above others.) So ask God each day for Humility. Ask for opportunities in the day to become humble. Seek to always glorify others, but seek nothing in return. Never point out the flaws of someone else without recognizing your own. In seeking Humility, you will begin to see that we are but a small part in Gods plan and he doesn’t even need us. However, his love is so great that he longs for us to be in communion with him. 

The sin is hard to conquer, it literally just takes time. And never become complacent about praying about it. Because then pride creeps in and you think you can handle it on your own. Ha! Yeah right. With the help from Heaven, stopping is practically impossible. Be sincere, offer up each day to God and live it like your last. I’m praying for you. You can overcome this. You have the grace of the sacraments. Never feel like you can’t, don’t let the false lies of Satan trick you. Just look at how weak he is compared to God. He has to try to attack us when the lights are off, or when the house is empty. 

For those moments when you are alone in the home. Before going in, pray to stay chaste while in there, if temptations arise, go for a brisk walk. Make a sandwich. Blast some gregorian chants or Christian music. Write out a prayer. Write out the prayer to St. Michael, or the Hail Mary, or the Our Father, or the Apostles Creed. These things really help in bringing us strength Because God is in them. He aids us. This is all I’ll write for now. I’ll compose a list of some bible quotes for you later. 

God desires all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth.

    - 1 Timothy 2:4

(Christ) said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” 

     - Matthew 18:3

Praying for you.

In Christ, 

Closet Catholic [Soon to be Confirmed in the Catholic Church and is way excited for this most glorious day!]

Tumblr buds, 

So it has really been a while since I posted. I’m loving college without a doubt. The Chapel is a five minute walk away and it is open 24/7 eight days a week. The faith life here is great, I’ve gone to mass for almost 6 days in a row now. Prayed at an abortion clinic. Made some lasting friendships rooted in Christ. I love this school and I’m truly happy with this adjustment from high school to college. Definitely praying for y’all. Keep up your faith lives and never doubt, even in the dark times. God Bless you. 

- Closet Catholic

P.S. I actually don’t have three priest teachers… I merely misread my schedule of Mo/We/Fr classes haha

Tumblr Catholics,

It’s been a while. Summers been great. I lost track of how long I’ve been totally and completely pure. I look forward to going to Adoration everyday at College and meeting some really solid people of faith. I’m truly Blessed to be able to go to a college where Christ is so accessible and a faithful student body. 

“When God takes something out of your hands, He’s only opening them up for something greater.”

God Bless.

- Closet Catholic

P.S. I have three Priests for teachers! :)

P.P.S. I’ll be starting RCIA soon. The soft grassy roads on which I’ll walk are in my sights.

Random acts of kindness. 

You hear about them all the time, but when was the last time you actually did one? I challenge you to do a random act of kindness for someone special. Prayers and smiles can truly change the world. And if you don’t believe that then maybe you should get a spiritual slap in the face and stare at a Crucifix for a little bit. From that Crucifix pours love. Take that love and share it with another. Whether it’s a pleasant hello and a smile to someone on the way to work. Compliment a stranger or the cash register person at a store. Do the dishes when no one is watching, leading whoever really does them to smile and place one less load off of their shoulders. We only live once. Are you going to spend it selfishly or selflessly? 

Amen