37°F NW15mph SR0637(0537) SS1935(1835)

Morning Offering given

Village quiet

No coffee

Today
Catch up on your scripture reading and the RIAY podcasts. Its been quite a week hasn’t it.

Emails printed and ready for delivery.

Know you are prayed for

27°F ESE8mph SR0639(0539) SS1934(1834)

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee good

Cloths folded, dryer loaded, washer running

Slept well last night only 2.9 events an hour with 5:46 hrs of straight sleep. Woke with a rapid heartbeat/ Afib pattern. I did a smart watch ECG and will send it to the cardiologist. Got my #1 walk pad in. The knee continues to feel good using castor oil and calendula ointment. Am noticing decrease in swelling (almost back to normal). Great day yesterday! Got the office whipped into shape. All medical records boxed, up to Dec 31, 2024. Needed to clean out the medfile tote. All file tabs have been renewed and are now being straitened under a weight. Appointments for chiro/reflexology made. The right shoulder is tender, and each thumb has a painful bump on the outside of 1st thumb joint. Better efforts needed in hydration (believe that is the heartbeat issue). Journal printed and put in 2025 binder.

Marvin/Rebecca S have a new daughter, around 7 last evening. Hannah 8.5#, 20.5″ Mom and baby doing fine. I will pick up Marvin this morning around 0730 and bring him home. Rebecca will stay until tonight, sometime.

Today
Read Proverbs 1
RIAY Day 94 No Doubt
Memory Verse – 1 Timothy 4:1-2: “Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the last times some will turn away from the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and demonic instructions through the hypocrisy of liars with branded consciences.” (Note definition of branded consciences: to be desensitized to their own sin, a dramatic moral numbness)

Know you are prayed for.

35°F WNW19mph SR0640(0540) SS1932(1832)

Morning Offering given

Village chilly

Coffee good

Early morning run, then slept in.

Today
Read Proverbs Introduction
RIAY Day 93 Look Like You Love Him
St. Sabbas: (actual feast day is the 14th) shows us the importance of keeping sacred images as reminders of our faith and love for God.

Good Morning, short night. Round trip to VMH with a woman for the baby. Birthday greetings to nephew PS, who is 37 today; RS and NS, who are 13; RIP to JTH, who would have been 106. Eons ago(1993), I received a datebook from a friend and decided to record births, deaths, weddings, baptisms, and other significant events. I’ve always found it interesting to know those things. My family will have a puzzled look on their faces because I am notoriously bad about sending cards, etc.

Know you are prayed for.

34°F rainy SE20mph SR0642(0542) SS1931(1831)

Morning Offering given

Village wet

Coffee hot

Crawford won the WI Supreme Court… may God have mercy on us. I will say Soros and Musk should have stayed out of it. In fact, I believe all big money should be removed from all elections. That campaigning should not be any part of the judicial system at all.

This morning I slept in. Now I rush. Copy jobs to complete before I leave for the morning. 1.5 down. School Spring programs and book repair sheets are the flavor of the day.

Remember to visit Jesus today and share your heart with him. Let’s finish out lent with the RIAY Day 92: Waiting in the Temple

The knee, has little or no pain. Castor Oil and Calendula Ointment, along with the cortisone shot, seem to have done the trick. Slow and steady on the walking pad does not seem to be hurting anything. For this, I am grateful.

Today is my day to pray for those at Catholic Mom Community. If I can add any of your petitions let me know.

Know you are prayed for.

23⁰F SE17mph SR0644(0544)  SS1930(1830)

Morning Offering given

Village slow to wake

Pope’s Prayer Intention for April
Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

Vote today.

April Fools Day–

Electricity went out a couple of times last night. My internet is having issues.  I can’t help but wonder what is going on. The electricity has gone out a couple times a month since the 1st of the year.

No time this morning to dilly dally.

Know you are prayed for.

28°F NNW11mph SR0646(0546) SS1929(1829)

Morning Offering given

Village sleep with light dusting of snow… hey DST lovers I’m still waiting for you to be awake in the morning to enjoy your sunshine longer!

Coffee good

Today
Read Psalms 148-150. You have now completed the book of Psalms.
RIAY Day 90: Consoling Mother -you have now completed 1/4th of the year
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 32:39 “See now that I, I alone, am he, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them, and from my hand no one can deliver.“

Today begins my walking pad adventure. I found a used “TimeTook” walking pad online and purchased it. This morning, I begin my walking journey slowly so I did not mess up my knee. More information on that will come later.

Happy Birthday to our grandson AJ!

Know you are prayed for.

32°F raining NE11mph SR0647(0547) SS1927(1827)

Morning Offering given

Village, peaceful and quiet, soaking up the light rain

Coffee good

Here we are on the “Fourth Sunday of Lent—Laetare Sunday.” Also called Mothering Sunday, Refreshment Sunday, and Rose Sunday, rose is the color of the day, and the golden rose sent by Popes to Catholic sovereigns used to be blessed on this day. Take a moment to learn about the history of Christianity. How/when/who started it.

The knee feels good. Not completely pain-free, as there is occasional discomfort, but not debilitating at this time. I know it won’t last, but today is good. I will begin slow walking on a walking pad this week. I must get moving one way or another. Procrastination is my sin. What’s yours if you care to share.

Know you are prayed for.

53°F ENE13mph SR0649(0549) SS1926(1826)

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee good

Good Morning!
Lent is swiftly moving toward the Easter season. Perhaps since it’s the 4th Sunday of Lent tomorrow, we should take a moment and see how things are going for us. Are you on track, struggling, or given up? Don’t give up whatever you do. It is in the struggle that we sometimes have our best realizations. I heard a song yesterday. One phrase stuck with me: “your life is like a river running home”. That stopped me short because I hadn’t looked at the direction of where I was really headed. I’ve spent so much time meandering through the floatsom, I haven’t looked up to see something in advance for quite some time now. Oh, I’ve got a navigation plan for sure. But the things I find blocking my way, or the time I spend puzzling over potential problems/issues, have prevented me (I have let them prevent me) from looking up and seeing the beauty surrounding me. Therefore, I missed the pass around the problem ahead of me.

Today
Look up!

Know you are prayed for.

THE DEVIL’S GREATEST TRICK:
Hiding the Cost of Your Soul
INTRODUCTION:
The Oldest Deception in Human History
The statement “The devil never shows you the consequences of sin” is not just a warning—it is a profound truth that has been proven throughout human history.
From the moment the serpent deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:4-5), Satan has used the same strategy: conceal the true cost of sin, make it seem harmless or even desirable, and wait for the soul to self-destruct.
This deception is particularly dangerous because it does not rely on fear or coercion; instead, it works through persuasion, false promises, and the illusion of pleasure.
The devil does not force people into sin—he lures them in, step by step, hiding the long-term consequences until it’s too late.
We must understand this battle clearly. Sin is not just an individual moral failure—it is a trap that leads to spiritual death.
Below, we will explore the devil’s tactics, the hidden cost of sin, and the Catholic response to his lies.
I. The Devil’s Strategy: Concealing the True Cost of Sin
A. The Illusion of Pleasure

1. Sin Appears Attractive
   The devil never presents sin as ugly or harmful.
   He makes vices like lust, greed, pride, and power seem fulfilling.
   He makes sin look like freedom, when in reality, it leads to enslavement (John 8:34).
2. Immediate Gratification, Delayed Destruction
   Many sins provide instant pleasure—sexual indulgence, revenge, wealth, status—but they lead to long-term spiritual decay.
   Proverbs 5:3-5 describes this: “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.”
   Sin feels good at first, but its consequences come later—often when it’s too late to turn back.
   B. The False Sense of Control
3. “I Can Stop Anytime”
   Many people believe they can flirt with sin and stop before it destroys them.
   But sin, especially habitual sin, ensnares like a trap (John 8:34).
   One small compromise leads to another, and before long, the soul is enslaved.
4. Gradual Spiritual Numbness
   The more a person sins, the more God’s voice fades into the background.
   What once felt wrong now seems normal.
   The conscience becomes deadened, making repentance harder.
   C. The Lie That Consequences Are Exaggerated
5. The Devil Makes Hell Seem Unreal
   Satan’s greatest trick is convincing the world he doesn’t exist.
   Many today reject the doctrine of Hell, seeing it as outdated—even though Christ spoke of it more than any other topic (Matthew 25:46).
6. The World Redefines Sin as Freedom
   Society calls sin a “personal choice”, turning morality into subjective preference.

The more people embrace moral relativism, the less they see the danger of sin.

II. The True Cost of Sin: What the Devil Doesn’t Want You to Know
A. The Spiritual Cost: Death of the Soul

1. Separation from God
   Sin erects a barrier between the soul and God (Isaiah 59:2).
   Mortal sin cuts off sanctifying grace, leaving the soul defenseless.
2. The Risk of Eternal Damnation
   Hell is not a metaphor; it is an eternal state of separation from God.
   Jesus warned: “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36).
   B. The Psychological Cost: Emptiness, Addiction, and Guilt
3. Sin Does Not Satisfy
   Lust leads to shame, not love.
   Greed leads to paranoia, not peace.
   Pride leads to loneliness, not power.
4. Sin Enslaves
   The more one sins, the harder it is to stop (John 8:34).
   Many struggle with pornography, alcoholism, drug abuse, believing they are in control.
   C. The Social Cost: The Collapse of Families and Societies
5. The Destruction of Relationships
   Infidelity ruins marriages.
   Greed corrupts politics.
   Pride fuels war and division.
6. A Culture of Spiritual Blindness
   When societies reject God’s laws, chaos follows—violence, depression, and disorder.

The family is under attack, as seen in rising divorce rates and broken homes.

III. The Devil’s Ultimate Goal: Dragging Souls to Hell
A. Hell: The Reality No One Wants to Face

1. A Place of Eternal Separation from God
   The Church teaches that Hell is real and reserved for those who die in unrepented mortal sin.
   “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire” (Matthew 25:41).
2. Hell Was Not Meant for Humans
   God created Hell for Satan and his demons (Matthew 25:41).
   But when people choose sin over God, they choose Hell.
   B. The Devil’s Most Effective Lie: “You Have Time”
3. The Danger of Delay
   The devil tells sinners, “You can repent later.”
   But death comes unexpectedly, and delaying repentance is fatal.
4. The Hardening of the Heart
   The longer one remains in sin, the harder it becomes to repent.

Many who reject God once never return.

IV. The Catholic Response: Defeating the Devil’s Lies
A. Recognize Sin for What It Is

1. Learn to See Through the Devil’s Deception
   Study Sacred Scripture and Church teaching.
   Be aware of the danger of small compromises.
2. Stop Rationalizing
   Call sin by its name—do not minimize it.
   Be honest about its true consequences.
   B. The Weapons of Spiritual Warfare
3. Frequent Confession and the Eucharist
   The Sacrament of Confession restores grace.
   The Eucharist is the ultimate spiritual weapon.
4. Daily Prayer and Fasting
   Fasting weakens the grip of temptation.
   The Rosary crushes Satan—as seen in the exorcism accounts of Fr. Gabriel Amorth.
   C. Surround Yourself with Strong Catholics
5. Stay Close to the Church
   The devil attacks the isolated.
   Join a Catholic community for accountability.
6. Evangelize and Expose the Devil’s Lies
   The truth must be spoken boldly.

Bring others to Christ by revealing the hidden cost of sin.

V. CONCLUSION:
Choose Whom You Will Serve
The devil is real. His deception is effective. And his goal is to make sure you never see the consequences of sin until it’s too late.
But God has given us the truth, the sacraments, and the Church to defeat him.
The choice remains:
Follow the devil’s illusion and risk eternal damnation?
Or fight for holiness and gain eternal life?
As Joshua declared:
“Choose this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24:15)
Catholic Christianity
What will you choose?

46°F Storming S19mph SR0651(0551) SS1925(1825)

Morning Offering given… Lord, bring peace and calm to the storms we are facing. Remind us all that you are with us and that you are in control. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Village is accepting the needed rain, and the addition of nitrogen to the soil through the lightning and thunder strikes.

Coffee comforting

Many thanks to P&TS for a lovely supper and good conversation last evening.
The trip to the doctor regarding my knee ended with a cortisone shot, caution to be careful with the knee, and to make a return visit to set up appointments with a surgeon should it not work.

Today
Read Psalms145-147
RIAY Day 87-Its all True

Woke this morning to flashes of light and rumbles of thunder. The man had already exited sleep, replacing it with exercise. I am grateful for a slow day today. They don’t happen often; I am coveting this one. I am not experiencing the normal (to me) knee discomfort of rain. It would seem April may have gotten a jump on “April Showers”, or perhaps March is just exiting like “a lion”. Let’s think about how our lives come out of the darkness of winter and into the refreshment of spring, moving into the growth of summer, and eventually to the harvest of fall. Stop your world from swiftly moving through the seasons of life and experience each moment while you mature in your relationship to Christ.

Know you are prayed for