3 Days of Darkness

Another day, another strange dream. I dreamed that I was sleeping in a house that my Mom was at and when I woke up every single clock in the house read 3:67, even mine which is a battery-operated one. Every single clock was actually blinking 3:67. Then I looked outside and even though it was August there was snow on the ground. I mentioned to my Mom how odd it was that the clocks all showed a time that was not possible and she replied that she was shocked and awed by the sudden change in temperature. It was 90 degrees yesterday and today there is snow on the ground in August and it had been a bitter night.

Of course, now I am sitting at the computer so I googled Bible verses of 3:67. Only one came up on my computer - Daniel - so I am going to grab my Saint Joseph Edition of the New American Bible and see what it says. Daniel reads:

Cold and chill, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

Huh, okay. So much for anything prophetic, so instead I just had Tom play the numbers for the evening. Hey! You never know and as they say you have to be in it to win it. This is definitely a first for me; I am not a gambling woman at all; not when it comes to money and certainly not when it comes to my soul.

I am still reading The Mystical City of God, but something came to my attention recently that I had never heard of before in this detail and frankly it freaked me out a bit. Quite a number of mystics of the church have spoken of the 3 days of darkness. Even St. Padre Pio, more recently, mentioned it in his writings. According to the mystics the entire world will be shrouded in an absolute darkness. The only thing that will light the way is candles made of pure wax that have been blessed by a Priest. These candles will only light for those that are true followers of Christ and once lit the candles will not extinguish until the 3rd day has passed and the earth has been cleansed of all evil. Not only will there be complete and utter darkness, there will be earthquakes and flooding and Hell will be emptied of all its inhabitants who will be taking the souls outside and those that look out of their windows back to Hell with them. It is further suggested of the mystics that the only way to protect yourself is to cover all windows, do not go outside, sprinkle holy water in front of every door and window and around your house and light the blessed candles. Anything on which the candles are sitting will not be affected by the quaking. During the 3 days you are urged to say the rosary, kneel or prostrate yourself on the floor and give constant glory to God. (Of course they also mention to have enough food and water for yourselves and your animals during the days.) You can also read the Bible and other readings or prayers of the day or writings of the saints. The good news is that there will be a sign that comes before the 3 days of darkness, which will be seen all over the world. This sign will be one that makes you feel your sins magnified and is one that will (hopefully) make you repent.  The bad news is that if men do not repent during those 40 days then the 3 days will come upon the entire world on the most bitter of all nights.

It is no wonder that I am dreaming of snow in August and bitter cold nights. I even searched to see if I had beeswax candles in the house, which I do thanks to a trip to Williamsburg my parents took in the 70s. Now I just have to have them blessed. It never hurts to be prepared especially since it IS mentioned in the Book of Revelation, just not in the same detail that I have read on various sites. Since I have not read any other books by the mystics I think I will just continue to put my faith squarely in my Lord and Savior who says that we know not the time nor the hour. We all know just how informative and dis-informative the internet can be (did I just make up a new word?). Aside from that Oliver Platt lived with my Mom in the dream and came into the house shaking the snow from his jacket and stomping his feet. Since I do not know the man personally I will attribute his foray into my head by The Big C commercial that I saw yesterday.

Whatever is in store for any of us is already in Gods hands, so live your life the way that he would want you to. If something stumps you just ask yourself what would Jesus do? I do not think he would run to the local deli to play the numbers but wow that be grand if we actually won!  I will keep you posted on our luck (or lack of it). In the meantime, look into the 3 days of darkness yourself and if you can

have a peaceful and pleasant week!

Mare

Update! We did not win the pick 3 for the day, Alas. Back to work.

Trials and Tribulations

Hi all. I am reading this incredibly inspirational book at the moment titled, The Mystical City of God. This book was written by Mother Mary of Jesus of Agreda back in the Spain of the 1600s. Venerable Mary of Agreda was a mystic to whom Our Blessed Mother Mary appeared and dictated her life. She then instructed Mary to write down everything that had been told to her during the mystical visions. Now the original book is over 2,200 pages so it seems that I am reading the abridged version at close to 800 pages, but though it is not a complete version, it is an absolute page-turner if you ask me.

I know that throughout the various forms of Christianity that Mary is seen in different lights. To Catholics, Mary is venerated by all as the Mother of Our Lord and Savior incarnate. But this book has thoroughly and completely opened up my eyes to so many different things; things that are eluded to in the Bible but not quite clarified. Take for instance, the birth of Mary immaculate, of whom Catholics believe was born without original sin. I know this is a debate in the making however it is one that is addressed in The Mystical City of God. Just as God created the angels for a specific purpose, He created Mary to be the ark of the new covenant. She was created specifically for this earthly life with one purpose.  She had to be perfect from the moment of her own conception in order to be the Mother of Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ and to carry Him in her womb.

Our Lady of Kibeho

Throughout her life she had many trials and tribulations and offered them all up to God the Father. Jesus even began to make sacrifices for the sins of man by wearing an unlined, woolen tunic when he was just a toddler. Of course, we all know of his agony and crucifixion yet are you aware that as his Mother that Mary shared in all of His agonies as well? Simeon prophesied it at the  presentation in the temple when Jesus was just 5 months old.

Look, he is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed--and a sword will pierce your soul too--so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare.'
                              Luke 2: 22-35

This life is meant to have trials and tribulations. It is written that you cannot gain heaven unless you suffer trials and tribulations here on earth.  Personally I do not know of anyone that has a perfect life. Everyone that I know is dealing with some type of trial, be them small or horrific. What we must remember is that regardless if we are having trials or if we are thankfully in a smooth sailing mode that we must keep God close to us at all times. He knew us before we were formed in the womb as well and each and every one of us were put here on this earth for some purpose, just as Mary was. Trials and tribulations are a part of this earthly life and if the Mother of God and Jesus, himself, was not immune to them well then neither are we. 

It is also mentioned in this book, and others as well, that Mary can and will intercede for us on our judgement day when we stand before her Son if you call upon her while here on earth. She is the Mother of all in heaven and on earth and as our Mother loves us unconditionally. The way to Mary is through the rosary, which is said daily. You DO NOT have to be a Catholic to have a devotion to Our Blessed Mother nor to say the daily rosary or the Chaplet of the Seven Sorrows (Dolors).

You do not have to be Catholic in order to read the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the letters of Paul and all chapters in the New Testament either. Jesus himself told the little pagan boy, Segatashaya that in the 1980s Kibeho, Rwandan visions. He did tell him to spread the word that all should read the Bible and live their lives according to His word.**

Pray, pray and then pray some more. Know the Gospels and Jesus through his teachings. Convert your heart and turn away from the pleasures of this earthly world. They are empty and will not gain you access to heaven. Those are not my words; they are the words of Mary most Holy and her Divine Son Jesus. Live your life on Jesus' terms and not your own for only through Him will you obtain eternal life.

If you are interested in a rosary or the chaplet, we have a wide variety of them available at both the website www.gloryglorygifts.com and at the eBay store www.ebay.com/str/gloryglorygifts.

Peace,

Mare

**The Boy Who Met Jesus, by Immaculee Ilibagiza. It's amazing to read!