5 simple and free ways to make every day Valentine's Day
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“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)
We are promised peace because we have a relationship with the Prince of Peace. It’s amazing that, as Christians, we are never dry of peace. The well from the spring never runs dry. Sometimes, however, we only must remind ourselves to drink. Allow yourself to drink from the never ending well. If you thirst for the light needed to break through the darkness, reach for the sky. If you are confused and scared in the dark, grasp for the light above.
To dwell in the light, we must sometimes endure the darkness. While in the darkness, remember those things in your life that are pure and good. When looking for the light to penetrate the void, fill the emptiness with praise and truth. If your mind drifts into the emptiness spurning from the ruler of damnation, bring it back under the protection of the light Himself. Jesus is light and He radiates life.
St. Paul urges us to “keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me.” What does St. Paul say you should do? He says to keep on doing what you know you should. Go to Mass, even when you do not feel like it. Make frequent trips to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, even when you are ashamed or afraid. Pray daily, even when you do not know what to say. Follow Christ, even if you must follow Him alone.
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
