The Charismatic Catholic

John Michael Talbot is considered one of the main leaders of the early Charismatic Catholic movement, an author, and a world renowned Catholic Musician. He also founded The Brothers and Sisters of Charity in 1980 - a Catholic-ish community of celibate brothers and sisters, singles who can marry, and families that live as a monastic and domestic spiritual family in separate cloisters at the Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville, AR. He is also the host of a television program, All Things Are Possible, which is in its 2nd Season on The Church Channel. 

Since its birth in 1967, The Catholic Charismatic Renewal has been a part of at least 100 million peoples' lives in over 238 countries. The Pentecost, otherwise known as baptism of the Holy Spirit, is the foundation of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Many Archdioceses have Charismatic Liaisons and Renewal Centers designated by their Archbishops. The NM Santa Fe Archdiocese has a Charismatic Center at 1412 5th St. NW in Albuquerque with a monthly healing mass and various events.  

I attended the John Michael Talbot Retreat for Oblates and Friends at Pecos Benedictine Monastery.  

An Oblate is a lay individual who has taken an oath to dedicate him or herself to the Monastery by sharing in the monastic life while living in the secular world. This includes visits, retreats, daily prayers, as well as volunteering at the monastery and contributing in other ways. They play an important role as a means of support and extended community for a Monastery. Oblates are standard to most Monastic Communities, both Catholic and Protestant. 

The retreat I attended was 2 full days with 2 half days. It was a diverse group of participants from all over the United States, mostly Catholic but a few protestants. John Michael was the only speaker during the retreat. He combined charismatic preaching with soulful singing of Christian music. During the music, he would often have the group rise up and joyfully sing along in the praise of God. 

John Michael talked about the Joy of the Gospel. He said the joy of The Lord is unlocked when you forgive. Lack of Forgiveness binds up a person or community and they can drown in bitterness. He encouraged us to let go of your worldly concerns and give them to God. He talked about Practice and how it is learning to see Christ in everyone, bringing the divine into the ordinary. He talked about the process of people surrendering their life to God and compared it to the hulling of wheat. He said when God cuts us down, he will do more with us than we could ever do on our own. He spent much of the time explaining the Liturgy, Monastic Life, Oblates, and other Catholic Theology - it was very interesting to hear and learn. He emphasized vibrancy in all of your practices and to breathe life into the Liturgy because, Jesus will always show up in the Eucharist.  

"Theology without a personal relationship with Jesus is Vanity" - JMT

These were just a few of the insightful things he shared with us. It was a completely amazing experience. I recommend to anyone, regardless of their denominational affiliation, to go and hear John Michael Talbot speak. 

All things are possible for the one who has faith. ~ Mark 9:23

THANK YOU John Michael Talbot for sharing such a great and amazing experience with us! 

Celebrate Wesleyan Church

The Wesleyan Church is a protestant, evangelical, holiness denomination. The Wesleyan church was originally part of the Methodist Church but split from it in the mid 1800's, due to disagreement about sanctification -- the process by which people become more holy. The church took its name after John Wesley the founder of the Methodist church. A fundamental teaching of the faith is, "a victorious Christian life is possible for all believers through the experience of both forgiveness of sins and the filling of the Holy Spirit in our lives." There are just a few Wesleyan Churches in Albuquerque. 

This past Sunday, I attended Celebrate Wesleyan Church's 10:45 service. Reverend John Bubbico conducted the service. It started with singing, a call to the altar, and prayers. Then Rev. Bubbico gave a very well prepared and moving sermon based on Romans 8:28

"All things work together for the good of those who love God."

Rev. Bubbico preached about the difficult times in life and how to not close yourself off from God during these times. He talked about using moments of grief and crisis as an opportunity to grow, to strengthen your relationship with God, and could even serve as some of life's best lessons. He talked about how attitudes are the biggest factor in determining how these moments affect you. He said, "Your attitude in life, affects your spiritual altitude." He also discussed the common pitfalls in how people choose to face life's challenges:

• Self Pity - Asking God "Why Me?" and soliciting pity about your circumstances from others
• Rebelling - Getting angry and trying to fight back against the sorrow or challenges you are facing - as if getting mad at God will really change things
• Breaking Through - Using the grief or sorrow for creating something good in your life. Always looking for the lesson or the good in the hard times.  

He encouraged us to put our Faith in God, because God has a way of pulling together the broken pieces and sculpting them into a beautiful new creation. 

It was a simple service, but very good insight into the Word of God. An elderly couple invited me to have lunch with them but I already had plans ♡♡ Very Sweet.  

OPEN YOUR MINDS AND HEARTS TO THE SPIRIT OF GOD. 

THANK YOU Celebrate Wesleyan Church for such a great and inspiring service and sermon. 

Gigachurch

John and Dodie Osteen

There are megachurches and then there is the Gigachurch*, Lakewood Church in Houston. Called the "Texas-size congregation," it is the largest congregation in the U.S. with at times over 50,000 attendees per week. 

Lakewood Church is a non denominational church first started in 1959 in an old feed store by John Osteen. After he passed away, his son Joel Osteen took over the pulpit in 1999 and increased the membership exponentially. In 2005, they renovated and moved into The Summit, a sports arena. The services are also televised to over 20 million weekly. 

We arrived early to negotiate the parking. We were greeted upon entry & I advised them I was a newcomer so they sat us right up front. 

Paul Osteen MD said a few words before the main service, "Cast your cares to The Lord, for he cares for you." ~ 1 Peter 5:7

It starts out with about an hour of music worship that is full throttle and high energy! 

They have members of the prayer group, including Dodie Osteen and Paul Osteen, pray for anyone who comes up front. There is a group confession before the sermon, in order to receive the word more readily. 

Associate Pastor John Gray gave the sermon today is also sang a little before he started preaching. He is a funny guy with a great love of The Lord. 

He talked about how Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart - answer the door. Don't wait until your house is clean to let him in. Jesus doesn't want perfection, he just wants honesty. Pastor Gray wanted us to make time in our busy schedule for Jesus. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. ~ Matthew 11:30

Be loud about your Love for God. 

THANK YOU Lakewood Church for welcoming me into your mega service.