Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Fresco of The Shipwreck of St. Paul at Malta

2 Corinthians 11:24-28

24

Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus one.

25

Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep;

26

on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers;

27

in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure.

28

And apart from these things, there is the daily pressure upon me of my anxiety for all the churches.

What strikes me most today

Sometimes it's good to be reminded how much St. Paul endured for the sake of the Gospel. And why do I at times hesitate to talk to people about Jesus - I'm a little worried I could be embarrassed or think I'm weird. That's just sad if that's why I don't tell more people about Christ and His Church!

What strikes you most today?

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Monday, May 31, 2010

2 Corinthians 11:1

"If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me! Please put up with me."

What strikes me most today

This is one of those passages I absolutely never remember hearing before. It just amazes me how you can read the Bible and come across lines that seem brand new. It seems that St. Paul really feels foolish at times, enough that he has to ask people to "please put up with me." This is why I love St. Paul so much. He can relate to feeling foolish when evangelizing. Last night (and early this morning - mass was at 3:30 this morning!) I had a conversation with 2 other parents about our faith (I think parents start to re-evaluate where they are in their life when children make these kind of milestones.) At first I felt a little foolish spilling my guts, and I had a fleeting thought of "please put up with me" long enough to realize that I'm sincere and trying to live my faith life the best I can. I am SO grateful for St. Paul leaving this message that I just happened to read the morning I needed to read it!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, May 30, 2010

2 Corinthians 10:17

"Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord."

What strikes me most today

We just attended the Mass and Dinner for the Graduating Seniors at St. Louis University High School (from where my son is graduating). During the dinner, numerous awards and talks by administrators were given. EVERY speaker was so humble and spoke of the most important aspect of their education being a better understanding of God's love, and learning to live God's love in all aspects of their lives. There was no boasting about individual accomplishments - only boasting in the Lord!

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, May 29, 2010

2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.

What strikes me most today

Abundance of graces. I can't think of a time that God did not give me enough grace to perform a kindness for someone. Even when I was young and our family had very little, I remember watching The Waltons' The Homecoming with Patricia Neal and Richard Thomas. They were so poor at Christmas in the middle of the Depression, and it seemed there was a good chance that the kids' dad had been in an accident and might never come home. Even through that, there were so many acts of kindness by so many friends, neighbors, and family members toward one another. They were still able to share God's love with one another at a time when their very existence was in question. How much more of God's love should we who receive so much be able to share with one another!

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, May 28, 2010

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

What strikes me most today

Reaping and sowing. I actually think of raising kids more than plants. I just got done yelling at one of my sons for not cleaning his room (I should have posted a picture of how bad it is - you'd understand why I was yelling! The blue flower helps give the illusion that I'm a calmer dad, so I went with that!) Still, I should have stayed calmer and gently smiled and told him he's grounded until the room is clean and left it at that - instead I let him know how angry I am that he still hasn't cleaned his room. That's what I get out of today's passage - if what I'm "giving" is a lesson or example in parenting, I should not have done it with a grudge or feeling of necessity to make him listen - I could still have been an example of a "cheerful giver," so I do feel guilty. (But seriously, I'm pretty sure Blessed Mother Theresa might even lose her temper with him if she saw how bad this room is!)

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, May 27, 2010

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

What strikes me most today

Sorry, when I think of rich people, Lovey and Thurston Howell, III still come to mind! The richness we seek is not abundant wealth (although I still wouldn't mind winning the lottery!) But I think most people don't want to win the lottery or have abundant wealth to live a lavish, isolated, indulgent lifestyle - we do seek security for our families and others we care about and care for. I'd love to have money to donate to awesome charities. But most important is that money not be the focus of our lives - the focus has to be on Jesus! That is how we achieve the true wealth we truly want for us and our loved ones --> eternal life in Heaven!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Lining up for Confession

2 Corinthians 7:10

10

For godly sorrow produces a salutary repentance without regret, but worldly sorrow produces death.

What strikes me most today

OK, this one took me a while - I had a little tough time with "salutary repentance." Salutary means beneficial or wholesome. Death means... well, death! So focusing on worldly cares, concerns, and worries draw us away from God, leading to death. A godly sorrow makes us desire God all the more, so the way to make up for whatever godly sorrow we face, is to take advantage of the AWESOME gift of Reconciliation. If we realized how profoundly this Sacrament can affect our past, present, and future, we would all be lined up like the people in today's picture, to receive the salutary repentance that will eliminate our regrets!

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, May 25, 2010

2 Corinthians 7:4

4

I have great confidence in you, I have great pride in you; I am filled with encouragement

What strikes me most today

Friends! Today's passage reminds me of how important friends are in our lives. Friends bring fun, encouragement, and support. Even St. Paul recognizes how important friends are in our journey on Earth.

What strikes you most today? Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Monday, May 24, 2010

2 Corinthians 7:1

1

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect in the fear of God.

What strikes me most today

The term "fear of God" used to bother me. I wondered how or why I would be attracted to a God I was afraid of. A priest explained that the term "fear" in the original text has different connotations than the modern English negative connotation, like servile fear. Instead, he said to think of it as "a fear of offending the Lord." And that makes sense in the context of today's passage - I should cleanse myself from every defilement of flesh and spirit, making holiness perfect so I will not offend God. I get it - now I need to live it!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, May 23, 2010

2 Corinthians 6:18

"I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

What strikes me most today

The picture above is from Easter Sunday, I'm guessing 5 or 6 years ago. God says He is a father to us, and we shall be His sons and daughters. If it is true that God loves me even more than I love my children, maybe I will be OK after all!

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, May 22, 2010

2 Corinthians 6:16

For we are the temple of the living God; as God said: "I will live with them and move among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people."

What strikes me most today

I'm intimidated by the line, "we are the temple of the living God." God deserves the best of temples. I think that means I need to work on eating less, drinking less, and exercising more - oh yeah, and avoiding sin as much as possible. It's hard to find good motivation for all those things, but if I'm preparing a temple in which the Lord can dwell, I want it to be the best it can be (the best I can be!)

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, May 21, 2010

2 Corinthians 6:8-10

8

We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful; 8

9

as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death;

10

as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

What strikes me most today?

I like the very last part, "as having nothing and yet possessing all things." The picture is of a man whose hands are empty, but they are reaching for God, and he is looking up to God. How rich the man in this picture looks to me as he appears to be living "all for God!"

What strikes you most today?

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:21

21

For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.

What strikes me most today

I always have a hard time meditating on this passage - the same feeling I got watching Jesus scourged in the movie The Passion of the Christ. What if my sins added to the suffering Jesus endured, willingly endured, for me? It bothers me so much because it's not "what if," it is the reality of my Redemption. How do I repay someone for suffering so much to save me? It should be choosing God (who is all good) over sin (which is evil) in every choice I make in my life. Thank God (literally), He knows I'm not perfect, and He loves me anyway, loving me even more in my weakness and my feeble attempts at holiness. He even gave me the Sacrament of Reconciliation so I would have a means to easily repair the relationship that I keep damaging. What an awesome, loving, perfect God!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:20

20

So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

What strikes me most today

I don't have this badge, so I better use my words and actions for people to know I am an ambassador for Christ!

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

17

So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

18

And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and given us the ministry of reconciliation,

19

namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

What strikes me most today

Reconciliation making the old things new. It reminds me of Jesus saying we must be like little children - for such ones make up the kingdom of Heaven. I love today's picture, especially Jesus inclining his ear toward the boy confessing - hearing his confession through His priest!

What strikes you most today?

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May 17, 2010

Monday, May 17, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:10

10

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.

What strikes me most today

I would love to think we all will wind up in heaven - that hell is a threat that few if any really end up in. That's also what Satan would like us to believe; it is not what the Gospel teaches.

The video today is a summary of the 7 tortures of hell as witnessed by St. Faustina - testifying to the reality of hell.

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:6-7

"We are always courageous... for we walk by faith, not by sight."

What strikes me most today

It struck me that St. Paul wrote, "We are always courageous" rather than we should always be courageous or we are sometimes courageous. Courage can be difficult - it usually entails making yourself vulnerable - either to the thoughts or words or actions of others, or even a soccer ball to a body part you'd rather not have as the receiving end of a penalty kick at close range! (But sometimes we are called to take one for the team!) So another thing for me to work on - I need to walk by faith and always be courageous (or at least I can try harder!)

What strikes you most today? Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

2 Corinthians 5:1-4

1

For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made with hands, eternal in heaven.

2

For in this tent we groan, longing to be further clothed with our heavenly habitation

3

if indeed, when we have taken it off, we shall not be found naked.

4

For while we are in this tent we groan and are weighed down, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

What strikes me most today

This passage speaks to me about the daily stresses, the ups and downs in all our lives. Recently, there has been more good than bad in the daily chaos of my life. But I don't feel significantly calmer. I don't think I will ever feel completely at peace in this life - and maybe that's not a terrible thing. Good kids and healthy patients and not-too-scary-financial-worries are great, but they are not the fulfillment my soul longs for. That ultimate fulfillment can only come from God - The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As St. Augustine so clearly put it, "my soul is restless, until it rests in You."

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, May 14, 2010

2 Corinthians 4:15

15
Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

What strikes me most today

God's abundant grace! When I read this I had the image of Niagara Falls - I visited there for the first time last summer. Expecting to be underwhelmed, I was blown away! The power and the force and the sheer unending volume pouring over the falls every second was incredible - yet less than a dripping faucet when compared to the mercy, love, and graces God pours out for those willing to accept them! What an awesome world God gave us; what an awesome God!

What strikes you most today?
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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Sidewalk Evangelization in St. Louis!

2 Corinthians 4:13-14

13
Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed, therefore I spoke," we too believe and therefore speak,
14
knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence.

What strikes me most today

"I believed, therefore I spoke." Today's picture is of the Daughters of St. Paul setting up a sidewalk display to tell people about Jesus. Their words and actions clearly proclaim to the world, "I believed, therefore I spoke." How awesome is that?!

What strikes you most today?
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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

2 Corinthians 4:4-5

4 For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to bring to light the knowledge of the glory of God on the face of (Jesus) Christ.

5 But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.

What strikes me most today.

I always thought the "earthen vessels" in the St. Louis Jesuit songs was referring to the vessels that held the Blessed Eucharist. With the sentence before it, though, it sounds more like the earthen lamps used in the time of Christ. If so, maybe it is actually we who are supposed to be these lamps for the world. If the light of Christ can shine through mere creatures like us, it must be of God, since it could not be from us on our own, but Christ dwelling in us!

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

2 Corinthians 3:17

"The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

What strikes me most today

"freedom" --- Many people feel they are free when they can do whatever they want. Many see the Church as a set of rules to make like less fun/more difficult. But God wants our happiness, not our misery. God knows that when we choose sin, we not choosing Him. When we choose sin, we are serving a different master, not the Divine Master. When we choose sin, we choose death over life --- God knows we don't want that. So true freedom comes from choosing to follow the Spirit of the Lord, not the Spirit of Sin!

What strikes you most today?
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Monday, May 10, 2010

2 Corinthians 2:14-15

14
Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the odor of the knowledge of him in every place.
15
For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

What strikes me most today

I wish I could do "Scratch-n-Sniff" blog - or some other way of adding the smell of incense today. I love incense. Incense is what I immediately imagined when I read today's passage. And I like St. Paul's ideat that "we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved and for those who are perishing." It helps me realize that my soul is currently not that pure, holy, inebriating scent that comes from the censer at Benediction. That gives me incentive to work on eliminating sin from my life so my soul doesn't stink (like from burning bad materials) to others and to God!

What strikes you most today?
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Sunday, May 9, 2010

2 Corinthians 2:10-11

10

Whomever you forgive anything, so do I. For indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for you in the presence of Christ,

11

so that we might not be taken advantage of by Satan, for we are not unaware of his purposes.

What strikes me most today

(Watch me tie this in to Mother's Day)---> So today's passage is about being forgiven. And the important point St. Paul makes is that if we don't forgive one another for the sake of Christ, we leave the door open for Satan to take advantage. And St. Paul states "for we are not unaware of his purposes." That is worth paying attention too. Too often in today's society we are afraid to mention Satan and his purposes - but to avoid Satan's influence on our life, we must know Satan and his plans and tactics and goals. So who can best teach us this forgiveness and be an example of avoiding the evil one? I can't think of anyone better than a Mom - the heart of a family who will protect her family from anything or anyone potentially harmful. That is why Satan attacks the family. He doesn't want happy families with good parents like June and Ward Clever - so maybe we should be completely countercultural and be a little more like the Clevers! Stronger families have to be a good thing!

So Happy Mother's Day - and Thank You! - to all the Moms reading this blog!

What strikes you most today?

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Saturday, May 8, 2010

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

8

We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction that came to us in the province of Asia; we were utterly weighed down beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life.

9

Indeed, we had accepted within ourselves the sentence of death, that we might trust not in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

10

He rescued us from such great danger of death, and he will continue to rescue us; in him we have put our hope (that) he will also rescue us again,

11

as you help us with prayer, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift granted us through the prayers of many.

What strikes me most today

"the gift granted us through the prayers of many" - what a great meditation! Here St. Paul was prepared to die for Christ - he shows us how to truly embrace the cross to sanctify our suffering. Even as St. Paul is ready to be a martyr for the faith, he is rescued - by God through the prayers of many. Praying for one another is one of the greatest gifts we can offer one another. We just need to be sure that we don't merely tell people they are in our prayers or that we will pray for them - we have to really do it! In turn, we will benefit from those praying for us.

What strikes you most today?

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Friday, May 7, 2010

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement,
4
who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.
5
For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.
6
If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer.

What strikes me most today

OK, purely personal, but I'm stressed about finances now. Child #1 going off to college this fall, child #2 looking at colleges for the following fall. Do you have any idea how much these cost??? Then I have anxiety attacks wondering if I can get five kids through college. Then I get down, almost depressed. Then I have trouble working, enjoying life, being present to my family - I find myself feeling sorry for myself - when I'm worrying about things life. Lately I'm worrying so much about life, I'm not living life. I even started to convince myself that I must be the only one who has to worry about finances - I must have done something wrong/I'm a terrible father. But I know when I talk to others that I'm not the only one worrying. The funny part is that when I'm talking to others, I can sincerely tell them not to worry, it will all work out, and I know it will. So why am I doubting and worrying so much. It may be natural, but it's also a good opportunity to embrace the cross, offer it up to God, and TRUST IN GOD! I always say the Divine Mercy Chaplet and I have the Divine Mercy image in my office where I read the Words, "Jesus, I Trust in You!" every day... it's about time I live that trust, not just say it!

What strikes you most today?
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Thursday, May 6, 2010

1 Corinthians 16:15-16

"they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it."

What strikes me most today

The Pauline Cooperator Magazine cover is today's picture. Pauline Cooperators are members of a lay branch of the Pauline Family, assisting in the works of the other branches, including the Society of St. Paul Priests and Brothers, the Daughters of St. Paul, the Pastorelle Sisters, the Pious Disciples, and the other branches (10 total!) Joining in the work of laboring to assist the saints that St. Paul recommends in today's passage sounds like he could be writing an ad for becoming a Pauline Cooperator!

What strikes you most today?

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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

What strikes me most today

St. Paul was tough, and he doesn't mince words telling people to be men. St. Paul knew that being a disciple of Christ meant being a soldier. In this picture, we even get a preview of a similar message that St. Paul will be giving in Ephesians 6:10.

The picture we often get of Christian men is one of a quiet, reserved, always turn the other cheek wimpy guy. That is not the image St. Paul had or wants us to have; he wants us to be strong, committed, fearless fighters for our faith, our families, and most importantly, our Lord!

What strikes you most today?

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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

1 Corinthians 15:56-58

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

What strikes me most today

"be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord." St. Paul is such a great example of this - ALL was for Christ. I still tend to compartmentalize my life too much - times when it seems "OK" to discuss Christ, when in reality, there is no bad time to discuss Christ. And when I think about it, the times I am most reluctant are the times when I probably should introduce Christ into the conversation, meeting, gathering or whatever the situation. St. Paul faced torture and death - not much chance of that for me here in the Midwest in the 21st Century. I know anything I do for the Lord will not be in vain, so I better get to it!
I think tomorrow I'll try to look for at least one opportunity to discuss Christ in a situation I normally wouldn't.

What strikes you most today?
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Monday, May 3, 2010

1 Corinthians 15:53

That which is corruptible must clothe itself with incorruptibility, and that which is mortal must clothe itself with immortality.

What strikes me most today

I have always loved the stories and pictures of the incorruptible Saints. Today's picture is of St. Bernadette, who still looks like she is just sleeping. What a great sign from God of the witness of these Saints and the power of God!

What strikes you most today?

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Sunday, May 2, 2010

1 Corinthians 15:35-40

35But someone may ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?" 36How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.

What strikes me most today

"heavenly bodies" - what will they be like? I imagine they are better than anything we can imagine. I'm pretty sure I won't have an "S" on my chest, but that image gives me some idea of a much improved, glorified body. But I don't believe it will be something completely different from who I am now, because I am a body and a soul. God may perfect my body, but I believe it will still be me - this body - just the perfected image God meant for me to be.

What strikes you most today?

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