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

39°F SSE7mph SR0653(0553) SS1924(1824)

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Today
Read Psalms 142-144
RIAY Day 86 – Filled with new wine
Memory Verse – Revelation 22:5- “Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.” Remember – Isaiah 60:20 “No longer will your sun set, or your moon wane; For the LORD will be your light forever, and the days of your grieving will be over.”

Happy Birthday to Michael…”45″ have an awesome day.

Today is my knee consultation.

Know you are prayed for.

29°F WNW9mph SR0654(0554) SS1922(1822)

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Today
Read Psalms 139-141
RIAY Day 85 The Blessing Never Stops
Memory Verse Isaiah 64:5 & 6- “We have all become like something unclean, all our just deeds are like polluted rags; We have all withered like leaves, and our crimes carry us away like the wind. There are none who call upon your name, none who rouse themselves to take hold of you; For you have hidden your face from us and have delivered us up to our crimes.”

I’ve heard much regarding President Trump and what he is doing to the country. I’ve heard from those who say they are afraid, are angry, are unsure. I had all those feelings during the Biden reign, in that respect, I can understand. I did not, however, go to war against Biden; I simply sat back and watched the pathetic little man be manipulated by those power mongers who used him for their own means. Below is the response I gave to a group I have long been a member of. To that I will add, for those of you wringing your hands over the president, and participating in the hate mongering… it is time to buck up, take stock, and deal with your attitudes. You are ripping this country apart with your woe is me, hate.

Many Americans know/care about what is happening around the world.  
The issue right now is “getting the USA back on track”   
We have spent years watching the UN push its agenda on other countries and frankly paying out quite large amounts of $$
so that they can spread their deviant agenda worldwide.
Since WWII the US has spent 3.75 trillion dollars around the world and frankly
let their own country go down the tubes
What I see today is the US starting to take care of its own first
We have poor, hungry, homeless, sick, fire disasters, flood disasters, weather disasters, etc
and we need to take care of our own first.
An example of that is all the things “illegal aliens acquired” while our citizens went without
A legit need is very seldom if ever ignored but I fail to see how letting our citizens suffer makes us a better country
That does not mean we don’t see what is happening outside our borders
It means we will take care of us first
We have practically done away with manufacturing here in the US to feed the “global economy” and it is biting us now.
We have teachers, clergy, and citizens who think they should indoctrinate our children in the ways of deviant behavior
It is time to get our house in order
President Trump has an agenda: “America First.” He is bombastic, but I don’t see that as threatening. I see it as “standing up for oneself” in this world that is so lost in feelings. We have allowed the idea of “not hurting feelings” to rule. I would much rather live in reality than let hurt feelings rule. But then, I’ve felt that way for years. Truth is truth, and sometimes it hurts, and we have to learn to deal with that hurt.
Canada, Mexico, and the US will come to an agreement eventually.  I don’t see any of them losing their country over it.  Greenland will eventually decide to stand on their own two feet instead of vacillating back and forth about when/if/how to become independent from Denmark.  The EU looks to be finally stepping up and helping their neighbors instead of expecting countries a continent away to do it.  Israel has been fighting for years to get back what God gave them centuries ago.  There is nothing that will change that, as long as they believe they are on a mission from God.  It is all about power and control… Man exhorting “his” power to control everything instead of turning it over to God.
I’m all for making my corner of the world liveable helping out others when they need it and when I have the means to do that.  Meanwhile, I will work on recognizing evil for what it is and doing what I can to eradicate it.
President Trump is not “the best fit” but right now he is “the one” to get the ball rolling.  He has everyone paying attention to what is happening in their own backyard and taking steps to protect their own.  Not a bad start just shocking at times.

Know you are prayed for.

24°F NW12mph SR0656(0556) SS1921(1821)

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Today
Read Psalms 136-138
RIAY Day 84 Do Not Be Afraid
Memory Verse-Revelation 4:8 – “The four living creatures, each of them with six wings,  were covered with eyes inside and out. Day and night they do not stop exclaiming: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come.”

Morning! Winter is trying to hold on but Spring is winning out. Traces of green have started to shine through, the leaf buds are swelling, and most of the snow has melted. Thoughts of lilacs and daffodils are nudging my mind. The raised beds are a mess. The lawn too. There are so many things to put on the “To-Do” list.

Have an awesome day

Know you are prayed for

28°F WNW17mph SR0658(0558) SS1920(1820)

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Today
Read Psalm 133-135
RIAY Day 83 Father Forgive Them
Memory Verse Acts 5:3,4 – “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart so that you lied to the holy Spirit and retained part of the price of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain yours? And when it was sold, was it not still under your control? Why did you contrive this deed? You have lied not to human beings, but to God.”

know you are prayed for

38°F S18mph SR0700(0600) SS1919(1819)

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Another good night’s sleep. Amazing what it does for a body. Today the plan is to take a hard look at what is happening in the world.

RIAY Day 82 Simon’s Choice

Know you are prayed for.

23°F W6mph SR0702(0602) SS1918(1818)

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee good

RIAY Day 81 Behold Your King

Finally! a good night’s sleep…7.5 hrs. Amazing what that does for a person.

The weekend has arrived, and all that entails. The to-do list is quite lengthy. funny haw that happens when one has a busy week.

How’s your Lent going? Is it time to perhaps whittle down what seems to be too much or time to reflect back, put some thoughts into order, and ponder what you’ve realized about your faith? Either way, this is your Lenten season. Your time to spend with Jesus.

Have an awesome day
Know you are prayed for

25°F S12mph SR0703(0603) SS1916(1816)

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps as I should be

No coffee

Today
Read Psalms 130-132
RIAY Day 80 His Blood for You

Hate it when I can’t sleep.
In the office doing copywork
Knees are feeling the weather change
which in turn is keeping me up
by 5 I will feel like death warmed over

Know you are prayed for