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Daily Reflection: 12 July 2023
Almost one year ago, I did Fiat90 with a group of ladies. It’s a 90-day, intense focus on your relationship with God. It’s the women’s equivalent to the guys’ Exodus90. One of the things you have to do is incorporate going to daily Mass once a week. So, my kids and I started attending daily…
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Daily Reflection: 11 July 2023
The part in Genesis where Jacob wrestles around with God is one of the most curious parts of the Bible to me. It seems so bizarre and it comes out of nowhere in the story of Jacob. But, as I think about it, there is a point in our lives where most of us, especially…
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Daily Reflection: 10 July 2023
This is a picture of me in Canada visiting Montreal. It seems that in order to talk about the history of Catholicism in Alabama, we have to first start in Canada. Confused yet? See, history is never boring. Long, long ago, it was a dark and stormy night…oops, wrong intro. Long ago, Alabama was explored…
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Daily Reflection: 3 July 2023
Last night, I was hanging some curtains in my son’s room. His bunk bed was in the way so it made it difficult to hang them because I had to stand at an odd angle. My son was in the room listening to me grunt and mutter under my breath at the difficulty. When I…
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Daily Reflection: 20 June 2023
I love how the light streamed down on this woman as she prayed. It’s like a visual image of the graces she received. I recently heard a sad story over lunch with friends. The guy at our table was telling us that the year he converted to Catholicism, another guy had been in his RCIA…
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Daily Reflection: 13 June 2023
Blessed Feast Day of St. Anthony of Padua, Catholic Pilgrims, or as they say in Portugal, St. Anthony of Lisbon. In March, when we arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, it was on a Sunday afternoon. After checking into our home, we quickly changed clothes for Mass and headed out to find the church I had researched…
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Daily Reflection: 12 June 2023
Isn’t the Mount of Beatitudes beautiful, Catholic Pilgrims? Can you imagine being taught here by Christ? As I was meditating on the Beatitudes today from our Gospel reading, I was drawn over and over again back to one—Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. It is incredibly difficult to have a…
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Daily Reflection: 11 June 2023
In different parts of Turkey, you can find images like this where the artist was clearly trying to show that Jesus is truly present in the chalice. You go back to the early Church Fathers and read their words and you can see that they understood that the Eucharist was/is the most Holy Body and…
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Daily Reflection: 9 June 2023
Things become ugly when God is denied, Catholic Pilgrims. When we were in Portugal, we walked everywhere we went, pretty much. Walking a city is the best way to get to know a place. Everywhere you turned, there was art. Even down obscure alleys, there were little tiles with depictions of St. Anthony or Mary.…
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Daily Reflection: 8 June 2023
Our next military move is coming up quick and this time, there will only be three of us going. My two adult children will be elsewhere making their way in the world. Between my middle daughter and son, my husband and I lost a lot of babies. We have 10 saints in Heaven. But, thankfully,…
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Daily Reflection: 7 June 2023
When I was young, my dad used to say to me, “Be ready to live with the consequences of the choices you make.” Sadly, I got to a point in my life where I was making very bad choices and I forgot my dad’s advice. I sat around bemoaning the way my life was going,…
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Daily Reflection: 6 June 2023
When I used to go around training people on how to look for predators, I’d always get the question, “Why do they go after the kids so much?” The answer is pretty simple—kids are easy to manipulate and control. They want to trust the adults in their lives and they generally don’t question them, especially…
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Daily Reflection: 4 June 2023
Have you ever thought about how three is a pleasing number to us, as humans? Chords on a piano are a grouping of three notes. Two notes played just isn’t as pleasing to the ear. When decorating, you are to use groups of three. In many nursery rhymes and children’s stories, there are groups of…
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Daily Reflection: 2 June 2023
Inevitably, when I write about a controversial topic—two specific ones come to mind—I’ll get someone in the comments crowd that spouts off, “Jesus ate with sinners!” As soon as I see the comment, I drop my head and sigh. Yes, Jesus ate with sinners, He sure did. If He didn’t, the only person on earth…
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Daily Reflection: 1 June 2023
Today, is the Feast Day of Justin the Martyr. He was a pagan philosopher that converted to Christianity in 132 AD in the ancient city I’m standing in here—Ephesus. It’s, also, our secular culture’s highest religious month—the celebratory month of pride. The fact that this month begins and ends with feast days for martyrs is…
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Daily Reflection: 31 May 2023
Before becoming Catholic, reading about the Visitation meant very little to me. I didn’t even call it the Visitation. To be honest, it seemed like a bit of trivial information. For a lot of converts, it takes awhile to really accept Mary into your life after your conversion. You go from having basically nothing to…
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Daily Reflection: 30 May 2023
When I went into St. Mary of Sorrows last week, Jesus was out on the altar in the monstrance. For many, kneeing and praying to, what seems to be, a displayed wafer seems ridiculous. But, my priest said something a few weeks ago about the Eucharist that I thought was beautiful. He said, “The eyes…
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Daily Reflection: 28 May 2023
At the time of the Apostles, the world was not a gentle place. Pagan gods were worshipped, people had limited freedom, and grave sins were committed. We know this because St. Paul exhorted Christians in his letters to stay away from wicked practices. Life was harsh and, yet, the Apostles went out into the world…
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Daily Reflection: 25 May 2023
Who doesn’t love a good history story, Catholic Pilgrims? This is the church of St. Mary of Sorrows in Fairfax Station, Virginia. It has a very interesting story. As you probably know, early on, Virginia was not friendly to Catholics, consequently, there weren’t a ton of Catholics to be found. But, in northern Virginia, two…
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Daily Reflection: 24 May 2023
Let’s talk apologetics for today, Catholic Pilgrims. My past couple of posts have brought out some that don’t like what I have to say and I’ll let them be my muse. A common tactic is to downplay something you are concerned about and treat it as though it’s not as important as “these things over…
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Daily Reflection: 23 May 2023
As many of you know, I’ve been reading through St. Teresa of Avila’s book “The Interior Castle” on my podcast. A few readings back, she was talking about how if you only ever want to do things for God when it feels good and you get lots of consolations, that’s fine, but it’s not a…
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Daily Reflection: 22 May 2023
As the world grows more and more chaotic and more and more businesses continue to become bastions of progressive ideology, I find myself having to remove myself from so much. I have a list now of places I refuse to shop at, items I refuse to buy, shows I refuse to watch, music I refuse…
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Daily Reflection: 19 May 2023
Well, it’s getting to the point where my options for buying things has dwindled to like two places. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I will need to get a loom and a sheep to start making my own clothes. I’ve also realized that soon I’ll have to brew my own beer, even though…
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Daily Reflection: 18 May 2023
I have a very high “cheese” detector. This has nothing to do with food, but has everything to do with detecting when things are trite, insincere, “goobery,” unserious, and embarrassing. Secondary embarrassment is a common emotion in me, which if you don’t know, is the emotion one feels when others are doing something embarrassing but…
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Daily Reflection: 17 May 2023
I have a contrarian nature. I’m stubborn and, sure, I’d like to debate you if I think you’re wrong. This is not a brag. It’s difficult to be this way because people often see you as mean or never at peace. And sometimes, I can be mean or not at peace. As I’ve said before,…
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Daily Reflection: 16 May 2023
This is the new St. Isidore’s Church at Kansas State University—my daughter’s spiritual home while she’s been a student. If you know what the old church looked like, well, this is an astounding upgrade. They wanted a more beautiful church and, most importantly, they needed more room, as St. Izzy’s is thriving. They average 200…
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Daily Reflection: 9 May 2023
Let’s do a bit of teaching on Apologetics today. I like to teach and help others when it comes to defending the faith. In ten years of writing, I’ve learned a lot from my mistakes. Yesterday, I wrote a post talking about misguided compassion and what that looks like. A man showed up who thew…
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Daily Reflection: 8 May 2023
Recently, my husband had to travel to a major US city for work. It’s a city that he used to live close to when he was a teen and he has fond memories of it. When he called me while gone, he said that the city had really gone down the tubes. “Amy, just going…
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Daily Reflection: 7 May 2023
“Just one more thing…and that will be enough.” I’ve had atheists tell me, “Look, if God is so real and wants me to believe in him, why doesn’t he come down here and just show himself to me? That would be enough for me to believe.” But, would it? God the Son was standing, breathing,…
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Daily Reflection: 4 May 2023
My husband was mentoring a young man the other day and was asking him about his plans in his professional and personal life. While he was a very energetic, smart, thoughtful young man, he hemmed and hawed around with his answers. He didn’t want to get married till his finances were all set. My husband…
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Daily Reflection: 03 May 2023
I was watching a video the other day of a young woman who had purposefully made herself blind. She said she felt like she was meant to be “born blind.” And so, through some method, she made herself that way. Now, obviously and sadly, this person has something wrong mentally. Nobody with a healthy mind…
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Daily Reflection: 02 May 2023
On the day I graduated from high school, my old piano teacher from when I was a kid showed up. After the ceremony, I spied him standing off away from everyone and I went to see him. It had been years and I was surprised that he was there. He didn’t say much, but gave…
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Daily Reflection: 1 May 2023
I was watching a video the other day where a guy very flippantly said, “Yeah, sure, Mary was a great person, but I don’t pray to dead people.” I commented, “As Catholics, we don’t pray to dead people either. Those in Heaven are alive in Christ.” Now, for this post, let’s ignore the man’s ignorance…
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Daily Reflection: 30 April 2023
What is the difference between a gate and a door? The ability to see what’s on the other side. Christ doesn’t say, “I am the door;” He says, “I am the gate.” He wants you to see what awaits when you enter through Him. You “will come in and go out and find pasture.” Pastures…
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Daily Reflection: 27 April 2023
Within the span of three days, I’ve been told to “read my Bible” by several different people. Now, lest you think this was friendly encouragement to crack open the Word of God, I’ll assure you it was not that. It was more said like, “Yeah, ya stupid moron with your stupid beliefs, read your Bible…
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Accept Your Trials: Third Mansions, Chapter Two: 5-9
Today’s readings are from the Third Mansions, Chapter Two, numbers 5-9. Topics are: 5. Liberty of spirit 6. On bearing contempt 7. Detachment proved by trails 8. Virtue and humility are the essentials 9. Perfection requires detachment Our sponsor today is Amazing Grace Pilgrimages. If interested in going on my Italy Pilgrimage, go here for…
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Daily Reflection: 26 April 2023
Everything right now is a battle of the wills. I was talking to my mom on the phone last night and we were discussing how everything just feels so uncertain and insane. I think a lot of us feel this way and, as Christians, we know that we hold the truth and so we figure…
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Daily Reflection: 25 April 2023
The other day, I was “shouted” at online over a post where I had used a picture of a crucifix. “GET HIM OFF THE CROSS, HE’S ALIVE! We worship a living God.” A few things… First, no Catholic on earth thinks we worship a dead God. I’m fairly certain on that, because what would be…
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Daily Reflection: 24 April 2023
I was reading something by a man named Walter Farrell, O.P. the other day with my daughter for school. It was written just shy of a hundred years ago and as I was reading it, I was stunned that it wasn’t written in our day and age. The Dominican wrote about how there are “only…
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Daily Reflection: 20 April 2023
As Christians, we know that we are to evangelize and bring the Gospel to others, each in our own unique way. If our message sounds just like the message of the secular culture, we are not giving the people Christianity. We are giving the people nothing different than earthly things and our message is pointless…
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Daily Reflection: 19 April 2023
Someone showed up this week commenting on one of my blogs that I wrote years ago about marriage. The blog is titled, “What Do You Mean There’s No Marriage in Heaven?!” The guy commenting seemed very unsettled by this fact. He had numerous concerns. He wanted to know about people who didn’t marry in this…
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Daily Reflection: 18 April 2023
If you think about it, all of life is a battle of wills. Man’s vs God’s Man vs Man In this fallen world, there will never be a utopia where all people are in harmony with each other and with God. No political or economic system can achieve utopia, but that doesn’t mean we don’t…
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Daily Reflection: 17 April 2023
As I was preparing today’s podcast, I really had to pause and think about St. Teresa’s writings. She was laying out how there are two types of dryness in the spiritual life—one is our fault, the other is a trial given by God. With regards to the latter, think of of St. Mother Teresa of…
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Daily Reflection: 14 April 2023
I’ve heard a lot of people recently say that you need to wait to get married after you’ve “lived a little.” I can’t stand this mindset. And while I don’t think people should rush into marriage just to be married, this idea that your life is on the downward slope once you “settle” into marriage…
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Daily Reflection: 13 April 2023
Throughout our lives, there are going to be people that we struggle NOT to hate. It’s very easy to hate people that have severely hurt us or someone we love. It’s very easy to hate wicked people that inflict grace evil upon the world. In a way, it almost seems unjust to even consider loving…
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Daily Reflection: 11 April 2023
The reading from St. Teresa of Avila’s book, “The Interior Castle” on my podcast yesterday has one of her most important quotes. She writes, “Remember, we must get to Heaven.” For those who don’t believe in God or don’t ever consider the reality of the afterlife, there are two very distinct paths taken by most.…
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Daily Reflection: 10 April 2023
It’s Easter Monday, Catholic Pilgrims. You know, as Christians, we are an Easter people, as St. Pope John Paul II reminded us. Often times, though, being a Christian doesn’t necessarily feel like Easter with all that comes our way. Times can be tough, as I know you know. And, we can find ourselves worried, fearful,…
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Daily Reflection: 7 April 2023
“I’d give it all up if it all began like a faithful friend To feel like home again.” —The Arcadian Wild I have to believe that Adam and Eve at some point wished they could turn back the clock and undo their sin. Because, as most of us come to realize, it isn’t worth it—it…
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Daily Reflection: 6 April 2023
“I felt my soul pulled in every direction What once was whole has chosen defection.” —The Arcadian Wild Holy Thursday—The first Mass was said on this night nearly 2,000 years ago. I pray we enter this sacred time with reverence and gratitude. Have a blessed day, Catholic Pilgrims.…
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Daily Reflection: 5 April 2023
“I was living in a paradise But now I fight a war against my own name And I’m fighting all alone Gained I have the world and lost have I everything else?” —The Arcadian Wild Things are so much harder when you separate yourself from God. It became harder for Adam and Eve. Life is…
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Daily Reflection: 4 April 2023
“Will we go on like we deserve a pardon As we walk out of the garden?” —The Arcadian Wild He expelled the man, stationing the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword east of the Garden of Eden, to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:24 In my younger years, I though being…
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Daily Reflection: 3 April 2023
“I was loved more than anything But I kissed the dust I was crowned over everything But I kissed the dust I had all I would ever need But I kissed the dust I listened to the lie and I live and let die.” —The Arcadian Wild In the Garden of Eden, essentially, Adam and…
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Daily Reflection: 2 April 2023
The fickleness of the human heart is often reflected on—especially when it comes to Jesus. Here on Palm Sunday, we see the crowds praise Him with shouts of “Hosanna to the Son of David!” And in less than a week the crowds will viciously scream, “Crucify Him!” It is often remarked, and rightfully so, that…
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Daily Reflection: 31 March 2023
“I felt my heart sunder and hardened As I walk out of the garden.” —The Arcadian Wild The Lord God therefore banished him from the Garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken. Genesis 3:23 We are one week out from Good Friday. As we’ve been traveling through the story…
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Daily Reflection: 30 March 2023
“How could we count the cost? We sold ourselves and what we bought wasn’t worth the price.” —The Arcadian Wild The Lord God then called to the man and asked him, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, but I was afraid…so I hid.” Genesis 3:9-10 When I was younger and…
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Daily Reflection: 29 March 2023
“You came back down to Earth To find that I had cursed the world you made.” —The Arcadian Wild To the man He said: Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, you shall not eat from it, Cursed is the ground because of you.” Genesis 3:17…
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Daily Reflection: 27 March 2023
“I saw my naked form In a moment shame was born, I hid my face.” —The Arcadian Wild Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked. Genesis 3:7 My husband and I were discussing this very verse a few weeks back. Once Adam and Eve sin, they…
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Daily Reflection: 26 March 2023
About three weeks ago, I was arguing with another Catholic on Instagram about the Eucharist. Of a more liberal bent, he thought it would be better if the Catholic Church just passed out the Eucharist to whoever wanted to take it. He thought this would be more inclusive and welcoming. I went on to explain…
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Daily Reflection: 24 March 2023
“You gave me all you love, but I love making war. Chaos, she politely knocked, so I opened the door.” —The Arcadian Wild When I was a counselor, I very quickly learned that many people “thrive” off of chaos in their lives. It seems contrary to what people say they want which is peace and…
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Daily Reflection: 23 March 2023
“The first step of my descent I lost my innocence, misplaced my trust.” —The Arcadian Wild The woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom. So, she took some of its fruit and ate it, and she gave some to her…
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Daily Reflection: 22 March 2023
“We were deceived We sank our teeth into a lie.” —The Arcadian Wild But the snake said to the woman, “You certainly will not die! God knows well that when you eat of it (the fruit) your eyes will be opened and you will be like gods, who know good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 So…
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Daily Reflection: 21 March 2023
“I heard a second voice It hissed another choice and woke my lust.” —Arcadian Wild I think sometimes we read the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden and nod our head in disappointment. “Tsk, tsk, you two only had to obey one rule and you couldn’t even do it.” We are meant, though,…
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Daily Reflection: 20 March 2023
When I was maybe nine years old, I was watching TV late one evening in our family room. As I was sitting there, I noticed the shadow of a man move across the window and go around the side of our house. Scared to death, I ran into my mom and told her. My dad…
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Daily Reflection: 19 March 2023
Recently, I’ve had to shout out to several people to warn them or I’ve seen other people yell out to warn. Awhile back, my son about strolled out in front of a car at church and I yelled to get his attention. Weeks later, in the same spot, I had to shout at an older…
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Daily Reflection: 10 March 2023
“Go and play among the beasts, and never once know shame. You can roam around without a fear, just remember your name.” —Arcadian Wild When I was around sixteen, the pull of the world became intense. Somewhere deep in my mind, I thought I was free to indulge myself because I at least called myself…
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Daily Reflection: 9 March 2023
“The lion and the lamb, they harmonize, But even Eden’s home to demons, they can mesmerize.” —Arcadian Wild Satan’s trick: Get the humans to think that if they just commit this one sin, happiness awaits around the corner. But don’t call it sin, call it desire. Within the span of a few days, I’ve seen…
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Daily Reflection: 8 March 2023
“The sky is clear for all eternity. This ground is yours; what more could you ever need?” —Arcadian Wild How many times do we think that we are missing out? If only we had more money. If only we had more prestige. If only our house was a little bigger, a little nicer. If only…
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Daily Reflection: 7 March 2023
“Take your slumber, you’ll awake to eyes like your eyes Two hands that fit in your hands, bone of your bone.” —Arcadian Wild I recently learned in a podcast called “Why Catholic” that when God created the first woman, the word to describe her is ezer. It’s a Hebrew word that means “helper.” But, before…
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Daily Reflection: 6 March 2023
“This garden ardently guards your every want But I sense a lonesome life’s a burdened one.”—Arcadian Wild This Lent we’ve been walking through the Garden of Eden and pairing the verses there with lyrics from songs by the band “Arcadian Wild.” In the Garden, God gave Adam everything he could possibly need or want, but…
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Daily Reflection: 5 March 2023
The day I was on the Mount of Transfiguration, this is what it looked like—foggy as could be. Here in the place where Christ had shown in dazzling light, I could not see anything that wasn’t right in from of me. You can’t tell from this picture, but down this path is the church. On…
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Daily Reflection: 3 March 2023
You know what they say, “Things trend toward disorder.” Any gardener knows you have to stay on top of the weeds or they’ll over take your plants. Every parent knows, if you stop cleaning the house, it will become chaos in no time. If you neglect your body, it will fall apart more quickly than…
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Daily Reflection: 2 March 2023
All living things have a soul. Plants have a vegetative soul that makes them what they are and helps them to grow, make food, and reproduce. Animals have an animal soul. It gives animals the ability to be what they are, move, and experience pain and pleasure with their senses. Some can even be trained.…
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Daily Reflection: 1 March 2023
We know as believers that humans are composed of body and soul. The soul is what animates the body and makes you who you are—a unique, never to be duplicated person. When God made our first parents, He created them in His image. “Let us make human beings in Our image, in Our likeness.” Genesis…
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Daily Reflection: 28 February 2023
Whenever I get attacked in a big way, usually for my pro-life stance or for my unwavering promotion of the goodness of children, I like to run a little experiment. I take just a moment to see where the irate people are living by quickly looking at their social media page. My theory always is…
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Daily Reflection: 24 February 2023
“God blew into the nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. The Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east and placed there the man whom He had formed.” Genesis 2:7-8 In that moment, when God breathed into Adam, man was given a soul, thereby making him a…
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Daily Reflection: 23 February 2023
“Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust of the ground.” Genesis 2:7 Before Lent started, I explained that I was going to read through the Garden of Eden story in Genesis this year for Lent. There are some songs by the band Arcadian Wild that lyrically match the readings in the…
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Daily Reflection: 22 February 2023
I’ve lived in the desert twice in my life, once in Las Vegas and once out in the middle of nowhere at Edwards AFB in the Mojave. Now, you may think I liked the big, happenin’ city more, but you’d be wrong. I preferred the desert far from civilization. Stuck out away from the modern…
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Daily Reflection: 21 February 2023
n our day and age, the secular culture cares about only one virtue—anti-hypocrisy. Now, before we continue, realize that I am NOT saying that being a hypocrite is good. Please read that sentence again. Now you may say, “Well, Amy, it’s a good thing that the culture sees hypocrisy as a bad thing.” And I…
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Daily Reflections: 20 February 2023
Okay, a bit of a business meeting for the start of this week, Catholic Pilgrims. Lol! 1. Season Three of my podcast dropped today! We are reading St. Teresa of Avila’s book, “The Interior Castle.” See post below if you want to listen on my website. Otherwise, you can find it pretty much anywhere you…
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Daily Reflection: 17 February 2023
Recently, Chelsea Handler, the 47-year old, not-so-funny comedian, took to national television and social media extolling the supposed “joys” of purposefully being childless. And not because she wants to give her life for others like those in the religious life. She gets to do so many things, you see, that people with children can’t do.…
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Daily Reflection: 16 February 2023
One of the things that has traditionally held people together throughout the centuries is the understanding that community was not only good, but necessary. And three communities in particular: Country, religion, and family. It was seen as good to love your country and be united to your countrymen. People were to strive to be good…
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Daily Reflection: 14 February 2023
Happy Valentine’s Day, Catholic Pilgrims! I know many “boo hiss” on this day because “it’s commercialized” or because you’re “not going to be forced to celebrate love” or whatever. But, this day was the start of me and my man, so it will always mean something to me. Twenty-three years ago, we officially started dating.…
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Daily Reflection: 12 February 2023
In the world we live in, vice is glorified and true virtue is scorned. Today in our Gospel reading from Matthew, Christ speaks of the laws and takes them up a notch. He takes the well-known laws and fulfills them by attaching a virtue to it. Control your angry. Don’t lust. Be contrite and forgiving.…
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Daily Reflection: 9 February 2023
When we lived in Turkey, my family experienced a 7.0 earthquake that lasted nearly 45 seconds, which in earthquake time is an eternity. It’s long enough to say an “Our Father,” I can tell you that. Once the shaking stopped, my kids and I ran barefoot out of our building, flying down the 15 floors…
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Daily Reflection: 8 February 2023
In my freshman year of college, I reconnected with my childhood friend. We hadn’t seen each other since I was like seven, so we had some catching up to do. She was very steeped in her Christian Faith and I was not. However, she invited me to a Bible study at her house and I…
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Daily Reflection: 7 February 2023
When your birthday is in the winter, you just have to brave the cold if you wanna do anything. Lol. Last week was my birthday, but my husband was gone for work and so we celebrated this past weekend. He took me to Cumberland, Maryland, a town we’ve breezed through several times on our long…
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Daily Reflection: 6 February 2023
One of the hardest things for us to accept, as humans, is our fragility and mortality. Sickness is something that comes to us all in one form or another. It is a consequence of a fallen world. It is difficult sometimes to accept that our bodies age, they wear down, and at some point along…
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Daily Reflection: 5 February 2023
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” What does that mean exactly, to be the light of the world? I think a lot of us would answer, “Shine bright, like Jesus.” And, yes, that’s true…but give me more. I’ll probably then get, “Be a good person.” That is my least favorite answer. I…
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Daily Reflection: 3 February 2023
In our Gospel reading today from Mark 6:14-29, you almost—almost—feel a bit sorry for King Herod. Why would I say that? Well, because he does something we’ve all done—he gives into peer pressure even when it’s not really what he wants to do. Herod, though, he was surely prideful, crude, immoral, and jealous, “liked to…
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Daily Reflection: 2 February 2023
Any truly important gift comes at a price. If it means anything to us, it will cause us pain in someway. The pain of love sounds like a contradiction that we should want to avoid. If a special heirloom is lost or broken, we will desperately search for it or try to repair it. The…
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Daily Reflection: 1 February 2023
One of my parent mottos when it comes to discipline is, “I will outlast you.” It sounds maybe harsh and competitive to some; maybe funny to others. I knew when my children were little that if I didn’t discipline them, it would set them up for failure later in life. In fact, I knew if…
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Daily Reflection: 30 January 2023
One of the biggest fears plaguing people in our society is the fear of never being seen. People are desperate to make some kind of mark, anything really, in order to be known. Sadly, they will do just about anything to get attention. Much of this comes from not giving people faith in God or…
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Daily Reflection: 29 January 2023
Many years ago, my husband had a close family member pass away very unexpectedly. At one point, before the funeral, my husband met with the priest and he gave some amazing advice. He told my husband that whenever a loved one passes away, part of our grief comes from feeling like they aren’t close anymore.…
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Daily Reflection: 27 January 2023
I’ve told this story before, but it begs a repeat. The summer before we moved from Turkey, my husband’s squadron chaplain hosted a mini-pilgrimage to Istanbul to see some of the Christian sites and to meet the Patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was an extremely memorable trip, but the most memorable part to…
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Daily Reflection: 26 January 2023
A lot of people think that because I’m originally from Kansas, I’m naturally a good farmer. I once worked for some high-powered attorneys that had a farm. When they found out I was from Kansas, they decided that I should take a few days out of the week and go work their farm. When I…
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Daily Reflection: 25 January 2023
It is common today to declare that one “is a mess.” I see this all the time with Christian writers. Time and time again, I see people extolling the supposed virtue of declaring oneself a “hot mess.” In fact, if someone tries to push back a bit from the messaging of “everyone’s a mess,” you’ll…
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Daily Reflection: 24 January 2023
Driving home from my dad’s after Christmas, my family stopped in St. Louis to stretch our legs and see some sights. As we were driving downtown, we stopped at a stoplight. I looked to my right and saw this mosaic over the door. It took a second to register, but as we drove off, I…
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Daily Reflection: 23 January 2023
In ten years of writing on social media, I’ve encountered hateful comments. It’s to be expected, there’s a lot of lost, angry people in the world. The hateful comments never dissuade me, truth has to still be said. The most hate-filled comments I receive always come when I talk about my pro-life stance. Some of…
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Daily Reflection: 22 January 2023
We don’t get to make up our own version of Christianity. It’s not our right. I mean, people do it, obviously, but it’s not a prerogative that Jesus gave us. Mr. Christian over here says one thing about a matter of the faith and that “the Holy Spirit guided him.” Mrs. Christian over there contradicts…
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Daily Reflection: 17 January 2023
I often see negative comments from people on marriage posts that say something like, “Ugh, being with the same person for life would be so boring.” I always wanna comment back, “Oh, so then you are boring, as well? Or are you the Dos Equis man?” In essence, what that person is saying is that…