ifylovee

*Acts 9:1-20 — But today it wasn’t Saul who stopped me. It was Ananias.*

God says: _“Go to Straight Street. Lay hands on Saul.”_

And Ananias does what I would’ve done.
He pulls out the receipts.

_“Lord, have you seen his file?”_
_“Lord, do you know what he did to the saints?”_
_“Lord, he came here with handcuffs for us.”_
Translation: _“God, are you sure?”_

We do this. All the time.
When God promotes someone, we replay their mistakes.
When God writes a new chapter, we flip back to page one.
When mercy speaks, we submit evidence.

We argue with God — politely, logically, _theologically_ — about people He’s already forgiven.

But God doesn’t debate. He just says:
_“Go. He is My chosen instrument.”_

No explanation. No vote. No committee.

Because Ananias saw a _past_. God saw a _purpose_.
Ananias saw a _threat_. God saw an _apostle_.
Ananias saw blood on his hands. God saw letters that would build the Church.

And it hit me:

*We love the idea of grace — until grace picks someone we’ve already written off.*
We preach _“people can change”_ — but we never update our memory of them.
We keep them locked in a version of themselves that God has already deleted.

The devil uses your past to shame you.
People use your past to define you.
*God uses your past to prove what grace can do.*

So if you’re the one they’re still whispering about —
If your old name is louder in rooms than your new life —
If people keep introducing you by your scars —

Remember: *God is not confused about where you’ve been. He’s committed to where He’s taking you.*

And if you’re the one with Ananias energy today — clipboard in hand, files on everyone —
Maybe it’s time to lay it down.

Because the man you’re still calling _Saul_…
God has already renamed _Paul_.

And heaven isn’t asking for your opinion.

Fr. Joseph

Amen and Amen 🙏🏿 Happy New Week. ❤️

GOOD FRIDAY: EMBRACING THE CROSS OF JESUS

There are 3 most important days in all of Christianity — Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Each of these days are equally as important to the other and each deserve their own day of remembrance and celebration. If any one of these 3 days were eliminated from Christianity then Christianity would cease to exist altogether.
Good Friday is a profound day of reflection, centering on Jesus' substitutionary sacrifice for human sin, which turned a dark day of torture into a victory of grace. It marks the essential, intentional, and painful path to redemption, offering hope, atonement, and the promise of eternal life. 
Jesus' death was a voluntary sacrifice that demonstrates the depth of God's love for humanity. It was a move to change the status quo and offer reconciliation.
Good Friday is the road to Resurrection Sunday. It invites believers to look toward the hope of the resurrection. It encourages us to approach God with confidence, to live with purpose, and to be reconciled to Him. It is a time for deep contrition, repentance, and realizing that the cross was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. So, then, let’s EMBRACE THE CROSS OF JESUS.
Pray Psalm 51.

1 DAY TO GO
Just 1 day left! Tomorrow, Between The Mountains goes out into the world. May these songs inspire, uplift, and remind you of God’s presence in every mountain and the beauty of being alone with Him. 🌄🙏✨”

Amen and Amen. Have a blessed week🙏🏿❤️