Tag: forgiveness

God Owns Everything—We Are Stewarts
God’s Gifts Are Meant for Eternity

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20

Every good thing we possess is a gift from God.

Our health, our strength, our talents, our homes, our families, our friendships, and even the opportunities placed before us each day come from His loving hand. We often speak about what we have “earned,” but behind every accomplishment stands the God who gave us life, the ability to work, and the blessings that made success possible.

The Book of James reminds us:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
— James 1:17

Because everything belongs to God, we are not owners—we are stewards.

God entrusts us with His gifts for a time. He asks us to use them wisely, to care for our families, to strengthen our communities, to help those in need, and above all, to glorify Him.

When success comes, thank Him.

When prosperity comes, thank Him.

When health is strong, thank Him.

And if one day He chooses to take those blessings back, thank Him again for allowing you to enjoy them for however long He saw fit.

Job understood this profound truth after losing nearly everything he possessed:

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
— Job 1:21

Those words are not easy to live, but they reveal a heart that trusted God more than possessions.

Keep Your Eyes on Eternity

Life moves quickly.

The house we build will someday belong to someone else.

The car we proudly drive will eventually wear out.

Money comes and goes.

Even our earthly bodies grow older.

Everything around us is temporary.

Only one thing lasts forever—our eternal soul.

That is why Jesus continually reminded His followers to keep their hearts fixed on Heaven.

Every decision we make should be measured against one simple question:

Will this help bring me closer to God and prepare me for eternity?

When we keep our eyes on Heaven, disappointments lose much of their sting, and successes become opportunities to praise God rather than ourselves.

Living for the Eternal Reward

It is interesting how faithfully we obey the rules of our employer.

We arrive at work on time.

We follow company policies.

We complete assignments.

We strive to do our best because, at the end of the week, we expect a paycheck.

Yet that paycheck may be spent before the day is over. Bills are paid, groceries are bought, expenses arise, and the money is gone.

How strange it is that many people work so diligently for rewards that disappear, while giving so little attention to the reward that never fades.

God has already shown us the path to eternal life.

He calls us to:
- Keep His Commandments.
- Love God with all our heart.
- Love our neighbor as ourselves.
- Practice humility, charity, patience, honesty, forgiveness, and purity.
- Receive His grace through prayer and the sacraments.
- Live lives that reflect Christ.
Unlike an earthly employer, God does not ask us to earn His love. He freely offers it. But He does ask us to respond with faithful, obedient hearts.

The Virtues Build the Road to Heaven

The saints remind us that holiness is not usually found in dramatic moments but in ordinary faithfulness.

Each act of kindness…

Each quiet prayer…

Each sacrifice made for another…

Each temptation resisted…

Each word of forgiveness…

These become stepping stones leading toward Heaven.

Virtue shapes our character until we begin to resemble Christ Himself.

The more we practice love, humility, generosity, courage, patience, and faith, the more prepared our souls become for eternal life.

Our Greatest Investment

Wise investors look for what will produce lasting returns.

Jesus tells us that the greatest investment we can ever make is not in the stock market, real estate, or a retirement account.

Our greatest investment is in eternity.

Every prayer offered with love…

Every act of mercy…

Every soul encouraged…

Every sacrifice made for God…

These are treasures that can never be lost.

They accompany us beyond the grave.

A Final Thought

God has blessed each of us in different ways.

Cherish those blessings.

Use them for His glory.

Love your family.

Serve your community.

Help those who cannot repay you.

And if life changes tomorrow, remember to thank God for every blessing He allowed you to enjoy.

Above all, keep your eyes, your mind, and your soul fixed on Heaven.

Everything else will one day pass away.

But eternal life with God will never end.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
— Mark 8:36

May we spend our lives not merely earning a paycheck that lasts a day, but pursuing the Kingdom that lasts forever.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

P.S. Please Click Here to learn about the THM mission and join us in building a loving, carying, sharing community.
July 26, 2026
Promises Attached to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
A Fountain of Grace for the World

🌿 A Promise Born from Mercy

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy, revealed to Saint Faustina Kowalska by Jesus Christ, is not only a prayer—it is a channel of extraordinary promises.

Recorded in Faustina’s diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, these promises were spoken by Jesus Himself, offering hope and grace to a world in need.

This chaplet is rooted in one simple truth:

God’s mercy is infinite—and He desires to pour it out upon us.

✨ The Promise of Mercy at the Hour of Death

One of the most powerful promises associated with the chaplet concerns the moment we all must face—the hour of death.

Jesus said:

“Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death.”

Even more astonishing:

“When they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person… as the merciful Savior.”

This promise brings profound comfort. Whether prayed for oneself or for another, the chaplet becomes a shield of mercy at life’s final moment.

💖 The Promise for Sinners

The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is especially offered for sinners—indeed, for all of us.

Jesus declared:

“The greater the sinner, the greater the right he has to My mercy.”

And further:

“Though your sins be as scarlet… they will become white as snow.”

No soul is beyond hope. The chaplet is a lifeline for those who feel lost, burdened, or far from God.

🌍 The Promise for the Whole World

Unlike many personal devotions, the Chaplet extends beyond the individual—it embraces all humanity.

Each time we pray:

“Have mercy on us and on the whole world,”

we intercede for everyone—family, strangers, even those we may never meet.

Jesus promised that through this prayer:
- Souls will receive unimaginable graces
- God’s mercy will be poured out upon the world
- Hearts will be transformed
🕊️ The Promise of Peace

In a restless and anxious world, the Chaplet brings interior peace.

Those who pray it regularly often experience:
- A deeper trust in God
- Calm in times of suffering
- Strength during trials
- A sense of God’s presence
Jesus encouraged persistent prayer, reminding us that His mercy is always available—especially when we turn to Him with trust.

🙏 The Hour of Great Mercy

Jesus also emphasized a special time: 3:00 PM, the Hour of Mercy—the moment of His death on the Cross.

He said:

“At three o’clock, implore My mercy… In this hour, I will refuse nothing to the soul that makes a request of Me.”

Praying the chaplet at this hour carries special significance, uniting us spiritually with Christ’s sacrifice.

✝️ Final Reflection

The promises attached to the Chaplet of Divine Mercy are not just words—they are an invitation.

An invitation to trust.
An invitation to return.
An invitation to receive a love that never fails.

In a world searching for hope, this prayer stands as a quiet but powerful assurance:

Mercy is always greater than sin.

📣 Call to Action

Have you experienced peace or grace through the Chaplet of Divine Mercy?
Share your story or prayer intentions in the comments below. Let us pray for one another 🙏

Click Here for Miracles attached to The Divine Mercy Chaplet and much more
April 11, 2026
The Week That Changed the World
The Week That Changed the World: A Catholic Journey Through Holy Week

From a Catholic perspective, Holy Week is the most sacred time of the year—a profound spiritual journey that truly changed the world. It commemorates the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, revealing God’s plan of salvation and opening the path to eternal life.

This week is not merely remembered—it is lived. Through liturgy, prayer, and reflection, Catholics enter into the mystery of Christ’s love, walking step by step from triumph to sacrifice, and ultimately to victory.

The Journey Begins: From Praise to the Cross

The journey begins with Palm Sunday (of the Passion of the Lord). Jesus enters Jerusalem to cries of “Hosanna!”—welcomed as king. Yet, within the same liturgy, the Passion narrative is proclaimed, reminding us how quickly human hearts can change.

This day sets the tone for the entire week: joy intertwined with sorrow, glory shadowed by sacrifice.

Betrayal and Preparation: Spy Wednesday

Midweek, often called Spy Wednesday, focuses on the quiet but devastating betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

It reminds us that sin often works in secrecy—and invites us to examine our own hearts. Where do we turn away from Christ? Where are we called back to fidelity?

The Sacred Triduum Begins: Holy Thursday

The evening of Holy Thursday marks the beginning of the Easter Triduum—the holiest period of the Church year.

On this night, Catholics commemorate:
- The Last Supper
- The institution of the Eucharist
- The founding of the priesthood
- Jesus washing the feet of His disciples
This act of humility reveals the heart of Christian discipleship: love expressed through service.

The Sacrifice of Love: Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of profound silence and reverence.

There is no Mass. Instead, Catholics gather to:
- Hear the Passion of Christ
- Venerate the Cross
- Pray for the world
It is the day we remember that Jesus gave His life for the salvation of humanity. The Cross, once a symbol of death, becomes the ultimate sign of sacrificial love.

The Silence of Hope: Holy Saturday

Holy Saturday is a day of waiting.

Christ lies in the tomb. The Church is still. The world seems paused.

Yet beneath the silence, hope is alive.

That night, the Easter Vigil begins—the “mother of all vigils”—where darkness is pierced by candlelight, proclaiming that death will not have the final word.

The Triumph of Life: Easter

Easter is the culmination—the victory.

Christ is risen.

Sin is defeated. Death is conquered. Heaven is opened.

This is the foundation of Christian faith and the reason for hope in every age.

A Living Mystery, Not Just a Memory

For Catholics, Holy Week is not simply a historical timeline—it is a living participation in the mysteries of faith.
- It is an encounter with sacrificial love
- A call to conversion and renewal
- A journey that challenges us to choose forgiveness, humility, and grace
The Easter Triduum, from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, stands as the pinnacle of the liturgical year because it reveals the deepest truth: love is stronger than sin, and life is stronger than death.

Enter the Story

Holy Week is more than something we observe—it is something we enter.

It invites each of us to walk with Christ:
- From praise…
- Through suffering…
- Into new life
This is why it is called the week that changed the world.

And it still changes hearts today.

If you liked this article, please leave your feedback, share with others, and come back for more stories.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 29, 2026
Are You Jesus
Are You Jesus? Carrying On His Work in a Busy World

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Verse to live:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” — Gospel of Matthew 6:33

A Question That Changes Everything

Are you Jesus? At first, that question sounds uncomfortable—even wrong. But look deeper. You are not the Jesus, yet you are called to carry on His work. His love. His mission. His way of living.

Jesus didn’t just come to be admired—He came to be followed. And following Him means something radical: letting His life reshape yours.

The Problem: A Life Too Full

Modern life is loud, fast, and demanding.
Your calendar fills up. Your phone never stops. Your mind is always racing.

And somewhere in the noise, the quiet voice of Jesus gets drowned out.

How much of your busyness is preventing you from living the life Jesus is calling you to live?
- Are you too busy to listen?
- Too distracted to care deeply?
- Too guarded to love freely?
Busyness isn’t just a schedule problem—it’s often a spiritual barrier.

What Does It Mean to “Be Like Jesus”?

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To carry on His work means choosing His way daily:
- Love without condition
- Serve without recognition
- Forgive without limits
- Trust God without fear
Jesus lived with purpose, not pressure. He was never rushed, yet He changed the world.

When you “seek first the kingdom,” you’re not adding another task—you’re reordering your entire life.

Letting Your Guard Down

One of the biggest obstacles isn’t just busyness—it’s protection.

We guard:
- Our time
- Our emotions
- Our vulnerability
But Jesus calls you to something deeper: surrender.

Letting your guard down means:
- Being honest with God
- Allowing others to see your real self
- Trusting that God is enough
It takes courage. Real courage.

A Simple Shift That Changes Everything

What if today you made one small change?

Instead of asking:
“What do I need to get done today?”

Ask:
“How can I live like Jesus today?”

That one question can transform:
- Your conversations
- Your priorities
- Your purpose
Prayer

Jesus, give me the courage to let my guard down.
Jesus, give me the courage to let down my guard.

Help me to release the busyness that distracts me from You.
Teach me to seek Your kingdom first.
Show me how to carry on Your work in my everyday life.

Amen.

Final Thought

You may not be Jesus—but you are called to reflect Him.

And in a world full of noise, pressure, and distraction,
living like Him might be the most powerful thing you can do.

Thank you for reading this article. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
March 26, 2026