Well, I was thinking (similar to how we've done these things before when this thread was more active) we would commit to a week or however long to offer up certain prayers and intentions for each other and ourselves. I know last time we did the Rosary for our Catholic members (though I myself will pray the Rosary as well sometimes), and a variety of similar prayer rules for our Orthodox members. (Also, I don't think I've seen you around yet (though that may just be because I was disconnected for awhile). Welcome!)
Today, in the western church, is the feast day of Mary Magalane: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=83 particularly poignant to us struggling with sexual problems- and remembering that inside women 'performing' porn is a Mary Magdalene waiting to blossom. "Mary Magdalene wasted the great beauty that God had given her in a life of sin, but one day she saw Christ and was touched by grace." http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2016-07-22
Hi all, I know meditation is often recommended for Fapstronauts, but Christians should consider the Jesus prayer, instead of Eastern meditation. Our mainstream media, as we know is pretty anti-christian and ignores the health benefits of the Jesus prayer, but here are some good links on it: http://orthodoxwayoflife.blogspot.com/2012/05/prayer-brings-benefits-beyond.html There is something to be learned from the studies on meditators as meditation has some similarities to what the Church Fathers teach, but there is also something fundamentally different. In medittion there is no aim of salvation, eternal life with God, or union with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is in truth only a practice that yields "self-realization" with the danger of self-induced visions that one thinks is God. Often it leads to an expanded ego state rather than a place of greater humility and love http://drzeiders.com/religion-and-spirituality/the-psychophysiology-of-the-jesus-prayer/ Practicing nihilistic eastern mediation can be very dangerous - the Jesus prayer type of mediation has the same health benefits but connects us with God.
Lord have mercy. Thee I adore. Into Thy Hands. - this is said by an Anglican vicar in a novel but is perfectly biblical
Regardless of who said it, it's beautiful, and everything it says is just about the definition of licit.
St. John-Paul II - if only I'd listened to him more when he was alive! Bolded the most pertinent ones to us. “Faith and Reason are like two wings of the human spirit by which is soars to the truth.” (my personal favorite JP2 quote!) “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and Alleluia is our song.” “Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” “I plead with you! Never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never become discouraged. Be not afraid.” “The worst prison would be a closed heart.” “A person’s rightful due is to be treated as an object of love, not as an object for use.” “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” “It is the duty of every man to uphold the dignity of every woman.” (this is a great one, gentlemen!) “If He asks much of you, it is because He knows you can give much.” “Love between man and woman cannot be built without sacrifices and self-denial.” Then of course there is the most pertinent: “There is no dignity when the human dimension is eliminated from the person. In short, the problem with pornography is not that it shows too much of the person, but that it shows far too little.”
Hi all thanks AllanTheCowboy for introducing me to this thread! Im striving forward to the goal of purity and forgetting what lies behind. Philippians (3:13-14). Lets keep the youth at world youth day in Poland in our prayers. I heard that about 18,000 youth the other day received a chastity talk by chastity speakers Jason and Crystalina Evert from chastityproject.com. lets pray that great fruits come from world youth day and that clean hearts and steadfast spirits (psalm 51:10) are created in these youth who will be Christ bearers for others. St. Joseph, Guardian of the Virgin, Pray for us.
GUYS! I just learned today about devotion to the Pure/Chaste Heart of St. Joseph. HE IS SO FUCKING ON OUR SIDE IT'S RIDICULOUS! He's been interceding for me even though I started out asking other intercessors, because THIS fight is one that he's chosen for his own. He is Scourge of Demons, and the only man in all time and eternity with true authority or influence over Jesus, by the fourth commandment. Ask his help, ask him to bring you Jesus' help! Ask his Chaste Heart! Also, unrelated, watch Stranger Thing on Netflix. So awesome.
I'm completely upset after having read these links: http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=52632 http://okgazette.com/2016/06/29/black-mass-and-the-consumption-of-mary-set-for-aug-15/ As Our Lady is for all us, catholic and orthodox, our model of purity, I would ask you to join Card. Burke's reparation prayers.
Sorry guys, accidentally posted that without saying anything myself. I recently became a member of this website and I excited to see other Catholics (as well as our Orthodox brothers and sisters) taking advantage of it as well. The two best pieces of advice I got from a priest regarding PMO is to take it one day at a time, and to find wholesome productive things to do throughout the day. I personally have found the latter to be very apt because everytime I have fallen into such sins, it was very much in times of laziness, boredom, loneliness, and desperation (none of which are good excuses)
This is an excellent post. That explains a lot. I think if I tried focusing on myself as opposed to turning myself to God, I would be a very depressed individual.
Brothers and sisters, on this day when we celebrate the Queenship of Our Lady, I must pass well and carefully through the narrow way. On my path, I believe I may find myself in battle with the Great Deceiver. Pray for me today, whenever you think of it. I must follow our Lord. I unite my will to His. For strength, I want to profess publicly: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Father in Heaven, be with me through this task, and give me the strength I need. Vanquish my fear and doubt; make me know that I do Your will. I fear no evil, for You are with me. Evil may very well show itself to me this day, or attack me from the shadows. Shield me, Lord. Holy Spirit guard and guide me. Precious Blood of Jesus, protect me. St. Michael and all the host surround me! Blessed Mother, crush the evil one, and all his followers under your heel. St. Joseph, Scourge of Demons and patron of husbands, bring me your fatherly guidance and protection. I entrust myself to the Lord, and to all those to whom He entrusts His children. Dear brothers, and sisters, I go to do the Lord's work, and I go to war. I beg you give me the armour and arsenal of your prayers!
Bit of an old article (May 2016) but I think relevant to us: Exorcist Says There's a Demon that Targets the Family
Hi... Im catholic minister from Argentine, 35 YO- It's my first day in the community, know that there are others like me, in this way, not make me feel so alone and ashamed. grettings & blessings!